I have been a resident since 2008 (when the process was much easier)
My next renewal.... 3 yrs away ... will qualify me for the Definitiva...the 10yr renewal .
My intention is to live/reside here until -- The End.
With that in mind, I began to think about 10 yrs out and how I would feel about trip(s) to SD for renewing
and what the process might look like then..... I decided at 80+ I might not like it.
Hence - Citizenship application came into view.
This is not an easy process either -
Your cedula must have 1 yrs validity remaining
It calls for a guarantor...
Dominican born, car & property titles free & clear and a good sized bank account.
a conversational interview after a written exam
The requirements are not easily met unless you know the right people.. socio-economically speaking
I knew 1 or 2 of these types but each had complications with their paperwork.
Through a series of fortunate events and my lawyer's capable help, my case advanced.
At the end of November, I was called in for the exam.
10 questions, 1/2 multiple choice - 1/2 written answers.
You are given a cheat sheet of 50 questions to study .... in advance...very useful.
I passed... The interviewer was too busy for our chat - so I slid thru again
I go Thursday for the swearing in ceremony...
The benefits of citizenship - as I see it -
No renewal - It's permanent
Voting - if that appeals to you
Cedulas can be renewed almost anywhere - no trips to SD, medicals, etc
No more legal bills for renewals
So - in a nutshell, that's the scoop.
There are some details after swearing in.... which I will report as I encounter.
This is intended for those looking for alternatives to residency.
Citizenship.... The process
Congratulations honey! This is a big deal. From start to this point how much time has passed?
How long !!?? Whew
I had a few hiccups out of my control....
but a year or so - 18 months max....
My one guarantor has mismatching numbers on his car papers...placa and matricula
A gov't error.... but they rejected his title over it.
They lost my files twice !! but we had they signed acceptance of the papers.
It was for that the Dept Head granted me the Go Ahead....
I just refreshed the Buena Conducta and was done with it
NIce. Thanks..... Good point to make, expect the unexpected!
On Thursday, my lawyer has 2 - 3 others being sworn in.
From what I hear, the ceremonies are monthly and good sized.
Those married to Dominicans get a slighter easier path.
Thank you WW for your insight.
Seems the way to go if you are married and are committed to living here until 'The End'.
I skipped over all the initial documents needed ...
The guarantor is the tough one ..all else is just paperwork
The oath ceremony was y'day.... 1 hr.
There were 57 new citizens from 22 countries - 1 Cdn = Me!
40%women-60% men
Mostly South & Central Americans - 5 Americans and some Cubans
They read all the names , officials welcome you and one by one you are called up for your certificate.
All done in an hour.
Still a few formalities to do... registering the certificate and your original birth certificate.
All in all about 18 months with my hiccups.... really not that bad.
Congratulations honey!
Congratulations.
I plan to do this soon. DGM gave me the motivation to finally get citizenship by forcing me through a special residency regularization plan the last time I tried to renew. I had requested a 10 year residency and found out there were "issues" at DGM. That despite being a legal resident since 2002 and renewing since then. I recently received 4 year residency again after DGM's delay. After a trip back home to get some necessary documents, I will commence with the naturalization process.
There really is no such thing as "permanent" residency. They just all have different renewal periods.
Citizenship is permanent.
Yes the term "permanent" apparently doesn't translate properly.... 
planner wrote:Yes the term "permanent" apparently doesn't translate properly....
Indeed. A non-permanent permanence is hard to imagine.
I frequently find Spanish as lacking in detail to get the correct point across. Case in point when I was dealing with the woman at Window 7 at DGM in Santo Domingo, I just could not come up with the proper phrase in Spanish as to how I wish she could copulate with herself while she knowingly failed to provide me with the necessary information to quickly pick up my residency card this recent time and the previous time I had to deal with her.
Hahahahahahahahaha OMG that has me cracking up. Thank you honey!!!!
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