Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in the Dominican Republic, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.  Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be questioned if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States as well as the Dominican Republic. If you break local laws in the Dominican Republic, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating laws of the Dominican Republic, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Dominican Republic are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Arrest notifications in host country: Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in the Dominican Republic, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. Embassy of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the U.S. Embassy.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:  

Currency Regulations: It is legal to exchange currency at commercial banks, exchange booths in hotels and exchange houses. The exchange rate is set by the Central Bank, based on prevailing market conditions. The market determines the exchange rate. No more than 10,000 USD or its equivalent in another currency, including Dominican pesos, may be taken out of the Dominican Republic at the time of departure without declaring it.

Real Estate: Real estate investments in the Dominican Republic require a high level of caution, as property rights are irregularly enforced and investors often encounter problems in receiving clear title to land. Title searches in the Dominican Republic may not undergo the same rigorous examination as in the United States. We recommend consultation with a reputable attorney before signing documents or closing on any real estate transactions. Real estate investments by U.S. citizens have been the subject of both legal and physical takeover attempts. Absentee landlords and absentee owners of undeveloped land are particularly vulnerable. Investors should seek solid property title and not just a “carta de constancia,” which is often confused by foreigners with a title. An official land registry measurement (also known as 'deslinde' or 'mensura catastral') is also desirable for the cautious overseas investor. Investors should also consider purchasing title insurance.

Squatters, sometimes supported by governmental or non-governmental organizations, have invaded properties belonging to U.S. citizens, threatening violence and blocking the owners from entering their property. In at least one instance, a U.S. citizen landowner was physically assaulted by squatters. Several U.S. citizens with long-standing expropriation disputes with the Dominican government are still without compensation. On several occasions, U.S. citizens have faced lawsuits founded on false documentation that result in costly, protracted court proceedings. Litigation can last for years, preventing any productive use of the property. Eviction of squatters can also take years. The U.S. Embassy does not generally attend property dispute hearings on behalf of U.S. citizens and encourages you to take the necessary steps to safeguard your investment by researching the situation thoroughly beforehand. The Embassy maintains a list of attorneys on its website that can be consulted should legal representation be necessary.

Gambling: Many U.S. citizens have reported losing large amounts of money at Dominican casinos by playing a game (or variations thereof) known as “Super Keno,” “Caribbean Keno,” “Progressive Keno,” or “Progressive Roulette.” Players have complained that the game’s rules are unclear and/or misleading. Casinos have also been associated with cases involving credit card fraud. Any complaints arising from a casino should be directed to the Office of Casinos at the Secretary of Finance. To register a complaint with this office, call 809-687-5131, ext. 2120.

Divorce: In recent years, there have been a number of businesses, primarily on the Internet, which advertise “quickie Dominican divorces.” The services of these businesses should be used with caution, as they may misrepresent the process of obtaining a divorce in the Dominican Republic. While it is relatively simple for foreigners to obtain a divorce in the Dominican Republic, such divorces are only valid if specific steps are taken. Those seeking information regarding divorce should first consult with an attorney in their home state. Additional information on divorce is available on the U.S. Embassy's website.

Alien Smuggling: Dominican authorities may prosecute anyone arrested for organizing the smuggling of aliens into or out of the Dominican Republic. This is in addition to any charges individuals may face in the other country involved, including the United States.

Hurricanes: The Dominican Republic is situated in an area of the Caribbean prone to hurricanes. In the event of a hurricane alert, a notice will be posted on the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo's website. Further information can be obtained from the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center. General information about natural disaster preparation is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Travelers are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program with the U.S. Embassy.

Carnival Celebrations: Visitors attending Carnival celebrations throughout the Dominican Republic should be aware that participants will frequently use sticks, whips, or rubber bags filled with bits of tire and rocks to physically strike spectators on their backsides. Such attacks can catch spectators off guard and produce serious injuries. Spectators are encouraged to safeguard themselves against such attacks by taking appropriate precautions. Visitors are also advised that Carnival celebrations tend to attract pickpockets and other violent criminals who prey on spectators.     

Scams: Be alert to a scam which targets elderly citizens in the United States. The perpetrator contacts a grandparent on the telephone pretending to be a law enforcement official, an attorney, or a U.S. Embassy official and informs them that a loved one has been arrested overseas. The caller instructs the victim to wire cash through a money transfer service to pay fines or secure bail. In some instances, impersonators are used to portray the role of the scared grandchild, effectively perpetuating the fraud. Local law enforcement in the Dominican Republic follows a protocol to allow U.S. citizens that have been arrested to contact the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. When in doubt, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy to confirm the welfare of a family member in the Dominican Republic.

Agricultural Products: Visitors to the Dominican Republic are reminded to review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture before attempting to import or export food or agricultural products. Severe penalties apply for violations. For further information about customs regulations, please see our customs information.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There is cultural discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the Dominican Republic and the government does not legally recognize same-sex unions. There is no current anti-discrimination legislation specifically protecting the LGBT community, but the community receives some protection from general anti-discrimination legislation. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in the Dominican Republic, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013. 

ACCESSIBILITY: While in the Dominican Republic, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from the United States. The law provides for physical access for persons with disabilities to all new public and private buildings, but the authorities do not enforce this provision. While public sidewalks can often accommodate persons with disabilities, many parts of sidewalks are in disrepair and pose a hazard to all pedestrians. Public transportation, lodging, and restaurants generally do not have the same accommodations for persons with disabilities as found in the United States.