Applying for a Passport (First Time or Renewal)

Citizens of The Bahamas in need of an identity/travel document must apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to:

• Obtain their first passport.
• Renew their existing 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.

Eligibility

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 to applying for a passport
• Registration or naturalisation (through approval of the 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).

Process

Step 1: Upon arrival at the Passport Office, a number is assigned to the applicants. This will determine the order in which they will be served. Please note, medical and other legitimate emergencies with documentary proof will receive prompt attention.

Step 2: Applicants’ documents will be reviewed by an officer to ensure they have met all the requirements.   Original documents and copies of the same are required. All applicants must be present. Minors are to be accompanied by their parents or authorized individual.

Step 3: Approximately 40-60 applicants will be allowed inside the building and are expected to be cooperative and seated in an orderly manner. The normal wait period is 20-30 minutes however this can be extended to 3+ hours during peak periods (Summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Office hours are 8.30 a. m – 3.45 p.m. During the peak periods, the office could be closed earlier than usual to accommodate the large number of customers on the inside.

Step 4: When the applicant’s name is called, he/she must proceed to the respective window. The enrollment process begins. Personal data and biometrics (fingerprints/ e-signatures) are captured (if applicable). Original documents are returned to the customers.

Step 5:  Three (3) copies of the receipt are given to the applicant and the collection date is highlighted. Applicants are advised to bring the current passport and /or police report if same is lost/damaged/stolen as well as the receipt in order to collect the new e-passport. Applicants are directed to the cashiers to pay the requisite fees (15 years and under $25.00; 15 1/2 years and over $50.00). Applicants are free to leave after payment. Failure to pay, results in delays in e-passport processing.

Note: Each document goes through eight (8) stages of processing; customers are advised to plan ahead to meet their obligations.  Official deadline for all citizens to have an electronic travel document in their possession is 24 November, 2015.

IMPORTANT:

• ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE PRESENT AT THE PASSPORT OFFICE FOR ENROLLMENT / REGISTRATION
• PHOTOCOPIES MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
• All Affidavits of birth and name change must have been registered at the REGISTRAR GENERAL’S OFFICE.
• All Affidavits of birth must be accompanied by search card and Hospital / Clinic Records Letter with a ten($10.00) stamp affixed to it.
• Minors must be accompanied by a properly documented legal guardian.
• Father’s accompanying minors must present proof of legal guardianship e.g. parents certified marriage certificate.
• If court appointed guardianship was granted, the legal document and a valid passport of the legal guardian(s) are required.

COUNTERSIGNATURE

• Passport applications for first time applicants, those undergoing a name change, passports that were damaged/stolen/lost, applicants who did not renew their passport for ten (10) years or more  must be countersigned by the following categories of persons  who are not related, but  would have known the individual for a minimum of two years or in the case of an infant, his/her parents:  
  • Notary Public, Pastor, Marriage Officer, Justice of the Peace, Senior Government Officials at the level of Deputy Permanent Secretary or above, School Principals and Corporate Executives( manager or above). 
• Additional documents may be required UPON REQUEST.

PROCEDURES FOR ALL FOREIGN DOCUMENTS

• All foreign-issued documents must be duly legalized or apostilled by the relevant authorities of the issuing country.  In the case of legalization, ensure that you contact Consular Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration at 242–397-9300.

PASSPORT PHOTO SPECIFICATIONS:

Photos should have been taken during the past six months, teeth must not be revealed, hairline and ears must be exposed, covering of the head is prohibited unless a formal written request is presented- approval is at the discretion of the Passport Office, no bold un-natural hair colours; modest make-up and jewelry, clothing must cover shoulders and must not bear any form of military or civil servants badges or ornaments;

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLINE APPOINTMENTS MAY BE MADE AT:

https://epassport.bahamas.gov.bs/ecalendar

APPLICATIONS MAY ALSO BE SUBMITTED AT THE NEAREST EMBASSY OR CONSULATE OF THE BAHAMAS IN CANADA, CHINA, LONDON OR THE USA.

Application Form(s)

Passport Application Form

Supporting Documents

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

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST TIME E-PASSPORT

APPLICANTS UNDER 12 YEARS OLD

• 1 Completed Application Form.
• Three (3) photographs in colour with white background (one of which must be countersigned along with Section 10 of application form by same individual). Forms may be countersigned
• Applicant’s birth certificate/Registered Affidavit/ Adoption certificate.
• National Insurance Card.
• Applicant’s Immunization Card.
• Parent’s certified marriage certificate where applicable
• Parent’s Naturalization certificate if applicable
• Mother/Father’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption certificate-use father’s document for joint adoptions.
• Mother/Father’s Passport.
• Grandmother/great grandmother(s) Birth Certificate (for parents born after July 10^th ,1973).
• $25.00 processing fee.

*An interview will be conducted. Minors must be accompanied by their parents or a properly documented legal guardian.

WHEN USING FATHER’S DOCUMENTS, THE FATHER MUST BE PRESENT AND SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

• Father’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption certificate- use father’s document for joint adoptions.
• Father’s valid Passport (and Naturalization Certificate if applicable).
• Parent’s certified marriage certificate
• Grandparent(s)/Great grandparent(s) Birth Certificate or registered Affidavit/Naturalization Certificate(for parents born after 10 July ,1973)

APPLICANTS 12 YEARS – 17 YEARS OLD

• 1 Completed Application Form.
• Three (3) photographs in colour with white background (one of which must be countersigned along with Section 10 of application form by same individual).
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption certificate.
• National Insurance Card.
• Applicant’s Immunization Card.
• Primary School and High School Records from the Ministry of Education’s Examination & Assessment Division or respective schools must be written on the institution’s letterhead and include the parent’s/legal guardian’s name.
• Parents certified Marriage Certificate if applicable
• Mother’s/Father’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption Certificate-use father’s documents for joint adoptions.
• Mother/Father’s Passport.
• Grandmother’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption Certificate (for parents born after July 10^th ,1973).
• $25.00 processing fee (15 years & under).
• $50.00 processing fee (15 ½ years & older).

*An interview will be conducted.  Minors must be accompanied by their parents or a properly documented legal guardian.

**IMPORTANT: (FAMILY ISLAND) SCHOOL RECORDS

Family Island school records must be written on the institution’s letter head and include parent’s/legal guardian’s name.

WHEN USING FATHER’S DOCUMENTS, THE FATHER MUST BE PRESENT AND SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

• Father’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption certificate-use father’s document for joint adoptions.
• Father’s valid Passport (and Naturalization Certificate if applicable).
• Parent’s certified marriage certificate
• Grandparent(s)/Great grandparent(s) Birth Certificate or registered Affidavit/Naturalization Certificate(for parents born after 10 July ,1973).

APPLICANTS 18 YEARS— 39 YEARS OLD

• Completed Application Form.
• Three (3) photographs in colour with white background (one of which must be countersigned along with Section 10 of application form by same individual).
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption Certificate.
• National Insurance Card and Voter’s Card.
• Applicant’s Immunization Card.
• Hospital Records Letter. (Where applicable Clinic Records from relevant Family Island.)
• Primary School and High School Records from Ministry of Education’s Examination & Assessment  Division or respective schools must be written on the institution’s letter head and include the parent’s/legal guardian’s name.
• Parents certified Marriage Certificate if applicable.
• Mother/Father’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption Certificate
• Mother/Father’s Passport.
• Grandmother’s/Great grandmother’s Birth Certificate (for parents born after July 10^th ,1973)
• $50.00 processing fee.
• Upon interviewer’s discretion, two (2) deponents ten years older than applicant who knew of applicant’s birth may be interviewed.

*Additional documents may be required upon request.

APPLICANTS 40 YEARS AND OLDER

• 1 Completed Application Form.
• Three (3) photographs in colour with white background (one of which must be countersigned along with application form by the same individual).
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption Certificate.
• Applicant’s certified marriage certificate where applicable
• National Insurance Card and Voter’s Card.
• Immunization Card and Baptismal Certificate.
• Primary School and High School Records from the Ministry of Education’s Examination & Assessment Division or respective schools must be written on the institution’s letter head and include the parent’s/legal guardian’s name.
• Clinic/Hospital Records Letter.
• Mother/Father’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption certificate
• Mother/Father’s passport (Note: If mother’s passport is not available, passport of parent’s sibling or passport of applicant’s sibling of same mother is required)
• Parent’s certified marriage certificate where applicable
• Two (2) Deponents ten years older than applicant who knew of applicant’s birth must be Interviewed.
• $50.00 processing fee.

*Additional documents may be required upon request

RENEWAL OF AN EXISTING PASSPORT 

• Completed Application Form.
• Three (3) photographs in colour with white background.
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit/Adoption Certificate
• National Insurance Card
• Existing Passport
• $25.00 processing fee (15 years & under).
• $50.00 processing fee (15½  years & older).

RENEWAL OF AN EXISTING PASSPORT 

• Minors must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian.  In the absence of whom, a letter of authorization from the parent/legal guardian must be presented along with his/her valid photo ID.
• If minors are accompanied by their father, a certified marriage certificate or proof of legal guardianship is required.
• In addition to the documents listed above, individuals changing their name as a result of marriage, must submit the certified marriage certificate, or divorce decree absolute. Section 10 of the application form and one (1) of three photos must be countersigned

Note:  Applicants who have not renewed passport  for 10 years or more post expiration date must have Section 10 of the application form countersigned along with one (1)  of the three (3) coloured photos by the same individual.

DEED POLL APPLICANTS

• Please see the link below.  Also, for further clarification please enquire Customer Service Desk for information (242 325-2814/5; 397 2300)
• Deed Poll & Passport Procedure

*Additional documents may be required upon request.

LOST, STOLEN, DAMAGED/DESTROYED PASSPORT

• Police report is required for Passports that have been lost, stolen or damaged.  Present damaged document along with police report.
• 1 Completed Application Form
• Three (3) photographs in colour with white background (one of which must be countersigned along with Section 10 of application form by the same individual).
• National Insurance Card
• Applicant’s birth certificate/Registered Affidavit or Adoption certificate.
• Processing fee: Child $25.00 (15 years & under), Adult $50.00 (15½ years & older)

*An interview will be conducted.  Minors must be accompanied by their parent(s) or a legal guardian.

NATURALIZATION

• 1 Completed Application Form.
• Three (3) photographs in colour with white background (one of which must be countersigned along with Section 10 of application form).
• Naturalization Certificate and certified marriage certificate where applicable.
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/Registered Affidavit (English Translation where applicable)
• National Insurance Card.
• Previous Certificate of Identity where applicable

Turn-around time

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.

Deadline

There are no deadlines for this service.

Related Fee(s)

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.

Type of Passport	Fee Structure (Bahamian $)
Adult (sixteen years and over) – Regular     passport	$50
Child under sixteen	$25

 

For more information please contact

PASSPORT OFFICE LOCATIONS

The Passport Office has locations on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco at the following addresses:

NEW PROVIDENCE
The Basden Building
Thompson Boulevard
P. O. Box N-792
New Providence
The Bahamas
Telephone:  (242)-397-2300 | (242)-397-2550
Facsimile: (242) 325-4832

OFFICE HOURS

Enrollment (Acceptance) Section	8:30 am – 3:45 pm – Acceptance of Documents
	8:30 am – 4:00 pm – General Enquiries
Issuance (Collection) And Queries Sections	8:30 am – 4:00 pm