Bahamas Passport Application Guide

A Bahamian passport is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and first-time applications and renewals share one in-person route with biometric enrollment. This guide covers eligibility, validity, the five-step process and the fee. Verified against bahamas.gov.bs, October 2026.

The 15-second answer

Apply in person at the Passport Office with your original documents and photocopies, enroll your biometrics, then pay at the cashiers: $25.00 if you are 15 or under, $50.00 if you are 15½ or over. A passport is valid 5 years under 16 and 10 years from 16.

Who is eligible

You can apply for a Bahamian passport if you are a citizen of The Bahamas by either:

• Birth, and you did not relinquish your citizenship before applying.
• Registration or naturalisation, through approval of the Immigration Department.
• Descent, where you were born to a parent who was a Bahamian citizen at the time of your birth.
• Legal adoption, where you were adopted by a citizen of The Bahamas in The Bahamas.

Validity

All passports are valid for a period of 5 years (for persons under the age of 16) and 10 years (for persons 16 years and older).

The five-step process

1. Number assigned. On arrival at the Passport Office a number determines the order of service. Medical and other legitimate emergencies with documentary proof receive prompt attention.
2. Document review. An officer checks that you meet all requirements. Original documents and copies of the same are required, and all applicants must be present. Minors are accompanied by their parents or an authorised individual.
3. Waiting. About 40–60 applicants are allowed inside at a time. The normal wait is 20–30 minutes, but this can extend to 3+ hours during peak periods (Summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Office hours are 8.30 a.m.–3.45 p.m.
4. Enrollment. Personal data and biometrics (fingerprints / e-signatures) are captured, where applicable, and original documents are returned.
5. Payment. Three copies of the receipt are given and the collection date is highlighted. Fees are $25.00 (15 years and under) and $50.00 (15½ years and over). Bring the current passport and/or a police report if it was lost, damaged or stolen, plus the receipt, to collect the new e-passport. Failure to pay delays processing.

Each document goes through eight stages of processing — plan ahead to meet your obligations.

Important requirements

• All applicants must be present at the Passport Office for enrollment / registration.
• Photocopies must be submitted with all original documents.
• Affidavits of birth and name change must be registered at the Registrar General’s Office; affidavits of birth must be accompanied by a search card and a Hospital / Clinic Records Letter with a $10.00 stamp.
• Minors must be accompanied by a properly documented legal guardian; fathers accompanying minors must present proof of legal guardianship such as the parents’ certified marriage certificate, and court-appointed guardianship requires the legal document plus a valid passport of the guardian(s).
• All foreign-issued documents must be duly legalised or apostilled by the relevant authorities of the issuing country.

Countersignature

Applications for first-time applicants, name changes, damaged/stolen/lost passports, and applicants who have not renewed for ten (10) years or more must be countersigned by a notary public, pastor, marriage officer, justice of the peace, senior government official at Deputy Permanent Secretary level or above, school principal or corporate executive — someone not related, who has known you for at least two years.

The photo

Photos should have been taken during the past six months: teeth must not be revealed, the hairline and ears must be exposed, covering of the head is prohibited unless a formal written request is approved (at the Passport Office’s discretion), no bold unnatural hair colours, modest make-up and jewellery, and clothing must cover the shoulders and bear no military or civil-servant badges or ornaments. See the Bahamas passport photo page and test your photo with the free passport photo checker.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues a Bahamian passport?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Passport Office. First-time applications and renewals are made on the same route.

How long is a Bahamian passport valid?
All passports are valid for 5 years for persons under 16 and 10 years for persons 16 and older.

How much does a Bahamian passport cost?
The fee is $25.00 for applicants 15 years and under and $50.00 for those 15½ years and over, paid to the cashiers after enrollment.

How long does it take?
The normal wait at the office is 20–30 minutes, but it can extend to 3+ hours during peak periods. Each document also goes through eight stages of processing, so plan ahead.

Do I need to attend in person?
Yes. All applicants must be present at the Passport Office for enrollment and registration, and minors must be accompanied by a parent or a properly documented legal guardian.

What should the passport photo look like?
Photos must be taken within the past six months, with teeth not revealed, the hairline and ears exposed, the head not covered unless a formal written request is approved, no bold unnatural hair colours, modest make-up and jewellery, and clothing covering the shoulders.

Bahamas photo requirements →  Photo size chart →

Browse all passport guides or the photo size chart.

Source note: the issuing ministry, the validity split (5 years under 16 / 10 years from 16), the four eligibility routes, the five-step process and its biometric enrollment, the $25.00/$50.00 fee split, the eight processing stages, the peak-period waits and office hours, the countersignature list, the foreign-document legalisation rule and the photo rules (six months, teeth, hairline/ears, head covering, no bold colours, shoulders covered) are from the Government of The Bahamas service page bahamas.gov.bs/index.php/service/applying-for-a-passport-first-time-or-renewal, checked October 2026.