+1-(242)-395-8495 · WhatsApp Glenn for Your Personalised Checklist
Universal Requirements — All Nationalities
Regardless of where you are from, every couple marrying in the Bahamas needs the same core documents. Here is the complete list:
| Document | Requirements | Who Handles It |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Both partners. Must be valid through the date of departure from the Bahamas. Bring the actual passport — not a copy. | You bring |
| Original birth certificate | Both partners. Must be an original or government-certified copy. Photocopies and digital copies are not accepted. | You bring |
| Affidavit of singlehood | A sworn statement that you are legally free to marry. Required for both partners. | Glenn prepares + witnesses |
| Marriage licence application | Government form filed at the Registrar General's Office. Requires personal details, parents' names, and occupation. | Glenn completes |
| Flight confirmation | Proof of your arrival date in the Bahamas. This confirms the 24-hour presence requirement. | You provide |
| Divorce decree (if applicable) | Original or certified copy. If either partner was previously married. See special circumstances. | You bring |
| Death certificate (if widowed) | Original or certified copy. If either partner's previous spouse is deceased. | You bring |
Who Handles What — Glenn vs You
This is the most important section on this page. When you book Glenn, the document burden is split clearly:
Glenn Handles
- Prepares affidavits of singlehood
- Completes marriage licence application
- Schedules Registrar General's Office appointment
- Personally escorts you to the office
- Presents all documents on your behalf
- Resolves any issues with the Registrar
- Processes certified marriage certificate
- Arranges Apostille if needed ($120)
You Bring
- Valid passports (both partners)
- Original birth certificates
- Flight confirmation
- Divorce decree (if applicable)
- Death certificate (if widowed)
- Parental consent (if under 18)
- Deed poll (if name changed)
American Couples
The largest group of couples Glenn works with. Straightforward process with no special requirements.
- Valid US passport — Must be valid through your departure date. No visa required for stays under 90 days. Expired passport? Apply for renewal 6 to 8 weeks before travel at travel.state.gov.
- Original birth certificate — Certified copy from your state vital records office is accepted. Hospital-issued commemorative certificates are not accepted. Lost yours? Order a replacement from VitalChek.com or your state vital records office. Allow 4 to 8 weeks.
- Flight confirmation — Proof of your arrival date in Nassau. Print or digital. Glenn recommends arriving at least 1 day before your ceremony to satisfy the 24-hour requirement.
- Divorce decree (if applicable) — Original or certified copy of your Final Decree of Divorce. Contact the court that issued your divorce if you need a certified copy.
- Death certificate (if widowed) — Original or certified copy from the state where the death occurred.
Apostille for Americans: Most US states accept a Bahamas marriage certificate without an Apostille for Social Security and DMV name changes. However, Glenn recommends the Apostille ($120) if you plan to use your certificate for passport name changes, financial institutions, or any official purpose. Better to have it and not need it.
Full guide: Americans Getting Married in the Bahamas
British Couples
Glenn works with many UK couples. The key difference: you will almost certainly need an Apostille.
- Valid British passport — No visa required for stays under 90 days. Must be valid through departure. Allow 10 weeks for UK passport renewal through GOV.UK.
- Original birth certificate — Full birth certificate (long form) from the General Register Office. Short-form certificates may not be accepted. Order a replacement at gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate. Allow 2 to 4 weeks.
- Flight confirmation — Proof of arrival in Nassau.
- Decree Absolute (if divorced) — Original or sealed copy. This is the UK equivalent of a divorce decree. If divorced outside the UK, bring the foreign decree with a certified English translation if needed.
Registering your marriage in the UK: A Bahamas marriage is automatically legal in the UK — you do not need to "register" it again. However, the Apostille makes it significantly easier to update official documents. Glenn provides guidance on the process.
Full guide: British Citizens Getting Married in the Bahamas
Not Sure What You Need? Ask Glenn.
Tell Glenn your nationality and circumstances. He sends a personalised document checklist within hours — free, no obligation.
"Glenn Ferguson was wonderful throughout the entire process. He helped easily navigate the bureaucracy of obtaining a marriage license even bringing us to the office in his car. Everything was carefully thought out and well-executed."— American couple, Nuptial Beach ceremony
Canadian Couples
Very similar to the US process. A few specific details to note.
- Valid Canadian passport — No visa required for stays under 90 days. Must be valid through departure. Passport renewal: apply 8 to 12 weeks ahead through canada.ca.
- Original birth certificate — Provincial or territorial long-form birth certificate. The wallet-sized card is not accepted. Order from your province's vital statistics office. Ontario, BC, and Quebec each have different processes — allow 4 to 6 weeks.
- Flight confirmation — Proof of arrival in Nassau.
- Divorce Judgment / Certificate of Divorce (if divorced) — Original or certified copy. In Canada, this is the Certificate of Divorce issued by the court. Contact the court that granted your divorce.
Apostille for Canadians: Canada recently joined the Hague Apostille Convention (January 2024). Glenn recommends the Apostille ($120) for all Canadian couples to simplify name changes and document updates with Canadian government agencies.
Full guide: Canadians Getting Married in the Bahamas
European Couples
EU and EEA citizens follow the same core process with a few additional considerations.
- Valid passport — A national ID card is not sufficient. You must bring a passport. No visa required for most EU/EEA citizens (stays under 90 days). Check the Bahamas immigration website if you hold a non-EU passport.
- Original birth certificate — Must include parents' names. If not in English, you must bring a certified English translation. Use a sworn or certified translator in your home country. Notarised translations are preferred.
- Flight confirmation — Proof of arrival in Nassau.
- Divorce decree (if applicable) — Original or certified copy with certified English translation if the original is not in English.
Apostille for EU couples: Glenn strongly recommends the Apostille ($120) for all European couples. Most EU countries require an Apostille to register a foreign marriage and update civil status records. Glenn arranges this before you leave the Bahamas or processes it after your departure.
Country-specific notes: Glenn has worked with couples from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, and many other EU countries. Each country has slightly different requirements for recognising a foreign marriage. Glenn provides country-specific guidance during your consultation.
"In 31 days' time, Glenn managed to put together a dream Bahamas wedding for my wife and I. He was quick to respond, professional, and had a charismatic nature that always put us at ease. Glenn made the entire process, even on such a tight timeline, feel beyond easy."— Couple married on 31 days' notice
Special Circumstances
If You Are Divorced
You can absolutely get married in the Bahamas after a divorce. You need to bring:
- Original divorce decree or certified copy US: Final Decree of Divorce from the issuing court. UK: Decree Absolute. Canada: Certificate of Divorce. Must be the final document, not interim or conditional orders.
- Certified English translation (if the decree is not in English) Applies to European and other non-English-speaking couples.
Glenn reviews all divorce documentation before you travel to ensure the Registrar General's Office will accept it. If there are any issues, Glenn identifies them early so you have time to resolve them.
If You Are Widowed
- Death certificate of the previous spouse — Original or certified copy. If not in English, include a certified translation.
- Previous marriage certificate (recommended but not always required) Glenn advises bringing this as backup documentation. Some Registrar staff may request it.
If Either Partner Is Under 18
- Written, notarised parental consent from both parents or legal guardian Must be notarised. Both parents' consent is required unless one has sole custody (provide court documentation).
- Proof of age — Birth certificate and passport will satisfy this.
Partners aged 15 to 17 require parental consent. Partners under 15 cannot legally marry in the Bahamas.
If Your Name Has Changed
- Deed poll or legal name change document If the name on your passport or birth certificate differs from your current legal name, bring the document that proves the change.
Glenn reviews any name discrepancies before you travel to prevent issues at the Registrar's Office.
5 Common Document Mistakes (and How Glenn Prevents Them)
1. Bringing photocopies instead of originals. The Registrar General's Office requires original birth certificates — not photocopies, not scans, not digital copies on your phone. Glenn reminds every couple and checks before you travel.
2. Bringing the wrong birth certificate. UK couples: you need the full (long-form) birth certificate, not the short-form. Canadian couples: you need the provincial long-form certificate, not the wallet card. US couples: hospital commemorative certificates are not accepted — you need the state-issued certified copy.
3. Not translating non-English documents. European couples sometimes arrive with birth certificates or divorce decrees that have no English translation. The Registrar General's Office operates exclusively in English. Have translations certified in your home country before travel.
4. Forgetting the divorce decree. If either partner was previously married, the Registrar will ask for proof that the previous marriage was legally dissolved. No decree means no licence. Glenn asks about marital history during your first consultation and sends reminders.
5. Expired passport. Your passport must be valid through your departure date from the Bahamas. Glenn confirms passport expiry dates during planning and flags any issues with enough time to renew.
Get Your Personalised Document Checklist
Tell Glenn your nationality, marital history, and dates. He sends a complete, personalised checklist — and reviews every document before you travel.
"Glenn was absolutely AMAZING from start to finish. Overall an amazing human and EXTREMELY trustworthy. He took care of everything for us from start to finish and went beyond. We could not have asked for a more perfect experience."— Couple married in Nassau
Frequently Asked Questions
Glenn Ferguson
WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner and Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer
I have processed documents for 200+ weddings involving couples from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and dozens of other countries. The legal paperwork is the part couples worry about most — and it is the part I have the most experience with. I review everything before you travel so the Registrar General's Office appointment is smooth, fast, and stress-free.
Ready? Your Personalised Checklist Is One Message Away.
Tell Glenn your nationality and wedding date. He sends your complete document checklist, reviews everything before you travel, and handles all processing on the ground.
To add this web app to your homescreen, click on the "Share" icon
Then click on "Add to Home"
To add this web app to your homescreen, click on the "Share" icon
Then click on "Add to Home"
It looks like your browser doesn't natively support "Add To Homescreen", or you have disabled it (or maybe you have already added this web app to your applications?)
In any case, please check your browser options and information, thanks!
It looks like your browser doesn't natively support "Add To Homescreen", or you have disabled it (or maybe you have already added this web app to your applications?)
In any case, please check your browser options and information, thanks!
