Getting Married in The Bahamas as a Visitor: Legal Requirements 2026

Not legal advice. Marriage rules change and local offices interpret them differently. Confirm every requirement with the civil registry or embassy before you book or pay. Disclaimer

Legal for visitors?Yes

Wait / residency24 hours in country before applying

Government feeBS$100

Same-sexNot confirmed

5 of 10 facts read on an official page; 4 not confirmed. Badges show the source level of each fact.

Where couples get confused

The Bahamas' 24-hour rule trips up cruise-ship couples hoping to marry on a port day.

The rules

Legal ceremony for visitorsOfficial ✓: yes
Licence from the Registrar General's Department.
Residency or waiting timeOfficial ✓: Non-Bahamians must prove 24 hours in The Bahamas (immigration card) before applying; licence same/next day; valid 3 months.
Required documentsOfficial ✓: Application form (both present), valid photo ID/passport, immigration card, certified divorce decree or death certificate if applicable; interview for non-Bahamians.
Apostille / translationNot confirmed: Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
Blood or medical testNot confirmed: Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
Our unconfirmed note: not mentioned
WitnessesNot confirmed: Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
Who officiatesOfficial ✓: Marriage Officer (Registrar General, magistrates, administrators, licensed ministers)
Same-sex couplesNot confirmed: Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
Our unconfirmed note: no provision found; FCDO only covers same-sex relations
Recognized in the US, Canada, UKSnippet / semi-official: US: generally valid if valid where performed; confirm with your state Attorney General (State Dept). Canada: usually valid if legal where performed, no need to register (travel.gc.ca). UK: no general statement found on gov.uk - unverified.
Government feeOfficial ✓: BS$100 licence (Registrar General's Department)

⚠ Pitfalls and scams to watch

Service only in New Providence/Grand Bahama (and Family Islands per RGD); both must appear in person; cruise arrivals need proof of 24 hours.

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Sources

Quotes copied from official pages on 2026-10-21. Items marked as a snippet were seen in search results because the page blocked our checker.

residencyhttps://www.bahamas.gov.bs/service/marriage-licence
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.
feehttps://www.bahamas.gov.bs/service/marriage-licence
There is a BS$100.00 fee attached to this service.

All sources consulted

Last checked 2026-10-21. Spot something out of date? Email hello@weddingabroadrules.com.

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