Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the Dominican Republic to the United States
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Repatriation from the Dominican Republic to the United States: what to expect
Dominican-American communities, concentrated in New York and New Jersey, generate significant repatriation demand on this corridor. The Dominican Republic has a well-established repatriation industry given the volume of cases.
- Key document: Acta de defunción (death certificate from Oficialía del Estado Civil)
- Documentation takes 7-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- The Dominican Republic is a popular resort destination.
- The Fiscalía (Prosecutor's Office) must authorise release of the body in all unnatural or suspicious deaths.
- United States Embassy in Santo Domingo can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
In United States
When the body arrives in the United States
The US funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. US Customs clearance requires a transit or burial permit, the foreign death certificate, and an embalming certificate. State health department regulations apply and vary by state. The receiving funeral director notifies the medical examiner or coroner as required by state law. (US State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
US Embassy in Santo Domingo can assist US citizens and their families with consular registration of the death and provide a list of local funeral directors. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. State Department emergency line: +1 (888) 407-4747 (within the US) or +1 (202) 501-4444 (from overseas), 24 hours.
The process
What happens after a death in the Dominican Republic
Contact emergency services (911). Death must be registered with the Oficialía del Estado Civil (Civil Status Office). The Fiscalía (Prosecutor's Office) takes jurisdiction when the death is: unnatural, violent, or suspicious deaths require fiscalía involvement and post-mortem.
Step by step
Timeline: Dominican Republic to the United States
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country (citizens of the United States: +1 (202) 501-4444).
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Acta de defunción (death certificate from Oficialía del Estado Civil) obtained.
Death must be registered with the Oficialía del Estado Civil (Civil Status Office). Fiscalía (Prosecutor's Office) may be involved.
Local funeral director and registry
United States Embassy in Santo Domingo notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 7-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to the United States
Once all documentation complete. United States cargo terminal
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
United States funeral director takes custody. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the Dominican Republic to the United States
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the Dominican Republic to the United States takes 2-3 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 10-14 days. Complex cases can take 4-8 weeks or longer.
The Dominican Republic is a popular resort destination.
The core documents are: Acta de defunción (certified English translation required), Fiscalía clearance letter (for unnatural deaths), Embalming certificate, Export permit, Freedom from infection certificate. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The United States Embassy in Santo Domingo can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo as soon as possible after the death.
Unnatural, violent, or suspicious deaths require Fiscalía involvement and post-mortem. A post-mortem adds time. The body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The US funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. US Customs clearance requires the foreign death certificate, transit or burial permit, and embalming certificate. State regulations govern burial or cremation. The receiving funeral director notifies the medical examiner or coroner as required.
Cremation in the Dominican Republic is available. Bringing the ashes home to the United States is often simpler than full body repatriation. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and export documentation.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in the Dominican Republic, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to the United States.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in the Dominican Republic (gov.uk) · Dominican Republic repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions