Replacing a lost Passport

Citizens of the Bahamas in need of an identity/travel document must apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to replace their lost, stolen or damaged passport.

All passports are valid for a period of 5 years (for persons under the age of 16) and 10 years (for persons 16 years and older).  You may submit your application online by selecting the go to service button.

You can apply for a Bahamian passport if you are a citizen of the Bahamas by either:

• Birth, and you did not relinquish your citizenship prior applying for a passport
• Registration or Naturalisation (through approval of Immigration Department)
• Descent (you were born to a parent who was a Bahamian citizen at the time of your birth).
• Legal Adoption (you were adopted by a citizen of The Bahamas in The Bahamas).

1. Passports that have been misplaced or stolen should be reported to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The original Police Report is required to obtain a replacement passport.
2. If the passport has been damaged, the original must first be verified by the Passport Office, a copy is made, and the original is given back to the Applicant.
3. The applicant must then complete all usual application requirements.
4. Fill out the application form. Note: Children 10 years and over must sign the application form. All persons 14yrs and above must be fingerprinted.
5. Citizens may submit their applications and supporting documents in person at the Passport offices or online.

Online Submission

• Complete the application online
• The applicant will get a confirmed appointment within 48 hours
• Once the appointment date is received the applicant must then go to the designated office on the date specified.
• Online applicants are served at a dedicated window.

At the Passport Office submission

• Note, no appointment is needed but highly recommended
• Submit application form along with all relevant documents in support of your application.
• Once all document requirements have been met the applicant must pay the relevant fees
• All first time applicants must be interviewed by a Passport Interviewing officer. Note: All babies must be seen by the Interviewing officer.
• Applicants must return to the Passport Office with the receipt for collection on new passport.  Note: A third party can collect on behalf of the applicant.  The Third party must have a letter of authorization from the applicant and a photo id (Driver’s License or Passport

Persons Seeking Expedited Passports

Persons seeking expedited passports for emergency or compassionate reasons should visit the passport office convenient to them. Expedited passports are provided on a case-by-case basis.

Passport Application Form

Originals and copies of original documents must be brought in. Please note that originals will be returned to you upon completion of Enrolment.

First Time/Renewal Applicants from Infant – 18 yrs. Old:

• Lawful parent/Legal guardian must be present with the applicant for interview
• 1 completed application form
• 3 recent colour photographs – The size must not be more than 2½ inches by 2 inches or less than 2 inches by 1½ inches.  One of the photographs, along with the relevant field on the application form, must be countersigned by a Justice of the Peace/Lawyer/Pastor
• Child’s Birth Certificate/ Affidavit of birth
• National Insurance Card
• Immunization card
• School letter/records, if applicable
• When using mother’s documents: Mother’s Birth certificate and passport, if the mother is born after 10th July, 1973, then the Applicant will also require:
  • Maternal grandmother’s birth certificate, or alternatively,
  • Maternal grandfather’s birth certificate and grandparents registered marriage certificate
• When using Father’s Documents: father’s birth certificate, parents registered marriage certificate and father’s passport, if the father is born after 10th July, 1973, then the Applicant will also require:
  • Paternal grandmother’s birth certificate, or alternatively,
  • Paternal grandfather’s birth certificate and grandparents registered marriage certificate

First Time/Renewal Applicants 18 yrs and older:

• 1 completed application form
• 3 recent photographs.  The size must not be more than 2½ inches by 2 inches or less than 2 inches by 1½ inches. One of the photographs, along with the relevant field on the application form, must be countersigned by a Justice of the Peace/Lawyer/Pastor
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/ Affidavit of birth
• National Insurance Card
  When using mother’s documents: Mother’s Birth certificate and passport, if the mother is born after 10th July, 1973, then the Applicant will also require:
  • Maternal grandmother’s birth certificate, or alternatively,
  • Maternal grandfather’s birth certificate and grandparents registered marriage certificate
• When using Father’s Documents: father’s birth certificate, parents registered marriage certificate and father’s passport, if the father is born after 10th July, 1973,  then the Applicant will also require:
  • Paternal grandmother’s birth certificate, or alternatively,
  • Paternal grandfather’s birth certificate and grandparents registered marriage certificate
• Additionally, for verification purposes, the Applicant may be asked to bring in: school letter, Baptismal certificate, Hospital Record letter, Voter’s Registration card, Immunization card

First Time/Renewal Applicants born before 10th July, 1973:

• 1 completed application form
• 3 recent photographs.  The size must not be more than 2½ inches by 2 inches or less than 2 inches by 1½ inches. One of photographs, along with the relevant field in application form, must be countersigned by Justice of the Peace/Lawyer/Pastor
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/ Affidavit of birth
• National Insurance card
• Deed Poll, if applicable
• Additionally, for verification purposes, the Applicant may be asked to bring in: Primary school letter, Baptismal certificate, Hospital Record letter, Voter’s Registration card, Immunization card

Processing of Passports usually takes a period of three to five weeks. Please note that this may vary during peak periods so applicants are advised to refer the date on the Auxiliary Receipt for the collection date.

There are no deadlines.

You must pay a passport application fee upon approval of your application, only after all requirements have been met. The fee you have to pay will be determined by several factors, such as your age. Payment must be made in the form of cash.

The Ministry of Foreign Passport office and sub office:

PASSPORT OFFICE
Nassau
Basden Building
Thompson Boulevard, Nassau
Telephone: 1-242-325-2814/8
Fax: 1-242-325-4832
Opening Hour: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Freeport
P.O. Box F-43536
National Insurance Building
Freeport, Grand Bahama
Telephone: 1-242-352-5698
Fax: 1-242-352-5672
Opening Hour: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

You may also contact any Bahamas Foreign Missions using the link provided.