Bahamas
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Bahamas,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Bahamas Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
in addition to your Canadian one. Getting fingerprinted correctly is usually the first step. This guide walks through how that works
while you’re based in Canada, and how Surrey Fingerprint Company can help with the fingerprinting part.
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company for professional, correctly-formatted fingerprints for your Bahamas police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) — Criminal Records Office, Nassau currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Bahamas PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Bahamas for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Bahamas as part of permanent residency, sponsorship, or citizenship applications.
- Immigration to a third country: if you are applying to move from Canada to another country (e.g. Australia, the UK, the US, or elsewhere), that country’s character/background check requirements often ask for a clearance from every country you’ve lived in for an extended period, including Bahamas.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Bahamas.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Bahamas may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Bahamas, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) — Criminal Records Office, Nassau accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Bahamas’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) — Criminal Records Office, Nassau — requirements can change, so always check before your appointment.
Get fingerprinted at Surrey Fingerprint Company
Bring valid photo ID and any required form. The fingerprint format usually requested for a Bahamas PCC is:
Ink-and-Roll Fingerprinting (Paper Card). We offer both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting on-site.
We complete your card correctly
We take your fingerprints on the correct form, complete any required identity/witness sections, and provide the card or
document ready to send.
Send your package to Bahamas
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) — Criminal Records Office, Nassau. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
Citizens of the Bahamas living abroad may apply online or by mail via the RBPF website, submitting a set of fingerprints, copies of the first four pages of your passport, and the applicable fees. Former residents (not currently in Nassau) may also appoint a representative in the Bahamas to apply on their behalf. Non-citizens follow the same process as citizens but may not appoint a representative.
Mailing address:
Criminal Records Office, Royal Bahamas Police, P.O. Box N-3020, Nassau, Bahamas
Receive your Bahamas PCC
Processing time is Confirm current timelines with the RBPF Criminal Records Office. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Bahamas. Requirements can change; always confirm current details on the official page before applying.
the current requirement before your appointment so you don’t need to redo it.
clearance applications can change without notice. Always confirm current requirements directly with
Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) — Criminal Records Office, Nassau before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Bahamas PCC?
Yes. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting, and can prepare your fingerprint card or document in the format most commonly requested for Bahamas applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Bahamas while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Confirm current timelines with the RBPF Criminal Records Office. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Bahamas's current requirements — some authorities require original ink cards mailed physically, others accept digital submissions. We'll help you confirm which applies before you leave our office.
Can Surrey Fingerprint Company submit my application to Bahamas for me?
We handle the fingerprinting step. Submission of the full application package is generally your responsibility (or your immigration consultant/lawyer's), unless otherwise noted for a specific country.
Get Fingerprinted for Your Bahamas PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Bahamas.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com