The ubiquitous “cedula” is the personal ID card that every Dominican over the age of 16, as well as every person with legal residence in the Dominican Republic must have for the tasks of daily life. Bank accounts, cell phone accounts, travel and business all require at some moment the presentation of the cedula.
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has worked for more than three years preparing for the introduction of a more secure document, and on Sunday, 12 April 2026 the process began for those born in the month of April.
The JCE is trying to make the process as simple as possible. But media reports say that the JCE got off to a slow start with many who had appointments had to wait for long hours to get their card. People who went through the procedure on Sunday recommend setting aside a full day to get the cedula, to tell from their own experience. The JCE had promised the procedures would be as quick as in the past. The old procedures allowed for getting the cedula in an hour’s time.
Office hours go from 9am until 9pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturday, the times are 9am until 7pm. On Sundays and holidays, the renewal service is now available from 10am until 2pm. And, if a person wants to obtain the document outside of their birth month, then appointments are available from 11pm until 7am, using the website https://citas.jce.gob.do. These appointments are only available currently at La Feria, Las Americas, Herrera, San Cristobal, La Vega, Santiago, and La Romana.
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Noticias SIN
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
DR1 News
13 April 2026