The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has established a tiered schedule for the conclusion of the identity card renewal process, distinguishing between residents within the national territory and those living abroad who are given more time. Anyone who has not transitioned to the new document by their respective deadline will face the “administrative civil death” mentioned previously, resulting in the immediate suspension of their legal and financial identity.
The 2027 cutoff for local residents is particularly critical because the JCE must finalize the administrative closing of the electoral roll for the May 2027 primary elections.
Key deadlines for 2027-2028
• National territory: The deadline for citizens within the Dominican Republic to complete the renewal process is 31 March 2027.
• Dominicans abroad: For the diaspora, the JCE has extended the grace period. The renewal process for those living outside the country is scheduled to conclude on 21 January 2028.
Implementation timeline
The transition to the new biometric document is already underway, following this official roadmap:
• 1 February 2026: The JCE officially suspended the issuance of the previous ID card format. Citizens requiring a document during this transition period are being issued free legal certifications that serve as temporary valid identification for all transactions.
• 8 April 2026: The general opening of the renewal process begins across the Dominican Republic. To manage the volume, the JCE will prioritize appointments based on the citizen’s birth month.
• May 2026: The general opening for the renewal process begins for Dominicans residing abroad through consular offices and designated mobile units.
Dominicans residing abroad can renew their identification cards through the Central Electoral Board (JCE) network of permanent offices, satellite centers, and mobile units located within Dominican consulates and embassies. The JCE has confirmed that the renewal process for the general public abroad will begin in May 2026 and will be managed through an exclusive appointment system to prevent overcrowding.
Primary renewal hubs
Renewals are primarily handled at the Offices for the Coordination of Electoral Logistics Abroad (OCLEE) and JCE delegations within diplomatic missions. Key locations include:
United States:
New York: Times Square (1501 Broadway) and the Bronx (2633 Webster Ave).
New Jersey: Paterson (140 Market Street).
Massachusetts: Boston (891 Centre St, Jamaica Plain).
Florida: Miami (1038 Brickell Ave).
Other Cities: Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, Orlando, and Los Angeles.
Europe:
Spain: Madrid (Avenida de Brasil), Barcelona (Calle París), Valencia, and Seville.
Italy: Milan (Viale Tunisia) and Genoa.
Other: Zurich (Switzerland), Den Haag (Netherlands), and Frankfurt (Germany).
Americas & Caribbean:
San Juan (Puerto Rico), Panama City (Panama), Curacao, and Saint Martin.
Montreal and Toronto (Canada).
How to renew abroad
The JCE is implementing a digital-first approach for the 2026–2028 cycle:
- Online appointment: Starting in April 2026, citizens must visit the official JCE Appointment Portal to select a date and time.
- Biometric capture: The new ID requires a physical presence for the capture of updated fingerprints, photographs, and iris scans.
- Mobile units: For those not near a major city, the JCE will deploy “Rutas de Cedulación” (mobile units) throughout the year.
Read more in Spanish:
JCE
18 March 2026