Bahamas - Apply for Certificate of Identification (COI)

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. The Applicant has to submit an application form to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. Visit the following Details Contact Link.
3. The Applicant can download from the following Form Link.
4. Fill out the application form and specify that he or she is requesting a Certificate of Identity.
5. The application form must be signed by children aged 10 and up. All people aged 14 and up must have their fingerprints taken.
6. After filling in all the details submit the Application Form along with the supporting documents as mentioned in the “Required Documents” section to any of the offices listed below along with the corresponding Fee
7. A Passport Interviewing Officer must interview all first-time applicants. The interrogating officer must see all of the new-borns. The applicant's legal parent or legal guardian must attend the interview with them.
8. Applicants must bring their receipt to the Passport Office in order to pick up their Certificate of Identity.
9. A third party can collect on the applicant's behalf. A letter of authorization from the applicant and picture identification (driver's licence or passport) are required for the third party.

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Required Documents

Originals and copies of original documents must be brought in.

Infant to 18 years old:

• Application form.
• Three recent photographs 2 to 2 ½ inches by 1 ½ to 2 inches. One of the photographs must be countersigned by a Justice of the Peace/Lawyer/Pastor, along with the relevant field in application form.
• Applicant's original Birth Certificate/Affidavit of birth (in addition to translation if applicable).
• Immunization card or Baptismal certificate, if available.
• Mother's passport.
• When using father's documents: the registered marriage certificate (if foreign, English translation required); in addition to the Father's passport.

Adults 18 years and older:

• Application form.
• Three recent photographs 2 to 2 ½ inches by 1 ½ to 2 inches. One of photographs must be countersigned by a Justice of the Peace/Lawyer/Pastor, along with the relevant field in application form.
• Applicant's original Birth Certificate/ Affidavit of birth (along with official translation if applicable).
• Immunization card or Baptismal certificate, if available.

Office Locations & Contacts

Passport Office
Basden Building
Thompson Boulevard,
Nassau,
New Providence
Tel: (242) 325-2814/8
Fax: (242) 325-4832
Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

FREEPORT
P.O. Box F-43536
National Insurance Building
Freeport,
Grand Bahama
Tel: (242) 352-5698
Fax: (242) 352-5672
Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Address Details Link

Eligibility

The Applicant must have been born after July 10, 1973, in The Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents.

Fees

Applicant must pay a BS$25.00 application fee. At any Foreign Affairs Office or Sub-Office in The Bahamas, payment can be made in cash or by bank card (LINX).

Validity

There is no deadline for this service.

Documents to Use

Application Form Link

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

It normally takes three to five weeks to receive a Certificate of Identity. Please note that during peak periods, this may change, therefore applicants should check the date on the Auxiliary Receipt for the collection date.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or Country of Birth.

Need for the Document

A Certificate of Identification is a travel document accessible to non-citizens.

Information which might help

Website Link

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Place some external links which might help.

Others

A Certificate of Identification is a travel document accessible to non-citizens up to the age of 18 who are legally residing in The Bahamas. The candidate must have been born to non-Bahamians in The Bahamas after July 10, 1973. To receive this travel passport, all non-citizens must apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.