Bahamas Marriage License
Complete 2026 Guide
$100 government fee. 24-hour residency requirement. 90-day validity. Standard next-day processing or priority 1-hour service. Glenn handles everything — document review, Registrar escort, and same-day approval.
How do you get a Bahamas marriage license? Apply at the Registrar General's Office in Nassau after 24 hours in the Bahamas. Government fee: $100 cash. Standard processing: next business day. Priority 1-hour processing: $375 (includes Glenn's notarisation). License valid 90 days. Documents needed: passports, birth certificates with raised seal, proof of residency. Glenn Ferguson (+1-(242)-395-8495) handles document review, Registrar escort, and same-day approval. 200+ licenses processed.
Who Handles Bahamas Marriage Licenses? Glenn Ferguson — 200+ Processed
I'm Glenn Ferguson. Getting your Bahamas marriage license is a legal process with specific requirements — wrong documents, missing paperwork, or bad timing can delay your wedding by days. I've walked 300+ couples through this process and I know every step, every potential problem, and exactly how to avoid them.
Here's what I do: I review your documents via WhatsApp before you fly. I drive you to the Registrar General's Office on Shirley Street in Nassau. I walk you through the application, the interview, and the payment. If you need priority processing, I notarise your application on-site so your license is approved in approximately 1 hour instead of next-day. After your ceremony, I handle your marriage certificate and Apostille if needed.
How Do You Get a Bahamas Marriage License? Standard vs Priority
The Registrar General's Office offers standard next-day processing included in the $100 license fee. Glenn also offers priority 1-hour processing with notarisation — ideal for cruise passengers, tight timelines, or couples who want everything handled in a single visit.
Standard Processing
- Government license fee
- Apply Day 1, collect Day 2
- Next-business-day turnaround
- Both partners present for application
- Individual interviews at Registrar's Office
- License valid 90 days
- Certified copy of certificate: $20 each
Priority 1-Hour Service
- Everything in Standard
- Glenn notarises your application on-site
- License approved in approximately 1 hour
- Glenn drives you to Registrar's Office
- Glenn escorts you through entire process
- Document review before your trip (via WhatsApp)
- Ideal for cruise passengers and rush timelines
How Fast Can You Get Married in the Bahamas?
Arrive in the Bahamas. Keep your immigration card and passport with entry stamp. Check into hotel. Rest. Glenn confirms your documents via WhatsApp.
Apply for marriage license. Glenn drives you to the Registrar General's Office (Shirley & Charlotte Street, Nassau). Application, interview, and $100 payment. With priority: license approved in ~1 hour. Get married same day.
Standard processing: Collect license. Get married. Glenn officiates your ceremony at your chosen venue or beach. Sign your marriage register.
Certificate & Apostille. Glenn obtains your certified marriage certificate ($20 each) and Apostille if needed for your home country.
What Are the 6 Steps to Get a Bahamas Marriage License?
This is the exact process Glenn walks every couple through. He has done it 300+ times.
Contact Glenn Before Your Trip
Call or WhatsApp Glenn at +1-(242)-395-8495. Send photos of your documents (passport, birth certificate, divorce decree if applicable). Glenn reviews everything and flags any issues before you board your flight. This one step prevents 90% of problems at the Registrar's Office.
Arrive in the Bahamas — Wait 24 Hours
Non-Bahamian couples must be physically present in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours before applying for a marriage license. This is a strict legal requirement with no exceptions. Keep your immigration card (you receive this on arrival), your passport with entry stamp, and your hotel booking confirmation.
Glenn Drives You to the Registrar General's Office
Glenn picks you up from your hotel and drives you to the Registrar General's Department at the corner of Shirley and Charlotte Street in Nassau. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Closed weekends and Bahamian public holidays.
Complete Application, Interview & Pay $100
Both partners fill out the marriage license application form together. Both partners are interviewed separately — simple questions to confirm identity and intent. Non-Bahamian couples are interviewed by the Registrars or designated Marriage Officers. Glenn is present throughout to assist. Pay the $100 license fee in cash (US dollars or Bahamian dollars accepted at 1:1).
Receive Your Approved Marriage License
Standard processing: Return the next business day to collect your approved license. Priority service: Glenn notarises your application on-site, qualifying it for same-day processing. License typically approved in approximately 1 hour. Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Get Married — Glenn Officiates Your Ceremony
With license in hand, Glenn performs your legal ceremony at your chosen location — beach, resort, private villa, or anywhere in the Bahamas. Two witnesses aged 18+ must sign the marriage register (Glenn provides witnesses if needed). After the ceremony, Glenn obtains your certified marriage certificate ($20 per copy) from the Registrar General's Office.
What Documents Do You Need for a Bahamas Marriage License?
Glenn reviews every document via WhatsApp before your trip. If something is missing or wrong, he tells you exactly what to fix — before you fly.
| Document | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid Passport | Both partners. Must be current (not expired). Government-issued photo ID. | Required |
| Birth Certificate | Original or certified copy with raised seal. Must show parents' names. Short-form certificates without parents' names may not be accepted. | Required |
| Proof of 24-Hour Residency | Immigration card, passport entry stamp, or hotel booking confirmation. Cruise passengers: letter from Ship's Purser. | Required |
| $100 Cash | US dollars or Bahamian dollars (1:1 exchange). Cash only — no cards. Bring extra for certificate copies ($20 each). | Required |
| Divorce Decree | Original final decree or certified copy with raised/colour seal. Not Decree Nisi (UK couples). If not in English: certified translation with apostille. | If Divorced |
| Death Certificate | Original or certified copy of deceased spouse's death certificate. If not in English: certified translation. | If Widowed |
| Parental Consent | Both parents must sign consent form (available at Registrar's Office). Legal age of marriage in the Bahamas is 18. | If Under 18 |
What Are the Most Common Bahamas Marriage License Mistakes?
After 300+ license applications, Glenn knows exactly what goes wrong — and how to prevent it.
Wrong Birth Certificate
Couples bring short-form birth certificates without parents' names. The Registrar can reject these. Fix: Order the full/long-form birth certificate before your trip. Glenn verifies via WhatsApp.
Missing Divorce Paperwork
Bringing a photocopy instead of the original final decree, or bringing interim paperwork instead of the final order. Fix: Bring the original or certified copy with raised seal. UK couples: Decree Absolute only.
Not Enough Cash
The Registrar's Office accepts cash only — no credit cards. Couples arrive without enough to cover the $100 license fee plus $20 per certificate copy. Fix: Bring at least $150 in US or Bahamian dollars.
Applying on Weekends or Holidays
The Registrar General's Office is closed Saturday, Sunday, and all Bahamian public holidays. Couples arrive on Friday expecting to collect Monday but hit a holiday. Fix: Plan your application for early in the week. Glenn checks the holiday calendar for you.
Arriving Without 24-Hour Proof
Couples can't prove they've been in the Bahamas for 24 hours because they lost their immigration card or their passport wasn't stamped. Fix: Keep your immigration card safe. Confirm your passport was stamped at immigration.
One Partner Not Present
Both partners must physically attend the Registrar General's Office for the application and interview. No proxy applications, no power of attorney. Fix: Both partners attend with Glenn.
Skip the Mistakes. Let Glenn Handle It.
Glenn reviews your documents before you fly, drives you to the Registrar's Office, and walks you through every step. 300+ licenses. Zero rejections.
What Do Couples Say About Glenn's Marriage License Service?
"Glenn had all the paperwork completed for our arrival and organized a priority wedding license at the government building before taking us to the beach for the wedding. A perfect spot which was secluded and beautiful."
"Glenn picked us up from our hotel and escorted us to get our marriage license. Once we were there, he made it so easy and painless — the whole process took about 20 minutes. He also picked up our license the next day and even met us at the airport to give us our other paperwork."
"We made a mistake with our documents but Glenn knew exactly how to fix it. He has relationships at the Registrar office and got everything sorted same day."
"Glenn picked us up from our cruise ship, took us to get our license, and had us back on the ship with 2 hours to spare. Could not have done it without him."
"Priority service was worth every penny. We needed to get married quickly for visa reasons and Glenn made it happen in under 2 hours total."
"Wedding certificate in days — highly recommend. Glenn handled everything from license application to certificate delivery. So professional and efficient."
Can Cruise Passengers, UK Couples, and Rush Timelines Get a Bahamas License?
Cruise Ship Passengers
Your ship must be in Bahamian waters for at least 24 hours. You need a letter from the Ship's Purser or Guest Services confirming this. Glenn meets you at the cruise port, drives you to the Registrar's Office, handles priority processing, officiates your ceremony, and gets you back to the ship on time. He has coordinated dozens of cruise weddings with tight port schedules.
Cruise Wedding Guide →UK & International Couples
Your Bahamas marriage is legally recognised in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the EU, and most countries worldwide. You may need an Apostille on your marriage certificate for passport name changes, HMRC, banks, or immigration. Glenn handles Apostille processing and couriers the certificate to your home address.
UK Couples Guide →Rush / Same-Day Weddings
With priority 1-hour processing, you can apply for your license and get married on the same day (Day 2 after arrival). Glenn has handled rush weddings for couples with visa deadlines, family emergencies, and tight travel schedules. He coordinates the license, ceremony location, photographer, and officiant duties all within hours.
Rush Wedding Guide →Out Island Weddings
Getting married in the Out Islands (Harbour Island, Exuma, Eleuthera, etc.)? Marriage licenses can be obtained at the local Administrator's Office on each island. Glenn coordinates the paperwork whether your wedding is in Nassau or any of the 700+ islands and cays. He travels to Out Islands for ceremonies.
All Wedding Locations →Lost Marriage Certificate
Need a replacement? Certified copies of your Bahamas marriage certificate can be obtained from the Registrar General's Office for $20 each. If you can't return to the Bahamas, Glenn provides certificate retrieval and courier service to anywhere in the world.
Certificate Retrieval →After the Wedding: Apostille
An Apostille is a special seal from the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifying your marriage certificate for international legal use. Processing takes 4-7 business days. Cost: $120 per Apostille. Glenn handles the entire process and couriers the Apostilled certificate to your home.
Apostille Service →Registrar General's Department — Nassau
All marriage license applications in Nassau are processed at the Registrar General's Department. Here are the official details:
Address: Marriages Section, Registrar General's Department, Corner of Shirley and Charlotte Street, P.O. Box N-532, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
Phone: (242) 397-9179 / (242) 397-9113
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Closed weekends and Bahamian public holidays.
Note: Advanced appointment is required for marriage license applications. Glenn coordinates your appointment as part of his service.
Bahamas Marriage License — Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your Bahamas Marriage License with Glenn
Document review before your trip. Registrar escort. Priority 1-hour processing. Ceremony. Certificate delivery. Apostille. Glenn handles everything.
