Going on vacation in the Bahamas is on many people’s bucket lists. But have you ever thought of getting married in this tropical destination? Tying the knot with beautiful blue waters, sandy beaches, and warm weather gracing your wedding will be a fantastic experience. And if you’d love to walk down the aisle in such a setting, we show you how to get married in Bahamas as a U.S. citizen:
How to Get Married in Bahamas As a U.S. Citizen?
Are you planning on getting married in Bahamas? The good news is that the process is simple as it comes down to the steps below:
- Decide on a wedding type: Civil and religious marriages are recognized in the Bahamas. Reviewing your options and understanding the rights accorded to each union helps you determine the best wedding ceremony.
- Find a venue: Many people love getting married in Bahamas. Finding a suitable venue early in the planning process is integral to locking it down. Working with a good wedding planner can help you get the best possible option.
- Prepare the legal documents: All parties must present valid passports and a single status affidavit or an equivalent (divorce decree or death certificate). You must authenticate legal documents (except passports) for use in the Bahamas by getting an apostille. You get an apostille from the state that issued the legal document, e.g., a birth certificate in Texas can only get an apostille from the Secretary of State in Texas.
- Arrive in the Bahamas 24 hours before applying for the marriage license: Per the Bahamas Law, all parties who want to marry must be Bahamas residents or must have stayed in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours before the marriage license application. Exceptions are possible for cruise ship passengers who can provide letters from the ship operators regarding when the ship entered the Bahamian waters.
- Apply for a marriage license: You must visit the Marriages Department of the Registrar General’s Office to make your application or rely on your wedding planner. During your first visit, you must present the following documents: your valid passports, your proof of residency in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours, your filled-out marriage license application form, proof of your single status, and the application fee. Expedited processing is available for people who wish to get their licenses in a few hours. The license should be valid for 90 days, allowing you to tie the knot at your preferred pace.
- Get married: With the license, you are free to marry and can finalize your wedding details. Note that the wedding should take place before the sun sets to be legal. Thus, timing the sunset is crucial to legalizing your union.
- Receive a marriage certificate: Once you say “I do”, you will receive a copy of the marriage register, which proves you are now married. You, your spouse, your witnesses, and the officiant will sign the certificate, and you will later get a certified copy of the same. Your wedding planner can help you get this document before your departure.
If you get married in Bahamas, is it legal in the U.S.? The U.S. will recognize your marriage, and you can use your marriage certificate to change your name, acquire joint property, or do anything else that falls under the marriage umbrella.
What are the Different Types of Marriage in Bahamas?
Anyone planning to get married in the Bahamas can choose between a civil or religious wedding. Symbolic weddings are also an option for people who want to tie the knot without taking on too many formalities. But as the name suggests, symbolic weddings are only a sign of the union and have no legal bearing. Consider your options below:
1. Civil Weddings
These legal ceremonies fall under the Bahamas law. They are legally binding not just in the Bahamas but also in the U.S. Marriage officers, e.g., the deputy general, the supreme court magistrates, and the registrar general, lead these ceremonies. Below are the characteristics of such marriages:
- Only people aged 18 can get married. However, with parental consent, parties younger than 18 can marry.
- The couple must obtain a license from the registrar general’s department.
- Interviews may be necessary before getting married: This scenario often applies to two foreigners or where a foreigner wants to marry a Bahamian.
Moreover, parties must present the following documents:
- S. citizens must have valid passports. Where a U.S. citizen wants to marry a Bahamian, the Bahamian can use their national ID card,
- Immigration cards: The registrar must confirm the arrival date to ensure the parties have been in the Bahamas for more than 24 hours,
- A certificate of no intention to marry: The parties must be free to marry and free of any legal impediments in the U.S. or anywhere else, and
- Death certificates/ divorce decrees: These documents apply to previously married partners and are necessary to prove their single status.
Same-sex couples can also perform a civil marriage in Bahamas, as same-sex marriages are legal. However, same-sex couples are not accorded the same rights as other couples, which you might want to consider before tying the knot.
2. Religious Marriages
The Bahamas does not have a state religion, though the Protestant Church accounts for 80% of the population. As such, you can marry under any religious belief by following the steps below:
- Contact the church where you wish to get married: Depending on the church, you may need to start the pre-nuptial processes back in the U.S. For example, Catholics should get approval from their local parishes before heading to the Bahamas for the ceremony.
- Prepare your legal documents: People getting married in the church must still meet the civil marriage requirements. Additionally, you may need extra documentation, e.g., baptismal and confirmation certificates.
- Undergo the church processes: Often, couples are subject to questioning and pre-marital counseling before they get the green light to wed.
Church weddings take place in the church. However, only Bahamas marriage officers can legalize the wedding. So, as much as the pastor or priest will assist in the ceremony, the marriage officer handles the legal documents to declare your marriage as legal.
3. Symbolic Weddings
These ceremonies are not subject to legal formalities as they do not have legal consequences. They often feature marriage customs like tied shoes, something borrowed, something old, something new, and something blue. Is a marriage in Bahamas recognized in the United States? Symbolic weddings do not feature marriage certificates and are thus not considered legally binding.
Marriage Requirements in Bahamas for U.S. Citizens
Before heading to the Bahamas for your nuptials, you should understand all the marriage requirements in Bahamas. While they are generally easy to abide by, a small error can delay your dream wedding. So, what do you need to get married in Bahamas and what criteria should you meet?
1. Age: The legal marriage age in the Bahamas is 18, regardless of gender. However, couples can get married before they reach 18 if they have written consent from their parents. You can prove this by submitting an affidavit of parental consent or forms of consent, which are available at the Registrar General’s office.
2. Residency: U.S. citizens who want to marry in the Bahamas can only do so under two circumstances. In the first case, they should be residents. And in the second case, they must have resided in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours before applying for a marriage license.
3. Single Status: Polygamy is illegal in the Bahamas. As such, anyone who wants to get married must prove they are single by providing one of the following documents with an apostille:
- A declaration certifying you are single: If you have never married, you can swear this before a U.S. Consul at the American Embassy in the Bahamas
- A death certificate: This document applies to previously married partners whose previous marriages ended in death,
- A divorce decree: If your previous marriage ended in divorce, you must present the original or certified copy of the divorce decree. The document must feature a raised or colored seal.
4. Search: Per the Bahamas marriage laws, any single Bahamian aged 40 and above marrying a foreigner is subject to a mandatory search. This process takes at least two weeks, after which they can get a license. However, such searches are not required if you are both U.S. citizens.
Once you meet these requirements, arranging a marriage in Bahamas will be a walk in the park.
What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Bahamas?
In addition to meeting the requirements for marriage, U.S. citizens must present several documents when applying for a marriage license, as follows:
- A valid passport: U.S. citizens should have passports in good condition which serve as proof of identification. The passports also show the entry date into the country, which helps the registrar determine if the person has stayed in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours. Bahamians can use their government-issued IDs.
- Proof of citizenship: Your passport can serve this purpose, while Bahamian citizens can use their national IDs.
- Proof of residency in the Bahamas: The couple must have resided in the Bahamas for at least 24 hours, which you can prove through your passport or immigration card.
- Proof of marital status: Only single people can marry in the Bahamas. People who have never married must present affidavits stating the same. Previously married partners must present their divorce decrees or deceased partners’ death certificates in original or certified copy forms.
- Parental consent: Partners aged lower than 18 cannot marry unless their parents submit consent to the union.
- A marriage license: You will need the above documents to get a license which you can then submit to the Registrar, paving the way for your wedding.
A U.S. citizen getting married in Bahamas only needs the above documents, which take only days to obtain.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in Bahamas?
Per the Bahamas law, only people aged 18 can marry. However, it is not uncommon to encounter people getting married at younger ages. So, how old do you have to be to get married in Bahamas? While the legal age is 18, you can marry at a younger age if your parents consent to the marriage. They do so by presenting a written affidavit which you must present to the Registrar, who can then okay the union. This consent applies to religious and civil marriages.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Bahamas?
The Bahamas is a popular wedding destination, with many newlyweds touting it as an incredible choice. But how much does it cost to get married in Bahamas? On average, most couples spend anything from $2,000 to $15,000. This figure varies a lot as it entails the following factors:
- Applying for a passport, expediting the passport, etc.,
- Getting an apostille,
- Hiring a wedding planner,
- Booking a wedding venue, and
- Applying for a marriage license.
Additionally, you must factor in additional costs like booking accommodation, buying air tickets, getting floral arrangements, paying for catering, etc. Often, wedding planners price their packages after considering all these factors. Thus, working with a good planner can help you get a good cost estimate.
How to Choose a City and Wedding Venue in Bahamas?
The plethora of wedding venues in the Bahamas is a good thing. But it can also prove to be overwhelming. Here is how you can choose a good venue for your marriage in Bahamas:
- Style: What theme do you have in mind? Knowing your vision helps you determine the best venue for your aesthetic preferences. Think about how you plan to decorate the space and whether the space can transform into what you want.
- Capacity: How big is the space? You don’t want to choose a space that is too big or too small for your guests. Compile a guest list and find venues to accommodate your desired guests. Additionally, consider venues that can handle more guests if needed.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: The weather in the Bahamas can be unpredictable. As such, your choice of venue should reflect the season to ensure you don’t have any unpleasant surprises.
- Accessibility: How easily can you access the venue? How about your guests? Find a venue near your accommodation that has special accessibility features (if needed), is safe, and has adequate privacy. Remember to look into the amenities, e.g., parking and bathrooms, to ensure they suit your needs.
- Availability: The marriage license lasts 90 days, and you should thus find a wedding venue that has such availability. The earlier you book, the easier it is to find a venue that matches your dates. Being flexible can also help you land a good venue.
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on the wedding? Remember that you will spend money on your honeymoon, legal costs, and other wedding activities. It’s thus best to find a balance between having a memorable day and spending what you can afford.
Working with a good wedding planner is also an excellent way to find a suitable venue. Since the planner understands your preferences and budget, they can narrow the options, making the decision-making easy.
How to Find a Wedding Planner in Bahamas?
U.S. citizens getting married in Bahamas for foreigners can have an easier time by hiring wedding planners based in the Bahamas. They understand the ins and outs of marriage registration, can find good venues, and have connections with local vendors. And with a good planner on your side, planning and executing a wedding should be a breeze. Here is how you can find the best planner for your nuptials:
- Go with reviews: Your loved ones can recommend planners they have worked with in the past. These insights can help you narrow your options to people you can trust. If you can’t find planners within your circle, research the best-reviewed wedding planners in the Bahamas and find those that match your needs.
- Consider experience: A planner who has previously handled foreign weddings will know how to navigate the paperwork and get you the wedding of your dreams.
- Match styles: Think of your wedding theme and find planners who have executed such styles in the past. For example, if a wedding planner specializes in luxury weddings and you have this in mind, you will mesh well.
- Look at availability: Instead of going for a busy planner, find one who will be at your beck and call during the planning and execution.
- Assess the package: What will the planner provide during the process? A good planner will help you navigate the paperwork, venue selection, catering teams, florists, etc. Thus, you can focus on other important aspects, e.g., choosing the wedding dress and suit.
Finally, consider your budget and gut feelings to help you decide the best option once you have narrowed the planners to a handful.
