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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

International Parental Child Abduction

English

Country Information

The Bahamas

Bahamas
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime. 

Updated to reflect crime, swimming-related risks, and information on traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Exercise increased caution due to crime.

Country Summary: Violent crime—like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults—can occur anywhere in The Bahamas.

Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Stay alert in the "Over the Hill" area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents.

Stay alert in vacation rental properties, especially where private security is not present.

Jet skis and boating

  • Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred.
  • Sexual assaults by jet ski operators have also been reported.
  • Due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using jet skis and personal watercraft rented from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise islands. 
  • Watercraft may not be safe, and some operators are not licensed or insured.
  • Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and marine alerts. 

Beach safety

  • Never swim alone and beware of jet skis or other watercraft operating close to shore. 
  • Sexual assaults have occurred on and near downtown Nassau beaches. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms.
  • Be aware of your own fitness and swimming capabilities.  
  • If you are new to snorkeling, understand the risks. Swimmers and snorkelers have died after overestimating their physical fitness or health.  
  • Stay alert for sharks. Shark attacks have led to serious injuries and death. 
  • Be aware of weather and water conditions and follow local warnings.

Weapons and ammunition

Firearms and ammunition are illegal—including small quantities brought by mistake in carry-on bags or luggage. Police strictly enforce these laws—even at the airport when travelers are leaving.  

Travelers with firearms or ammunition can face arrest, jail time, and fines.  

Authorities have detained U.S. citizens for several days or more after finding firearms or ammunition, preventing them from leaving.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to The Bahamas. 

If you decide to travel to The Bahamas:  

  • Do not answer your door at your hotel or residence unless you know who it is.
  • Lock doors and windows and use other security features, especially on balcony doors.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Check your luggage and hand baggage carefully for bullets or firearms before leaving the United States.  Do not bring these items to The Bahamas.  
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and Alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency Prepare a plan for emergency situations.
  • Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States.
  • We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
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Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US

U.S. Embassy Nassau

P.O. Box N-8197
#42 Queen Street
Nassau, The Bahamas
Telephone:
+(242) 322-1181
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(242) 322-1181
Email: ACSnassau@state.gov

The Bahamas and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since January 1, 1994.

For information concerning travel to Bahamas, including information about the location of the U.S. Consulate General, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for The Bahamas.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.

The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention.  In this capacity, the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children's Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including The Bahamas.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.

Contact information:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444

Email: AbductionQuestions@state.gov

Website

The Bahamian Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).  The MFA performs the duties given to central authorities under the Hague Abduction Convention, including processing Hague Abduction Convention applications for return of and access to children.  They can be reached at:

Mailing Address:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Attention: Permanent Secretary
Goodman's Bay Corporate Center
West Bay Street
PO Box No. 3746
NASSAU
Bahamas
Telephone:  1 (242) 356-5956
Fax:  1-242-326-2123
E-mail:  mofabahamas@bahamas.gov.bs
Website

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in The Bahamas, the left behind parent must submit a Hague application to the MFA, either directly or through the U.S. Central Authority (USCA).  The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the MFA, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Bahamian central authorities.  Attorney fees, if necessary, are the responsibility of the applicant parent.  Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.

 

 

A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in, The Bahamas.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in The Bahamas.  The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

Retaining a private attorney is not required in order to submit Hague Convention applications to a court in The Bahamas.  For Hague return/access applications, Senior Crown Counsels from the Attorney General's Office are assigned to represent the Hague Abduction Convention application in the court at no cost.  The Senior Crown Counsel does not represent either parent.  If an applicant decides to hire a private attorney, the attorney should contact the BCA and the Attorney General's Office as soon as possible after the Hague Abduction Convention application has been filed.  Private attorney fees are the responsibility of the person hiring the attorney.

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas posts a list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Central Authority strongly promotes mediation in abduction cases and will attempt to initiate mediation in all Hague Abduction Convention cases.  If the parents are interested in mediation, the BCA will act as mediator at no charge to the parents.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: November 4, 2015

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Nassau
P.O. Box N-8197
#42 Queen Street
Nassau, The Bahamas
Telephone
+(242) 322-1181
Emergency
+(242) 322-1181
Fax
null

Bahamas Map