Bahamas Citizenship

BAHAMAS
CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship is based upon the Constitution of The Bahamas, dated July 10, 1973.
All persons who were citizens of The Bahamas before July 10, 1973, retain their citizenship.
BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of The Bahamas does not automatically confer citizenship.
BY DESCENT:
Child born legitimately in the territory of The Bahamas, at least one of whose parents is a
citizen of The Bahamas.
Child born abroad legitimately, whose father is a citizen of The Bahamas.
REGISTRATION: The following persons are eligible to obtain Bahamian citizenship through
registration:
Foreign woman who marries a citizen of the Bahamas.
Person (18 years or older), born in the Bahamas, but whose parents were not citizens of
the Bahamas.
Person (18 years or older), born in wedlock outside the Bahamas to a Bahamian mother.
Child adopted by Bahamian citizens.
BY NATURALIZATION: Bahamian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the
following conditions: Person has resided six to nine years in the country (12 months
consecutively before applying), intends to reside permanently in the country, is of good
character, and knows the language and customs.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED.
Exception: Dual citizenship obtained due to birth abroad may be retained up to 21 years of age.
Person then has 12 months to renounce foreign citizenship; otherwise their Bahamian citizenship
will be revoked.
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:
VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Bahamian citizenship is permitted by Parliament.
Contact the Embassy for details and required paperwork.
INVOLUNTARY: Parliament has the right to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized citizen.
The following is grounds for involuntary loss of native-born citizenship: Person voluntarily
acquires a foreign citizenship.
ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, or requests for renunciation of citizenship, should be
directed to the address below:
Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas bahemb@aol.com
Consular Section www.bahamas.net.bs/government
2220 Massachusetts Ave., NW www.bahamas.net
Washington, DC 20008
Embassy/Consular Telephone: 202-319-2660
Fax: 202-319-2668