Private investigator licensing in Bahamas
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Bahamas.
Inquiry agents (private investigators) and businesses supplying them must hold an annual licence granted by the Minister responsible for internal security under the Inquiry Agents and Security Guards Act. Only Bahamian citizens, or companies wholly owned by Bahamians, can be licensed. The Minister may refuse anyone whose character, record or competence he is not satisfied with, and his decisions are final.1
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How to get licensed2
- 1
Complete Form 1 (business) or Form 2 (individual inquiry agent) under the Regulations
- 2
Lodge the application at the office of the Permanent Secretary responsible for national security, with two photographs
- 3
The Minister inquires into character, antecedents, finances and competence; a temporary licence of up to 3 months may be issued meanwhile
- 4
Pay the licence fee to the Treasurer and carry the licence while investigating
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Bahamas.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies1
- Citizenship
- Bahamian citizen, or a company all of whose shares are beneficially owned by Bahamians1
- Fees
- Inquiry agent licence $10 a year (or temporary); business licence $500 a year; temporary business licence $125 (Regulations, Second Schedule, 2001 revised edition)2Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Processing time
- Not published by the regulator
- Renewal
- Annual: licences run 1 January to 31 December1
- Reciprocity
- None - foreign investigators cannot be licensed because the Act requires Bahamian status1
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Bahamas
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Bahamas?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Bahamas. Inquiry agents (private investigators) and businesses supplying them must hold an annual licence granted by the Minister responsible for internal security under the Inquiry Agents and Security Guards Act. Only Bahamian citizens, or companies wholly owned by Bahamians, can be licensed. The Minister may refuse anyone whose character, record or competence he is not satisfied with, and his decisions are final.
Who licenses private investigators in Bahamas?+
Minister responsible for National (Internal) Security; applications at the office of the Permanent Secretary, under Inquiry Agents and Security Guards Act (Ch. 210) and Inquiry Agents and Security Guards Regulations.
How often does a Bahamas PI licence need renewing?+
Annual: licences run 1 January to 31 December
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Bahamas?+
Inquiry agent licence $10 a year (or temporary); business licence $500 a year; temporary business licence $125 (Regulations, Second Schedule, 2001 revised edition)
How do you get a private investigator licence in Bahamas?+
1. Complete Form 1 (business) or Form 2 (individual inquiry agent) under the Regulations 2. Lodge the application at the office of the Permanent Secretary responsible for national security, with two photographs 3. The Minister inquires into character, antecedents, finances and competence; a temporary licence of up to 3 months may be issued meanwhile 4. Pay the licence fee to the Treasurer and carry the licence while investigating
Can an investigator licensed elsewhere work a case in Bahamas?+
Temporary licences of up to 3 months may be issued pending a decision, but only to Bahamians
Does Bahamas accept PI licences from elsewhere?+
None - foreign investigators cannot be licensed because the Act requires Bahamian status
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