How to Get a Marriage License in the Bahamas
The government fee is $100. The residency requirement is 24 hours. Processing is same day or next business day. No blood test. No lengthy waiting period. Glenn Ferguson has guided 200+ couples through this exact process since 2001 — here is everything you need to know before you fly.
Quick Answer: Visit the Registrar General's Department, Marriages Section, Nassau (Corner of Shirley & Charlotte Street — open Mon–Fri 9:30 AM–4:00 PM) after you have been in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours. Both parties must attend in person. Bring valid photo ID, proof of your arrival date, and your marital status document. Pay the $100 fee. The licence is issued the same day or next business day and is valid for 90 days.
Need help? WhatsApp Glenn before you travel — he will check your documents and confirm you have everything correct.
Bahamas Marriage Licence
- 24-hour residency required before applying
- Both parties must be present in person
- No blood test required
- Same day or next business day processing
- Valid for 90 days from date of issue
- Legal age: 18 years
- Two witnesses aged 18+ required for ceremony
- Out Islands: apply at Commissioner's Office
What Is a Bahamas Marriage Licence?
A Bahamas marriage licence is the mandatory legal document that authorises a marriage ceremony to take place in The Bahamas. Without it, no legal wedding can proceed — the ceremony would have no standing under Bahamian or international law.
The licence is issued by the Registrar General's Department, the government body responsible for all vital records in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Once issued, it must be used within 90 days. After your ceremony, your Licensed Marriage Officer files the Marriage Duplicate Register (Form No. 9) with the Registry, and your certified marriage certificate is generated from that record.
The legal minimum age for marriage in the Bahamas is 18 years for both parties. Persons under 18 may marry only with the written consent of both parents — consent forms are available from the Registrar General's office.
Importantly, Bahamian marriage law applies uniformly across all islands. Whether you marry in Nassau, Exuma, Harbour Island, or any other island, the same requirements apply.
Registrar General's Department — Marriages Section
Official Office Information (Verified 2026)
Ask Glenn a Question
How to Get a Bahamas Marriage Licence: The 6-Step Process
Every legal Bahamas wedding follows the same licence process, regardless of where on the islands you marry or what type of ceremony you choose. Here is exactly what to do, in order.
Arrive & wait 24 hours
Both parties must be in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours before applying. Keep your immigration card or entry stamp as proof.
Prepare your documents
Assemble ID, proof of entry date, and your marital status document (see checklist below). Send photos to Glenn on WhatsApp for a pre-travel document check.
Attend the Registrar General's
Both parties attend together at the Marriages Section, Corner of Shirley & Charlotte Street, Nassau. Doors open 9:30 AM. Out Island couples go to the Commissioner's Office.
Complete application & interview
Both parties complete the Application for a Marriage Licence form. Non-Bahamian applicants are interviewed by a Registrar or designated Marriage Officer.
Pay the $100 fee
The government fee of BS$100 is paid at the counter. The licence is issued the same day or the following business day. Bring cash as the primary payment method.
Marry within 90 days
Your licence is valid for 90 days. After the ceremony, your Marriage Officer files Form No. 9 with the Registry. Your certified marriage certificate follows.
"The Bahamas has one of the most straightforward destination wedding licence processes in the Caribbean — the 24-hour residency rule, the $100 fee, and same-day processing are genuine advantages. But I have seen couples who did everything right except one document arrive at the Registrar General's and have their application delayed. That document is almost always the affidavit of single status: couples assume a birth certificate or driver's licence proves they are single. It does not. If you have never been married before, you need a sworn affidavit from a recognised authority. US citizens can get this at the American Embassy in Nassau or from a local Bahamian Notary before applying. Send me your documents on WhatsApp before you fly — five minutes of my time can save your wedding day."
Documents Required for a Bahamas Marriage Licence
Requirements vary depending on your marital history and nationality. Every couple needs the core identity and residency documents. The marital status document changes based on your situation.
Core Documents
- Valid passport or government-issued photo ID (passport preferred for international visitors)
- Proof of date of entry into the Bahamas (immigration card or entry stamp in passport showing you arrived at least 24 hours ago)
- Completed Application for a Marriage Licence form (available at the Registrar General's)
Affidavit of Single Status
- A sworn declaration certifying you have never been married before
- US citizens: sworn at the American Embassy, Nassau (~$55) or before a Bahamian Notary Public
- Other nationalities: sworn before a Notary Public or authorised official in your home country before travelling, or before a Bahamian Notary Public in Nassau
- This affidavit is not the same as a birth certificate — bring both if needed
Divorce Documentation
- Original final divorce decree or a certified copy bearing a raised or coloured seal
- Must be the final order — interim orders and Decree Nisi are not accepted
- UK couples: Decree Absolute required (not Decree Nisi)
- European residents: original language decree plus certified English translation
Death Certificate
- Original death certificate of the deceased spouse, or a certified copy
- Where required: translated, certified, and notarised copy in English
Additional Interview
- Couples where one party is Bahamian and the other is not are interviewed separately by the Registrar General to prevent marriage of convenience
- The Registrar General must sign the declaration in this case — allow extra processing time
Parental Consent
- Written consent of both parents required
- Consent forms available from the Registrar General's office
- Only the Registrar General's office can grant permission for under-18 marriages
How Much Does a Bahamas Marriage Licence Cost?
The core government fee is fixed. The additional costs depend on your marital status and whether you need notarisation services in Nassau.
Bahamas Marriage Licence — Cost Breakdown
All fees are approximate. Government fees are set by the Registrar General's Department and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are subject to change. Contact Glenn for guidance on which of these costs apply to your specific situation before you travel.
International Recognition of a Bahamas Marriage
A legal Bahamas marriage is recognised as valid in virtually every country, provided the correct Bahamian process was followed. The table below covers the most common countries for destination wedding couples.
| Country | Marriage Recognised? | Certificate Accepted As-Is? | Apostille Typically Needed? | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | YES | YES | Usually No | Certified Bahamas certificate accepted by SSA, DMV, banks, and most agencies. Some states or private institutions may ask for extra verification — check with the specific agency. |
| United Kingdom | YES | Usually | Often Yes | HMRC, the Passport Office, and the DVLA may require an apostille. Glenn handles apostille service for UK clients. |
| Canada | YES | Usually | Depends | Recognised at the federal and provincial level. Some agencies require apostille — confirm with the specific institution. |
| Australia | YES | Often | Sometimes | Accepted by the Australian government. Some agencies prefer an apostille for official immigration matters. |
| European Union | YES | Often | Often Yes | EU member states require apostille for most official uses. Bahamas is Hague Convention member so apostille is accepted in all EU states. |
| New Zealand | YES | Often | Sometimes | Recognised under New Zealand law. Apostille may be requested by Immigration NZ for residency applications. |
Table reflects general practice as of 2026. Always confirm with the specific receiving authority in your country. Glenn advises on the exact requirements for your situation before any documents are obtained.
Marriage Licences for Out Island Weddings
If you are planning a wedding in Exuma, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Abaco, or any other Family Island outside Nassau (New Providence) and Freeport (Grand Bahama), the same Bahamian marriage law applies. The only difference is where you collect your licence.
Out Island couples do not need to travel to Nassau. The marriage licence can be obtained at the Commissioner's Office on your island. Both parties must still be present and must still have been in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours before applying. All the same document requirements apply.
Exuma Weddings
One of Glenn's most requested Out Island destinations. Incredible turquoise waters and private beachfront settings.
Exuma Wedding Guide →Harbour Island & Eleuthera
Pink sand beaches and boutique resort settings. Glenn serves both islands for ceremonies and licence guidance.
Planning Guide →Elopements Across All Islands
Glenn handles elopement ceremonies across Nassau, Paradise Island, Exuma, Harbour Island, and Eleuthera.
Elopement Packages →Send Glenn Your Documents for a Free Pre-Travel Check
Before you fly to Nassau, WhatsApp Glenn photos of your documents. He will review them and tell you in plain language:
- ✓ Whether your ID documents are accepted by the Registrar General
- ✓ Whether your divorce decree is the correct final order — not a draft
- ✓ Whether you need an affidavit of single status and where to get one
- ✓ Whether your death certificate meets the Registrar’s requirements
- ✓ Exactly what to do if anything is missing — before it delays your wedding day
This takes Glenn five minutes. It costs you nothing. It has saved more Bahamas weddings than he can count. No obligation to book — just send the photos.
6 Mistakes That Delay a Bahamas Marriage Licence Application
Glenn has seen these errors cost couples a full business day — or worse, force a ceremony postponement. None of them need happen to you.
Wrong birth certificate
A short-form birth certificate does not prove single status. Bring a full/long-form birth certificate and a separate sworn affidavit of single status. These are two different documents.
Decree Nisi instead of Decree Absolute
UK divorced applicants commonly bring the Decree Nisi because they have it to hand. The Registrar General requires the Decree Absolute (the final order). Bring the right document.
Applying before 24 hours have passed
If you arrive Monday morning and attempt to apply Monday afternoon, you will be turned away. The 24-hour rule is strictly observed. Plan your arrival accordingly.
Only one party attending
Both parties must be physically present at the Registrar General's at the time of application. There are no exceptions. If one partner is delayed, the application cannot proceed.
No proof of entry date
Without an immigration card or an entry stamp showing your arrival date, the Registrar cannot verify the 24-hour residency requirement has been met. Keep all immigration paperwork.
Applying on a Bahamian public holiday
The Registrar General's Department is closed on all Bahamian public holidays. If your planned application day falls on a holiday, processing is delayed to the next business day.
"I check documents for couples before they travel — it takes five minutes on WhatsApp and it has saved more weddings than I can count. Send me photos of your passports, your divorce decree if applicable, and your affidavit. I will tell you immediately if something is missing or wrong. That is part of what I do. After 24 years working with the Registrar General's office, I know exactly what they will and will not accept."
Verified Reviews — Bahamas Wedding Licence Assistance
"We were so worried about the paperwork after reading confusing information online. Glenn reviewed our documents before we flew from Toronto and flagged that my husband's divorce decree copy didn't have a raised seal. We got the right copy before we left. The licence appointment took less than an hour."
"Glenn walked us through the affidavit of single status process, which we had no idea we needed. He even told us where to get it sworn in Florida before we flew. By the time we arrived in Nassau everything was in order and the Registrar processed our licence the same morning we applied."
"We are a same-sex couple from the UK and were unsure whether our Bahamas marriage would be fully recognised back home. Glenn explained the apostille process clearly and handled it all. The marriage is legally registered in England with no problems whatsoever."
Get Expert Guidance Before You Travel
Glenn Ferguson has guided 200+ couples through the Bahamas marriage licence process since 2001. Send him your documents on WhatsApp and he will confirm in minutes whether you are ready to apply — before you fly.
Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer • WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner • 24+ years Nassau experience
Bahamas Marriage Licence — Questions People Are Asking
Every question below is based on what couples actually ask Glenn before their Bahamas wedding. Answers are accurate as of 2026 and verified against official Bahamas government sources.
Glenn Ferguson
Glenn Ferguson has been a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and Nassau resident for 24+ years. He has officiated 200+ legal ceremonies across Nassau, Paradise Island, Exuma, Harbour Island, and Eleuthera, and has personally guided hundreds of international couples through the Registrar General's licence process. As a WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner and BREA Licensed Real Estate Agent, he offers a unique combination of legal, logistical, and local expertise that no resort co-ordinator can replicate. He answers document questions on WhatsApp before couples travel — at no charge.
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