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Marriage Officers | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) | Marriage Forms
Contact Marriage Registry: regmarriages@bahamas.gov.bs
Marriage Licence
Anyone wishing to be married in the Bahamas must first request a license from the Registry. The legal age of marriage in the Bahamas is eighteen (18). A marriage license is valid for three months. After a marriage has taken place, a Marriage Duplicate Register (Form No. 9) is sent to the Registry by the Marriage Officer as quickly as possible. From this document certified copies of marriage certificates are issued.
Persons under the age of 18
Persons under the age of 18 along with their parents or guardians, need to complete a consent form and will be interviewed by the Registrar.
Application for Marriage Licence
Bahamians making application for a license must present valid government issued picture identification (passport or voter’s card). The application contains information for both applicants and must be signed by the marriage officer who is to perform the marriage.
Divorcees/Widows/Widowers
Certified copies of final divorce decrees and certified copies of death certificates must be attached to the application if necessary.
Persons over the age of 40
Bahamians over the age of 40, who do not present a certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate of a spouse, must wait for a search to be conducted of the records of marriage to ensure that they have not been married before. The search may take up to two week.
Non-Bahamians
Non-Bahamian applicants are interviewed by either the Registrars or any of the five designated Marriage Officers. Once approved, a license is issued with the applicable payment.
Requirements:
Step-by-Step
- Non-Bahamians must prove that they have been in the Bahamas at least 24 hours.
- They are required to present their Immigration cards as proof of entry.
- Picture identification may take the form of a driver’s license accompanied with a birth certificate or a passport.
- Certified copies of final divorce decrees or death certificates if applicable; must be submitted with the application for a marriage license.
- Applicants are required to submit an affidavit of marital status. The affidavit must be sworn in the Bahamas. United Kingdom and Canada applicants may bring affidavits from their countries.
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Application between Bahamian and Non-Bahamian
When there is an application for marriage between a Bahamian and a Non-Bahamian, the couple is interviewed separately to avoid facilitating a marriage of convenience.
Marriage Officers
The Registrar General, the Deputy Registrar, Assistant Registrar, Family Island Administrators or Commissioners, and Supreme Court Magistrates are Marriage Officers by virtue of their appointment. Justices of the Peace are not Marriage Officers although there are certain Marriage Officers who are Justices of the Peace.
Qualifications of a Marriage Officer
Step-by-Step
- An application form is submitted to the Registrar General.
- To qualify for the appointment of a marriage officer, the applicant must be a pastor, assistant pastor or an associate pastor of a church and must have a degree in theology. Applicants possessing a Theology Degree are automatically recommended for appointment if they meet the other qualifications. Currently, only two officers per church are granted licenses.
- Applicants not having a theology degree will be required to study a “handout” on the Marriage Act, write an examination and attain a score of at least 60%.
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