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Dominican Certification Service: Official Civil Registry Documents > Citizenship & nationality > Citizenship by parents > Dominican Citizenship by Descent – Process & Documentation

Documents Required for Dominican Birth Transcription

Your practical guide to the paperwork, apostilles, translations, and parent IDs you need for Dominican citizenship by descent

Dominican citizenship by descent begins with birth transcription, where your foreign birth certificate is registered in the Dominican civil registry. The process may look simple on paper, but in practice, missing apostilles, outdated cédulas, or name differences can delay or even block approval.

With us, you can complete the entire process from the comfort of your own home — no consulate visits required! We review your case, resolve document issues, and deliver your new Dominican birth certificate straight to your door.

Service Costs:

  • Standard Service US$495: When you have clear photos of both sides of your parent's most recently issued plastic cédula
  • Complex Service US$795: When cédula is unavailable or documentation is incomplete
  • Additional services: Parent record search & cédula certification US$195 (if needed) • Original certificates: cost varies by case
Facsimile of a Dominican birth certificate and apostille

Official Core Documents Required

According to the Junta Central Electoral, the documents to present for transcription are:

Required Documentation Checklist

  • Your original, up-to-date long-form birth certificate with apostille
  • Original Spanish translation of the birth certificate, legalized (we get this for you)
  • Clear photos of BOTH sides of your Dominican parent's most recently issued plastic cédula (000-0000000-0 format) or Dominican passport, in good image quality
  • Your Dominican parent's birth certificate (not 100% essential but it helps to provide it)
  • Photo or scan of your passport or other current foreign ID (if you are over 15 years old)
But it's not really that simple! Let's break down what you really need to know.

Looking for the big picture? Start with the overview of Dominican citizenship by descent. If you're ready, go straight to the free eligibility assessment.

💡 Want to Save Time & Money?

If your Dominican parent only has an old-format cédula (paper or non-plastic card), having them obtain a new plastic cédula NOW will:

  • ✓ Qualify you for our Standard Service ($495 instead of $795)
  • ✓ Avoid Inspectorate referral (saves 3–6 months)
  • ✓ Ensure smoother, faster processing

Even if your parent lives abroad, Dominican consulates can issue new cédulas. We can help your parent obtain their Dominican birth certificate and other documents needed to get their new cédula.

Complete Documentation Helps Avoid Delays

In an ideal application, we receive all three core documents: (1) your apostilled birth certificate, (2) clear photos of BOTH sides of your Dominican parent's most recently issued cédula, and (3) your Dominican parent's Dominican birth certificate.

When documentation is incomplete or missing, your case has a significantly higher probability of being referred to the Inspectorate department (Inspectoría). This means:

  • Considerably longer processing time (several additional months)
  • You will typically be required to attend an interview
  • They may ask you to nominate a Dominican relative to come in for an interview
  • Additional scrutiny of your application

We work with you to obtain as much documentation as possible to minimize these delays. The Transcription Department reviews each case on its merits and understands that complete documentation isn't always achievable.

If You Have No Contact With Your Dominican Parent

We understand that obtaining recent cédula photos or other documentation can be impossible in cases of estrangement. The Transcription Department takes the lack of relationship between parent and child into consideration when reviewing applications.

However, providing as complete documentation as possible significantly improves the likelihood of smooth and timely approval. Many clients ask mutual relatives for help to obtain photos of both the front and back of the parent's cédula.

If you cannot obtain certain documents, let us know your situation — we'll work with you to present the strongest possible case with the documentation you can provide.

If both of your parents are Dominican, documents for each parent are ideally required. However, if you have no contact with one parent and cannot obtain their documentation, the Transcription Department will take this into consideration. We'll work with you to provide as complete information as possible for your situation.

Your Birth Certificate

Your birth certificate should be recent, it should be the long-form/complete/full/comprehensive version, and it must have an apostille from your country of birth.

For US-Born Applicants

If you were born in the US, the State where you were born must apostille your birth certificate. When you order your birth certificate, it won't automatically come with an apostille so you must specifically request it. Often US birth certificates are shipped with 2 or 3 adjoining documents such as legalizations, but these are not an apostille. An apostille is easily identifiable because it normally has the word "APOSTILLE" in large letters at the top of the page. If in doubt, ask us.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Name variations: Dominican parents often have 2-3 given names and 2 surnames. It's normal and acceptable if your foreign birth certificate shows only your parent's first given name and first surname. However, significant discrepancies or completely different names may require correction or documentation.
  • Name particles like "de": Surname particles such as "de" (e.g., "de Peña" vs. "Peña") are treated more strictly than simple abbreviations. If your parent appears as "de Peña" on Dominican documents but "Peña" on your birth certificate, you may need to provide proof of name change (such as US naturalization showing the change from "de Peña" to "Peña"), or accept that your transcribed birth certificate will show your parent as "de Peña" and you would use that surname going forward.
  • Spelling variations: Minor spelling differences (such as Ylda vs. Hilda, or Nicolás vs. Nicholas) may be acceptable in some circumstances, though it's always best when names match exactly. We'll review your specific situation and advise if corrections are needed.
  • If your mother is Dominican and her surname changed from her maiden name to your father's surname before you were born, we'll need an original long-form version of your parents' marriage certificate with apostille

Please share photos of all your documentation with us from the beginning so we can review and provide guidance on whether any corrections or additional documents will be needed.

Your Dominican Parent's Cédula ID Cards

Almost all Dominican adults have a national ID card called a cédula. When available, we must include a photo/scan of BOTH sides of your Dominican parent's most recently issued cédula when we lodge the transcription request.

Cédula History:

  • Up to mid-1990s: "Old" cédulas were made of beige-colored card and were roughly the size of a bank account book
  • Since approximately 1996: "New" cédulas are made of plastic and are the size of a credit card. The serial number format is 000-0000000-0. All current cédulas show a 2024 expiry date and remain valid until the new cédula design is introduced.
  • April 2026 onwards: The newest, more secure cédula design will begin rolling out to the general public. New cédulas will be issued by birth month—for example, someone born in August will receive their new cédula in August 2026.

Why BOTH Sides of the Most Recent Cédula Matter

You must provide clear photos of BOTH the front AND back of the cédula. Even an expired new-format cédula is acceptable if you have both sides photographed. However, if you only have a photo of the front, this can lead to delays or Inspectorate referral.

If you provide us with a photo of your Dominican parent's old cédula, and the inspectors at the Junta check in the system and see that your parent had/has a more recently issued new cédula, this can lead to delays or requests for updated documentation.

We understand this can be very challenging for clients who have no contact with their Dominican parent. In such cases, many ask mutual relatives for help to obtain photos of both the front and back of the cédula. If this is impossible, we'll work with you to present your case with the documentation you can provide.

Once you've reviewed the requirements, submit our citizenship assessment form so we can confirm your eligibility and advise on your specific situation.

If you're new to the topic, start with our overview of Dominican citizenship by descent.

Frequently Asked Questions About Documentation for Birth Transcription

What version of my foreign birth certificate is required?
The long-form/extended birth certificate is required, issued recently, and legalized with an apostille from the country of birth.
How recent must my birth certificate or apostille be?
A recent issuance (often within 6–12 months) is recommended. If yours is older, we will confirm acceptability or advise re-issuance.
Do I need a certified Spanish translation?
Yes, non-Spanish documents must be translated by a certified legal translator and legalized in the DR. We include translation/legalization in our service when needed.
What documents are needed from my Dominican parent?
Ideally: clear photos of BOTH sides of the parent's most recently issued cédula (plastic card in 000-0000000-0 format), and the parent's Dominican birth certificate. We can obtain Dominican records if you don't have them. If you cannot obtain these documents due to estrangement or other circumstances, the Transcription Department will review your case based on the documentation you can provide.
What is the Inspectorate and why should I avoid it?
The Inspectorate (Inspectoría) is a department that reviews cases with incomplete documentation or discrepancies. Cases referred there experience significantly longer processing times (several additional months) and typically require an in-person interview. Providing complete documentation upfront helps avoid this referral, though we understand this isn't always possible.
Why must I provide BOTH sides of the cédula?
The JCE requires photos of both the front and back of the cédula for verification purposes. Even an expired new-format cédula is acceptable if you have clear photos of both sides. However, if you only have a photo of the front side, this can lead to delays or Inspectorate referral. If you cannot obtain both sides due to estrangement from your parent, we'll work with you to present your case with the documentation you can provide.
Why must it be the "most recent" cédula?
JCE verifies the current cédula record. If you submit an older, superseded cédula while a newer one exists, the file can be delayed or require additional documentation. We check and guide you to avoid this issue when possible.
What if my parent only has an old cédula?
If your Dominican parent only has an old-format cédula (paper or non-plastic), we strongly recommend having them obtain a new plastic cédula before starting your application. This will qualify you for our faster, more affordable Standard Service (US$495) rather than Complex Service (US$795), and helps avoid Inspectorate referral which adds 3–6 months to processing. Even if your parent lives abroad, Dominican consulates can issue new cédulas. We can help your parent obtain the documents they need (like their Dominican birth certificate) to get their new cédula.
My Dominican parent is deceased—what is required?
An original long-form death certificate with apostille, plus any available Dominican IDs or birth records. We can help locate Dominican documents if missing.
Can I apply if my Dominican parent is deceased but my grandparent was Dominican?
Yes! We can now work with the Transcription Department to have your parent declared Dominican posthumously. Once this is completed, you can then apply for your own citizenship by descent. Contact us to discuss the specific requirements for your case.
Do I need my parents' marriage certificate?
Not always. It may be required if your Dominican mother changed her surname due to marriage before your birth, or to establish marital status/legitimation. We will advise and obtain it if needed (with apostille/translation if foreign).
What if names or dates don't match across documents?
We examine discrepancies and resolve them via record corrections or sworn statements so JCE accepts your file. Dominican parents often have 2-3 given names and 2 surnames—it's acceptable if your foreign document shows only the first of each. However, significant discrepancies (such as completely different names or name particles like "de") may require correction. Provide all documents early so we can spot issues in advance.
I changed my name legally—do I need to update my birth certificate?
Yes. Your apostilled birth certificate and your current photo ID must show the same name. If you have legally changed your name since birth, you'll need to first update your birth certificate in your country of birth to reflect your current legal name before we can proceed with the transcription. Alternatively, provide official documentation of the name change with apostille.
My Dominican father appears as Steven on my US birth certificate but appears as Esteban on his Dominican birth certificate and cédula. I'm guessing that this isn't a problem, is it? After all Esteban and Steven are the same name.
Wrong. To the lawyers and inspectors at the Transcription Department of the Junta Central Electoral in Santo Domingo Steven and Esteban are two distinct and totally different names. There are two ways for us to address this issue: 1) If your father officially changed his name from Esteban to Steven, then you'd need to provide us with that documentation, and that would be fine, by being able to document the change there would be no problems when we lodge your paperwork at the Transcription Department. 2) If it was a typo on your birth certificate, then you can simply apply to get your father's name corrected from Steven to Esteban. In some States this is relatively simple.
My dad appears as Nicolás on his Dominican documents but Nicholas (with an H) on my NY birth certificate. It's just a minor difference, it won't matter, right?
Minor spelling variations like this may be acceptable depending on the circumstances, but it's always best when names match exactly. We'll review your specific documents and advise whether a correction is needed. If your father didn't officially change his name, you may need to correct it on your birth certificate. We'll guide you through this process.
My father appears as "de Peña" on his Dominican documents but only as "Peña" on my birth certificate. Is this a problem?
Name particles like "de" are treated more strictly than simple name abbreviations. There are two possible solutions: 1) If your father officially changed his name from "de Peña" to "Peña" (such as when naturalizing in the US), provide documentation of this name change and the discrepancy will be acceptable. 2) If there was no official name change, we can proceed with the transcription showing your father as "de Peña" on your Dominican birth certificate, which means you would also use "de Peña" as your surname going forward. We'll review your specific documents and advise on the best approach.
I have no contact with my Dominican parent—can I still apply?
Yes. The Transcription Department understands that many applicants are estranged from their Dominican parent. They take the lack of relationship into consideration when reviewing applications. We'll work with you to gather as much documentation as possible from other sources (such as mutual relatives or Dominican government records). While having complete documentation (especially both sides of the parent's most recent cédula) helps ensure faster processing, cases can proceed without direct parental cooperation.
Both my parents are Dominican but I can only contact one of them—what should I do?
Ideally, documentation for both parents would be provided. However, if you have no contact with one parent and cannot obtain their documentation, the Transcription Department will take this into consideration. We'll work with you to provide as complete information as possible for the parent you can access, and explain the situation regarding the other parent. Each case is reviewed on its merits.
Can I claim citizenship if my Dominican parent renounced their citizenship?
This requires careful case-by-case evaluation. Children born before a parent's renunciation typically retain eligibility, while those born after may face restrictions depending on the circumstances and timing. Contact us with your specific situation—we'll review the details and advise on your eligibility.
Are photocopies or scans acceptable?
We can pre-review scans, but JCE requires original civil records (birth/death/marriage) with apostille/legalizations for filing. We'll share our shipping address for originals.
I was born in the United States—how do I get the apostille?
The apostille must be issued by the Secretary of State of the state where you were born. It does not arrive automatically with the certificate—you must request the apostille specifically. Ask us if you're unsure what you received.
Do I need a police certificate (papel de buena conducta)?
No. A police certificate is generally not required for birth transcription. If any follow-up step requires it, we'll advise you case-by-case.
Are foreign divorce or name-change orders relevant?
Sometimes. If a parent's legal name changed (marriage, divorce, court order) or they use multiple surnames, we may need those decrees with apostille and translation to align records for JCE review.
Do I need to include my own passport or ID?
If you're 15+, include a clear photo/scan of your current foreign ID or passport to confirm identity along with your apostilled birth certificate and translation.
Can you obtain missing Dominican records for me?
Yes. We routinely retrieve Dominican birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates and can search historical archives when required. We can also help your Dominican parent obtain their own birth certificate if they need it to get a new cédula. We'll confirm feasibility and quote any retrieval costs in advance.
What documents are required if I wish to get dual nationality for my young child?
1) Original apostilled birth certificate. 2) Spanish translation with the corresponding legalization. 3) Parents' documents: clear photos of both sides of Dominican cédula (ID card) or copy of Dominican passport, both up to date. 4) Copy of the foreign passport or valid foreign ID of the child, required once the child is over 15 years old.


This page last updated on 2nd January 2026