Constitution of The BahamasIn briefGives wives of new citizens and holders of Bahamian Status the right to register as citizens, with conditions about other citizenships, security and age.
Any woman who, on 9th July 1973, is or has been married to a person-
A woman who, on 9th July 1973, is or has been married to a person-
who becomes a citizen of The Bahamas by virtue of Article 3 of this Constitution; or
who becomes a citizen of The Bahamas under Article 3 of this Constitution; or
who, having died before 10th July 1973, would, but for his death, have become a citizen of The Bahamas by virtue of that Article, shall be entitled, upon making application and upon taking the oath of allegiance or such declaration in such manner as may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas:
who died before 10th July 1973 but would have become a citizen of The Bahamas under that Article if he had not died, is entitled to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas when she applies and takes the oath of allegiance, or makes the prescribed (set out by law) declaration, in the prescribed way:
Provided that the right to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas under this paragraph shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.
But the right to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas under this paragraph is subject to any exceptions or qualifications prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.
Any person who, on 9th July 1973, possesses Bahamian Status under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1967 and is ordinarily resident in the Bahamas Islands, shall be entitled, upon making application before 19th July 1974, to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas.
A person who, on 9th July 1973, has Bahamian Status under the Immigration Act 1967 and is ordinarily resident (normally living) in the Bahamas Islands is entitled to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas if he applies before 19th July 1974.
Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (2) of this Article, a person who has attained the age of eighteen years or who is a woman who is or has been married shall not, if he is a citizen of some country other than The Bahamas, be entitled to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas under the provisions of that paragraph unless he renounces his citizenship of that other country, takes the oath of allegiance and makes and registers such declarations may be prescribed:
Despite paragraph (2) of this Article, a person who is aged eighteen or over, or who is a woman who is or has been married, and who is a citizen of a country other than The Bahamas, is not entitled to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas under that paragraph unless he renounces (formally gives up) his citizenship of that other country, takes the oath of allegiance, and makes and registers the prescribed declarations:
Provided that where a person cannot renounce his citizenship of the other country under the law of that country he may instead make such declaration concerning that citizenship as may be prescribed.
But where a person cannot renounce his citizenship of the other country under that country's law, he may instead make the prescribed declaration about that citizenship.
Any application for registration under paragraph (2) of this Article shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interest of national security or public policy.
Any application for registration under paragraph (2) of this Article is subject to any exceptions or qualifications prescribed in the interest of national security or public policy.
Any woman who on 9th July 1973 is or has been married to a person who subsequently becomes a citizen of The Bahamas by registration under paragraph (2) of this Article shall be entitled, upon making application and upon taking the oath of allegiance or such declaration as may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas:
A woman who on 9th July 1973 is or has been married to a person who later becomes a citizen of The Bahamas by registration under paragraph (2) of this Article is entitled to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas when she applies and takes the oath of allegiance or makes the prescribed declaration:
Provided that the right to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas under this paragraph shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.
But the right to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas under this paragraph is subject to any exceptions or qualifications prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.
Any application for registration under this Article shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed as respects that application:
Any application for registration under this Article must be made in the way prescribed for that kind of application:
Provided that such an application may not be made by a person who has not attained the age of eighteen year and is not a woman who is or has been married, but shall be made on behalf of that person by a parent or guardian of that person.
But a person who is under eighteen and is not a woman who is or has been married cannot make the application himself. It must be made on that person's behalf by a parent or guardian of that person.