For quite a long time, obtaining Dominican passports has been considered a fast and simple process, even for foreign applicants who do not have any relationship with the country whatsoever. It has been perceived that this procedure can be completed in one (1) day and as a result many foreigners have been swindled and granted fake documents, since this “expedited” process, which in reality does not exist, does not comply with the requirements established by Dominican law.
In reality, the process is not as simple as it is portrayed, since before applying for Dominican citizenship, the applicant must first complete additional processes that can take between two (2) to three (3) years. However, it is important to mention that in comparison to other countries, the process is less complex. In this sense, we will detail in this article the most important characteristics and steps to follow to acquire Dominican citizenship. We will also guide interested foreigners in initiating a valid naturalization procedure in the country, in order to obtain a Dominican passport.
The naturalization procedure is regulated by Law 1683 dated April 16th, 1948. Such law allows granting Dominican citizenship to foreigners under the following circumstances:
• Those that have settled domicile in the Dominican Republic forsix (6) months after the granting of the same;
• Those that will justify an uninterrupted residence for at least two (2) years in the country;
• Those that will justify at least six (6) months of uninterrupted residence, if they have founded and maintained industries or if they are owners of real estate in the country;
• Those that have resided for six (6) months in the country, if married to a Dominican;
• Those that have obtained authorization from the President, if they justify they have a cultivated a parcel in the country;
• Those that have served in the Armed Forces of the country;
• Those that have participated in agricultural colonies of the State; or,
• Those that have obtained a special concession of the President (called "privileged nationality") normally granted to foreigners that have served our country meritoriously.
From the scenarios mentioned above, we will be detailing in this article the ordinary naturalization procedure, which is applicable for foreigners that have maintained an uninterrupted residence in the Dominican Republic of at least two years.
In order to initiate the ordinary naturalization procedure, the applicant must have completed both, the provisional residence phase, which is valid for one (1) year, and the permanent residence phase, which is valid for two (2) years.
Once the applicant has proved to the authorities he/she has resided in the country for two (2) years of interrupted residence in the country. For such purpose, the applicant must request two (2) certifications at the Dominican General Immigration Department that certify the exact time of residence in the country.
It is important to point out that when the applicant travels outside of the Dominican Republic and the same has the intentions to return, these days will be taken into account as the days required to complete his/her permanent residency period in the country, as long as the trips last for less than one (1) year. This will also apply for applicants that travel abroad for less than a year if they have been sent by the Dominican Government.
When preparing the file for the naturalization application, the applicant must have a Dominican guarantor, who must be a Dominican citizen, and will declare that he will serve as the applicant’s sponsor and will be responsible of the applicant’s moral and economic conditions in addition to cover all repatriation and support expenses if necessary. Any documents that demonstrate the guarantor’s solvency, some of which are mentioned below, must be attached to the letter of guarantee:
• Copy of the Title Deed of a property;
• Copy of a vehicle’s registration; or,
• Bank letter.
The applicant must also present a Sworn Affidavit signed by three (3) Dominican witnesses that states the foreigner’s desire of fixing domicile in the Dominican Republic.
After having compiled the required documents for the application file, a letter must be addressed to the Dominican President through the Ministry of Police where the applicant states the reasons and interest in requesting Dominican citizenship. These documents mentioned above must be deposited before the Ministry of Police for screening and evaluation, and where the applicant will later assist to an interview in Spanish and be questioned regarding his/her interest in becoming a Dominican citizen andDominican history and culture.
The granting of the Dominican nationality is a discretionary power of the President of the Dominican Republic, who is also empowered in the same way, to revoke the nationality to any person that within the first year of obtaining the same, changes his domicile to another country or travels out of the Dominican Republic and does not return in ten (10) years.
Once the naturalization is granted, the applicant shall declare under oath that he will be faithful to the Republic. A certified copy of said oath will be given to him by the correspondent officer, which will carry a sealed photo of the naturalized.
Once the foreigner is granted his/her naturalization certificate, he/she must request their Dominican birth certificate at the Central Electoral Board for which the foreign birth certificate, Dominican naturalization certificate, passport copy, among others must be deposited.
When having the Dominican birth certificate in hand, the newly proclaimed Dominican citizen must request his/her Dominican Id card, known as the Cedula, with which he/she will be able to request the Dominican passport along with the naturalization certificate and the Dominican birth certificate.
Bibliography:
• Dominican Constitution
• Law 1683 on Naturalization
• www.seip.gov.do