Get your CFAP or Carta de No Antecedentes Penales apostilled by SEGOB and certified-translated for Spain visas, residency, and the 2026 regularización. 100% remote — free consultation.
⏰ Act now — deadline approaching
This criminal record document is required. Mexico applicants need approximately 1–2 weeks for the full process. Start today to avoid missing the deadline.
Step 1 of 4
Which Mexican criminal record certificate does Spain require for your case?
Spain is a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, and Mexico joined the Convention in 1995. This means your Mexican criminal record certificate does not need consular legalization — only an apostille issued by the competent Mexican authority.
For visa and residency applications — non-lucrative, digital nomad, golden visa, work permit, family reunification, or the 2026 extraordinary regularization — Spanish authorities require:
We coordinate all three steps in a single service — no need to navigate SEGOB, TAD, or translator logistics alone.
Applying for a non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa, or golden visa in Spain? Spanish consulates require a Mexican criminal record certificate with apostille from SEGOB and a certified translation. We handle the full chain remotely.
Spain's 2026 extraordinary regularization requires a criminal record certificate with apostille from every country you have resided in for the last 5 years. Mexican nationals must present the CFAP apostilled by SEGOB.
Whether joining family in Spain or starting a new job, Spanish immigration law requires a clean criminal record from Mexico — apostilled and translated into certified Spanish. We coordinate every step remotely from anywhere in Mexico.
The clock starts on the issuance date — not the apostille date, not the translation date.
⚡ Pro tip: Submit to Extranjería as soon as the full document package is ready — do not wait until near day 90.
⚠️ Warning: Many applicants lose months of work because the certificate expires while waiting for apostille or translation. Start early.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constancia de Antecedentes Penales (CFAP) — federal | Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC) | 1–3 business days (online) | Available online at cnpj.sspc.gob.mx. Federal record covers crimes investigated at the federal level. Most Spain visas require this federal certificate. |
| Carta de No Antecedentes Penales — state level (if required) | State-level Secretaría de Seguridad Pública or Fiscalía | 1–5 business days | Some Spanish consulates also require state-level certificates for each Mexican state you have lived in. We confirm requirements for your specific case. |
| Apostille of the certificate | Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB) — federal documents; or state-level Secretaría General de Gobierno | 3–7 business days (standard) / 1–2 days (expedited) | Mexico is a Hague Convention member. Federal documents are apostilled by SEGOB via the TAD platform. State documents require state apostille authorities. |
| Certified Spanish translation | Sworn / certified translator | 1–2 business days after apostille | Although the certificate is in Spanish, Spain requires a certified translation by a translator authorized in Spain (perito traductor). A Mexican translation does not satisfy this requirement. |
| Copy of valid Mexican passport (or INE + passport) | Applicant | Current | Must match the exact name used when requesting the criminal record certificate. |
Request online at cnpj.sspc.gob.mx — provides your federal criminal record.
Submit the CFAP to Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB) via the TAD digital platform. Not SRE — common mistake.
Although the certificate is in Spanish, Spain requires a sworn MAEC-recognized translator.
The 90-day clock starts from the CFAP issuance date in Step 1.
⚠️ Remember: the 90-day clock starts from Step 1 issuance date — not when you submit to Spain.
Tell us your Spain visa or residency type and which Mexican state(s) you have lived in. We confirm whether you need the federal CFAP, state-level records, or both — and quote an exact timeline and price.
We assist you in requesting the Constancia de Antecedentes Penales via the SSPC online portal (CFAP) or coordinate with state-level offices. Digital certificates are available almost immediately; physical originals can be ordered if Spain requires them.
We submit the certificate to the Secretaría de Gobernación (for federal records) or the corresponding state apostille authority. Mexico uses the TAD digital platform for many apostilles — we handle submission and tracking.
The apostilled certificate is translated by a certified translator recognized by Spanish authorities, then delivered to you by express international courier — ready to submit to your Spanish consulate or immigration office.
We review your documents before submission to catch every one of these errors before they cause a rejection.
Mexican citizen applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa to retire in Spain.
Lived in Mexico and the US for 8 months — needs criminal records from both countries.
Two Mexican adults applying for family reunification in Spain.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
Yes. Spanish consulates and immigration offices accept the Constancia de Antecedentes Penales (CFAP) issued by Mexico's SSPC, provided it carries an apostille issued by the Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB) and a certified Spanish translation from a translator recognized in Spain.
It depends on the consulate and visa type. Some Spanish consulates require both the federal CFAP and state-level certificates from each Mexican state you have lived in. We review your specific requirement at no charge before you start the process.
Federal criminal records (CFAP from SSPC) are apostilled by the Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB) via the TAD digital platform. State-level criminal records require apostille by the state authority — typically the Secretaría General de Gobierno of that state. We handle both.
Yes. Even though the Mexican certificate is in Spanish, Spain requires a certified translation by a sworn translator (perito traductor) recognized by Spanish courts or consulates. A Mexican translator's version is not accepted — the translator must meet Spanish certification standards.
Standard timeline is 5–12 business days: obtaining the CFAP online (1–3 days) + SEGOB apostille (3–7 days) + certified translation (1–2 days). With expedited apostille processing the total can be reduced to 4–6 business days.
Yes. The federal CFAP is available online via the SSPC portal. SEGOB apostilles are processed digitally via TAD for many documents. Our service is 100% remote — you don't need to visit any government office in person unless specifically required for your state.
Most Spanish consulates require the certificate to have been issued within the last 3–6 months of your application date. We recommend requesting it as close to your application submission as possible to avoid expiry.
The federal CFAP covers federal-level crimes across all of Mexico. However, if the Spanish consulate requires state-level records, you may need one certificate per state you have lived in. We map out exactly which records are needed for your specific case.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.