Citizenship Interview

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
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I have mine on Wednesday....after a loooong wait.

I have a list of questions and understand the rules --- 7 of 10, one repeat allowed, etc

Those of you who have seen the test -
is there a pattern, a strategy ?

i.e.- do they focus on the dates aspect - Feb 27, 1844
or the names.... Duarte, 3 women who made the flag.

Any ideas that might point me in the right direction.

My questions are in both languages but I'm studying the Spanish primarily.
The lawyer sent them to me.

Thanks
I truly hope this is a better route than Definitiva but we'll leave that until later !!
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
11,694
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I have mine on Wednesday....after a loooong wait.

I have a list of questions and understand the rules --- 7 of 10, one repeat allowed, etc

Those of you who have seen the test -
is there a pattern, a strategy ?

i.e.- do they focus on the dates aspect - Feb 27, 1844
or the names.... Duarte, 3 women who made the flag.

Any ideas that might point me in the right direction.

My questions are in both languages but I'm studying the Spanish primarily.
The lawyer sent them to me.

Thanks
I truly hope this is a better route than Definitiva but we'll leave that until later !!

Oh, c'mon WW, if you're really got those questions nailed, there's nothing to worry about.

I get a big kick out of asking those questions to folks I know here. They're always surprised I know more than they do about their country. (But that's good for it's own thread).
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
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Haven't nailed 'em yet... but working on it.

The Flag ladies ---

Concepcion, jesus pena and sosa....conception of Christ and Sammy Sosa are my clues
 

Matilda

RIP Lindsay
Sep 13, 2006
5,485
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It is my understanding that the interview is now general and the answers to the questions about the DR is now a written test, some multiple choice and some you have to write down the answer. When I had mine it was an interview and the woman was very particular about the answers ie what is the currency here and I said peso she corrected me to Dominican peso. Your flag ladies you will need all of the names.

Matilda
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
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I am told it's multiple choice....
thanks - yes I know all the names if it's shown to me - i can't recite them

Here's what Lily said=

For the interview you must study this questions, they will ask approx. 10 questions multiple choice answer and you must pick one of the answers given, you pass the test with at least 7 correct answers. In case you do not pass the test a second interview will be set within the next 15 days.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
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I had it this afternoon...
As predicted, part written and part multiple choice

There is a new man in charge after the debacle of the woman last year.... actually a returning one
They canned her and reinstated the former chief ... what a mess they said it was.

Anyway, I passed ... all of a few minutes with a monitor to watch for cribbing

I must have gotten away with a few...
1st President... I only Santana.... Sr Santana, I wrote
Date of something.. I knew month and year... not the day

They must have accepted those small things.
I prepared only for multiple choice , not recitation

Most interesting is why I got moved along..after the office ‘lost’ most of my file.

My lawyer had a client... who gave her false ID from a couple of countries
RD caught it and called my lawyer in to query her.
The applicant was working his way to the US thru various countries...
He was Israeli or Arab.

In return for her cooperation, he asked if she needed a favor
She had stamped receipts for my ‘lost’ documents....
So he pulled my file... asked for a new Buena Conducta and moved me forward.
Just one letter... 600 pesos....
Nice break.

Next stop.... Passport Office
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
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My total time was around 18 months... with a couple of fumbles.
Lost my files twice... the government office....anyway.

Sworn in today...57 people...40% women/60% men
The gender divide is just those two categories

Many from Venezuela, Columbia and Central America
One Canadian..me

10am for an hour... roll call, swear in , and official handshake with certificate and photo

Done... there are still some steps to take.. registering birth certificate etc.
But i had

my first RD elevator experience...

Makes sardine cans look spacious.
Nobody felt me up.....
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
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One more thing for those considering ‘ No Lawyer’

Certain Dominican can be slap happy, care free, .... some no to so much

In the roll call part of the ceremony...
Your name and country are called...

Being a ‘W’ , I am
used to be late in he game.... and was dozing, not paying attention.

They call my name ..... I hear it...

From behind comes my faithful keeper... the lawyer
Whispering... Senor William... raise your hand....

Those lawyers navigate the process...... gracias a Lily
 

lifeisgreat

Enjoying Life
May 7, 2016
3,271
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My total time was around 18 months... with a couple of fumbles.
Lost my files twice... the government office....anyway.

Sworn in today...57 people...40% women/60% men
The gender divide is just those two categories

Many from Venezuela, Columbia and Central America
One Canadian..me

10am for an hour... roll call, swear in , and official handshake with certificate and photo

Done... there are still some steps to take.. registering birth certificate etc.
But i had

my first RD elevator experience...

Makes sardine cans look spacious.
Nobody felt me up.....

Congratulations!
P.s. did you ;)
 

Dr_Taylor

New member
Oct 18, 2017
351
2
0
My total time was around 18 months... with a couple of fumbles.
Lost my files twice... the government office....anyway.

Sworn in today...57 people...40% women/60% men
The gender divide is just those two categories

Many from Venezuela, Columbia and Central America
One Canadian..me

10am for an hour... roll call, swear in , and official handshake with certificate and photo

Done... there are still some steps to take.. registering birth certificate etc.
But i had

my first RD elevator experience...

Makes sardine cans look spacious.
Nobody felt me up.....
William, again, I am very happy for you. Keep up appraised of the post-naturalization steps.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
Sounds like it's remote control Doc...
nothing needed from me... just pay and Lily does it...

It involves registering everything and getting the new cedula...

A few weeks - she told me

But - Yes - I will keep you apprised
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
An Update

So - what they do is actually issue a new RD birth certificate to those naturalized.
Born on your birthday... but in Rep Dom....
a bit weird but ---- it is what it is.

Yesterday I went w/ that certificate to get the new cedula..... and with the lawyer ,
They now do NOT issue the cedula the same day as it is approved.
Some cautionary measure to ensure something I gues.

Anyway , my charm shone through again and the girl promised to help me by allowing it to be printed later in the day.
At any Junta office... So I returned to Cabrera
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
Sorry...the system blew me off -

An Update

So - what they do is actually issue a new RD birth certificate to those naturalized.
Born on your birthday... but in Rep Dom....
a bit weird but ---- it is what it is.

Yesterday I went w/ that certificate to get the new cedula..... and with the lawyer ,
They now do NOT issue the cedula the same day as it is approved.
Some cautionary measure to ensure something I gues.

Anyway , my charm shone through again and the girl promised to help me by allowing it to be printed later in the day.
At any Junta office... So I returned to Cabrera

I showed them my receipt and they assured me it could NOT be printed.
I pressed for them to look... VOILA !!
Ready to print.... The Cabrera girl said I had rec'd a BIG favor from SD !!

Uh-Oh !
I had been warned that they would try to christen me again - RD style - with that birth certif.

My proper name is -
William (first)
Mother's maiden name (second)
Webster (third)
3 names.

They were sure I would need a 4th ....being my mother's maiden again at the end..Dominican style

When they think it thru & realize that all my records will disappear with a name change,
They capitulated and said they could me name back...
The one that matches my RD driving license, cedula and residency card and Cdn Passport

Cabrera hits the Print button.... poof.... 4 names !!!
They promise to rectify it ....

I return today to ask on the progress....
No can do.... Sto Dom needs to do it.

so - we call the SD amiga in the Junta ... and they have started.

Remember, we thought the fix was in yesterday... NOPE, it flunked.

Anyway, currently waiting for another answer this afternoon.... from SD & Cabrera
at least I have the 2 Juntas talking to each other about it.

Easy enough day in SD... I had 'drive around' service from my lawyer
Stood in just a few lines....3 hrs. in total -----------10am - 1pm
Mostly driving

Should be good to go later today.....
 

Matilda

RIP Lindsay
Sep 13, 2006
5,485
338
63
I have no idea why it is so much trouble. 18 months ago after being sworn in I deposited my documents on the same day at the Junta in Santo Domingo and paid for the VIP service. The next day a friend picked up my birth certificate and sent it to me on Caribe Tours and I took it straight to the Junta in Moncion. When you ask for your birth cert, they ask you where you live and that is where you get your cedula. On arrival at the Junta, they took the photograph and we began the name discussion. They wanted me to take both my father's and mother's last names but as they were the same agreed on the one with no need to call Santo Domingo. System was down, returned next day and picked up cedula. Time from swearing in to picking up cedula - 5 days.

Matilda
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
And remember....
I already a cedula (NO VOTA), driver's license and residency card.... all in my 3 names
There has been no confusion until the birth certificate

This 4th name is the problem...
They see the problem.... and are working on it.... should be this morning
 

chico bill

Dogs Better than People
May 6, 2016
12,570
6,325
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And remember....
I already a cedula (NO VOTA), driver's license and residency card.... all in my 3 names
There has been no confusion until the birth certificate

This 4th name is the problem...
They see the problem.... and are working on it.... should be this morning

May I suggest your 4th name be Webfoot as in Webster Webfoot - probably no one but me remembers him ?
But you could wear that moniker with distinction

 

frank12

Gold
Sep 6, 2011
11,847
29
48
And remember....
I already a cedula (NO VOTA), driver's license and residency card.... all in my 3 names
There has been no confusion until the birth certificate

This 4th name is the problem...
They see the problem.... and are working on it.... should be this morning

OMG, William, could you please do me a favor? After everything is said and done, could you possibly sit down and do the math for us? Estimate how much time and money it took after everything is finished? I would like to see your estimate on gas money going back and forth. The attorney fees, meals, any hotels? (probably not because your lucky enough to not live that far from SD), any VIP stuff?

Just list every expensive you can think of, add it to the kitty and give us a rough estimate.

I'm very curious. I will have Big Red sit down and do the same. To be clear, I'm talking about the total cost to become a "Citizen." Not permanent resident.

This will be interesting to anyone contemplating it. I think most people will not have the time, money, nor energy to see it all through.

Later, if i get the chance i will tell you what it cost me to do it, and what was involved. I doubt anyone will believe it except for the few people who have done it from the standpoint of having a Dominican parent.