Sworn translation of documents for arraigo in Spain

What arraigo is

Arraigo is one of the routes to regularise your status in Spain once you have spent some time living here. The logic is straightforward: if you can show genuine ties to the country, you may be granted a residence permit even if you entered without a visa or it has since lapsed. There are several types (social, work-based, family and training), and each sets its own requirements around length of stay, means of support or family links.

We do not file your application, and we are not a substitute for your lawyer or the immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería). For the exact requirements and deadlines, always check with the authorities. What we do take off your plate is the part nobody mentions until the last minute: the sworn translation of the documents that come from your country of origin.

Which documents need a sworn translation

Spanish immigration only accepts foreign documents in another language once they have been translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. In an arraigo file, these are the ones that come up most:

• Criminal record certificate from your country of origin, plus any country where you have lived in recent years. The name changes from place to place: in the United States it is usually the FBI check, in the United Kingdom the ACRO certificate, in France the Bulletin n.º 3 (B3). It almost always has to be apostilled (Hague Convention) or legalised before it is translated.
• Birth certificate, especially for family-based arraigo and whenever minors or ties need to be proven.
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate, if you are relying on it as a tie.
• Degrees, diplomas or academic certificates, for training-based arraigo or to back up your profile.
• Other supporting documents issued outside Spain: foreign residence histories, employment paperwork and the like.

One thing worth flagging. The apostille and the stamps are part of the document, so they get translated too. And if the apostille happens to be in a third language, let us know so that nothing is left out.

How we do it at Textualia

It all happens online, with no trip to an office. You upload clear scans or photos of your documents, you get an instant quote, and the moment you confirm it a sworn translator authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) gets to work.

We deliver it as an electronically signed PDF, which the immigration office accepts with full validity in Spain. Does your province or your particular procedure still want a paper copy? It happens in some offices and registries. If so, we also produce it on official State-stamped paper, with the translator's signature and seal, and post it to you.

A quick word on validity: a MAEC sworn translation is valid in Spain. If you ever need to submit a document to authorities in another country, that follows their own rules, and it is worth confirming locally.

Why Textualia

Because arraigo is paperwork enough on its own without the translation becoming another battle. We work with sworn translators recognised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we know the kind of documents the immigration office asks for, and we make sure every stamp, marginal note and apostille is faithfully reflected. That is precisely where rushed translations come undone.

The pricing is transparent: it is worked out by word count, with a minimum per order, so you know what you will pay from the start. If your file is time-sensitive, we have rush options. And if you are unsure which documents to translate, message us before paying; we would rather you translate exactly what you need and nothing more.

Gather the documents from your country of origin, check that they are apostilled where required, and request your sworn translation for arraigo. We will handle the rest.