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How do you get legally married in The Bahamas? Be in the country 24 hours, apply in person with your partner for a marriage licence, on any major island, at the Registrar General's Department in Nassau or the local Administrator's Office on a Family Island, and marry with a Licensed Marriage Officer and two adult witnesses. The licence is usually issued the same day and is valid for three months.
- Residency
- 24 hours in the country before applying (non-Bahamians)
- Where to apply
- Any major island, Nassau RGD or a Family Island Administrator's Office
- Office hours
- 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.
- Licence fee
- BS$100, paid on application
- Licence validity
- 3 months from issue
- Witnesses
- Two adults, 18 or over
- Fastest possible
- Day 2 from a direct flight; same day via a multi-port cruise
I'm Glenn Ferguson, a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-certified wedding planner based in Nassau. I've spent 24+ years guiding couples through the legal and logistical side of marrying in The Bahamas, including hundreds of licence applications. This guide covers everything the average couple actually needs to know, with the specific facts most other guides skip.
Marrying here is genuinely straightforward once you understand the rules. The two most common ways couples make it harder than it needs to be are misunderstanding the 24-hour residency rule, and booking flights and venues before checking what their specific documentation will require. This guide solves both.
The Essentials
Bahamas marriage law at a glance
Here are the core legal facts. Every other detail on this page expands on one of these.
| Residency required | 24 hours minimum in The Bahamas before applying (non-Bahamians) |
|---|---|
| Legal age | 18. Under 18 requires a Certificate of Consent to Marriage By A Minor |
| Application fee | BS$100, payable on application, see licence costs |
| Licence validity | 3 months from the date of issue |
| Witnesses required | 2 adults, age 18 or older, see witness requirements |
| Officiant required | Licensed Marriage Officer, no exceptions, see what that means |
| Blood test or medical | Not required |
| Where to apply | Any of the major islands. Registrar General's Department, Shirley Street, Nassau, or the local Administrator's Office on a Family Island |
| Both parties in person | Yes, both must appear together at application |
| Same-day issuance | Typically yes, the licence is issued while you wait |
| Office hours | 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday, so for a weekend wedding the licence must be issued by Friday |
| Weekend weddings | Arrive by Thursday at the latest. The 24-hour clock starts on arrival; apply Friday; marry Saturday or Sunday |
| Priority service | Available across all islands. Licence in ~1 hour, certificate in 1 business day, apostille in 1 to 4 business days |
Planning Framework
The clean 5-step planning process
This is the simplest "do it right" path I've been using with couples for over two decades. Details change based on your island and situation, but the order stays the same.
Choose your island and ceremony style
Nassau and Paradise Island are easiest for guest convenience, flight access and vendor depth. Eleuthera and Exuma are best for villa privacy and dramatic photography. Harbour Island carries the classic pink-sand luxury feel. I match couples to islands based on guest logistics and budget, not hype. Compare the full venue list if you're still deciding.
Confirm your timeline (and avoid the number one mistake)
The most common failure point is timing: couples book flights and venues first, then try to fit the legal steps in afterwards. I work in the opposite order. The marriage licence dictates the schedule, then flights, then venue. Peak dates from December through April need 6 to 12 months of lead time. Elopements can move faster, see same-week weddings and the legal timeline.
Prepare the required documents
Documentation depends on marital history. Both partners always need passports and immigration cards. Previously married partners need certified divorce decrees or death certificates. The full checklist is below and expanded on the marriage licence requirements page. Send me your situation and I'll tell you exactly what applies.
Secure your ceremony plan and vendor team
Once the legal side is on track we lock in location, ceremony setup, photography, florals and music based on your guest count and style. Most couples overspend on extras that don't improve the day. I'll tell you which add-ons are worth it. See the packages or elopement options.
Execute the day
I run the plan so you're not managing vendors on your wedding day. Clean setup, clean flow, legally correct ceremony, marriage register signed and filed. The certified certificate is requested from the Registry afterwards.
Legal Process
Bahamas marriage licence, step by step
This is the specific legal path for non-Bahamian couples. Bahamian couples have a slightly different process, no 24-hour residency, and no interview if marrying another Bahamian, which I'll explain on request.
Travel to The Bahamas
Both partners must be physically in the country before applying. Most couples arrive at Lynden Pindling International in Nassau, or directly onto an Out Island. The Immigration Card you receive at arrival becomes your proof of entry, hold on to it.
Wait the 24-hour minimum
Non-Bahamians must be in The Bahamas at least 24 hours before applying. Arrive at noon on Monday and you can't apply until noon Tuesday at the earliest. The clock starts at your first arrival in the country at any port, not at your wedding island. This is the most common cause of timeline problems.
Apply in person, on your island
Both parties appear together. You can apply on any of the major islands. In Nassau that's the Registrar General's Department on Shirley Street; on a Family Island it's the local Administrator's Office. You complete the Application for Marriage Licence, present passports, Immigration Cards and any supporting documents, and sit a short interview with the Registrar or a designated Marriage Officer. You can pre-register your application to speed this up.
Pay the $100 application fee
Paid directly to the government at the time of application, separate from any wedding package or planner fee. See the full cost breakdown.
Receive the marriage licence
Typically issued the same day, often while you wait, and valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
Hold the wedding ceremony
Performed by a Licensed Marriage Officer, with two adult witnesses aged 18 or over. The couple and witnesses sign the marriage register. The ceremony can happen the same day the licence is issued, or any day within the 3-month window.
Registration and certificate
The Marriage Officer submits Form 9, the Marriage Duplicate Register, to the Registry, which officially registers the marriage. You can then request a certified copy of the certificate, and an apostille if you need it abroad.
Documents
What to bring
What you need depends on your situation. If yours isn't listed here, send me a message and I'll tell you exactly what applies. The expanded version lives on the marriage licence requirements page.
Always required (both partners)
- Valid passport. Valid through your travel dates and ideally six months beyond.
- Immigration Card. The card you receive on arrival, your proof of the required 24+ hours.
- Completed Application for Marriage Licence. Filled out at the licensing office, or in advance.
- BS$100 application fee. Paid in person.
- Declaration of single status, if neither of you has been married before. This is sworn here in The Bahamas and I prepare it for you, so there is nothing to arrange before you travel.
If either partner was previously married
- Certified copy of the final divorce decree if divorced, certified by the issuing court, not a photocopy.
- Certified copy of the death certificate if widowed, to the same standard.
- Certified English translation if the original is in another language.
If either partner is under 18
- Certificate of Consent to Marriage By A Minor, written parental consent.
- Birth certificate of the minor.
Bahamian marrying a non-Bahamian
- All standard documents above, for both partners.
- Separate interviews. The Bahamian and the non-Bahamian are interviewed separately, to confirm the marriage is not one of convenience.
Real Timelines
How the 24-hour rule looks in practice
The rule sounds simple and trips couples up constantly. Here are five realistic scenarios showing how the timing actually works.
Tight 3-day elopement (Nassau)
- MondayArrive in Nassau at any hour. Immigration card collected, the clock starts now.
- TuesdayApply for the licence once 24 hours have elapsed. Issued the same day. You could marry that evening.
- WednesdayMost couples marry today instead, less rushed, full day of light. Depart Thursday or stay on.
Out Island wedding (Eleuthera, Exuma, Harbour Island)
- FridayCouple and early guests arrive on the wedding island. The 24-hour clock starts on arrival in the country.
- MondayApply for the licence locally, at the island's Administrator's Office. No trip to Nassau required. Issued the same day.
- Tue / WedWedding day. Ceremony, photographs, reception.
Multi-port cruise (same-day Nassau ceremony)
- Day 1Cruise reaches its first Bahamian port, CocoCay, Half Moon Cay, Castaway Cay, Bimini or Freeport. The residency clock starts here.
- Day 2Ship docks in Nassau with 24+ hours already elapsed, so the rule is met. Disembark, apply (priority service issues in about an hour), marry at Nuptial Beach on Cable Beach in the early afternoon, re-board before departure. The Nassau call must fall Monday to Friday.
Cruise stopover (weekday embarkation)
- Pre-tripArrive in Nassau the day before your cruise embarks and stay locally. The clock starts.
- EmbarkApply in the morning once 24+ hours have passed, marry on Cable Beach or Nuptial Beach early afternoon, then board. Tight but very doable. I have run this exact day many times. Weekday embarkations only.
Saturday or Sunday wedding
- ThursdayArrive by Thursday at the latest. The clock starts.
- FridayApply for the licence. Offices close for the weekend, so it must be issued today.
- Sat / SunWedding day. The same timeline works for a Saturday cruise embarkation with a morning ceremony.
Need It Fast?
Priority service: married in 3 business days
For couples on tight timelines, urgent travel windows, visa deadlines, work obligations, or simply preferring a faster turnaround. I offer a priority service that compresses standard processing at every step. The result: legally married with an apostilled certificate in hand in as little as 3 business days from arrival.
Marriage Licence
I notarise your application on-site at the licensing office. Approved in about an hour.
vs a standard several-hour wait or next-day returnMarriage Certificate
Your certified certificate ready the next business day after the ceremony. Hand-delivered or shipped.
vs standard 1 to several weeksApostille
Apostille in 1 business day expedited or 4 business days standard, for Hague Convention countries.
vs standard government channel 4 to 8 weeksNet result: legally married, certified certificate in hand, apostille completed for international use, in as little as 3 business days from arrival. Available across all islands. Send me your arrival date and I'll tell you honestly whether the priority timeline works for your situation.
Which route
Officiant only, full planning, or do it yourself?
Three ways to get legally married here. None is wrong, and the cheapest is genuinely viable for some couples. Here's the honest comparison.
| Do it yourself | Officiant only | Full planning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legally valid | Yes, if you hire a Licensed Marriage Officer | Yes | Yes |
| Licence application | You arrange and attend alone | Guided; you attend | Prepared and attended with you |
| Witnesses | You bring two | Arranged if needed | Arranged if needed |
| Vendors | You source everything | Not included | Sourced, booked, coordinated |
| Certificate & apostille | You chase the Registry | Guided | Handled and couriered |
| Suits | Confident couples, simple beach ceremony, flexible dates | Resort weddings where the property coordinates | Guests travelling, Out Islands, tight timelines |
If you're a couple of two on a flexible date at a Nassau beach, you can genuinely do most of this yourself. You just cannot skip the Licensed Marriage Officer. The moment guests, an Out Island, or a fixed date enter the picture, the coordination cost rises sharply.
Pitfalls
Common mistakes (and how I prevent them)
After 24+ years, these are the recurring issues I see. Knowing them in advance is half the battle.
- Booking flights and venues before checking legal timing. Couples lock in non-refundable bookings, then discover the 24-hour rule, an uncertified divorce decree or a weekend office closure. The legal timeline comes first, then everything else.
- Misunderstanding the 24-hour rule. The clock starts at first arrival in The Bahamas at any port, not at the wedding venue. A single Nassau cruise call doesn't satisfy it. A multi-port cruise calling at Freeport, Bimini, CocoCay, Half Moon Cay or Castaway Cay first does, because the hours accumulate from that first port.
- Assuming you must go to Nassau to apply. You don't. The licence can be applied for on any of the major islands, at the local Administrator's Office on a Family Island. Couples still get told to build a Nassau day trip into an Out Island wedding week. It is an unnecessary day and two unnecessary flights.
- Assuming resort coordination equals full planning. Resort coordinators handle on-property logistics, not the marriage licence, not vendors beyond the resort's preferred list, not anything off-site. You may still want an independent planner and a Licensed Marriage Officer.
- Bringing uncertified divorce decrees or death certificates. Photocopies and self-printed documents don't satisfy the requirement. You need court-certified or government-issued certified copies, ordered months ahead if necessary.
- Not planning witnesses for an elopement. Two adult witnesses aged 18+ are required, no exceptions. For couples travelling alone, I arrange them, see witness requirements.
- Not planning for the apostille in advance. The certificate alone isn't usable abroad for name changes or visa applications without an apostille, or consular legalization for non-Hague countries. Priority service delivers it in 1 to 4 business days; standard government processing is 4 to 8 weeks.
- Overpaying for extras that don't improve the day. The most common waste is elaborate ceremony decor at sunset on a beach that already looks perfect. I'll tell you when an add-on adds real value and when it doesn't.
In Person
At the licensing office
In Nassau, applications are made at the Registrar General's Department on Shirley Street, a government office handling birth, marriage and death records for the whole country. On a Family Island you apply at the local Administrator's Office instead. Either way, the practicalities are the same.
- Weekday government hours. 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday to Friday, closed Saturday, Sunday and Bahamian public holidays. Confirm before you travel, especially around Christmas, Easter and Independence Day on 10 July.
- No weekend licensing. The licence can't be issued at a weekend. For a Saturday or Sunday wedding it must be issued by Friday, which with the 24-hour rule means arriving by Thursday at the latest.
- Dress respectfully. This is a government office, not a resort. Smart casual or better, no swimwear or flip-flops.
- Allow one to two hours. Form, interview, processing. Quieter on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, busier Mondays and either side of a weekend.
- Both partners must attend, together. Neither can apply alone, and neither can apply before the other has arrived in the country.
- Bring originals, not photocopies. Passports, divorce decrees, death certificates, originals or government-certified copies.
- The interview is administrative, not adversarial. The Registrar verifies identity and legal status. Honest answers are the whole standard.
- Priority processing available. If your timeline is tight I notarise your application on-site so the licence is approved in roughly an hour. See priority service.
For couples I work with, I coordinate the appointment in advance: which day, which time, what to bring, what to wear, how the interview will go. There are no surprises by the time you're at the counter.
After the Wedding
Your marriage certificate (and apostille)
The legal ceremony ends with the Marriage Officer filing Form 9, the Marriage Duplicate Register, with the Registry. That officially registers your marriage. What happens next depends on whether you need to use the certificate at home.
Getting your certified marriage certificate
Once registration is processed you can request a certified copy from the Registry, the document that proves you're legally married. Standard processing usually takes one to several weeks. With priority service it's ready in 1 business day, collected in Nassau, posted, or hand-delivered through me.
The apostille, for home-country use
If you'll use the certificate in another country, a legal name change, visa status, spousal benefits, registering the marriage at home, you'll likely need an apostille: a single-page government certification authenticating the certificate for international use, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at $120 per document.
The Bahamas is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostilled Bahamian certificate is accepted in every other member country, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the European Union. For non-Hague countries the process is consular legalization instead, which is slower. I'll advise on the right route for your country.
Practical timeline
Standard government apostille processing typically runs 4 to 8 weeks. With priority service it's 1 business day expedited or 4 business days standard. Most couples don't need it immediately, the marriage is legally valid from the ceremony date regardless, but for visa deadlines or name changes the expedited route can matter. If you need a certified certificate specifically for apostille, say so up front so it's ordered correctly the first time.
Why couples choose me
Local, licensed, and here for the legal side too
Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer
Officially appointed under the Bahamas Marriage Act, so I perform the legal ceremony itself rather than coordinating around it. Many planners can plan but can't legally marry you, I do both.
WPIC-Certified Planner
Trained through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, the certification standard for destination wedding planners working in the Caribbean.
I know the process inside out
Hundreds of licence applications across Nassau and the Family Islands. I know the timing, the paperwork, the interview and the avoidable mistakes.
Eight islands
Nassau, Paradise Island, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Andros and Abaco. I'll match the island to your wedding rather than push you toward the one nearest my office.
Full background and credentials · Reviews from couples
Before you commit
What couples ask me right before booking
These arrive in the last message before someone books flights or pays a deposit. Answering them here saves us both a round trip.
“Is our date actually possible?”
Send it before you book flights. Most of the timelines that fail do so for one of two reasons, a weekend arrival against a weekday-only licensing office, or a 24-hour rule people thought started at the venue. Both take me a minute to check and cost nothing.
“How do we know you're real?”
Fair question to ask a stranger handling your wedding paperwork. I'm a government-licensed Marriage Officer, findable, working from the same Nassau base since 2001. Call the number on this page before you send money, I answer it myself.
“What if our documents turn out to be wrong?”
This is the failure I see most and the one with the longest lead time. Certified divorce decrees can take weeks to order from a foreign court. Tell me your marital history now, not in month four.
“Can you do it if we're already travelling?”
Often. The legal minimum is 24 hours in the country plus a weekday licensing appointment. What I can't fix is a Saturday arrival for a Sunday wedding. Message me from wherever you are and I'll tell you straight.
“Do we pay before or after?”
A deposit secures the date and the balance is due before the ceremony. Terms go to you in writing first. Government fees are paid directly to the government, not through me.
“What if we just want the legal part?”
Then hire me as officiant only and skip the planning. I'd rather tell you that than sell you coordination you don't need, see the comparison above.
Frequently asked questions
The questions couples ask about marrying in The Bahamas
FAQ
Who do I call to get married in The Bahamas?
Glenn Ferguson, Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-certified wedding planner. Phone or WhatsApp 1-242-395-8495. I officiate across eight Bahamian islands, handle the licence application in person, and offer priority service compressing the whole process to as little as 3 business days. Read my full profile and credentials.
Where do you apply for a Bahamas marriage licence?
On any of the major islands. In Nassau it's the Registrar General's Department on Shirley Street; on a Family Island it's the local Administrator's Office. Both partners must attend in person. Marrying on an Out Island does not require a trip to Nassau for paperwork.
Do we need to be in The Bahamas before applying for a marriage licence?
Yes. Non-Bahamians must be physically present for at least 24 hours before applying, and both partners must appear in person. The Immigration Card you receive on arrival is your proof, and the clock starts at first arrival in the country at any port. See the legal timeline.
How long does it take to get the marriage licence?
Typically issued the same day you apply, after the interview and processing. Valid for 3 months from issue, so you can marry the same day or any day inside that window.
How much does the Bahamas marriage licence cost?
BS$100, paid to the government in person when applying. Separate from any wedding package or planner fee, see the full cost breakdown.
What documents do we need to marry in The Bahamas?
A valid passport each, your Immigration Card, and a completed Application for Marriage Licence. If either partner was previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate. Under 18 requires written parental consent. See the checklist and the full requirements.
Do we need witnesses at a Bahamas wedding?
Yes, two adults aged 18 or over, who sign the marriage register alongside you and the Marriage Officer. Friends, family, or arranged by me for couples travelling alone. See witness requirements.
Is a blood test required to marry in The Bahamas?
No. The Bahamas requires no blood test, medical examination or health document. Requirements are entirely identity and marital-status based.
How long is a Bahamas marriage licence valid?
3 months from the date of issue. Marry the same day or any day inside that window; after three months unused it expires.
What if one of us was previously married?
You'll need a certified copy of the final divorce decree if divorced, or of the death certificate if widowed, submitted with the application. Certified means an original or a court-certified true copy, not a photocopy you make yourself, with a certified English translation if it's in another language.
Will our Bahamian marriage be recognised at home?
Generally yes. The Bahamas is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a certificate carrying an apostille is accepted in every other member country, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and the EU. For non-Hague countries it's consular legalization instead.
Can we get married on the day we arrive in The Bahamas?
Not from a direct flight or a single-Nassau-port cruise, the 24-hour rule prevents it, so the earliest from a direct air arrival is day two. The exception is a multi-port cruise: if your ship called at another Bahamian port (Freeport, Bimini, CocoCay, Half Moon Cay or Castaway Cay) 24+ hours before Nassau, the requirement is already met and a same-day Nassau wedding is genuinely possible.
Can we get married on a Saturday or Sunday in The Bahamas?
Yes, with planning. Licensing offices open 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday only. The licence can't be issued at a weekend, so for a Saturday or Sunday ceremony it must be issued by Friday, which with the 24-hour rule means arriving by Thursday at the latest. With priority service the licence takes about an hour, so a Thursday arrival and Friday morning application is the standard fastest route to a Saturday wedding.
Can we marry on an Out Island without going to Nassau?
Yes. You can apply on any of the major islands, at the local Administrator's Office rather than the Registrar General's Department in Nassau. An Out Island wedding needs no separate Nassau trip for paperwork. The 24-hour rule and weekday office hours still apply. See the island guides for Harbour Island, Eleuthera and Exuma.
Can a same-sex couple legally marry in The Bahamas?
No. Bahamian law recognises marriage only between a man and a woman, under the Marriage Act, so same-sex marriage is not currently legally recognised here. Same-sex couples can hold a non-legal commitment ceremony, or a vow renewal if already married elsewhere. The country is generally welcoming to LGBTQ+ visitors, but the marriage itself wouldn't be legally registered.
Do we need a wedding planner to marry in The Bahamas?
Not legally. The only required parties are the couple, two adult witnesses and a Licensed Marriage Officer. A planner is optional, though most couples find coordinating vendors and licence logistics from overseas easier with someone local. I work as both, so couples usually get the two roles in one. WhatsApp me your situation and I'll tell you honestly.