Leaving thr DR without Cedula

harry myrtle beach

New member
Sep 16, 2015
226
0
0
I completed the process for my naturalization but did not have time to get Cedula b4 leaving for USA. All the paperwork has been completed and is being processed. I will be able to get my birth certificate ans cedula in Miami or Boston whichever I visit first. So when going through Imigration at airport both my wife (a dual citizen with USA passport) and myself where pulled over and sent to another counter. They said because my wife has been here so long her passport was locked. They quickly unlocked it and she was ok to go. They wanted to charge me overstay. We showed them the copy of my naturalization and they said that was fine and could work with that and after a few entries in the computer I was good to go. So off we went to get a snack and wait for the plain. Not so fast. Now at the gate I was told there was a problem with my luggage. 3 other passengers and my self where escorted back down stairs. We had to witness as one luggage for each of us was opened and inspected. Nothing was found and we all went back to gate and board. One thing I will note all the people doing their job were very professional.
 

Mauricio

Gold
Nov 18, 2002
5,607
7
38
Both things happened to me last time I left SD, passport unlock for me and my wife (latter with double nationality) which according to them was random and a suitcase check later on, because apparently some books in my suitcase couldn't be identified by the scanner. Also professional though they waited very long escorting me downstairs to check the suitcase since some of the other people called didn't show up , which had me worried I'd be downstairs and the plane would leave....(which ofcourse didn't happen but I'm one of those that also prefers to be three hours before flying in the airport and kill time there than waiting until the last moment to leave home). 
 

Peterj

Bronze
Oct 7, 2002
1,461
346
83
Dominican Republic
Both things happened to me last time I left SD, passport unlock for me and my wife (latter with double nationality) which according to them was random and a suitcase check later on, because apparently some books in my suitcase couldn't be identified by the scanner. Also professional though they waited very long escorting me downstairs to check the suitcase since some of the other people called didn't show up , which had me worried I'd be downstairs and the plane would leave....(which ofcourse didn't happen but I'm one of those that also prefers to be three hours before flying in the airport and kill time there than waiting until the last moment to leave home)

That's because you're Dutch...I have the same "behaviour" :laugh:
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
As I left, a resident, the agent told me my passport would be locked.... but no, it wasn't.

The new system is in place... might not call it 'working'
 

Ecoman1949

Born to Ride.
Oct 17, 2015
2,806
1,309
113
That's because you're Dutch...I have the same "behaviour" :laugh:
It's also a Canadian thing. The Westjet and Air Canada departure lineups start early at POP airport. I'm usually the first or second one in the lineup. Security has increased since I started arriving and departing from POP airport nine years ago. I've been subject to three random luggage searches prior to departure, had my luggage sniffed by the drug dogs, and had my carryon sniffed by the dogs while waiting in the boarding lounge. What I find funny is I usually walk through the security check with money in my pockets, a belt buckle, a watch and other metal objects on my person. I often wonder if the machines are properly calibrated. And the latest requirement, men in one line and women in the other is really puzzling.
 

AlterEgo

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
23,097
6,247
113
South Coast
Mr AE, Dominican with US citizenship, found his passport locked when we left Saturday. First time that's ever happened, the agent told him they didn't want him to leave. :)
 

Mauricio

Gold
Nov 18, 2002
5,607
7
38
And the latest requirement, men in one line and women in the other is really puzzling.
maybe so men are not delayed by women taking forever to get of their shoes and belt and jewelry...:D (the real reason is probably so they put a man after the scanner to pat down the men and a woman after the other scanner to pat down the women).
 

Ecoman1949

Born to Ride.
Oct 17, 2015
2,806
1,309
113
maybe so men are not delayed by women taking forever to get of their shoes and belt and jewelry...:D (the real reason is probably so they put a man after the scanner to pat down the men and a woman after the other scanner to pat down the women).
Could be. But they are not consistent. Sometimes men and women in the same line, other times separate. Maybe they prefer separation but the departure of multiple flights close to the same time and lack of screening staff prevents them from using separate lines all the time. 
 

harry myrtle beach

New member
Sep 16, 2015
226
0
0
On the issue about someone going into your luggage. 30 years ago they would go through your luggage without you being there. They would take what they wanted. My wife told me what the Dominicans would do. They would put some money in an envelope with this is for you written on it. She said when arriving in New York the envelope would be missing but nothing else.
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
32,504
5,932
113
dr1.com
It's also a Canadian thing. The Westjet and Air Canada departure lineups start early at POP airport. I'm usually the first or second one in the lineup. Security has increased since I started arriving and departing from POP airport nine years ago. I've been subject to three random luggage searches prior to departure, had my luggage sniffed by the drug dogs, and had my carryon sniffed by the dogs while waiting in the boarding lounge. What I find funny is I usually walk through the security check with money in my pockets, a belt buckle, a watch and other metal objects on my person. I often wonder if the machines are properly calibrated. And the latest requirement, men in one line and women in the other is really puzzling.

There was no separate line for men and women when I left 3 weeks ago from POP.
 

cbmitch9

Bronze
Nov 3, 2010
845
8
18
When I left in April, there was a separate line for men and women..it through me for a loop. Thought it was odd but I remembered that I was in the DR.:bunny:
 

DR Solar

Bronze
Nov 21, 2016
1,626
365
83
As I've covered this before. Nothing is consistent and is ever changing without knowing why. Some changes look good and needed then gone. Others are the opposite. Regarding POP.

Sometimes two lines with one for men and the other for women. If you noticed, they had the appropriate gender for any pat downs. Good for them. Why they are inconsistent is a matter of: one machine broke down. could not find the staff. staff was too aggressive and the passenger didn't want to leave the area?

Locked passports? I don't understand. 20 years of once a month trips out/back into the D.R. Never had a problem. Never.

Opening bags at the check in security has been done and even at the gate while boarding. No problem. Never... in 20 years... have I/we been pulled out of line to go somewhere to "witness" our checked bags being opened. And we have some rather unusual "stuff" in our bags. The security lock is still in place when we get them at the other end. From the U.S. to the D.R. we often find the U.S. customs note that our bags have been opened. Never found anything missing and actually better re-packed then what we did. lol

I love dogs. Many years ago they started a drug sniffing dog program. The dog and handler would go around the main waiting area in POP. Fun to watch. The handler asked me if he could put something in my carry on for the dog to find and thinking this was entertainment said OK. The dog was taken away by someone else and something inserted into my bag. Dog was brought back sniffing all the bags and passed mine. He passed mine several times. The handler was very upset but the dog was fine. The package was removed from my bag and the entertainment done. I told someone else about this and was hit with.......... "Your bag now smells like drugs!" Oh.. sh@t. Bought new bag that day.

I'm sorry that some are having travel problems but really. I/we just don't see any in any form at all nor see anyone inconvenienced in any way.

Everything very professional as best they can, moves along and guess what? On the plane and doing fine.
 
Last edited:

DR Solar

Bronze
Nov 21, 2016
1,626
365
83
I completed the process for my naturalization but did not have time to get Cedula b4 leaving for USA. All the paperwork has been completed and is being processed. I will be able to get my birth certificate ans cedula in Miami or Boston whichever I visit first. So when going through Imigration at airport both my wife (a dual citizen with USA passport) and myself where pulled over and sent to another counter. They said because my wife has been here so long her passport was locked. They quickly unlocked it and she was ok to go. They wanted to charge me overstay. We showed them the copy of my naturalization and they said that was fine and could work with that and after a few entries in the computer I was good to go. So off we went to get a snack and wait for the plain. Not so fast. Now at the gate I was told there was a problem with my luggage. 3 other passengers and my self where escorted back down stairs. We had to witness as one luggage for each of us was opened and inspected. Nothing was found and we all went back to gate and board. One thing I will note all the people doing their job were very professional.

IMHO. Having or NOT having a Cedula has nothing to due with leaving or entering to/from the D.R. It's your Passport and if a legal gringo wishing to use D.R. papers then your passport and Residence card (not sure) is needed. Please correct if I'm wrong. I just put everything on the customs counter when entering and never noticed what they are looking at.

Two different lines for entry. Tourist and residence. Perhaps the wrong line? But you have been coming and going without a Cedula in the past. I don't understand the problem since nothing has changed?
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
32,504
5,932
113
dr1.com
IMHO. Having or NOT having a Cedula has nothing to due with leaving or entering to/from the D.R. It's your Passport and if a legal gringo wishing to use D.R. papers then your passport and Residence card (not sure) is needed. Please correct if I'm wrong. I just put everything on the customs counter when entering and never noticed what they are looking at.

Two different lines for entry. Tourist and residence. Perhaps the wrong line? But you have been coming and going without a Cedula in the past. I don't understand the problem since nothing has changed?

He went from residency to citizenship with his residency expiring prior to getting the citizenship completed. If he has no proof of either then he pays money.
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
113
Nobody has ever requested a cedula when travelling.  A residency card is another story. 
 

Mauricio

Gold
Nov 18, 2002
5,607
7
38
Nobody has ever requested a cedula when travelling.  A residency card is another story. 



Yes they do. My wife is Dominican but has a Dutch passport. No residence ofcourse and her Dominican passport expired long ago. She has to show her cédula to proof she's Dominican in order not to pay an exit fee at departure or tourist duty at entrance.
 

AlterEgo

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
23,097
6,247
113
South Coast
Yes they do. My wife is Dominican but has a Dutch passport. No residence ofcourse and her Dominican passport expired long ago. She has to show her cédula to proof she's Dominican in order not to pay an exit fee at departure or tourist duty at entrance.



Yes, my husband travels on US passport and is asked each time for his cedula.  
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
My explanation for that is -
A Dominican citizen will not have a residency card , only a cedula and a passport.
Non-citizens have residency cards but no RD passports.
 

AlterEgo

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
23,097
6,247
113
South Coast
My explanation for that is -
A Dominican citizen will not have a residency card , only a cedula and a passport.
Non-citizens have residency cards but no RD passports.



Yes, and if the foreign passport shows DR as place of birth, it doesn't absolutely mean that person is a Dominican citizen.  At least one parent had to be Dominican, i.e. a child born in DR to two foreigners does not have Dominican citizenship.  

Thus the cedula requirement at immigration. 
 

harry myrtle beach

New member
Sep 16, 2015
226
0
0
Yes, and if the foreign passport shows DR as place of birth, it doesn't absolutely mean that person is a Dominican citizen.  At least one parent had to be Dominican, i.e. a child born in DR to two foreigners does not have Dominican citizenship.  

Thus the cedula requirement at immigration. 

Funny my wife never has to show her CEDULA when leaving. Just her US Passport. She has been doing that for years and did so when leaving DR on Sunday.