Ask the Consul – Step Registration: How can I be sure to receive important information from the embassy regarding the Dominican Republic?

An image of a visa.

Protecting the lives and interests of U.S. citizens abroad is a core mission of U.S. embassies. If you are a U.S. citizen living in or visiting the Dominican Republic, we strongly encourage you to enroll with the embassy’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program which is commonly referred to as “STEP.” By enrolling in the STEP program, you will receive important updates about the safety and security conditions in the Dominican Republic. You’ll also receive alerts from the embassy in the event of a crisis situation. Your enrollment in the STEP program also helps the embassy staff contact you or your family in the event of an emergency, whether a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency. Your enrollment will also allow us to send reminders about other important issues such as voting and tax deadlines.

Enrollment in the STEP program is free and easy. Registration is done online at the website: https://step.state.gov/step/ . Once you have accessed that website, you simply enter your name and contact information, emergency contact information, and the dates during which you intend to be in the Dominican Republic. Information you provide the U.S. Department of State is protected by the provisions of the Privacy Act. This means that the Department of State will not disclose your info or email to anyone unless you have given us written authorization to do so, or unless the disclosure is otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act. We will not share your email or personal information and will only contact you as part of this STEP enrollment. However, your information will allow us to better assist you in case of a personal or family emergency or during a natural disaster. And, once you have created an account in the STEP program, you can simply update the information so that it is valid for future trips to the Dominican Republic or other countries around the world.

So, stay informed and stay connected during your time in the Dominican Republic.