Open Records Laws › Bahamas

Bahamas

Freedom of Information Act

Freedom of Information Act, 2017 (No. 1 of 2017)

RTI Rating: 101 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
30 days
Extension
30 days
Residency Required
Citizen_or_resident

30 calendar days from receipt of request. Extension of up to 30 additional days permitted if reasonably needed. Note: Act passed in 2017 but public access provisions not yet fully implemented as of 2025 - phased rollout ongoing.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'Written request addressed to the information manager of the relevant public authority', 'method': 'written'}
  • {'notes': 'Physical mail to the public authority', 'method': 'mail'}
  • {'notes': 'Fax transmission accepted', 'method': 'fax'}
  • {'notes': 'Electronic mail to the public authority', 'method': 'email'}

Requests must be made in writing (electronically or in print) and directed to the relevant public authority. Must include sufficient information to identify the requested record. Anonymous requests not permitted - must provide name and contact details. IMPORTANT: As of 2025, the Act is not fully implemented; public access provisions pending phased rollout to government agencies.

Required Elements

  • Name of requester
  • Contact information
  • Description of information requested (sufficient to identify the record)

Optional Elements

  • Preferred format for receiving information
  • Justification for request (not required by law)

Fees

No fee to apply for records. Public authorities will charge a reasonable fee for reproduction or copying depending on the type of record. Specific fee schedule to be posted in FOIA regulations when fully implemented.

Fee waiver provisions not detailed in publicly available sources. Regulations pending full implementation of the Act.

Exemptions

  • National Security and Defence
    Records containing confidential information communicated between The Bahamas and a foreign government, or records for which disclosure would prejudice Bahamian security or defence
  • Law Enforcement
    Law enforcement records if disclosure would endanger life or personal safety, affect pending prosecution, facilitate escape, or jeopardize prison security. Exception: records revealing illegal investigation acts not exempt.
  • Legal Privilege
    Legally privileged documents
  • National Economy
    Records affecting the national economy
  • Cabinet Deliberations
    Records showing Cabinet deliberations
  • Commercial Trade Secrets
    Records revealing commercial trade secrets
  • Personal Privacy
    Records containing sensitive personal information
  • Health and Safety
    Records likely to endanger health and safety

The Act includes a public interest override clause allowing disclosure of exempted information if the public interest outweighs the harm. However, the public interest test does NOT apply to: national security, Cabinet confidences, and law enforcement exemptions. After 30 years, many records will no longer be considered exempt. RTI Rating: 101/150.

Appeal Process

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The Bahamas FOIA 2017 establishes a three-tier appeal process: internal review by the public authority, review by the Information Commissioner, and final appeal to the Supreme Court. The Information Commissioner has independence and autonomy. NOTE: The Act was passed in 2017 but implementation has been phased - not all provisions may be fully operational as of 2026.

Sources & References