Dominica citizenship: police certificates, country coverage and validity

Police certificates for a Dominica citizenship application should be planned for each applicant individually. The Citizenship by Investment Unit requires applicants aged 16 and over to provide records from their country of birth, citizenship and residence, where different, and any country in which they lived for more than six months during the preceding 10 years.[1]

The official 2025 processing guide gives police records a three-month validity period.[2] Preparation therefore involves both establishing country coverage and coordinating issue dates with translation, certification and submission.

Build the country list from each person’s history

Family members may need different records. Overseas employment, study, birthplace and nationality can each affect the list. A main applicant’s certificate does not replace the records required for a dependant aged 16 or over.

A useful starting point is a residence chronology showing countries and dates, checked against birthplace, citizenship and current residence. The published checklist does not fully explain how repeated short stays are aggregated; an Authorised Agent should clarify cases where that affects coverage.

The website expressly includes the country of birth, while the shorter table in the 2025 guide does not repeat it.[1][2] That omission alone does not establish that the requirement has been withdrawn.

Coordinate the three-month window with submission

A certificate obtained early may need updating if other documents take longer to prepare. Check the expected submission date and the acceptability of each record with the Authorised Agent.[2]

Allow time for the required English translation and certification or legalisation. The official guidance also addresses authentication or apostilles for government-issued documents.[1][2] Checking the issuing authority’s lead time before applying can help avoid repeated work.

Age determines the form of evidence

Children aged 12–15 require a parental affidavit confirming that they have no criminal record. Applicants aged 16 and over fall under the police-record requirement.[1]

If a child is approaching 16, confirm the relevant age-assessment point before arranging documents. The reviewed checklist does not explain how a birthday during preparation is treated.

Applications are submitted through Authorised Agents.[3] Where a required certificate cannot be issued, retain the explanation and seek instructions through the agent. A separate record of country coverage, issue dates and certification status for each person keeps the file manageable.

Official sources

1. Dominica CBIU: required documents
2. Dominica CBIU: 2025 processing guide, pages 6–7
3. Dominica CBIU: how to apply

General policy information; individual circumstances and the competent authority’s requirements govern each application.