Getting married in Bahamas
Straightforward and legal: be in-country 24 hours before applying, no blood test, ~$120 license fee.
Verified June 18, 2026. General planning guidance, not legal advice — rules change and vary by region and circumstance. Confirm with the official source below and your venue or travel advisor before booking.
Required documents
- Valid passports
- Proof of arrival date (Immigration Card or entry stamp; cruise passengers need a Guest Services letter)
- Sworn declaration of single status if never married
- Original/certified final divorce decree if divorced
- Prior spouse's death certificate if widowed
- Written parental consent if under 18
Residency requirement
Both parties must be in The Bahamas at least 24 hours before applying for the license.
Blood test
Not required.
Apostille & translation
No apostille required in the standard process. Foreign-language documents must be translated, certified, and notarized; divorce decrees must be originals/certified copies.
Estimated fees (USD)
~$100–$120 for the license (commonly $100 + $20 per certified copy).
Processing time
License often issued same-day to ~2 business days (valid 90 days). The certificate is provided after the ceremony; extra copies ~$20.
Legal ceremony or symbolic?
A legal Bahamas marriage is easy and US-recognized — most American couples can have a genuine legal wedding rather than only a symbolic one.
Source: Apply for Marriage Licence — Government of The Bahamas
Last verified June 18, 2026 · we re-check quarterly
Note: Same-sex marriage is not legal in The Bahamas. Confirm the exact current fee with the Registrar General's Department.