Spain
Europe
Spain has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 1978 (in force 25 September 1978). Spanish documents are apostilled in Spain by the designated authority for the document class (RD 1497/2011): judicial documents by the TSJ Government Secretariats — with the specific designated secretariats for Supreme Court and National Court documents; administrative and civil-registry documents by the competent Ministry of Justice offices; and notarial documents by the Notarial Colleges. This applies only to documents issued IN Spain. Foreign documents presented TO Spain must be apostilled by the competent authority of the country that issued them (Hague Convention, art. 3) — Spain cannot apostille a document issued by another contracting state. Official information on the single legalisation and apostille route: https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/es/ciudadania/tramites/legalizacion-unica-apostilla.
Why people process documents for Spain
Documents issued abroad (criminal records, birth certificates, civil status documents) are apostilled in the country that issued them, then used in Spain; the receiving office defines translation and validity requirements.
Spanish universities and, for degree homologación, the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades require apostilled foreign degrees plus a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by an officially appointed translator.
The Spanish consulate requires apostilled family documents (birth certificates, marriage records) as part of family reunification visa applications.
Most commonly processed documents
These are the document types most often processed for use in Spain — documents issued abroad that need an apostille or legalization. Documents issued in Spain are apostilled in Spain itself, by the authorities described above. Each guide link goes to a full guide; document types without a guide yet are listed for reference.
Official certificate proving a person has no (or has) criminal convictions. Required for immigration, employment, and residency applications.
Official civil registry document recording a person's birth. Foundational for immigration, citizenship, and family applications.
Academic credential awarded by a university upon completion of a degree program. Required for employment abroad, degree homologation, and graduate admissions.
Civil registry document recording a legal marriage. Required for spouse visas, family reunification, name changes, and inheritance.
Notarized document granting someone legal authority to act on another person's behalf. It may require an apostille when the receiving authority asks for authentication — and only then.
Civil registry document recording a person's death. Required for inheritance, pension claims, insurance, and estate proceedings abroad.
Requirements at a glance
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting an unofficial translation instead of an officially recognised one — for Spain, a translation by an MAEUEC-appointed sworn translator is a recognized route; other official translations may qualify under Spanish law or applicable EU rules, depending on the procedure. Confirm the receiving office's requirements (RD 724/2020, art. 17).
- Not apostilling the translation itself when the foreign authority requires it.
- Using an older document (often more than 90 days) for immigration purposes without checking your procedure's limit.
Example scenarios involving Spain
Illustrative examples based on common situations; names and details are changed. Typical situations where the country appears as the document's issuing country or as the destination. See all cases →
The problem: An applicant submitted a valid US marriage certificate for a Spanish visa, but the consulate rejected it because it was older than the age limit on its checklist (90 days).
Result: In this example, the documentation was accepted after submitting a fresh apostilled certificate.
The problem: A visa applicant's FBI fingerprint cards were repeatedly rejected as unreadable due to severe eczema deteriorating their finger ridges.
Result: In this example, the FBI check was obtained after multiple submissions and the documentation was accepted.
The problem: A Pareja de Hecho residency submission in Spain was rejected because the apostille stamp on a UK criminal record was not translated into Spanish.
Result: In this example, the documentation was accepted after adding a sworn translation of the apostille.
Relevant services
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a sworn translation for documents used in Spain?
Only if the document is not in Spanish and the receiving office requires a translation. For Spain, a translation by a sworn translator appointed by Spain's MAEUEC is a recognized route; other official translations may qualify under Spanish law or applicable EU rules, depending on the procedure (RD 724/2020, art. 17). Confirm the receiving office's requirements.
How do I get a Spanish criminal record apostilled?
Spanish criminal records (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) are issued by the Ministry of Justice. We request the certificate and arrange the apostille as a complete package.
Can I apostille a Spanish notarial document?
Yes. Notarial documents in Spain are apostilled by the notarial college (Colegio Notarial) of the province where the notary is registered.
Reviewed by
Sofía RodríguezApostille Specialist
Expert in educational document certification and background checks for Latin America and Spain.
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