Guidance

Dominica: Knowledge Base profile

Published 9 July 2025

About: Dominica

This document contains useful information about Dominica which will assist His Majesty’s Passport Office staff process passport applications.

Contacts

If you have any questions about the document and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you or you think that the document has factual errors then email the Guidance team.

If you notice any formatting errors in this document (broken links, spelling mistakes and so on) or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the document then you can email the Guidance team.

Publication

Below is information on when this version of the document was published:

• version 2.0
• published for Home Office staff on 3 July 2025

Changes from last version of this document

This document has been updated with minor formatting changes.

Dominica: names

This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about names in Dominica.

Names in Dominica usually consist of:

• 2 given names
• father’s surname
• mother’s surname

Change of name

Name changes are allowed in Dominica.

Dominica citizens must provide evidence that their residence outside of Dominica is not permanent to change their name. The registrar may ask the customer to submit evidence through a solicitor.

Dominica: nationality

This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about nationality in Dominica.

Dual nationality is recognised in Dominica.

Dominica: legitimacy

This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about legitimacy in Dominica.

Legitimacy

Dominica recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.

A child is considered:

• legitimate:
  • if their parents are married at the time of the birth
  • if their parents marry after the birth, provided neither parent was married to someone else at the time of the birth
• illegitimate if their parents never marry

Dominica: adoption

This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about adoption in Dominica.

Adoption is legal in Dominica.

Dominica: gender recognition

This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about gender recognition in Dominica.

Transgender citizens are not recognised in Dominica.

Dominica: civil partnerships and marriage

This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about civil partnerships and marriage in Dominica.

Civil partnerships and same sex relationships are illegal in Dominica.

Religious marriages must include the civil element as only civil marriages are recognised.

Dominica: documents

This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about documents in Dominica.

All births, marriages, and deaths in Dominica are registered with the Registry Division of the Ministry of National Security & Legal Affairs, who also issue the certificates.

Birth certificates

Births in Dominica must be registered within 6 weeks of the date of birth. A birth certificate is issued following registration in Dominica.

If an error is identified on a birth certificate, it will be amended.

Hospital notification records exist.

Marriage certificates

When a marriage is legally recognised a certificate is issued.

Death certificates

Deaths must be registered within 5 days, and a certificate will be issued.

Identity documents

A person can apply for a Dominica passport at the embassy or consulate in the country where they are resident.