Passport Information for Travel to/from Dominican Republic
Entering / Exiting Dominican Republic
Necessary Travel Documentation
To enter the Dominican Republic you will need to prove citizenship, and a valid passport
is best for this purpose. Equally important is the fact that after December
31, 2006 all US Citizens will be required to have a valid passport to re-enter the
United States from Mexico or Canada.
Although Dominican law technically allows U.S. citizens to enter the country on other proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. birth certificate, Naturalization Certificate, etc.) along with a photo ID, there have been numerous reports of U.S. travelers being prohibited from departing the Dominican Republic on such documents. In these cases, Dominican Immigration has required the travelers to obtain a U.S. passport from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. Obtaining a U.S. passport may take up to 10 business days and requires documents that most tourists do not carry, thus delaying the traveler's return to the United States., therefore we strongly urge you to obtain a US Passport prior to traveling to the Domincan Republic.
Once you arrive in the Dominican Republic you are required to purchase a Tourist Card, which permits a legal stay in the country for up to 60 days. The cost is $10 USD per person, and must be paid in cash. The Tourist Card may be obtained at any Dominican Consulate prior to travel to the Dominican Republic, or at the Dominican airport upon landing.
If you are traveling with minors (children under age 18), or your minor child is traveling alone to Dominican Republic, please be sure to see the section below " Minors Traveling To Dominican Republic " for information on regulations regarding minors.
OF PARTICULAR NOTE is the Dominican Republic's position on bringing in medicines, narcotics, and drugs - you MUST have with you a valid current prescription from your doctor for any medications/narcotics/drugs or you could face trial and deportation or other penalties.
For further information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic at 1715 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 332-6280. There are also Dominican consulates in Boston, Chicago (Northfield, IL), Mayaguez, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Juan.
(Please note that after December 31, 2006 a valid passport will be required for all travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America, and after December 31, 2007 a valid passport will be required for ALL air, land, and sea border crossing. This includes children of any age, who will no longer be allowed to travel under their parent(s)' passport. More information on the new travel requirements can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel)
More information on obtaining a passport or visa can be found at http://travel.state.gov/passport
If you would like assistance in getting (or renewing) a passport, visa, or certified copy of your birth certificate, particularly if you need expedited service, we recommend PassportsAndVisas.com
Minors traveling to Dominican Republic
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, the Dominican Republic requires that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, or with anyone other than a parent, present written authorization from a parent or legal guardian. (Note: The age limit for this requirement was raised in July 2004 from 13 to 18.) This authorization must be in Spanish, and it must be notarized at a Dominican consulate in the United States or notarized and then certified at the Attorney General’s office if done in the Dominican Republic.
In addition, Dominican immigration authorities have recently begun restricting the ability of children to depart the country with only a birth certificate, especially when those children are American citizens of Dominican heritage. Due to this policy, the Embassy strongly urges that children who normally reside in the United States obtain a passport in the U.S. before traveling to the Dominican Republic. Likewise, U.S. citizen children normally resident in the Dominican Republic should obtain a passport from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo before traveling to the United States.
Though not a requirement, the U.S. Embassy recommends that any minor traveling to the Dominican Republic without one or both parents should have a notarized document from the parent(s). In addition to clarifying the reason for travel, this will facilitate departure from the Dominican Republic.
Please Note: If a minor child is flying to the Dominican Republic alone, you will need be aware of the airlines' rules and costs associated with unaccompanied minors. Most of the airlines post their rules and costs on their websites, or you may ask us at the time you book your Paradisus Resorts Vacation with us.
