The Consulate

About the Bahamas Consulate General Atlanta:

The Consulate General of The Bahamas in Atlanta was established as a result of the growing number of interest in Bahamian businesses and needs of Bahamian residents in Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee;

Our scope of responsibility is vast and comprehensive. It is the duty of the Consulate to serve Bahamian nationals in these Southeastern States ensuring their safety and welfare. It is also the Consulate’s intent to visit all Bahamians matriculating at institutions within its jurisdiction as well as make visits to incarcerated nationals.

The Bahamas Consulate offers a wide variety of services including visa and passport issuance and renewal, notarizations of official certifications, verification of National Insurance recipients, interviews for Citizenship and residency as well as authentication of legal documents.

As an added benefit, the Consulate’s public relations department serves as a resource center for those interested in learning about the many tourist destinations the Bahamas has to offer.

The Bahamas Consulate General Atlanta Opening:

The Bahamian and American diplomatic community gathered for the official opening ceremony for The Bahamas Consulate General Atlanta office August 20th 2009. These Included The Right Honorable Hubert A. Ingraham, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; Chief of Staff, Greg Pridgeon, and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

“The relationship between the Bahamas and the United States is long-standing and wide, touching on virtually every aspect of life-familial, education, business, trade and culture, said Prime Minister Ingraham during his address.

He also noted that he was very pleased to visit Atlanta describing the city as vibrant, fast growing and a great place to develop mutually rewarding relationships. Consul General Katherine B. Smith was inclined to agree.

“Atlanta was selected for a Consulate office in response to the growing demand for services by Bahamian residents in the greater Atlanta area and by businesses in the southeastern United States with interests in expanding trade and investment in the Bahamas,” said the former Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The ceremony was followed by a private reception hosted by the Bahamian Government at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s JB Fuqua Rooftop Pavilion. The event was co-sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Vulcan Materials Company and Delta Air Lines. A performance in Centennial Olympic Park by the world-famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band and Grand Bahamas Youth Choir highlighted the festivities.

Other notable officials on hand were: Matt Arbuckle, General Manager, Freeport Aggregate representing Vulcan Materials Company, Jorge Fernandez, Vice president of global commerce for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.