Dominican Republic: Documentation required and procedures to be followed by a parent wishing to travel abroad with a minor child in the absence, or without the consent, of the second parent
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 12 February 2007 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DOM102146.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Dominican Republic: Documentation required and procedures to be followed by a parent wishing to travel abroad with a minor child in the absence, or without the consent, of the second parent, 12 February 2007, DOM102146.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/46fa53851c.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the Web site Dominican Republic One (DR1), an English-language Dominican Republic portal that provides news and information on the Dominican Republic (DR1 n.d.a), the requirements for a parent wishing to travel abroad with a minor child (under 18) in the absence of the second parent are as follows:
If the mother is a single parent, she should have a sworn statement of her single status, legalized at the District Attorney's Office (la Procuraduría) along with two copies of the cédula [Identity Card] and/or passport.... .
If the single person is a widow(er) the corresponding Death Certificate should be produced and legalized.
If the minor(s) is/are going to travel with just one of the parents, the other parent must issue a notarized and legalized authorization. The Immigration office must also authorize the minor's exit. All this must be accompanied by two photocopies of the authorizing parent's cédula or passport.
Requisites for a minor:
- Two copies of the first pages of the passport (plus the passport itself).
- Two copies of the birth certificate (plus the original).
- Two copies of the Visa or Resident Card (photocopies of both sides of the Resident Card.
- Two copies of both sides of the tourist card (plus the original).
- Two copies of the last entry into the [Dominican Republic] DR.
- Two photos 2 x 2, and two stamps of 30.00 [Dominican Pesos (DOP) approximately CAD 1.057 (Bloomberg.com 12 Dec. 2006)] for each minor.
- If the minor is travelling on a Birth Certificate, two photocopies of each side of the Birth Certificate.
Requirements for the accompanying person:
- Two copies of the first pages of the passport (plus the original).
- Two copies of the Visa or Resident Card (plus photocopies of both sides of the Resident Card, if applicable).
Authorizations must be in Spanish, or translated by a legal Translator.
...
If traveling with one of the two parents, an authorizing, notarized and legalized letter is required from the other parent. (n.d.b)
In addition, in 23 November 2006 correspondence with the Research Directorate, an official at the Canadian Embassy in Haiti, Port-au-Prince, indicated that
[if one of the] parent[s] does not want to give his or her consent, or if it is not known where that parent is (or whether he or she is alive ...), the parent seeking to travel abroad with a child on a temporary or permanent basis must obtain an authorization from the Children's Tribunal (called in the Dominican Republic "Tribunal de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes"). The Court will then investigate the reasons why the other parent does not wish to give consent, or if the parent really disappeared and cannot be found, [the Court] will ... issue a judgment authorizing or not the [authorizing] parent to leave the Dominican Republic with the child on a temporary or permanent basis. Most of the time, it is recommended that such applicants get the help of a lawyer, as this process and the paperwork can get complicated or lengthy, depending on the specifics of the case.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Bloomberg.com. 12 December 2006. Investment Tools. "Calculators – Currency Calculator."
Canada. 15 November 2006. Canadian Embassy in Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Correspondence from an official.
Dominican Republic One (DR1). N.d.a. "Introduction." Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Canada did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response. Internet sites, including: Government of Dominican Republic, United States Bureau of Consular Affairs.
_____. N.d.b. "Requirements for Travel with Minors (Leaving DR)."
