Register a Birth - Bahamas Vital Statistics
Source: https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/service/birth-registration
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Register a Birth - Bahamas Vital Statistics
Accessibility Tool
Content Adjustments
Adjust Font Size
-
Default
+
Highlight Links
Letter Spacing
Dyslexia Font
Color Adjustments
Monochrome
Tools
Mute/unmute
Big Cursor
Reading Guide
Back
Home
Services
Government
Citizens and Residents
Non-Residents
Birth Registration
The law requires that a birth should be registered within 21 days from its occurrence at the Births and Deaths Section of the Registrar General’s Department. If a birth has not been registered within 21 days as prescribed by law, you have up to the age of three to register the birth, however after the age of one, an affidavit is required stating the reason for not registering the child sooner. Registration of a birth by a person other than a parent requires an authorisation letter.
Eligibility
Registration of births within 21 days from its occurrence.
Process
To register a birth which takes place within 21 days of occurrence, the following steps should be taken:
Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
Present a valid photo ID.
The Clerk will enter the birth into the Birth Register.
Copies of the birth certificate are printed for signature by parents and the Registrar General.
After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.
To register the birth of an infant who is older than one but under the age of three years, the following steps should be taken. Note: a sworn affidavit explaining the reason for the delay is also required.
Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
Present a valid photo ID.
The Clerk will enter the birth into the register.
Copies are printed for signature by parents and the Registrar General.
After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.
To register the birth of an illegitimate child, the following steps should be taken:
Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
Present a valid photo ID.
The Clerk will enter the birth into the Birth Register.
Copies are printed for signature by parents and the Registrar General.
After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.
Note:
All illegitimate children are given the mother’s last name. The father’s surname may be added to the certificate of an illegitimate child as long as a joint affidavit by both father and mother is sworn requesting that the name of the child’s father be recorded in the Register of Births. The affidavit must be presented at the time of the registration.
Individuals who would like to register a birth from the Family Islands can submit their documents to the Family Island Administrator who will do the registration. Birth registrations sent in by the Family Islands are recorded at the Registrar General’s Department.
Application Form(s)
There is no application form for this service.
Supporting Documents
A completed form from the hospital or birthing centre.
A valid photo ID.
A sworn affidavit where required.
Turn-around time
If all documents are submitted at the time of registration, the process should take about one to three days.
Deadline
Births should be registered within 21 days of occurrence.
Related Fee(s)
There are no fees associated with this service.
For more information please contact
Department:
Births Registration Section
Address:
Registrar General’s Department, Cor. of Shirley and Charlotte Street ,P.O. Box N 532 ,Nassau ,New Providence ,The Bahamas
Fax:
(242) 322-5553
Email:
registrargeneral@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening Hours:
9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays
Tel:
+1 242 397 9105
Tel:
+1 242 397 8957
Tel:
+1 242 397 9110
Quick Useful Links
The National Honours Society 2026 Call for Nominations
Budget Performance Reports
Budget Documents
Preparing Your Home and Family for a Hurricane
General Orders
Request for Expression of Interest
Hurricane Shelter Listing 2025
Install the BNEA APP
COVID-19 Frequent Asked Questions
Department of Labour’s Jobseekers Portal
Celebrate Bahamas
Load More
For Website Technical Support
Call and speak to a DICT Customer service agent.
+1 242 604 4688
Need to reach the DICT? Send us an email.
support@bahamas.gov.bs
Get in touch with our DICT support team.
get in touch
Explore frequently asked questions.
ask question
This site uses cookies to serve our services. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Okay, Thanks
Accessibility Tool
Content Adjustments
Adjust Font Size
-
Default
+
Highlight Links
Letter Spacing
Dyslexia Font
Color Adjustments
Monochrome
Tools
Mute/unmute
Big Cursor
Reading Guide
Back
Home
Services
Government
Citizens and Residents
Non-Residents
Birth Registration
The law requires that a birth should be registered within 21 days from its occurrence at the Births and Deaths Section of the Registrar General’s Department. If a birth has not been registered within 21 days as prescribed by law, you have up to the age of three to register the birth, however after the age of one, an affidavit is required stating the reason for not registering the child sooner. Registration of a birth by a person other than a parent requires an authorisation letter.
Eligibility
Registration of births within 21 days from its occurrence.
Process
To register a birth which takes place within 21 days of occurrence, the following steps should be taken:
Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
Present a valid photo ID.
The Clerk will enter the birth into the Birth Register.
Copies of the birth certificate are printed for signature by parents and the Registrar General.
After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.
To register the birth of an infant who is older than one but under the age of three years, the following steps should be taken. Note: a sworn affidavit explaining the reason for the delay is also required.
Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
Present a valid photo ID.
The Clerk will enter the birth into the register.
Copies are printed for signature by parents and the Registrar General.
After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.
To register the birth of an illegitimate child, the following steps should be taken:
Obtain a completed form from the hospital or birthing centre where the child was born.
Submit this completed form to the Births Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
Present a valid photo ID.
The Clerk will enter the birth into the Birth Register.
Copies are printed for signature by parents and the Registrar General.
After signature by the Registrar General, one original birth certificate is presented to the parent(s) of the child.
Note:
All illegitimate children are given the mother’s last name. The father’s surname may be added to the certificate of an illegitimate child as long as a joint affidavit by both father and mother is sworn requesting that the name of the child’s father be recorded in the Register of Births. The affidavit must be presented at the time of the registration.
Individuals who would like to register a birth from the Family Islands can submit their documents to the Family Island Administrator who will do the registration. Birth registrations sent in by the Family Islands are recorded at the Registrar General’s Department.
Application Form(s)
There is no application form for this service.
Supporting Documents
A completed form from the hospital or birthing centre.
A valid photo ID.
A sworn affidavit where required.
Turn-around time
If all documents are submitted at the time of registration, the process should take about one to three days.
Deadline
Births should be registered within 21 days of occurrence.
Related Fee(s)
There are no fees associated with this service.
For more information please contact
Department:
Births Registration Section
Address:
Registrar General’s Department, Cor. of Shirley and Charlotte Street ,P.O. Box N 532 ,Nassau ,New Providence ,The Bahamas
Fax:
(242) 322-5553
Email:
registrargeneral@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening Hours:
9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays
Tel:
+1 242 397 9105
Tel:
+1 242 397 8957
Tel:
+1 242 397 9110
Quick Useful Links
The National Honours Society 2026 Call for Nominations
Budget Performance Reports
Budget Documents
Preparing Your Home and Family for a Hurricane
General Orders
Request for Expression of Interest
Hurricane Shelter Listing 2025
Install the BNEA APP
COVID-19 Frequent Asked Questions
Department of Labour’s Jobseekers Portal
Celebrate Bahamas
Load More
For Website Technical Support
Call and speak to a DICT Customer service agent.
+1 242 604 4688
Need to reach the DICT? Send us an email.
support@bahamas.gov.bs
Get in touch with our DICT support team.
get in touch
Explore frequently asked questions.
ask question
This site uses cookies to serve our services. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Okay, Thanks