The law requires that a birth should be registered within 21 days from its occurrence at the Registrar of Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.  If a birth has not been registered within 21 days as prescribed by law, you have up to the age of three to register the birth.  However, after the age of one, an affidavit is required stating the reason for not registering the child sooner.

Registering a birth 21 days from occurrence.

To register a birth which takes place within 21 days of occurrence, the following steps should be taken:

1. Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
2. Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
3. Present a valid photo ID.
4. The Clerk will enter the birth into the Births Register.
5. Copies of the birth certificate are printed for signature by the parents and the Registrar General.
6. After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.

Note: Registration of a birth by a person other than a parent requires an authorisation letter.

To register the birth of an infant who is older than one but under the age of three years, the following steps should be taken. 

Note: a sworn affidavit explaining the reason for the delay is also required.

1. Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
2. Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
3. Present a valid photo ID.
4. The Clerk will enter the birth into the Births Register.
5. Copies are printed for signature by the parents and the Registrar General.
6. After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.

To register the birth of an illegitimate child, the following steps should be taken:

1. Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
2. Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
3. Present a valid photo ID.
4. The Clerk will enter the birth into the Births Register.
5. Copies are printed for signature by the parents and the Registrar General.
6. After signature by the Registrar, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s).

Note: All illegitimate children are given the mother’s last name. The father’s surname may be added to the certificate of an illegitimate child as long as a joint affidavit by both father and mother is sworn requesting that the name of the child’s father be recorded in the Register of Births. The affidavit must be presented at the time of the registration.

Family Islands Registration

Individuals who would like to register a birth from the Family Islands can submit their documents to the Family Island Administrator who will do the registration. Birth registers sent in by the Family Islands are recorded at the Registrar General’s Department.

• Authorisation to register the birth of a child.
• Affidavit to be used to add a father's surname to the certificate of an illegitimate child.

• A completed form from the hospital or birthing centre.
• A valid photo ID.
• A sworn affidavit where required.

There are no fees associated with this service.

Birth Registration Section
Registrar General’s Department
Cor. of Shirley and Charlotte Street
P.O. Box N 532
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 397-8950
Fax. (242) 322-5553
Email. Regbirth@bahamas.gov.bs 
Email. registrargeneral@bahamas.gov.bs 
Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays.