Where it's done & key facts
| Dominican documents | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), Santo Domingo |
|---|---|
| New Jersey documents | NJ Department of the Treasury – Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) |
| New York documents | NY Department of State (some need prior county or city certification) |
| Federal documents | U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications |
| Convention | 1961 Hague Convention; both the DR and US are members |
| Does NOT apostille | Consulates |
| Official site | mirex.gob.do |
The golden rule
Ask: who issued the document? That authority (or the one its country designates) issues the apostille. The apostille certifies the signature of the official or notary who signed; it doesn't translate or validate the content.
Where each document is apostilled
| Dominican birth, marriage or death record | MIREX (DR). Can be handled remotely through a representative. |
|---|---|
| Dominican police clearance | MIREX, after issuance by the Attorney General's office. |
| Dominican diplomas and transcripts | Usually need prior legalization by MESCyT or MINERD, then MIREX. |
| New Jersey birth certificate | Certified copy from the state or local registrar → apostille at DORES (Trenton). |
| Power of attorney or affidavit signed before a NJ notary | NJ notarization → apostille at DORES. |
| New York City birth certificate | Additional city documentation before the NY State apostille. |
| FBI record, federal documents | U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. |
Steps to apostille a New Jersey document
- Get the right version (recent certified copy, or a document notarized by a commissioned NJ notary).
- Complete the state's apostille request, listing the destination country: Dominican Republic.
- Mail or deliver it with payment to DORES.
- If it will be used in the DR and is in English, prepare the Spanish translation.
Common mistakes
- Apostilling a plain photocopy instead of a certified copy.
- Notarizing in one state and requesting the apostille in another.
- Ordering a short-form NJ certificate when parents' names are required.
- Translating before apostilling: usually the original is apostilled first, then everything, including the apostille, is translated.
Want help with this procedure?
- We review your documents before you go to the agency.
- We translate, notarize and apostille what's needed.
- We tell you exactly where to go, what to bring and in what order.
- Service in Spanish and English.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Dominican consulate apostille documents?
No. The consulate can legalize signatures and perform other consular acts, but the apostille comes from the competent authority of the issuing country.
How long does a New Jersey apostille take?
It depends on the method (walk-in, mail or expedited) and state workload. Plan ahead.
Do I need to translate the apostille?
If the document and apostille are in English and will be used in the DR, both are usually translated into Spanish.
This guide is informational and does not replace official information or legal advice. Requirements, fees and hours may change: always confirm with the institution before you go. Information verified in November 2026. True Multiservices is a private, independent business, not the consulate or a government agency.
