Can you lose your Dominican Citizenship or Residency?

There are lot of questions about getting Dominican citizenship, specifically by way of marriage to a Dominican citizen.

One gentleman contacted our office, who I assume is married to or planning to marry a Dominican, asked, “Do I lose my Dominican citizenship if I get a divorce?

First, let me clarify that you can get Dominican citizenship through marriage. You would obtain temporary residency, and after six months, if you have been married to a Dominican for a minimum of two years, you can apply for citizenship.

Now, to address the question, if you were to divorce your Dominican spouse, you would not lose your citizenship.

Once you’re a Dominican citizen, you’re a citizen whether you obtained it through marriage, residency, or through investment.

The state would only consider stripping you of your citizenship or residency status if you are involved in criminal activity or got your citizenship or residency status through illicit means–like giving false information on your application.

So, a divorce, which happens as relationships and circumstances change in a person’s life, would not cause you to lose your citizenship status.

To learn about the pathways to Dominican citizenship, check out this previous article here:

The truth about getting Dominican citizenship through marriage
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Maria Abreu is the CEO and Managing Attorney of Abreu & Associates, a law firm practicing exclusively in Dominican Republic Immigration and Nationality law. She is also the founder of Retire and Invest DR. This organization hosts conference events for foreigners interested in living, retiring, and investing in the DR. You can contact Maria at: mabreu@abreuimmigration.com.