Sworn translation for Spanish immigration: which documents you need

Whenever you open a file at the Spanish immigration office (extranjería), virtually any document that comes from abroad and is not in Spanish must be filed together with a sworn translation. Here is a summary of what is required for the most common procedures, so you do not lose time.

The general rule

The Spanish administration applies a simple principle: every foreign document submitted to a file must be in Spanish. If it is not, you need:

1. The Hague Apostille or diplomatic legalisation of the original document (depending on the country of origin).
2. A sworn translation into Spanish of the document and of the apostille, signed by a translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC).

A "certified translation" produced by a generic agency or by a non-sworn translator is not valid before extranjería.

Documents by procedure

Here are the documents that come up most often.

Residence (initial, non-lucrative, by arraigo, by studies):

• Passport (when translation of specific pages is required).
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin.
• Marriage or birth certificate if family documentation is filed.
• Proof of economic means from the country of origin (bank statements, pension certificates, etc.).

Family reunification:

• Marriage certificate or registered partnership.
• Birth certificates of the children.
• Divorce or custody ruling (if applicable).
• Death certificate of a previous spouse (where applicable).

Spanish citizenship by residence:

• Long-form birth certificate.
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin.
• Any further civil-status documents added to the file.

NIE for non-EU foreigners (when supporting documentation is attached):

• Documents justifying the reason for the NIE in Spanish, either via sworn translation or via original documentation already issued in Spanish.

Mistakes that slow down a file

The immigration office frequently rejects files because of mistakes that are easy to avoid:

• Apostille after translation. The apostille is placed on the original document, not on the translation. If you translate first, you will have to translate the apostille afterwards.
• Translating the document but not the apostille. The apostille is part of the official document and must be translated too.
• Using non-sworn translations. A generic agency translation or "certified translation" does not work.
• Expired documents. Many certificates (criminal record, for instance) are valid for 3-6 months. A sworn translation of an expired document does not revive the document.

Timelines and tips

To avoid surprises we recommend:

• Plan with margin: from issuing the document in the country of origin, getting it apostilled and translating it usually takes 1-2 months before the file is ready in Spain.
• Make a clear list of the documents required for your specific procedure before you start.
• Ask for the translation as a signed PDF. It is accepted by the vast majority of offices and saves you waiting for couriered paper.

At Textualia we prepare sworn translations from English and French into Spanish ready to be filed before the immigration office, civil registry, town hall or sub-delegation of the Spanish Government.