Chapter 2 - Citizenship
Note*** The word “father” only counts if the person’s parents are married. If the person was born out of wedlock, the word “mother” is meant.***
People Born Before July 9, 1973
The following people are automatically citizens of The Bahamas on July 10, 1973 unless they officially declare to not be:
Anyone born on The Bahamas before July 10, 1973
A citizen of the United Kingdom (including its colonies) whose father was born in The Bahamas.
People who were registered in The Bahamas under the British Nationality Act of 1948.
In order to qualify, the person must have been living in The Bahamas and registered before January 1, 1973 and could not be a citizen of another country.People who were naturalised in the Bahamas when it was still a colony.
The following people have the right to apply for citizenship but must renounce any other citizenship they may have.
Any woman who, on July 9, 1973, is or was married to a person born in The Bahamas.
Any person living in The Bahamas who has Bahamian status under the Immigration Act of 1967. These people must apply before July 19, 1974. A woman married to a person in this category can also apply.
People born After July 9, 1973
Any person born in wedlock in The Bahamas to at least one Bahamian parent is a citizen.
A person Born in The Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents can apply for citizen when they turn 18 and before they turn 19. They will have to renounce any other citizenship they may have.
People born outside of the Bahamas whose father is a Bahamian because he was born in The Bahamas or because he became a Bahamian citizen are citizens. Bahamian men who were born outside of The Bahamas to a Bahamian father cannot pass on citizenship to children born outside of The Bahamas.
People born in wedlock outside of The Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father are not automatically Bahamian. They can apply for citizenship and must renounce any other citizenship they may have.
A woman who is married to a Bahamian can apply for citizenship and will not have to renounce any other citizenship she may have.
The Governor General can revoke the citizenship of any Bahamian who chooses to become a citizen of another country, unless the person became a citizen through marriage.
Any Bahamian over the age of 21 can officially renounce their Bahamian citizenship if they have another citizenship or plans to get another citizenship. However, if the person was planning to get another citizenship but does not within 6 months they will remain a Bahamian.
Parliament can pass laws to give citizenship to anyone, deny or revoke citizenship to anyone who applies, and give certification of citizenship.
A person born on a ship or aircraft will be officially born in the country where the ship or aircraft was registered. If the ship belongs to a government, the person will officially be born in the country of that government.
If a person is born after the death of their father, their citizenship will be based on whateverit would have been if their father was alive.
