Legal Requirements for a Wedding in The Bahamas:

The Registrar General's Office requires the following information for the acquisition of a marriage license:

APPLICATION FOR LICENCE
The couple must be in The Islands of the Bahamas at the time of application for the marriage license.

RESIDENCY PERIOD
According to the Laws of The Islands of the Bahamas, a couple wishing to be married in The Bahamas must be resident for fifteen (15) days before the wedding date. However , the residency period can be waived by an official request to the Registrar General. The waiver is usually granted provided all other legal requirements are met. Then, after ONLY 24 hours you can apply for your license at The Registrar General's Office in Nassau or Freeport , and at The Commissioner's Office in The Out Islands. If the couple does not have sufficient time to apply for the waiver before their arrival in The Bahamas, they may do so at the time of the application for the license.

MINORS
Minors (under 18 years) may be married with both parents' consent. Consent forms for minors are available at the Registrar General's Office.

DIVORCED
If either part has been divorced, the original final decree, or a certified copy must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarized copy of the final decree must be produced.

WIDOWED
If either party is widowed, the original final decree, or a certified copy must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarized copy of the death certificate must be produced.

SINGLE PERSONS
If either party is single and never married before, a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a notary Public or other person authorized to administer oaths in the country of residence. This document must accompany the application for the marriage license. Also this declaration can be obtained in The Bahamas from an attorney-at-law or Notary Public.

PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION AND RESIDENCY
Photographic identification issued by a government office in the country of residence is required. In most cases, a passport is used. Both parties must produce evidence of the date of arrival in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Immigration card or entry stamp in your passport will suffice.

BLOOD TESTS
No blood test is necessary.

FEES AND VALIDITY
The fee for the license is $100.00. The license is valid for a period of three (3) months.