DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · CERTIFIED TRANSLATION
Certified Translation of Dominican Republic Documents for USCIS
Translating Dominican documents for USCIS starts with the Junta Central Electoral (JCE): nearly every civil record — the acta de nacimiento, acta de matrimonio, and acta de defunción — is issued by the JCE through its local Oficialías del Estado Civil. Dominican names carry two surnames (paternal first, then maternal), modern records are computer-printed "actas inextensas" with security seals, and older ones are often handwritten extracts lifted from bound registers with marginal annotations. Because the Dominican Republic is a full Hague Apostille member, your originals are authenticated with a single apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) rather than consular legalization. Every certified translation we deliver carries a signed Certificate of Accuracy meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), and we render the apostille block and every marginal note in full — the small details that quietly get filings rejected.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Reviewed by Victor Luján, Founder — certified translations since 2018
DOCUMENTS FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Pick Your Document
Dominican Birth Certificate →
Dominican Marriage Certificate →
Dominican Divorce Decree →
Dominican Death Certificate →
Dominican Diploma →
Dominican Academic Transcript →
Dominican Police Record →
Dominican Single Status Certificate →
GOOD TO KNOW
Issuing Authority & Authentication
Civil records in Dominican Republic are issued by the Junta Central Electoral (JCE) — Oficialías del Estado Civil (Central Electoral Board — Civil Registry Offices) · official language(s): Spanish. The Dominican Republic has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 2009, so documents are authenticated with a single apostille issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, MIREX / Cancillería) through its Dirección de Legalización y Apostilla. No US embassy or consular legalization is needed — one apostille makes the Dominican original valid for USCIS.
Every document above is translated by a native specialist, reviewed by a second linguist, and delivered with a signed Certificate of Accuracy that USCIS accepts under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) — or we fix it free and cover your resubmission fee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Dominican birth certificate need an apostille before you translate it for USCIS?
USCIS does not require an apostille on foreign civil documents submitted with a petition — it requires a complete certified English translation of the record. However, because the Dominican Republic is a Hague Apostille member, many applicants obtain an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) for other uses; when they do, we translate the apostille block as well so nothing on the page is left in Spanish.
Who issues Dominican birth, marriage, and death certificates?
The Junta Central Electoral (JCE) issues them through its network of local Oficialías del Estado Civil (Civil Registry Offices). Modern records are computer-printed 'actas inextensas' with security features; older ones are handwritten extracts from the original bound registers.
My Dominican acta is old and handwritten — can you still translate it for USCIS?
Yes. Handwritten Dominican actas, faded ink, and marginal annotations like 'declaración tardía' are routine for us. Our native-Spanish specialists read period civil-registry handwriting and reproduce every note, seal, and signature block, then attach a signed Certificate of Accuracy meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Send a photo by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com for a free 250-word sample.
Why do my Dominican documents show two last names?
Dominican naming convention uses two surnames — the father's first, then the mother's — and women keep their birth surnames after marriage. We translate all names exactly as written so they match your passport and other filings, which prevents the name-mismatch queries that delay USCIS cases.