Have questions before submitting your request? Reach Glenn directly:
No fee for the consultation. Government fees ($20 certificate, $120 or $270 apostille) and shipping are paid separately as part of the request.
I'm Glenn Ferguson, a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer based in Nassau. This service coordinates the retrieval of a certified copy of your Bahamas marriage certificate from the Registrar General's Department, with optional apostille processing through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is open to any couple legally married in The Bahamas, regardless of which officiant performed the ceremony or how long ago.
What This Service Is
When you need this and what you get
The original marriage certificate you received after your Bahamas wedding is the simplest record, but it is not always the version you need for legal purposes. Common reasons couples request a fresh certified copy through this service:
- Visa or immigration applications. Foreign embassies often require a recent certified copy plus apostille.
- Name change processes. Driver's license, passport, Social Security, bank accounts, insurance.
- Lost or damaged original. A certified copy carries the same legal weight as the original.
- Apostille for international use. If your original certificate was issued without an apostille and you now need one.
- Additional copies for legal proceedings. Divorce filings, estate planning, court records.
- Insurance and benefits applications. Spousal coverage, beneficiary updates, housing applications.
What you receive: a certified copy of your marriage certificate, optionally accompanied by an apostille, shipped to your address via tracked courier.
Pricing
Government fees, plainly listed
The figures below are government fees only, set by the Registrar General's Department (certificate) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (apostille). All amounts in USD. Glenn's procurement fee and FedEx Overnight shipping are additional and quoted on the request form below. See the form for the complete out-the-door cost.
Govt Fee · Certified Copy
Marriage Certificate
$20USD / per copy · gov fee5 business days
Government fee paid to the Registrar General's Department in Nassau. Multiple copies at $20 each. Procurement and shipping additional.
Govt Fee · Standard Apostille
+ Apostille (Standard)
$120USD / per copy · gov fee5 business days
Government fee paid to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for international recognition under the Hague Convention. Procurement and shipping additional.
Govt Fee · Same-Day Apostille
+ Apostille (Expedited)
$270USD / per copy · gov feeSame-day
Government fee for same-day apostille at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Procurement and shipping additional. Use this option for tight deadlines.
Three line items on the request form, in addition to government fees:
1. Procurement. Glenn's fee for handling the retrieval and filing at the Registrar General's Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Roughly $135 for certificate-only requests, and bundled into the apostille options on the form.
2. Shipping. FedEx Overnight to the US starts at approximately $95. International FedEx and Bahamas Post Express are priced by destination.
3. Country preparation, if applicable. Country-specific apostille formatting (when the destination country has special requirements) may add a small line item. Always disclosed before payment.
Pay only after Glenn confirms. The complete out-the-door cost is disclosed in writing before any payment is requested. No surprise fees.
Shipping: FedEx Overnight worldwide
Certificates are shipped via FedEx Overnight Service as the primary courier, with Bahamas Post Office Express Mail Service available as an alternative. FedEx offers door-to-door delivery, full tracking, and signature confirmation, which matters for sensitive legal documents containing personal identifying details.
FedEx Overnight starts at approximately $95 to the US. Rates to Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and other destinations vary by country. The exact shipping cost is quoted with your written confirmation before payment.
Before You Start
What you'll need to request your certificate
The Bahamian government requires identity verification for marriage certificate requests, to prevent fraudulent retrieval of personal records. Have these ready before completing the form:
Required for your request
- Signed letter officially requesting the marriage certificate. The form below collects this digitally.
- Government-issued photo identification for at least one partner: passport or driver's license. Both partners' ID is preferred.
- Full legal names of both partners as they appeared on the marriage license at the time of the marriage (including any maiden names).
- Date of marriage (day, month, year).
- Location of marriage (island, venue, or city).
- Number of certified copies needed.
- Apostille decision: yes (and standard or same-day), or no.
- Country where the document will be used. This matters for apostille preparation.
- Shipping address with full international format (street, city, state/province, postal code, country).
Request Form
Submit your certificate request
Complete the form below. I receive your request directly and reply within 24 hours with confirmation of pricing, total cost (including shipping), and the payment method to use.
Form not loading? WhatsApp Glenn directly or call +1 (242) 395-8495.
What Happens Next
From request to certificate delivered
I confirm your request (within 24 hours)
I review your submission, verify the marriage record is locatable, and reply with confirmed pricing including shipping. If any details are missing or unclear (name spelling, date), I follow up by WhatsApp or email before proceeding.
You pay the confirmed total
Payment via Zelle, PayPal (which accepts credit cards), bank transfer, or wire. The complete total includes the $20 government certificate fee, optional government apostille fee ($120 or $270), Glenn's procurement fee, and FedEx or Bahamas Post shipping. The full itemised cost is shown on the request form and confirmed in writing before payment. No surprise fees.
I process the request
I retrieve the certified copy from the Registrar General's Department (5 business days). If you requested apostille, I file with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (5 business days standard, or same-day expedited).
Documents shipped to you
Once processing is complete, your certificate is shipped via FedEx Overnight or Bahamas Post Express Mail Service. You receive tracking details. International delivery typically takes 2 to 5 business days depending on destination.
You receive your certificate
Certified copy in hand, with apostille attached if requested. Ready to use for whatever process required it (visa, name change, legal proceeding, etc.). Keep the original tracking record for your files.
About the Apostille
When you need one, and why
An apostille is a government-issued certification that authenticates a public document for use in another country, under the terms of the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the "Hague Apostille Convention"). The Bahamas is a member country, which means an apostilled Bahamian marriage certificate is automatically recognized in all other member countries.
You probably need an apostille if you plan to:
- Apply for a name change on a US passport, driver's license, or Social Security card
- File a marriage record with your home country's vital records office
- Apply for spousal visa, residency, or citizenship in another country
- Add a spouse to insurance, immigration, or government benefit applications
- Use the marriage record in court proceedings (divorce, estate, custody) in another country
- Apply for housing, mortgage, or tenancy where marital status matters
You probably do not need an apostille if:
- You only need the certificate for personal records or sentimental keeping
- The document is for use entirely within The Bahamas
Important: Most major countries are Hague Convention members and accept apostilled documents. A few are not (including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China for non-Hong Kong/Macau, and certain African nations), and may require additional consular legalization. Always check with the specific receiving authority (embassy, court, agency) in your destination country before ordering the apostille. The receiving country has final say on document acceptance.
Reference: official Hague Convention information at hcch.net.
Certificate & Apostille FAQ
Questions couples ask about this service
FAQ
How much does a certified copy of a Bahamas marriage certificate cost?
$20 USD per certified copy is the government fee, paid to the Registrar General's Department in Nassau. Standard processing is 5 business days. Multiple copies are $20 each. Glenn's procurement fee (roughly $135 for certificate-only requests, bundled when apostille is added) and international shipping (FedEx Overnight or Bahamas Post Express) are additional and quoted on the request form. The full out-the-door cost is confirmed in writing before any payment.
What is an apostille and do I need one?
An apostille is a government certification that authenticates a public document for use in another country under the Hague Apostille Convention. You need one if you plan to use your marriage certificate for any legal purpose outside The Bahamas: passport name change, visa applications, divorce proceedings, estate filings, insurance applications. The Bahamas is a Hague Convention member, so an apostilled Bahamian certificate is recognized in all member countries (US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia, and most of the developed world).
How much does the apostille cost?
The government apostille fee is $120 USD per copy for standard 5 business day processing through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or $270 USD per copy for same-day processing. These are separate from the $20 certified copy fee. The complete out-the-door cost (which includes Glenn's procurement fee and FedEx shipping) is itemised on the request form below. As a guide, the standard apostille bundle on the form is approximately $245 (covering the $120 government fee plus procurement), and the same-day bundle is approximately $545. FedEx Overnight to the US starts at approximately $95.
How long does the whole process take?
Approximately 10 business days total for a certified copy with standard apostille: 5 business days for the certificate plus 5 business days for the apostille. Approximately 6 business days for same-day apostille: 5 business days for the certificate plus 1 day for the apostille. Add 2 to 5 business days for international shipping via FedEx Overnight or Bahamas Post Express Mail Service.
Do I need to have been married through Glenn to use this service?
No. This service is open to any couple legally married in The Bahamas, regardless of which officiant performed the ceremony or how long ago the wedding occurred. The marriage record is on file with the Registrar General's Department, and I coordinate the retrieval and apostille on your behalf.
What if I have lost my original Bahamas marriage certificate?
Request a certified copy through this service. The certified copy carries the same legal weight as the original. Multiple copies can be issued. Provide the marriage date and full legal names of both partners (as they appeared at the time of marriage), and the Registrar General's Department will locate the record. If you do not remember exact details, I can help search.
How is the certificate shipped?
Bahamas Post Office Express Mail Service or FedEx Overnight Service. Both provide tracking and delivery confirmation, which matters for sensitive legal documents containing personal identifying details. FedEx Overnight to the US starts at approximately $95. International FedEx and Bahamas Post Express are priced by destination. Shipping cost is quoted on the request form.
Will the certificate be accepted in any country?
An apostilled certificate is accepted in all Hague Apostille Convention member countries (most major countries). For non-Hague countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, China for non-Hong Kong/Macau, certain African nations), additional consular legalization may be required, which is a separate process. Specify the country where the document will be used when submitting your request, and I will flag any country-specific issues. The receiving country has final say on document acceptance.