Marriage Certificate Translation

Hi Ladies,

After all this time, I still don't know how to reply with multi-quotes! So, I'll try to respond to a couple of the earlier questions here. When you are translating your documents (birth certificate, passport) to bring with you to the DR, these must also be certifiied through a Statutory Declaration. It's been a while, and unfortunately I didn't keep any of the emails from the Dominican Consulate (in Toronto), but having these docs translated, PLUS we had to translate our divorce certificates from our previous marriages, rang up to the tune of over $300 (or may-be even $500! I'll check my wedding bills and stuff at home tonight). The Consulate "legalizes" these docs as opposed to "notarizing" them. You can cut some of the cost by having everything translated first by ATIO, who also certifies them, then bring them to the Consulate for "legalization". You can download the forms you need from their site: D.R. Marriage Requirements. If I remember correctly, the Consulate charges $100 to legalize them. This is simply another way for the consulate to make money, because if you don't legalize them, they won't be accepted by the judiciary in DR.

This thread was originally about translating your marriage certificate when you get back. You don't have to go through the Consulate for this. I'm planning to go to the Ministry this weekend to get my drivers licence in my married name, using the certified translation from ATIO. I'm not anticipating any issues, but I'll update this post with the results anyway.

Thomasjsgirl, How long did it take for you to get your Marriage licence back from the DR, or did you bring it home with you?

My question was about the marriage certificate. I don't believe you can just bring in a translated copy. Notarizing the translated copy says "yes, this spanish document is the same as this new english document"

I don't think the Ministry or any other place will just accept somebody's translated copy. They need proof that they are the same document.

I believe that the Marriage Certificate needs to be translated and notarized? No?

You don't have to have it notarized. I went to the ministry last week and showed them my certified translation, and voila! I have a new name!

Well this is good news!! One less thing on the ever growing budget list!

Exactly what I was thinking!!! lol



Thanks for the info