[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

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 [email protected] 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

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