August 8, 2016
Being a crime victim in a foreign country can be a devastating and traumatic experience. The U.S. Embassy is very concerned about violent crimes committed against U.S. citizens. We encourage U.S. citizens to report such crimes to both Dominican police and our office so that we can assist you.
Our American Citizen Services Unit can help you deal with practical consequences of being a crime victim with information on medical care and the legal process in the Dominican Republic. We can contact family and friends, and explain how money can be transferred. Please note that we cannot investigate crimes, provide legal advice or represent you in court, serve as official interpreters, or pay legal, medical or other fees.
You should consider retaining a lawyer, when necessary, and discuss the option of providing written testimony in case you are unable to return to the Dominican Republic at a later date for a trial. If you are the victim of a serious crime, please contact us at 809-567-7775.
Know before you go
The safety and security of U.S. citizens is our number one priority. Through the State Department’s website, travel.state.gov, we have safety tips and information regarding health conditions and other precautions to help improve your experiences overseas. Through travel.state.gov, you can learn about the requirements to enter another country, passport validity dates, security concerns, and the contact information for our other U.S. Embassy and Consulate locations abroad.
More and more countries around the globe are requiring a minimum at least 6 months validity on your passport before you can enter the country, so don’t get stuck at the border by not knowing the passport validity requirements. Travel.state.gov can be a great resource and we would encourage you to check the website before your next trip to make sure that you have a fun and safe vacation.
