Bahamas - Apply for Citizenship

ProcedureEdit

Apply In-Person:

To apply for Citizenship in person, the applicant has to visit any nearest office of the Department of Immigration in his/her state of residence. The address and contact details of can be found in the following address details
Visit the office and get the relevant application form or download and print them from the links below:
- 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)
Complete the application form with appropriate information under relevant sections.
After filling the application form, make sure to attach all the documents listed in the “Required documents” section of this page.
Then, submit it in person to the relevant authority at the office.
After submission, your application along with the attached documents will be forwarded for further verifications.
Once all the internal processes are over, the applicants will be notified with the further instructions regarding the citizenship.

Required DocumentsEdit

Citizenship Form I 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 I application form 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 if applicable) with the verification by the Consulate and authentication of signature by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bahamian Spouse’s Birth Certificate
Children’s birth certificates
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 Bahamian spouse’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity
VALID copy of biographical page of passport for children (must be signed and readable and have two (2) months validity)
Certified copy of 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)
Divorce decree (if applicable)
Previous spouse’s death certificate (if applicable)
Deed Poll (Bahamian- Registered at Registrar General’s office) if applicable
Copy of Applicant’s immigration status
Job letter(s) from employers stating employment history

Citizenship Form II 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 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

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Bahamas Immigration Department
Main Office Freeport Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7137
Vibe. (242) 225-8768
Email: [email protected]
Website Link
Contact Link

EligibilityEdit

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

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

FeesEdit

Click here to view fee details Link

ValidityEdit

This certificate does not come with a date of expiration.

Documents to UseEdit

Application Forms:

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)

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

Once the actual application has been accurately and completely submitted, the applicant should receive a response within a 3 to 4 week period.

InstructionsEdit

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

Required InformationEdit

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 DocumentEdit

Foreign nationals who wish to be afforded the rights, responsibilities, and privileges afforded to Bahamians, and qualify, must apply for citizenship.

Information which might helpEdit

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.

External LinksEdit

Place some external links which might help.

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.