US embassy cable - 05SANTODOMINGO1367

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Identifier:	05SANTODOMINGO1367
Wikileaks:	View 05SANTODOMINGO1367 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Santo Domingo
Created:	2005-03-09 20:07:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	PHUM DR
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

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