Why is it important for U.S. citizens living in the Dominican Republic to be documented as such?
The American Citizens Services (ACS) unit at the U.S. Embassy is able to issue U.S. passport books and cards to U.S. citizens. Only with these documents can U.S. citizens travel to the United States. This includes traveling via ferry to Puerto Rico. Documented U.S. citizenship also lets you register with the U.S. embassy and receive warden messages on issues affecting U.S. citizen health, safety, and security. There are many U.S. citizens in the Dominican Republic who have never had a U.S. passport book or card. These citizens typically acquired citizenship through birth in the U.S., and then traveled to the Dominican Republic using just a birth certificate. With the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in 2008, U.S. citizens are no longer able to travel to the United States using a birth certificate. Instead, they must acquire a U.S. passport or card by proving their citizenship and their identity before a U.S. consular officer. While the U.S. recognizes dual cit
