Have questions before completing the form? Reach Glenn directly:
No fee for the consultation. The $100 license application fee is paid directly to the RGD when you submit the application in person.
I'm Glenn Ferguson, a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer with 24+ years of experience walking couples through the marriage license process at the Registrar General's Department in Nassau. This form is the pre-registration step for my priority service, which compresses the standard license timeline so couples can be legally married in as little as 3 business days from arrival.
What This Form Does
Priority pre-registration, plainly explained
The marriage license cannot be issued without an in-person appointment at the Registrar General's Department in Nassau. Both partners must attend. What this form does is prepare the paperwork in advance so the appointment itself takes about an hour instead of several.
The form collects everything I need to draft your application: full legal names, passport details, addresses, parents' details, prior marriage history (if applicable), and witness information. When I review your submission, I flag anything unusual, request clarifications by WhatsApp, and prepare your paperwork. When you arrive in The Bahamas, the application is ready. We go together to the RGD, present documents, and the license is issued the same day with priority processing.
Before You Start
What you'll need to complete the form
The form is comprehensive because the marriage license is a legal document. Gather these before you begin so you can complete the form in one sitting. If you do not have something ready, you can leave it blank and follow up by WhatsApp.
Have these handy
- Both partners' full legal names as they appear on your passports, including any middle names.
- Passport details for both partners: passport number, issue date, expiry date, place of issue.
- Dates of birth for both partners.
- Current residential addresses for both partners.
- Parents' names for both partners (full names of mother and father, including maiden names where applicable).
- Occupations for both partners.
- Marital history: never married, divorced, or widowed. If divorced or widowed, dates and locations of those events.
- Bahamas arrival date (or planned arrival date). The 24-hour residency clock starts here.
- Planned wedding date and ceremony location (island, venue, or "to be confirmed").
- Witness details: if you have your own witnesses, their full names and ages. If not, I provide two adult witnesses.
If you are previously divorced or widowed, you will need to bring the original or certified copy of your divorce decree or your previous spouse's death certificate to the RGD appointment. Have these documents ready before you travel. Photocopies are not accepted.
The Application Form
Pre-register your marriage license
Submit the form below. I receive your application directly and reply within 24 hours with confirmation, any follow-up questions, and the next steps for your in-person appointment.
Form not loading? WhatsApp Glenn directly or call +1 (242) 395-8495.
What Happens Next
From submission to signed license
I receive your application
Submission lands in my inbox directly. I review it for completeness, flag anything unusual, and confirm receipt by WhatsApp within 24 hours (usually within a few hours during Bahamas daytime).
Follow-up on missing details
If anything is missing or needs clarification (passport number readability, parents' names, prior marriage dates), I message you on WhatsApp. We resolve everything before your travel date. Earlier submission means easier follow-up.
Paperwork prepared in advance
I draft your marriage license application based on your submission. By your arrival date, the paperwork is ready. You bring your original documents (passports, divorce decree or death certificate if applicable, immigration card).
In-person appointment at the RGD
We go together to the Registrar General's Department on Shirley Street in Nassau. Both partners present in person. The Registrar verifies identity and legal status, you sign the application, and I notarise the paperwork on-site. License issued in approximately 1 hour with priority service. The $100 application fee is paid here (cash typical).
Marriage ceremony
Once the license is in hand, the ceremony can take place the same day (within the license validity of 3 months). I officiate the ceremony as Licensed Marriage Officer, sign the marriage register, and file Form 9 with the Registry. Your certified marriage certificate follows on the priority or standard timeline.
Legal Essentials
Bahamas marriage license at a glance
The marriage license is governed by the Bahamas Marriage Act and issued by the Registrar General's Department. The essentials below are non-negotiable. See the full legal guide for deeper detail.
| Residency required | 24 hours minimum in The Bahamas before applying. Clock starts at first arrival at any Bahamian port. |
|---|---|
| Legal age | 18 for both partners (under 18 requires parental consent) |
| Application fee | $100 USD paid to the RGD in person. Cash typical. |
| License validity | 3 months from issuance |
| Witnesses | 2 adult witnesses required at the ceremony. Provided by Glenn if needed. |
| Officiant required | Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer (Glenn is appointed under the Bahamas Marriage Act) |
| Blood test or medical | Not required |
| Both parties in person | Yes, at the RGD application and at the ceremony |
| RGD office hours | 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and Bahamian public holidays. |
| Weekend weddings | Arrive by Thursday at the latest. Apply Friday, license issued Friday, marry Saturday or Sunday. |
| Priority service | ~1 hour processing at RGD vs standard wait. Available across all islands. |
Important: The Bahamas does not currently legally recognize same-sex marriage. The Matrimonial Causes Act defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Glenn officiates same-sex commitment ceremonies and vow renewals separately, which do not require a marriage license.
Application Questions
Questions couples ask about this form
FAQ
What is this Bahamas marriage license application form for?
This is the pre-registration form for the Bahamas marriage license priority service. Submitting your details in advance lets me prepare the application paperwork before you arrive. When you reach the Registrar General's Department in person, the license is processed in approximately 1 hour with priority service, instead of the standard several-hour wait or next-day return.
Does submitting this form replace the in-person appointment at the RGD?
No. Both partners must still appear in person at the Registrar General's Department in Nassau for the marriage license application. This pre-registration form prepares the paperwork in advance. The in-person interview, document review, and signing happens at the RGD when you arrive in The Bahamas.
What happens after I submit the priority marriage license form?
I receive your application directly. I review it, follow up by WhatsApp or email with any clarifications or missing items, and prepare your paperwork. When you arrive in The Bahamas, the application is ready to file. We go to the Registrar General's Department together with your documents, the license is processed in approximately 1 hour, and the marriage can take place the same day.
What documents do I need to bring in person to the Registrar General's Department?
Original valid passports for both partners, your Bahamas immigration card (issued at arrival), a certified divorce decree if either partner was previously married and divorced, and a certified death certificate of the previous spouse if either partner is widowed. I confirm the exact document list based on your specific situation after reviewing your submission. The $100 application fee is paid directly to the RGD in person, usually in cash.
How fast can the marriage license be processed with priority service?
Approximately 1 hour at the Registrar General's Department, on a weekday. I notarise the application on-site and the license is issued same day. Standard processing without priority service can take several hours of waiting or require a return visit the next business day. The RGD is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, closed weekends and Bahamian public holidays.
Can same-sex couples use the priority marriage license form?
The Bahamas does not currently legally recognize same-sex marriage. The priority marriage license service is for legally recognized opposite-sex marriages only. I officiate same-sex commitment ceremonies and vow renewals separately, which do not require a marriage license. WhatsApp me to discuss commitment ceremony arrangements.
Is the priority service available for cruise stopover weddings?
Yes, with two scenarios. For multi-port cruises that visited another Bahamian port (Freeport, Bimini, CocoCay, Half Moon Cay, Castaway Cay) for 24+ hours before reaching Nassau, the 24-hour residency rule is already met by Nassau arrival. With priority service, you can disembark, apply for the license, and marry the same day during the Nassau port stop. For single-Nassau-port cruises, a pre-cruise stay arriving by Thursday is required (RGD closed weekends). See the full timeline scenarios.
What if my details change after I submit the form?
WhatsApp me with the changes as soon as you know. The application can be updated before submission to the RGD. Common changes include date adjustments, address updates, or witness details. Earlier notice is always better.