Free Dominican Republic Citizenship Assessment
Fill out the form below and we’ll review your case, estimate your total cost, and let you know what documents you’ll need.
Why Submit This Form?
If you were born outside the Dominican Republic to at least one Dominican parent, you may qualify for Dominican citizenship by descent. Use this no-obligation form so we can confirm eligibility and send a personalized quote to process your Dominican birth certificate.
- Expert review by specialists in Dominican nationality law
- Personalized cost estimate based on your documents and goals
- Fast response — typically within 1–2 business days
- No payment required to get started
- Service starts at US$495 for birth transcription (includes Spanish translation)
- VIP Express Service available for expedited processing in 10–15 working days (additional fee, requires parent's "new" cédula from 1996+)
Not sure where to begin? Read our introductory guide to Dominican birth transcription check the documentation checklist & process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dominican Citizenship by
Descent
How do I apply for Dominican
citizenship by descent?
Complete the assessment form
on this page. We review your eligibility, obtain or
translate required records, and register your foreign birth
with the Dominican civil registry (JCE).
How long does the process take?
Many cases complete in 5–6
weeks once documents and translations are ready. For faster processing,
we offer a VIP Express Service that reduces the timeline to just 10–15
working days (available only when your Dominican parent has a "new" cédula
issued from 1996 onwards). Cases referred to the Inspectorate department
can take several months. Record retrievals, apostilles, or corrections can
add time—we'll confirm a tailored timeline after reviewing your form.
What documents do I need to
apply?
Ideally: your apostilled
long-form birth certificate; your Dominican parent's cédula
and/or Dominican birth certificate; and if the parent is
deceased, their apostilled death certificate. Non-Spanish
documents require certified translation (we handle this). If you
cannot obtain all documentation, we'll work with you to present
the strongest possible case with what you can provide.
Can you help me get missing
Dominican records?
Yes. We can obtain Dominican
birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates, including
historical archive searches when needed.
What is the Inspectorate and how do 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 months)
and typically require an in-person interview. Providing complete documentation
upfront—especially your parent's most recent cédula and their Dominican birth
certificate—helps avoid this referral. However, the department understands that
complete documentation isn't always achievable and reviews each case on its
merits.
Can I get a pre-submission review of my documents?
Yes! If you're uncertain whether your available
documentation will be sufficient, the Transcription Department offers a free
pre-submission review service. We can submit copies of your documents for their
evaluation before formally filing your case. This gives you certainty about
whether to proceed and can help identify any issues early.
Can I apply 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.
Share your specific situation in the assessment form, and we'll review the
details to advise on your eligibility.
Can I apply if my Dominican parent is deceased
but my grandparent was Dominican?
Yes! We can 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. This process requires
additional documentation and steps—contact us through the assessment form to
discuss your specific case.
Both my parents are Dominican but I can only
contact one of them—what should I do?
If both of your parents are Dominican, complete
documentation for just one parent is sufficient. Partial information for the other
parent is acceptable and will not delay your case. We'll work with you to provide
complete information for the parent you can access.
Do I need a police certificate
(certificate of good conduct)?
Generally no for citizenship
by descent. If a police certificate is needed for later
steps (e.g., cédula or passport), we'll guide you through
it.
Do I need to travel to the
Dominican Republic?
No travel is needed for
citizenship by descent. Later, you will apply for your
cédula and passport in person at the JCE in the DR or at a
Dominican consulate.
What is a Dominican cédula and
when do I get one?
The cédula is the national ID.
After your Dominican birth certificate is issued, apply for
the cédula first, then the passport. You can apply at
Dominican embassies/consulates or in the DR (we can
accompany you in person if desired).
How much does it cost?
Our service starts at US$495
if your documents are ready; this includes translation of
your overseas birth certificate into Spanish. For faster processing,
we offer a VIP Express Service for an additional fee (10–15 working days,
requires parent's "new" cédula from 1996+). Additional costs apply if we
must obtain parental records or cédula statements, or add apostilles.
You'll receive a written estimate after the assessment.
If you'd like to double-check the paperwork you'll need, see our documentation checklist and FAQs.
Last updated on 28th November 2025