How to Get a Dominican Passport: Requirements, Cost & Process

How to Get a Dominican Passport

A Dominican passport is one of the key benefits of Dominican citizenship. It provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 60 countries, serves as a globally recognized travel document, and gives you the freedom to enter and exit the Dominican Republic without restrictions.

This guide covers everything you need to know about obtaining a Dominican passport: who qualifies, what documents you need, where to apply, how much it costs, and what you can do with it once you have it.

Who Can Get a Dominican Passport?

To obtain a Dominican passport, you must be a Dominican citizen. There are three ways to be a Dominican citizen:

1. Born in the Dominican Republic — To Dominican parents or legal residents.
2. Citizenship by descent — Born abroad to a Dominican parent or grandparent (this is the path most readers of this guide are pursuing).
3. Naturalization — After 2+ years of legal residency in the DR.

If you're a US-born child of Dominican parents who hasn't yet formalized your citizenship, you'll need to complete the citizenship by descent process first. Once your Dominican nationality is recognized and you have your cédula, you can apply for your passport.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Applying

Before you can apply for a Dominican passport, you must have:

1. Dominican birth certificate — Registered with the Oficialía del Estado Civil (civil registry). If you claimed citizenship by descent, this is issued as part of that process.
2. Cédula de identidad y electoral — The Dominican national ID card, issued by the Junta Central Electoral (JCE). You must have this before applying for a passport.

If you don't have these yet, see our guide on how to get Dominican citizenship by descent.

The Application Process

Step 1: Schedule Your Appointment

Dominican passports are issued by the Dirección General de Pasaportes (DGP — General Directorate of Passports). You'll need to apply in person at one of their offices.

• Main office — Santo Domingo (Av. Gregorio Luperón, Arroyo Hondo)
• Regional offices — Santiago, La Romana, and other cities
• Consular offices — Some Dominican consulates in the US can process passport applications (check with your nearest consulate)

Appointments can be scheduled online through the DGP website or in person. During peak seasons (summer, December), wait times can be longer.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

For a first-time adult passport, you'll need:

• Original cédula — Your Dominican national ID card (must be valid)
• Copy of cédula — Front and back
• Dominican birth certificate — Certified copy issued within the last year
• Two passport photos — 2×2 inches, white background, recent (some offices take photos on-site)
• Payment receipt — Proof of fee payment

For minors (under 18), additional documents include:

• Both parents' cédulas (copies)
• Authorization from both parents (if only one parent is present)
• Notarized consent if one parent is absent
• Minor's birth certificate

Step 3: Attend Your Appointment

At the DGP office, you'll:

1. Present your documents for verification
2. Have your photo taken (biometric photo captured on-site at most offices)
3. Provide fingerprints (digital scan)
4. Sign the application
5. Receive a receipt with your pickup date

The entire in-office process typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the office and wait times.

Step 4: Pick Up Your Passport

Processing time is typically 5–15 business days for standard processing. You'll return to the same office to pick up your passport, or in some cases it can be shipped.

Passport Costs

Fees are paid at authorized banks (Banco de Reservas is the most common) or online before your appointment. Keep your payment receipt — you'll need it at the DGP office.

Note: Fees are subject to change. Check the DGP website for current rates.

Processing Time

• Standard processing — 5–15 business days
• Express processing — 2–5 business days (additional fee)
• Consular processing (outside DR) — 4–8 weeks

Processing times can vary during peak periods (summer travel season, December holidays) and may be affected by government backlogs.

Passport Renewal

Dominican passports are valid for 5 years. To renew:

• Bring your expired or expiring passport
• Bring your valid cédula
• Pay the renewal fee (same as new passport)
• New biometric photo and fingerprints will be taken

You can renew at DGP offices in the DR or at Dominican consulates abroad. Many consulates in the US offer renewal services.

Renewal at Dominican Consulates in the US

Dominican consulates in New York, Miami, Boston, and other major cities offer passport renewal services. This is convenient if you don't want to travel to the DR for a renewal. Processing times at consulates are typically longer (4–8 weeks).

Where Can You Travel with a Dominican Passport?

The Dominican passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 60 countries and territories, including:

Visa-Free Access

• Caribbean — Most Caribbean nations (Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, etc.)
• Central America — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
• South America — Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay
• Europe (Schengen) — All 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, etc.)
• United Kingdom — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) may be required
• Other — Israel, South Korea, Turkey, Philippines, and more

Countries Requiring a Visa

Notable countries that require a visa for Dominican passport holders:

• United States — If you're a dual US-Dominican citizen, use your US passport for US travel
• Canada — Visa required (use US passport if dual citizen)
• Australia — Visa required
• China — Visa required

As a dual US-Dominican citizen, you have the flexibility to use whichever passport gives you better access to your destination.

Tips for Dominican Passport Holders

Which Passport to Use When

• Entering/leaving the US — Always use your US passport (legally required for US citizens)
• Entering/leaving the DR — Use your Dominican passport for smoother entry and no tourist card fees
• Entering EU/Schengen countries — Either passport works; Dominican passport grants visa-free access up to 90 days
• Entering countries that require a visa for DR but not US — Use your US passport

Keep Both Passports Valid

Track expiration dates for both passports. Many countries require at least 6 months of validity remaining for entry. Set calendar reminders to renew before expiration.

Combining Cédula and Passport Trips

If you're going through the citizenship by descent process, you can often get your cédula and passport during the same trip to the DR. Your attorney can coordinate appointments at both the JCE (for cédula) and DGP (for passport) within 2–3 business days.

Applying from the US: Your Options

Option 1: Apply in the Dominican Republic

Most first-time passport applicants apply at the DGP office in Santo Domingo. This is the fastest option (5–15 business days). Ideal if you're already traveling to the DR for your cédula.

Option 2: Apply at a Dominican Consulate

If you already have your cédula and don't want to travel to the DR, some Dominican consulates in the US process passport applications. Processing takes longer (4–8 weeks) but saves you a trip.

Option 3: Work with Your Attorney

With the Best service plan, your attorney coordinates your DGP appointment as part of a comprehensive in-DR trip that covers cédula, passport, and any other government appointments — typically completed in a single visit of 2–3 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to go to the DR to get a passport?

For a first-time passport, in-person appearance is required (either in the DR or at a Dominican consulate). Renewals can sometimes be done by mail through consulates.

Can I get a passport without a cédula?

No. The cédula is a prerequisite for the passport. You must obtain your cédula first.

How long is the passport valid?

5 years for both adults and minors.

Can my children get Dominican passports?

Yes, if they are Dominican citizens. If you claim citizenship by descent, your children also qualify. Both parents must authorize a minor's passport application.

Does having a Dominican passport affect my US citizenship?

No. The US recognizes dual citizenship. Holding a Dominican passport does not jeopardize your US citizenship or passport.

Can I renew my Dominican passport in the US?

Yes, through Dominican consulates in major US cities. Processing takes 4–8 weeks.

Next Steps

1. If you don't have Dominican citizenship yet — Start with our free eligibility quiz to see if you qualify for citizenship by descent.
2. If you have your cédula and need a passport — Contact your attorney or the nearest Dominican consulate to schedule your application.
3. If you're planning your DR trip — Ask your attorney about coordinating cédula and passport appointments during a single visit.