Dominican Republic is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (in force since 30 August 2009). A U.S. public document bound for Dominican Republic needs a single apostille from the competent authority of the state that issued or notarized it, or from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. No embassy or consular legalization is required, and Dominican Republic's authorities cannot demand one.
Acceded 2008-12-12; in force 2009-08-30 (HCCH).
The route, step by step
- Identify the issuing office
State or local signature → that state’s competent authority. Federal signature → U.S. Department of State. How to tell.
- Prepare the right version
Certified copies for vital and court records; complete notarization for private documents. Preparation checklist.
- Request the apostille
Name Dominican Republic as the destination on the request form so the office issues an apostille (not an authentication certificate).
- Translate if required
Confirm with the receiving office in Dominican Republic whether a translation is needed and by whom it must be made.
Using U.S. documents in Dominican Republic
The DR accepts U.S. apostilles for marriage (apostilled birth certificate, single-status affidavit sworn within 90 days, divorce decree if applicable — all translated by a intérprete judicial; church weddings add baptism and confirmation records), residency at the Dirección General de Migración (apostilled birth certificate, FBI or state check, marriage certificate), registration of births and marriages of Dominicans abroad, real-estate POAs and school enrollment.
Translations by a Dominican judicial interpreter are usually required to be legalized themselves at the Procuraduría General; translations made in the U.S. must be notarized and apostilled to be accepted. Minors who are Dominican nationals leaving the DR with one parent need a notarized, often apostilled, authorization from the other parent.
Why U.S. documents are sent to Dominican Republic
- residency and citizenship
- marriage in the DR
- registration of children
- property purchase (power of attorney)
- school enrollment
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apostille or legalization for Dominican Republic?
An apostille. Dominican Republic is a Hague Convention member, so no embassy legalization is needed.
Who issues the apostille for Dominican Republic?
The U.S. state that issued or notarized the document, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — never a U.S. embassy, and never Dominican Republic’s embassy.
Does Dominican Republic require a translation?
Requirements vary by the receiving authority in Dominican Republic; translate after the apostille with the translator type they specify.
