Sworn translation for Americans in Spain

What you need: the apostille and the sworn translation

Almost everything an American does in Spain runs through the same checkpoint, whether it's the digital nomad visa, the non-lucrative one, getting married or having a degree recognised: the Spanish administration wants your documents in Spanish, with guarantees. Those are two separate steps, and it pays not to mix them up.

First, the Hague apostille. The United States issues it, not Spain, and it certifies that your document is genuine. The deciding factor is who issued it. Federal documents —the FBI background check, USCIS papers, IRS transcripts— are apostilled at the U.S. Department of State in Washington. Birth and marriage certificates, degrees and anything notarised are apostilled at the Secretary of State of the issuing state. This is where the costly mistake happens: send an FBI summary to the wrong state office and you lose weeks. We don't apostille anything —that's on you or your handler in the US— but we'll tell you plainly which level each document needs.

Second, the sworn translation into Spanish. Apostille or not, your document reaches Spain in English, and the administration won't take it that way. It needs a translation signed by a translator accredited by Spain's MAEC, officially valid in Spain. A US "certified translation" or "notarized translation" simply doesn't count here. That part is ours.

An honest note: this page isn't a legal guide to the procedure. For official requirements and deadlines, check the relevant consulate, the UGE or the immigration office. What we handle is the translation.

Which documents we usually translate

It depends on the procedure, but the same documents keep turning up in American files:

• FBI background check (FBI Identity History Summary), apostilled at the federal Department of State. It's the key document for the digital nomad and non-lucrative visas.
• Birth certificate, issued by the state's Vital Records and apostilled by the Secretary of State.
• Marriage certificate, for getting married in Spain, registering a marriage or applying for family reunification.
• University degree and transcripts, to have studies recognised or to evidence your professional qualifications.
• Medical certificate, health insurance policy and proof of financial means; depending on the case, documents from your company or clients too.

In each one we also translate the apostille, the stamps and any footnotes. They go in the same document as the original, because the administration reads them as a single set.

How we do it at Textualia

Everything is online, with no office visits. Upload a scan or a sharp photo of your document —apostille already attached— pick the English→Spanish pair and see the price straight away. A translator accredited by the MAEC does the work, then stamps, signs and certifies that the translation is faithful to the original.

By default you get a digitally signed PDF, ideal for online submissions and easy to attach to your file from wherever you are, even while you're still in the US. Asked for a physical copy? We issue it on official Spanish stamped paper and post it to you. You choose: one, the other, or both.

We look after terminology and layout. Names, dates, stamps and the apostille are reproduced precisely, because a single mistranscribed detail on an FBI summary or a birth certificate can hold up the whole file. And we're fast: if you have a consular appointment or a tight deadline, we offer 24h or 12h rush options.

Why Textualia

Because we work with US paperwork every day and recognise an FBI summary, a California birth certificate or a university transcript at a glance. We know how each Spanish authority wants to see them, and where files tend to get sent back.

The sworn translation we sign is valid in Spain, which is where you file your application. We won't promise validity before authorities in other countries, and we don't decide whether your visa goes through —that's down to the consulate or your adviser. What we do guarantee is that the piece that depends on us arrives flawless, on time and in the right format. Pricing is by word count, VAT included, and you know it before you order anything.

Gather your documents, check they carry the right level of apostille, and order your sworn translation into Spanish. We'll send your file back ready to submit.