Marrying and Sponsoring a Dominican Republic Citizen
Listen to this articleMarriage to a Dominican Republic Citizen
Every country has laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to a Dominican Republic citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps. The Dominican Republic government imposes strict requirements on foreigners who marry Dominicans as an indirect way of discouraging Dominicans citizens from moving to other countries.
You must demonstrate to Dominican Republic officials that they are not currently married to anyone else – either you have never been married or all divorces are finalized – that your identity is proven and that you have never committed any crimes in the Dominican Republic. This is done by providing various documents, including an Affidavit of Single Status, to the Dominican Republic government either in the Dominican Republic or via a Dominican Republic embassy.
If you want to bring your Dominican Republic spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must also apply for a visitor visa. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page and our visitor visa page.
Dominican Republic Marriage Basic Requirements
Canadians do not need a visa to visit the Dominican Republic as tourists as long as the visit does not exceed 60 days. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have 2 blank pages.
A tourist card is required upon entry into Dominican Republic and it costs $10 valid for 30 days, if one wishes to extend the stay up to 90 days, the fee is DOP 62.
When all the necessary documents have been fulfilled then one can start making plans to proceed with the marriage.
To register the marriage legally with the Dominican Republic authorities takes a lot of work and you should not underestimate the time or work involved.
The first thing to do before the wedding in the Dominican Republic is to go to the civil registry office to apply for a document known as notice of intended marriage which costs RD $5,000.
Other documents needed at the registrar’s office are passports of both the man and the Dominican wife together with birth certificate and proof of single status. If your Dominican bride has been married before, the marriage cannot commence until 10 months are over.
The Registry officially announces a notice of the intended marriage.
Documents Required from the Canadian
- Affidavit of marital status issued in Canada or the Canadian embassy in the Dominican Republic that must not be older than three months from the date of issue
- Passport
- Tourist Card
- Birth certificate
- Death certificate of deceased spouse if applicable
- Divorce decree or annulment papers if applicable
Documents Required from the Dominican
- Affidavit of single status
- Birth certificate
- Death certificate of deceased spouse if applicable
- Divorce decree or annulment papers if divorced.
General Requirements for issuing a Marriage Certificate
- One of the couple must have been in the Dominican Republic for at least 2 days before the wedding
- Birth certificate of both parties
- Passports of both parties
- Decree of divorce if previously married
- Death certificate if one of the couple is deceased from a previous marriage
- License fee of $300
- Application form for marriage obtainable from the ministry of community development and women affairs
Once the form is completed, it must be returned to the ministry accompanied by proof of identity. The marriage certificate is issued later on.
A marriage done at the registrar’s office costs $30
Lawyer’s fee of $500 is charged for a statutory declaration on marital status which includes affidavit.
Family Members
If your Dominican Republic spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the Dominican Republic Marriage document application.
If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry a Dominican Republic citizen.
List of Dominican Republic Consulates in Canada
Calling the Dominican Republic from Canada
The Dominican Republic and Canada are both in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and so calling the DR is just like making a long distance call within Canada or to the US:
Dial 1 – area code – local number.
The Dominican Republic has 3 area codes which cover the entire country:
- 809
- 829
- 849
Calling Canada from the Dominican Republic
Because both Canada and the DR are in the NANP, calling Canada is just like making a normal long distance call:
Dial 1 – Canadian area code – local number
List of Area Codes in Canada
| Province | Code | Province | Code |
| Alberta | 403 / 587 (southern Alberta)
587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta) |
Nunavut | 867 |
| BC | 236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC)
236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver) |
Ontario | 226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario)
249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario) |
| Manitoba | 204 / 431 | PEI | 782 / 902 |
| New Brunswick | 506 | Quebec | 418 / 581 (eastern Quebec)
438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 709 | Saskatchewan | 306 / 639 |
| Northwest Territories | 867 | Yukon | 867 |
| Nova Scotia | 782 / 902 |
Time Difference
The Dominican Republic uses Eastern Caribbean Time, which is Atlantic Time. The DR does not participate in DST
| Canadian Time Zone |
# of Hours Difference with the Dominican Republic |
# of Hours during DST |
| Pacific (BC, Yukon) | DR is 4 hours ahead | DR is 3 hours ahead |
| Mountain (Alberta, western Nunvaut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan) | DR is 3 hours ahead | DR is 2 hours ahead |
| Saskatchewan | DR is 2 hours ahead | DR is 2 hours ahead |
| Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario) | DR is 2 hours ahead | DR is 1 hour ahead |
| Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec) | DR is 1 hour ahead | Same Time |
| Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec) | Same Time | DR is 1 hour behind |
| Newfoundland | DR is 30 minutes behind | DR is 90 minutes behind |
Dominican Republic Currency
The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Peso abbreviated as DOP, the East Caribbean Dollar is sometimes also accepted, a currency which is shared by other Caribbean states that form the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean states like Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Dominica, among others.
Source: ExchangeRates.org.uk
Coins used in the Dominican are $1, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20.
Emergency Information for Canadians in the Dominican Republic
Canadian Diplomatic Missions in the Dominican Republic
Embassy of Canada in Santo DomingoAv. Winston Churchill 1099
|
View Larger Map |
Office of the Embassy of Canada in Punta CanaCarretera Veron- Bavaro Km. 2 1/2
|
View Larger Map |
Consulate of Canada in Puerto PlataCalle Villanueva No 8
|
View Larger Map |
Canadian Government’s Travel Alerts for the Dominican Republic
Dominican Wedding Customs
Dominican Republic has a rich Spanish and African blend of cultural practices that influence their traditions. Marriage customs are more similar to Spanish culture. Traditionally, the man courts the woman for a while before proposing marriage.
Weddings are costly in the Dominican Republic so most people prefer to skip a Church wedding and have a civil marriage where only a small group of people consisting of friends and family.
In the Dominican Republic it is not taboo to see the bride before the wedding like in many other cultures around the world.
The couple has their photos taken while they are dressed in their wedding clothes.
The Wedding
In the Dominican Republic weddings takes place in a civil court of judges chamber with the absence of braids maids, only flower girls and ring bearers who are dressed the same as the bride and groom.
A small child carries the bible down the altar.
Padrinos
The godparents of a Dominican wedding are the godfather and godmother, or padrino. Traditionally the parents of the bride serve as the godparents and their role in the wedding ceremony is to be the main witnesses.
Another contrast in the Dominican marriage is that the groom’s mother accompanies him to the altar, after the vows are said friends and family members also go up to the alter to witness the nuptials.
The Arras and Ceremonia Cantada
After the nuptials, a young priest passes 13 coins on a silver tray to the main priest and the priest in turn passes the coins to the groom and the groom hands them over to the bride.
The ritual is to symbolize the couple’s pledge and commitment to share material wealth and provide for each other.
Ceremonia cantada is the art of singing accompanied by instrumental music during the celebrations. The celebrations continue and the reception is usually a sit-down dinner and guests are at liberty to leave whenever they feel like. Others guest party till late.
Wedding Food
Dominican Rainbow Rice
This is a simple rice dish that has beans, carrots, and sometimes shrimp. Different ingredients can be used depending on personal taste. This is a very delicious and simple Dominican recipe that can be served on any occasion.
Dominican Pollo Guisado
This is sautéed chicken with Dominican marinating ingredients and a variety of spices served with rice or stewed beans.
Dominican Sweet Potatoes
This dish is made with pumpkin like vegetable called calabaza. They are cut into small pieces and fried with orange juice, onions and thyme. Different spices or juices can also be used depending on personal preference.
Dominican Locrio de Pollo
This dish is made with long grain rice and cooked together with roast chicken, lime juice, a variety of spices and seasoning and olives.
It can be served at any occasion or mealtime.
Dominican Mangu
Mangu is a simple dish to make and it is made with plantains, butter, bacon, and season. The plantains are boiled and mashed then mixed with the butter, and the bacon is fried and crumbled over the mashed plantains.
This can be served with eggs or seafood as breakfast, snack or starter meal in occasions.
Dominican Chicharron
Chicharron is Dominican style fried pork skin. While the pork is frying, the lime juice is squeezed and the other ingredients added is basically seasoning. It can be served as an accompaniment to rice, mashed plantains and other dishes.
Dominican Moro de Habichuelas Negras
This dish is the Dominican version of Puerto Rican rice and beans. Just like the Puerto Rican way of cooking it, it is made with rice, beans and vegetables.
This is a lovely delight for vegetarians or anyone because it is very healthy and easy to make.
Beef, Ham and Shrimp Balls
This is another Dominican delicacy made from ground beef which is mixed with flavourful vegetables and spices then boiled.
Sancocho
This is a mixture of beef, chicken and pork cooked together with potatoes or plantains or yams, Spanish pumpkin and spices or seasoning.
Kipes
The main ingredient for this dish is bulgur which is mixed with ground beef and seasoned with chili or spices and deep fried.
Tostones
Tostones are mashed plantains then flattened and fried like pancakes. They are great as a snack with accompaniments like hot beverages or beef stew.
Flan
This is a fantastic dessert ideal for special occasions or after meals and it is also called caramel cream. It is a favourite in Dominican Republic and it is made from pancake mix made with condensed milk, evaporated milk and eggs.
The caramel is made by mixing water and sugar then heating till water evaporates.
Romantic, Scenic and Historic Places in the Dominican Republic
Attractions
Acuario Nacional de la Republica Dominicana – Santo Domingo
Opened in 1990, the National Aquarium boasts a modern, open-air design and a glorious location overlooking the Caribbean. Roughly 3000 live specimens of 250 species of marine life inhabit the friendly waters here.
The staff is dedicated to the study, promotion, protection and distribution of information on both marine and freshwater flora and fauna. There are lectures and guided tours every day. Videos and talks are available for school groups.
Whale Watching – Samana
The big Dominican Republic attraction in Samana is whale surveillance. The best time to come see the humpback whales is mid-January to mid-March.
Historic Places
Calle el Conde – Santo Domingo
One of the oldest streets in Santo Domingo and still among the city’s most popular commercial centres, this quaint pedestrian street extends from the Parque Colón to the Parque Independencia .
It hosts a diverse variety of stores that include apparel and textile shops, shoe stores, restaurants and cafes, a hotel, gift shops and jewellery stores.
Over time, this street has received several names, including Clavijo, Real and Separación. Its current name honours the Conde (Count) of Peñalba who defeated the English in the 17th century.
Cathedral Santa Maria la Menor – Santo Domingo
Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, or Catedral Primada de America, is the most important monument in Santo Domingo. It was constructed from 1514 to 1546 and includes Romanesque characteristics and the main façade was built out of coral rock.
The chapels were built later than the main temple, and until 1992 one chapel housed the remains of Christopher Columbus. Visit and enjoy the beauty of the late Gothic architecture.
El Faro a Colon – Santo Domingo
Designed by architect Joe Gleave, this monument to Christopher Columbus is a 46-meter tall cross, constructed of completely white marble. El Faro a Colón has housed the remains of the explorer since his tomb was moved from the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor in 1992.
At night, powerful lights illuminate this Christian symbol and project its shadow against the sky. Areas inside the monument are used as exhibition rooms, archives, a library and a museum.
Zona Colonial – Santo Domingo
Bordering the Ozama River, this area boasts cobblestone streets and an impressive group of buildings dating back to the 16th-Century.
The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo permits us to travel back through more than 500 years of history and architecture.
The palaces have been converted into fascinating museums, and many of the area’s oldest structures are now quaint bars, cafes and small hotels and restaurants.
Scenic Places
Samana Peninsula
This paradise is situated on the eastern coast and leftovers unwavering as one of the Dominican Republic tourist attractions not to be missed.
The Samana Peninsula is a dramatic area of lush green mountains, brightly coloured wildflowers and aquamarine waters.
There are a plethora of things to do in Samana, counting whale watching, whilst at the same time it is place of relaxation and story. In fact, it could be the perfect place to book your Dominican Republic holiday rentals with so many tourist appeals on the doorstep.
Los Tres Ojos – Santo Domingo
Declared a tourist attraction in 1970, the floors of these caves are filled with beautiful circular lakes fed by the Brujuelas, a subterranean river. The sulphurous waters of the first lake, discovered in 1916, are only 20 feet deep.
The second, named La Nevera or “refrigerator” in English drops to 15 degrees centigrade. The Women’s Lake, the third and smallest, is warm and shallow. A fourth lake, measuring 300 meters deep, is named Los Saramagullones after a species of ducks that inhabits it.
Want your hotel to be featured here? Contact us.
Bringing Gifts to the Dominican Republic
Duty Free Items
- 200 cigarettes
- 1 cigar box
- 2 liter bottle of alcohol, sealed
- 2 bottles of perfume
The above goods are only applicable to persons aged 16 years and above.
Restricted Items
- Spare parts, appliances and machines require and invoice and may be subject to taxation
- Pets require a health certificate and rabies vaccination
Prohibited Items
- Car, motor vehicles and similar machinery
- Drugs
- Guns, explosives and ammunition
- Pornography
- Birds and animal products
- Meat and dairy products
- Statues, sacred artefacts and paintings, antiques over 100 years
Taking Gifts Out of the Dominican Republic
Prohibited Items
- Statues, sacred paintings and artefacts and antiques over 100 years unless they are accompanied by a permit from department of archaeology
- Drugs
- Firearms, ammunition and explosives
- Pornography
- Local currency, peso or DOP
Wages in the Dominican Republic
The average minimum wage for Dominicans is roughly 3,000 pesos a month which is about USD$ 172 a month.
The wages are divided into different sectors of employment and income. In the free trade zone the minimum wage is 4,900 pesos a month.
In the non-free zones the minimum wage is from 4,485 – 7,360 pesos a month depending on the size of the company.
Public servants are paid 2,600 pesos a month which is relatively low compared to other Caribbean countries.
In the farms, workers are paid 150 pesos a day and sugar cane farmers are paid 95 pesos a day.
Average Monthly Wages
| Job | Salary |
| General Manager | DOP 1,540,043 |
| Accountant | DOP 470,000 |
| Architect | DOP 360,000 |
| Elementary School Teacher | DOP 23,000 |
| High School Teacher | DOP 1,237,481 |
| Software Engineer | DOP 418, 352 |
| Human Resources Manager | DOP 793,000 |
