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Legal Requirements - The Bahamas
To apply for a marriage license, you must have been in The Bahamas for 24 hours prior to date of application. The Registrar's Office is closed on weekends and Bahamian public holidays. So couples who wish to be married on Saturday or Sunday must arrive in The Bahamas no later than Thursday. No blood test is required. License cost is about US $40.

Couples arriving by ship should have been in Bahamian waters for 24 hours and have to obtain a confirmation letter from the ship's purser or captain. The letter must have the date and time that the ship entered Bahamian waters and confirm that the bride and groom were passengers aboard that vessel. (The letter must be an original on the ship's letterhead).

Documentation Required

  • Passport or birth certificate and driver's license.
  • If divorced, court-certified copy. (Document must have a raised seal or colored stamp, photocopies are NOT accepted). Divorce decree and death certificate will not be returned to you because they become part of the official application for a Bahamas marriage license.
  • If widowed, certified copy of spouse's death certificate. Immigration card to prove date of entry into country (will be returned to you).
  • Persons who have never been married will require a notarized affidavit. (Can be obtained in The Bahamas.)
  • A written consent from the parents if either party is 18 years old or younger.

Foreign language documents need to be translated into English and notarized prior to their arrival in The Bahamas.

Apostle Marriage Certificate

Some European countries may also require an "apostle" copy of the marriage certificate. Couples need to apply after the ceremony at the Registrar General's office in Nassau. This process takes seven days.

The preceding legal information is provided as a guideline reference only. Check with the state, county and/or municipality of your wedding site for more detailed and current information. Check with your home state about its requirements for a blood test, license and other documents. A marriage license from your home state may not be valid for a ceremony performed in another state, territory or country. A marriage performed in another state may not be recognized by your home state, unless specific requirements are met.