DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: CHILD MARRIAGE

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001367

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/IWI (KHADIAGALA),WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: CHILD MARRIAGE

REF: STATE 36341


1. The following is Embassy Santo Domingo's response to
reftel.


A. According to the National Council for Adolescents and
Children (CONANI),the agency charged with the protection of
children, the legal age of marriage in the Dominican Republic
is 18. Adolescents (defined as those between the ages of 13
and 18) can marry with the consent of their parents or legal
guardians. There is no distinction in the law between boys
and girls. In practice, very few children marry before the
age of 15, although no official statistics are available.


B. There are no known cases of underage marriage in the
Dominican Republic. In order to complete the marriage
documents, a minor must present a notarized copy of a
parental consent form to a public offical, which becomes part
of the permanent record. CONANI believes that a small number
of underaged children may live with partners in rural areas
(most likely with the consent of their parents),but they are
prohibited from marrying because they cannot meet the legal
requirements.


C. There are no U.S.-funded initiatives in the Dominican
Republic to address child marriage.
HERTELL