Apostille and sworn translation of UK documents for Spain

Have a document issued in the United Kingdom that you need for something in Spain? Getting married, applying for residency, recognising a degree, settling an inheritance, starting a company: in almost every case the authorities will ask for two things. That the document is apostilled, and that it comes with a sworn translation into Spanish. We handle the second part, the one that tends to cause the headaches, and we point you the right way on the first.

What you need: apostille first, sworn translation next

The apostille is an international stamp (1961 Hague Convention) confirming that the signature or seal on your document is genuine. In the UK it is issued by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), through its Legalisation Office. That step belongs to the British authority, not to us: we do not apostille, we translate.

With the document apostilled, you reach the step that decides whether it works in Spain: the sworn translation into Spanish, signed and stamped by a translator officially authorised by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). It is the only one Spanish authorities recognise as official. One detail worth knowing: the apostille gets translated too. The document and its apostille travel together, as a single set.

And an honest word about validity. Our MAEC sworn translation is valid in Spain. We do not claim it works before authorities in other countries, because those follow their own rules.

Which UK documents we translate

These are the British ones that cross our desk almost every day:

• Birth, marriage and death certificates (GRO-issued formats included).
• The ACRO Police Certificate, the UK criminal record certificate issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office. It is commonly asked for residency, nationality or certain jobs.
• University degrees, diplomas and academic transcripts, for recognition or professional registration.
• Powers of attorney, deeds and company documents.
• Divorce documents (Decree Absolute / Final Order) and court paperwork.

Your document not on the list? Just ask. We will review it with no obligation.

How we do it: online, no trips needed

The whole process is built to be sorted from home, whether you are in London, Madrid or anywhere else:

1. You send us the apostilled document, scanned in good quality, apostille included. A clear PDF or photo does the job.
2. We confirm a fixed price and turnaround before we start. No surprises later.
3. Our sworn translator produces the translation and certifies it with their signature and stamp.
4. We deliver your sworn translation as a digitally signed PDF, accepted for most procedures. If the authority insists on paper, we also issue it on official State-stamped paper and post it to you.

Digital delivery by default, a physical copy whenever you need one. Your call.

Why Textualia

Translating a UK document for Spain is not just swapping words between languages. It means knowing what each system calls things, what a Spanish official expects to see, and how to present the apostille and the document so they are not handed back to you at the counter.

• Sworn translators authorised by the MAEC, specialised in English into Spanish.
• A clear price from the start and realistic deadlines, with 24- and 12-hour rush options.
• Everything online, with close, friendly support in your language.
• Unsure whether you even need the apostille? We will guide you before you pay a thing.

Send us your apostilled UK document and get your sworn translation into Spanish, ready to file in Spain. Request your quote now.