Dominican citizenship by descent and dual nationality
Children of Dominicans born abroad are Dominican, and the consulate handles the recognition. It costs 180 dollars and it opens more doors than most procedures.
What Dominican citizenship gives you
The cédula de identidad y electoral, the vote in the Dominican Republic, a Dominican passport, and the right to sign legal powers at any Dominican consulate. Plus something people do not expect: no stay taxes and no migration processing charges on entry.
It also makes opening bank accounts and investing in the country easier.
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You keep your US citizenship
The Dominican Republic allows dual nationality. Being recognized as Dominican does not mean giving up American citizenship.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | 180 USD |
| Where | consulate |
| Dual nationality | yes |
| Next step | cédula at the JCE |
- Current cédula of both Dominican parents
- The applicant’s original birth certificate
- Identification for a foreign parent, where there is one
- A copy of the applicant’s identity document
What documents they ask for
A copy of the current cédula of both Dominican parents, the applicant's original birth certificate, identification for a foreign parent where there is one, and a copy of the applicant's ID or passport.
If you were born in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx or Staten Island, the certificate has to be requested in long form and for apostille purposes.
The order matters
Recognition at the consulate first. Then the cédula, issued by the Central Electoral Board. Only then the passport, which requires a current cédula.
Doing it the other way round is the commonest reason an application falls over.
Where only one parent is Dominican
The route still exists, and what changes is the paperwork for the foreign parent. Call the consulate before gathering documents, because family cases vary.
Recognition first, then the cédula, and only then the passport.Details verified on 8 September 2026.
consuladosdominicana.us is an independent guide to the Dominican Republic's consular offices in the United States. We are not the Embassy, any Consulate General, or any government body.
We do not book appointments and we do not sell them. Details are checked regularly and can change without notice: confirm with the office before you travel.