Births and Adoptions Registry |
Contact Birth Registry: REGBIRTHS@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS
Birth Registration
Adoption Registration
Recording an Adoption
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) Adoption
Forms
BIRTH REGISTRATION
Registering a birth within prescribed 21 days
The law requires that every birth is to be registered within twenty-one days from its occurrence. Registration can be done at the Maternity Ward of the Princess Margaret Hospital, Births and Deaths Registry at the Registrar General’s Department or at the Administrator’s Office for Family Island Births.
Step-By-Step
- At the time of registration of a birth, the prescribed form must be completed and signed by the person presenting the information.
- Once completed, the form must be returned to the Registry.
- Authorization may be given for the birth to be registered by a person other than the mother or father by means of a consent form.
- Valid government issued picture identification is required at the time of registration.
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Requirements for recording the birth of an infant under the age of 3 years
To register a child that has not yet turned 3 years of age a sworn affidavit explaining the reason for the delay is required. After a period of three years a birth cannot be registered.<top>
Requirements for recording the birth of an infant over the age of 3 years
The birth can no longer be registered in the Birth Registry. Persons who do not have their birth registered within the specified three year period will have to rely on the use of a sworn affidavit;. The affidavit should be sworn to by two persons ten years older than the child/person.
Step-By-Step
- Proof of birth is requested (letter from the hospital, clinic card, letter from school, baptism certificate or in some cases a voter’s card)
- A search is then carried out for the birth. If the birth is not found a numbered "Pink card" is issued; this card indicates that no record of the recording was found. The pink card is a one time issuance
- The pink search slip should be attached to the affidavit. The affidavit will only be recognized as an official document when a pink numbered search card is attached.
- It is recommended that the Affidavit be recorded in the Deed and Document section of the Registrar General's Department.
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Registration of an illegitimate child
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.
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Corrections due to clerical error
No alteration may be made in any Register of Births except the error made is a clerical error. Errors of fact or substance may be corrected by entry in the margin or at the end of the Register of Births by the Registrar General provided a declaration setting forth the true facts of the case made before a Notary Public or Justice of Peace by two persons.
After five years from the date of registration no alteration of any error or fact of substance shall be made.
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Family Island Births
Birth registers sent in by the Family Island Administrators are recorded at the Registrar General’s Department.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) Birth Registration
Obtaining a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate
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ADOPTIONS
Once the adoption is complete at the Supreme Court, the information is forwarded to the Registrar General’s Department and recorded into the Adoption Book. Adoption Book is signed by the Registrar General and an Adoption form is completed.
Obtaining a Certified Copy of an Adoption
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
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