Do I Need to Register My Dominican Republic Marriage in the U.S.?
The idea of a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic is magical — sunlit ceremonies, oceanfront venues, and unforgettable design. But once the vows are exchanged, couples often ask: Is our marriage legal in the United States? Do we need to register it again?
The good news is: If your marriage is legally registered in the Dominican Republic, it is valid in the U.S. However, there are steps you must take to ensure it is recognized back home.
1. Is a Dominican Republic Marriage Legally Recognized in the U.S.?
Yes. According to the U.S. Department of State, a marriage that is valid under Dominican law is generally valid in the United States. You do not need to "re-register" it in the U.S. courts.
But to use your marriage certificate for immigration, tax, or legal purposes, the documents must be properly issued and authenticated.
2. What Kind of Marriage is Considered Legal?
Only civil marriages performed and registered by the Dominican authorities (Junta Central Electoral) are legally valid. Religious or symbolic ceremonies do not carry legal status unless they are accompanied by an official civil registration.
3. What Documents Do I Need for the U.S.?
Here’s a step-by-step list of what you’ll need:
Marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio) issued by the Junta Central Electoral
Apostille issued by the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX)
Certified translation into English, if required by your U.S. state
Copies of passports and IDs for administrative use
Once you have these, you can use the certificate in the U.S. for name changes, insurance updates, immigration forms, and more.
4. How Long Does It Take to Get the Documents?
It typically takes 1–2 weeks to receive the official marriage certificate. An additional few days are needed for the apostille and translation, depending on the service provider. Some wedding coordinators can assist with this post-wedding process.
5. Who Can Help With This?
While it’s possible to handle everything independently, many couples choose to work with local professionals who are familiar with the legal procedures and timelines. This ensures peace of mind and avoids errors in documentation — especially important if you’ll need it for immigration or government use.
People Also Ask (EN):
1. Do I have to register my Dominican marriage in the U.S.? No. As long as it's legal in the Dominican Republic, it’s valid in the U.S. without further registration.
2. What is an Apostille and why is it necessary? An Apostille authenticates foreign documents so they’re recognized in other countries, including the U.S.
3. Can I use my Dominican marriage certificate for immigration in the U.S.? Yes, but it must be apostilled and translated if needed.
4. What happens if I only had a symbolic wedding in the DR? Symbolic ceremonies are not legally recognized. You must register a civil marriage for legal purposes.
5. Where do I get my marriage certificate apostilled? At the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) in Santo Domingo.
.webp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.ctfassets.net%2Fvpskymlp6aa0%2F1zclAdKY7d1BNbfuVx1BH5%2F27a0ea4f32f7acb0dfcc48db0a490e4c%2FBODA1__22_.jpg&a=w%3D167%26h%3D250%26fm%3Dwebp%26q%3D75&cd=2025-06-06T20%3A25%3A56.256Z)
