Citizenship - Bahamas Immigration Department

AUTOMATIC BAHAMIAN CITIZENSHIP IS GIVEN TO PERSONS:

• Born in The Bahamas to married parents, with either parent 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.

In order to apply for Bahamian citizenship, a person must meet one of the following requirements :

1. Be 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
2. Be a female spouse of a Bahamian citizen
3. Be born in The Bahamas after 9th July, 1973 to Non-Bahamian parents
4. Be a child (adopted or biological) who has at least one Bahamian parent (Naturalised or otherwise)
5. Be a child born in the Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents

Citizenship 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 (persons born in The Bahamas to foreign parents … / persons born legitimately to a  Bahamian mother and foreign father outside of the Bahamas)
  • Application Form 3 (children born in The Bahamas to foreign parents and make application after their 19th birthday, Commonwealth citizens, male spouse of Bahamian)
  • Application Form 4 (only persons born outside of the Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father) all minor children
  • Application Form 6 (persons born in The Bahamas to foreign parents from Non-commonwealth countries who missed their deadlines to apply for citizenship…)

CLICK HERE FOR FEES

Please note that:

1. All documents issued from countries outside The Bahamas must be properly verified (by apostille or Legalization) and have the signature of authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can be submitted. An apostille is required for all birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by countries that are members of The Hague Apostille Convention. For a complete list of Hague Apostille Convention countries, please visit Hague signatories
2. Certified translations in English are required for each foreign document submitted and should have a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereto.
3. Translations must be prepared by someone proficient in the relevant foreign language

Please note that application forms are also available at the Bahamas Immigration Department.

• $200.00 non-refundable processing fee ( payable by cash , credit/debit card, postal/money orders or bank certified cheque)
• Letter of Request addressed to the Director of Immigration
• Duly completed Citizenship Form II application with $10.00 Bahamian postage stamp affixed thereon (legible and notarized)
• Applicant’s original medical certificate (dated not earlier than 30 days before submission of the application. Required for every applicant)
• Applicant’s original police certificate (issued not earlier than six (6) months and must cover five (5) years of residence) 
• Two (2) current passport photographs of applicant on white background with name printed on back of photo (captured within six (6) months of application date; photo size must be 2 X 2 inches)
• Original birth certificate of applicant 
• Certified copy of applicant’s parents’ Birth Certificate (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon) if applicable)
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity)
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s mother’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s father’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
• Certified copy of parents’ marriage certificate (must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon) if applicable
• Certified copy of parent(s)’ death certificate where in either case the parent(s) are deceased ( must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon) if applicable)
• Mother’s Hospital Record confirming applicant’s birth in The Bahamas
• Immunization Card
• Baptismal Certificate
• Deed Poll (Bahamian- Registered at Registrar General’s office) if applicable
• Documentary Evidence of Applicant’s immigration status
• Two (2) Original Character References (by a Bahamian who has known applicant for a period of five (5) years accompanied by the biographical page of their passport, telephone contact and email address)
• All School Letters with date of entry and completion

Citizenship Form III Application Requirements:

• $200.00 non-refundable processing fee ( payable by cash , credit/debit card, postal/money orders or bank certified cheque)
• Letter of Request addressed to the Director of Immigration 
• Duly completed Citizenship Form III application with $10.00 Bahamian postage stamp affixed thereon (legible and notarized)
• Applicant’s original medical certificate (dated not earlier than 30 days before submission of the application. Required for every applicant)
• Applicant’s original police certificate (issued not earlier than six (6) months and must cover five (5) years of residence; required of applicants 14 years old and over)
• Two (2) current passport photographs of applicant on white background with name printed on back of photo (captured within six (6) months of application date; photo size must be 2 X 2 inches) 
• Original Birth Certificate of applicant (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamps affixed thereon, with verification by Consulate and authentication of signature by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if applicable)
• Copy of applicant’s child(ren)’s birth certificate(s)
• Copy of applicant’s mother’s Birth Certificate
• Copy of applicant’s father’s Birth Certificate
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity)
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s child(ren)’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity)
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s mother’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s father’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
• Certified copy of parents’ marriage certificate (must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon)
• Certified copy of parent(s)’ death certificate ( must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon) if applicable)
• Mother’s Hospital Record confirming applicant’s birth in The Bahamas
• Immunization Card
• Baptismal Certificate
• Divorce Decree (if applicable)
• Deed Poll (Bahamian- Registered at Registrar General’s office) if applicable
• Copy of applicant’s immigration status
• Copy of applicant’s parent(s)’s immigration status 
• Newspaper clippings (for Citizenship sections 5&6 ONLY)
•  Two (2) Original Character References (by a Bahamian who has known applicant for a period of five (5) years accompanied by the biographical page of their passport, telephone contact and email address)
• All School Letters with date of entry and completion

Citizenship Form IV Application Requirements:

• $200.00 non-refundable processing fee ( payable by cash , credit/debit card, postal/money orders or bank certified cheque)
• Letter of Request addressed to the Director of Immigration
• Duly completed Citizenship Form IV application with $10.00 Bahamian postage stamp affixed thereon (legible and notarized)
• Applicant’s original medical certificate (dated not earlier than 30 days before submission of the application. Required for every applicant) 
• Applicant’s original police certificate (issued not earlier than six (6) months and must cover five (5) years of residence; required of applicants 14 years old and over)
• Two (2) current passport photographs of applicant on white background with name printed on back of photo (captured within six (6) months of application date; photo size must be 2 X 2 inches)
• Original Birth Certificate of applicant (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamps affixed thereon, with verification by Consulate and authentication of signature by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if applicable)
• Copy of applicant’s parents’ original Birth Certificate
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s parents’ current  passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
• Copy of parent(s)’ Naturalization Certificate
• Certified copy of parents’ marriage certificate ( must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon) 
• Certified copy of parent(s)’ death certificate where in either case the parent(s) are deceased ( must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon; if applicable)
• All School Letters with date of entry and completion

Citizenship Form VI Application Requirements:

• $200.00 non-refundable processing fee ( payable by cash , credit/debit card, postal/money orders or bank certified cheque)
• Letter of Request addressed to the Director of Immigration
• Duly completed Citizenship Form IV application with $10.00 Bahamian postage stamp affixed thereon (legible and notarized)
• Applicant’s original medical certificate (dated not earlier than 30 days before submission of the application. Required for every applicant)
• Applicant’s original police certificate (issued not earlier than six (6) months and must cover five (5) years of residence; required of applicants 14 years old and over)
• Two (2) current passport photographs of applicant on white background with name printed on back of photo (captured within six (6) months of application date; photo size must be 2 X 2 inches)
• Original Birth Certificate of applicant (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamps affixed thereon, with verification by Consulate and authentication of signature by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if applicable)
• Certified copy of applicant’s spouse’s birth certificate
• Copy of applicant’s parents’ birth certificate
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity)
• Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s parents’ current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
• Certified copy of parents’ marriage certificate (must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon)
• Certified copy of parent(s)’ death certificate ( must be certified by Registrar General’s Department if issued in The Bahamas) (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon) if applicable)
• Certified copy of spouse’s death certificate (if applicable)
• Mother’s Hospital Record confirming applicant’s birth in The Bahamas
• Immunization Card
• Baptismal Certificate
• Divorce Decree (if applicable)
• Deed Poll (Bahamian- Registered at Registrar General’s office) if applicable
• Copy of applicant’s immigration status 
• Copy of applicant’s parent(s)’ immigration status 
• Newspaper clippings (as legalized in Part II Naturalization Section 1 (1) (2), The Bahamas Nationality Regulations)
• Two (2) Original Character References (by a Bahamian who has known applicant for a period of five (5) years accompanied by the biographical page of their passport, telephone contact and email address)
• All School Letters with date of entry and completion