In accordance with the Cooperative Societies Act 2005 & Cooperative Societies Regulations 2012 (Proposed) all cooperative societies must be registered by the Director of Societies.  

Members of cooperative societies must be at least sixteen (16) years of age, except in the case of a junior or school cooperative.

1. The registration package must be completed and submitted in duplicate to the Department of Cooperative Development with the appropriate fees.
2. Family Island applicants may submit the registration package to the Local Family Island Administrator.
3. Application is reviewed by the Director of Societies; once approved the director issues a certificate of Registration. The director may request additional information.
4. The applicant is informed in writing that the certificate is ready for collection.  
   

Please note:

1. Cooperative by-laws represent an agreement between members concerning the cooperative’s aims, objectives and rules of operation, and they provide a sound legal basis of operation.
2. In the event that the proposed cooperative is without an address at the time of the application, the application form may be submitted in care of any person listed on the form.

The Co-Operative Societies Act 2005, Application For Registration

• Feasibility study
• A proposed set of cooperative by-laws
• A business development plan
• Names of steering committee members (producer/service cooperative a minimum of 10 names, credit union 30 names)

A BS$25.00 application fee is payable upon submission of the completed application form.

Cooperative Development
P.O.Box N-3028
Levy Building
Bay Street East
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-3152-4 or 323-6605
Fax. (242) 356-4622
E-mail: coopdevelopment@bahamas.gov.bs 
           coopbahamas@hotmail.com 
Opening hours: 9:00 am to  5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays