Dominica · Policy & practice
Dominica citizenship after approval: signing the oath and receiving the naturalisation certificate
Adults sign their own oath; parents sign for applicants under 18. Completing the investment, executing the oath, receiving a certificate and applying for a passport are distinct stages.
Applicants aged 18+ sign personally; both parents sign for those aged 17 or younger, with the prescribed witness. Investment and oath formalities precede the certificate and passport application. Spacing does not represent processing time.
Approval in principle under Dominica’s investment citizenship programme leaves payment and oath formalities to complete. The CBIU’s 2025 processing guide requires applicants aged 18 or above to sign their own Oath of Allegiance before a notary or attorney. For applicants aged 17 or younger, both parents sign on the child’s behalf, with the required witness.[1]
The age distinction concerns the signature. One oath signed by the principal applicant should not be treated as completing the paperwork for an entire family.
Completing the investment and oath
For an Economic Diversification Fund application, the approval-in-principle letter instructs the applicant to make the contribution. The application webpage links proof of payment to the naturalisation certificate; the processing guide specifies the duly completed oath as part of the final formalities.[1][2]
The approval letter, payment evidence and Certificate of Naturalisation therefore serve different purposes. The authorised agent should establish that the required money and documents have been received before the family plans the next stage.
Signing the oath for a child
The oath guidance expressly calls for both parents’ signatures. It does not set out a universal substitute for sole custody, a court order or an unavailable parent. Such cases need confirmation of the accepted evidence and signing arrangement from the competent authority through the agent.
An application interview and an oath also have different functions. Completing an interview does not discharge the oath’s signature and witnessing requirements.
From citizenship certificate to passport
The naturalisation certificate evidences citizenship and supports a subsequent passport application. Receiving the certificate and receiving the travel document are separate events.[2]
The CBIU’s process explanation dated 3 September 2026 cautions that document completeness, further verification and due diligence affect timing. General estimates are not guarantees. Travel should be planned around the passport’s actual issue and delivery, rather than a fixed interval inferred from approval in principle.[3]
Official sources
This article provides general information, not individual legal, tax or investment advice. Applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment govern each case.