Bahamas

Just 40 miles off the tip of Florida and spreading across 100,000 square miles of water, the Bahamas actually lie in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea. However, since it shares much of its traditions and beauty with its southern neighbours, it is often referred to as part of the Caribbean.

The Bahamas provides an exciting destination for those seeking great water sports and plenty of nighttime activity with superb sandy beaches. On Providence Island and Paradise Island you will find terrific water sports and some sophisticated entertainment. There are casinos, markets and fabulous sandy beaches, plus a colonial influence from the historic ties with the UK. In contrast, the Bahamas Out Islands are largely untouched by time. Pretty crayon coloured clapboard houses remain, life is unhurried and the clear water and beaches are out of this world.

Weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
T	77	77	79	81	84	87	88	89	88	85	81	79
S	8	8	8	9	9	8	9	8	8	7	7	7
R	1	1	1	2	5	6	6	5	7	6	3	1

Key to symbols used:

T - Average daily maximum temperatures
S - Average daily sunshine hours
R - Average monthly rainfall (if higher than 0.5”)

Flight time: 9 hours
GMT + or -: - 5
Visa: Not required

Documents and legal requirements
Residency: The Bahamas law states that you must both be resident in the Bahamas for 24 hours prior to the application for a marriage licence and once issued the licence is valid for 90 days . You can write to the Registrar General Prior to your arrival at: P.O Box H-5553, Nassau, Bahamas or fax to 001-242 322 5553.
You must also produce evidence of your date of arrival in the Bahamas i.e. your airline ticket or immigration card
Proof of ID: You must produce some form of ID that has a photograph attached issued by a Government Office in the UK. A 10- year passport valid for at least six months is required and will suffice as I.D.
Proof of Status: If you are single a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths and must accompany the application for the marriage licence. This declaration can also be obtained at a Notary Public in Nassau.
Divorced: The original Decree Absolute with court stamp or a certified copy must be produced.
Widowed: The death certificate of your deceased spouse must be produced.
Age limit: If you are aged under 18 years parental consent in the form of Statutory Declaration stamped and signed by a solicitor is required. Forms of consent may be obtained from the Registrar General’s office in the Bahamas.
Name change: If you have changed you name by deed poll the original copy, stamped and signed by a solicitor is required. This also applies if you have reverted back to your single name following a divorce.
Fees: The fee for a marriage licence is $40.

Ceremonies
Bahamian weddings come in all shapes and sizes, from the traditional historic church to a private yacht, from a beautiful tropical garden to the pink sands of Harbour Island’s famous pink beach. It is even possible to exchange your vows underwater with the fish as your witnesses and the coral as your backdrop.

Obtaining your marriage licence
Marriage licences are issued at the Office of the Registrar General located in the Rodney Bain Building on Parliament and Shirley Street in Nassau, which is open to the public Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm.

Bahamian weddings come in all shapes and sizes, from the traditional historic church to a private yacht, from a beautiful tropical garden to the pink sands of Harbour Island’s famous pink beach. It is even possible to exchange your vows underwater with the fish as your witnesses and the coral as your backdrop.

Further information

Tourist Office 3 The Billings, Walnut Tree Close Guildford GU1 4UL Tel. No: 01483 448900 www.bahamas.com	Bahamas High Commission 10 Chester field Street, London W1 Tel: 020-7408 4488
Office of the Registrar General P.O Box H-5553, Nassau, Bahamas	Wedding Consultants A Social Affair Grand Bahama, Bahamas Consultant Ms.Vanje McBride Tel: 001-242 373 2270, 888-TELBOT ext. 19131 Fax: 001-242 373 6561 Email: asafair@batelnet.bs
A Wedding Place P.O Box CB-12419 Nassau, Bahamas Consultant: Una Curtis Tel: 001-242 326 6326, 001-242 340 8250 Email: unacurtis@hotmail.com	Adela Ostelch Consultant: Ms Adela Ostelch Tel: 001-242 326 6329 Fax: 001-242 327 4316 Email: adeles@batelnet.bs
Affectionate Affairs P.O Box N1577 Nassau, Bahamas Consultant Allene Powell Tel: 001-242 322 4863

Always check with local authorities as this information may be subject to change.