Dominican Republic JCE expands weekend ID renewal, drops birth‑month limits

The Junta Central Electoral (JCE) of the Dominican Republic approved a measure allowing citizens to renew their national identity and electoral card (cédula) on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays without any restriction based on the month of birth. The new schedule applies to all cedulation centers nationwide while maintaining each center’s regular operating hours during weekdays.

The decision also removes the month‑of‑birth restriction for all citizens aged 70 and over, permitting them to be served immediately at any center. In parallel, the JCE added 38 new cedulation sites in municipalities such as Bayaguana, Cabrera, Constanza, Jarabacoa, Miches, Nizao, Sosúa, Tamboril, Villa Altagracia and Yamasá, among others. A list of centers that retain the previous flow‑based schedule (e.g., Azua, Santo Domingo, Santiago, etc.) was also released. The reforms aim to accelerate the renewal process, reduce congestion at existing offices, and improve access to the essential ID document for the population.