Nationality of Bahamas: all obtaining pathways
The Bahamas requires ten years of residence for naturalization, one of the Caribbean's longest timelines. Registration through marriage has rules that distinguish the pre-2002 and post-2002 regimes — with ten years of marriage in the latter — and descent is transmitted with no residence requirement.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Over 18 years of age
- 10 years of residence in the Bahamas (of which at least 1 year immediately before the application)
- Good conduct
- Intention to continue residing in the Bahamas
- Sufficient knowledge of the English language
- Waive your original nationality
Documentation
- Naturalization application (Application for Naturalisation)
- Birth certificate, legalized and translated into English
- Valid passport and proof of legal migratory status
- Criminal record certificates from the Bahamas and the country of origin
- Evidence of 10 years of residence in the Bahamas
- Proof of employment or means of subsistence
- 2 passport-size photos
- Declaration renouncing your original nationality
2Registration through marriage (foreign woman)
Registration through marriage (foreign woman)
Requirements
- Foreign woman married to a Bahamian citizen
- Marriage before 2002: residence automatically not required
- Marriage after 2002: requires 10 years of residence and at least 1 year immediately before the application
- Good conduct
Documentation
- Registration-through-marriage application
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Proof of the husband's Bahamian citizenship
- Valid passport
- Evidence of residence (if married after 2002)
- 2 passport-size photos
3Nationality by descent
Nationality by descent
Requirements
- Child of a Bahamian father born abroad (descent only through the paternal line under current law)
- Registration before age 21 at a Bahamian consulate
- A Bahamian mother does not transmit nationality automatically (pending legislative reform)
Documentation
- Application for registration as a Bahamian citizen by descent
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Birth certificate of the Bahamian father
- Bahamian passport of the father
- Proof of the father's Bahamian citizenship
- Consular registration
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Bahamas
How many years of residence does Bahamas require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Bahamas (Naturalization by residence), the term is 12 months of residence immediately before the application + 6 years of aggregate residence within the 9 years preceding that period, with sustained legal permanent status (Bahamas Nationality Act, Ch. 190, Second Schedule, para. 1; Department of Immigration: legal permanent resident for 10 years including the 12 months immediately preceding and minimum 6 years of actual residence). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Bahamas allow dual nationality?
Waive your original nationality
Can the nationality of Bahamas be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Registration through marriage pathway (No residence period fixed by law for a woman married to a Bahamian citizen: she may apply for registration as a spouse (Department of Immigration: 'female spouse of a Bahamian citizen' category, subject to public policy and national security)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Bahamas require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Naturalization application (Application for Naturalisation); Birth certificate, legalized and translated into English; Valid passport and proof of legal migratory status; Criminal record certificates from the Bahamas and the country of origin; Evidence of 10 years of residence in the Bahamas; among 3 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Bahamas?
Bahamas provides 3 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Registration through marriage, Nationality by descent.
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