Nationality of Dominican Republic: all obtaining pathways
The Dominican Republic naturalizes after two years of permanent residency — one of the Caribbean's shortest timelines — and offers a special through-marriage pathway with no additional residence period. Original nationality is acquired through Dominican descent, with no residence requirement.
1Ordinary naturalization by residence
Ordinary naturalization by residence
Requirements
- 2 years of continuous permanent residency in the Dominican Republic
- Over 18 years of age
- Good conduct and no criminal record
- Practice of a profession, trade, industry or commerce
- Knowledge of the Spanish language and Dominican values
- Waive your original nationality
- Naturalization Law No. 1683 and Constitution Art. 18
Documentation
- Application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) - Deputy Ministry of Consular and Migration Affairs
- Permanent residency certification from the Dirección General de Migración
- Birth certificate, legalized and translated into Spanish
- Criminal record certificates from the Dominican Republic and the country of origin
- Valid passport
- Proof of employment or profession
- Declaration renouncing your original nationality
- Medical certificate
- Passport-size photos
2Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Be married to a Dominican by birth
- Reside in the Dominican Republic
- Good conduct
- Naturalization Law No. 1683 and Constitution Art. 18
Documentation
- Application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate of the Dominican spouse
- Residency certificate
- Criminal record certificates
- Valid passport
- Medical certificate
3Nationality by descent (original)
Nationality by descent (original)
Requirements
- Children of Dominicans born abroad
- Constitutional right under ius sanguinis (Constitution Art. 18)
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Birth certificate of the Dominican father or mother
- Identity documents
- Declaration of birth registered before a Dominican consulate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Dominican Republic
How many years of residence does Dominican Republic require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Dominican Republic (Ordinary naturalization by residence), the term is 2 years of uninterrupted residence in the Republic (Law 1683, art. 1.b). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Dominican Republic allow dual nationality?
Waive your original nationality
Can the nationality of Dominican Republic be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (Man married to a Dominican woman: 6 months of uninterrupted residence, married at the time of applying (Law 1683, art. 1.d). Foreign woman married to a Dominican: no residence requirement — discretionary grant by the Executive (Law 1683, Paragraph II of art. 1)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Dominican Republic require?
The Ordinary naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) - Deputy Ministry of Consular and Migration Affairs; Permanent residency certification from the Dirección General de Migración; Birth certificate, legalized and translated into Spanish; Criminal record certificates from the Dominican Republic and the country of origin; Valid passport; among 4 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Dominican Republic?
Dominican Republic provides 3 pathways: Ordinary naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Nationality by descent.
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