Applying for Citizenship
Applying for Citizenship
Automatic Bahamian citizenship is given to persons who are:
- Born in The Bahamas to married parents, with either parents being a Bahamian citizen
- Born to an un-married Bahamian female in or outside of The Bahamas
- Born outside of The Bahamas to a married Bahamian male who was not born outside The Bahamas
- Adopted by a married Bahamian male
- Adopted by a single Bahamian female.
All other foreign nationals who wish to be afforded the rights, responsibilities, and privileges afforded to Bahamians, and qualify, must apply for citizenship.
Eligibility
In order to apply for Bahamian citizenship, persons must be one of the following:
- A legal permanent resident in The Bahamas who has had the legal status for 10 years, including the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application, and who has resided in The Bahamas for a minimum of 6 years preceding the 12 months mentioned above
- A female spouse of a Bahamian citizen
- Born in The Bahamas after 9th July, 1973 to Non-Bahamian parents
- A child (adopted or biological) who has at least one Bahamian parent (Naturalised or otherwise)
- A child born in the Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents
Please note that whilst a male spouse of a Bahamian citizen may not be eligible for natural citizenship, he would be eligible for naturalized citizenship.
Process
- Fill out appropriate application form.
- Attach the completed application form to supporting documents.
- Submit to the Department of Immigration, along with the fee payment
Application Form(s)
- Application Form 1, notarized by notary public or justice of the peace (only female spouse of a Bahamian citizen only)
- Application Form 2 ,(all persons other than female spouses of Bahamian nationals and persons born outside of the Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father)
- Application Form 4 ,(only persons born outside of the Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father) all minor children
Please note that application forms are also available at the Department of Immigration.
Supporting Documents
- 2 passport-sized identical colour photographs of the applicant
- Applicant’s birth certificate
- Parents birth certificates (not applicable to spouses)
- Parents marriage certificate (persons born outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father)
- Mother’s passport (persons born outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father)
- BS$10.00 postage stamp
- Police certificate of good character, issued within 6 months of application (all applicants 14 years and older)
- Spouse’s birth certificate (spouses of Bahamian nationals)
- Marriage certificate (spouses of Bahamian nationals)
- Medical certificate, dated not more than 30 days prior to submission of application (female spouse)
- Bio-data page(s) of applicant’s passport (valid for a minimum of 6 months)
- Work visa (where applicable)
- Permit to reside (where applicable)
- Permanent resident visa (where applicable)
Please note that all documents must be originals. In the case of documents being in any language other than English, certified English translations must also be submitted.
Turn-around time
Once the actual application has been accurately and completely submitted, the applicant should receive a response within a 3 to 4 week period.
Deadline
Persons born in The Bahamas to married non-Bahamian parents may apply for Bahamian citizenship between their 18th and 19th birthday only.
Related Fee(s)
There is a non-refundable processing fee of BS$100.00 (payable via cash or certified / bank manager’s cheque payable to the Treasury).
For more information please contact
New Providence
Department of Immigration
Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 322-7530/9
Fax.(242) 326-0977
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Abaco
Department of Immigration
Marsh Harbour Airport
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 361-5000, 367-2536 / 2675, or 365-8604
Fax.(242) 367-4955
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Walkers Cay
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 352-5252
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Andros
Department of Immigration
Fresh Creek
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 368-2031
Vibe. (242) 225-9382
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
North Andros
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 329-4466
Vibe. (242) 225-9208
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Bimini
Department of Immigration
Alice Town Office
Alice Town
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 347-3446
Vibe. (242) 225-2406
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Berry Island
Department of Immigration
Great Harbour Cay
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 367-8112 or (242) 368-2031
Fax. (242) 367-8567
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Eleuthera
Department of Immigration
Rock Sound
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 334-2055
Fax.(242) 335-1858
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Government Harbour
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2576
Vibe. (242) 225-9788
Fax. (242) 332-3771
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Airport
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2604
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
North Eleuthera
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 335-1124
Vibe. (242) 225-2408 / 9162
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Exuma
Department of Immigration
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-2569
Vibe.(242) 225-1349
Fax.(242) 336-3569
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Airport
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 345-0073
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Grand Bahama
Department of Immigration
Main Office
Freeport
Grand Bahama,
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7137
Vibe. (242) 225-8768
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Airport
Grand Bahama,
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7052
Vibe. (242) 225-8660
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Inagua
Department of Immigration
Airport
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-1602
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Office
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1234
Vibe.(242) 225-9701
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Customs
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1254
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
San Salvador
Department of Immigration
Office
San Salvador
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 331-2100
Fax.(242) 339-2431 or 331-2431
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Related Services
Useful Links
Agency Contact Info
Immigration, Department of
Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
| Email: | immigration@bahamas.gov.bs |
| Phone: | (242) – 322-8504 322-7530 |
| Fax: | (242) – 326-0977 |