Apostille & Translation Package for Spain Residency Visas
Everything your Spanish consulate needs: apostilled criminal records (FBI, ACRO, RCMP), apostilled birth certificates, and certified Spanish translations by MAEUEC-accredited sworn translators. Non-lucrative, digital nomad, work permit, and golden visa.
- FBI federal apostille handled
- MAEUEC-accredited sworn translations
- All Spain visa types covered
- Consulate-ready package delivered
What Spain visa or residency are you applying for?
Step 1 of 4
What type of Spain residency or visa are you applying for?
Spain residency visas: what documents you need apostilled
Spain requires apostilled documents for every long-stay visa and residency permit. The key rule: documents must be apostilled by the correct authority in the country that issued them — not by a Spanish authority.
Required documents
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal record certificate — apostilled | FBI (USA), RCMP (Canada), or national police authority | Within 3–6 months (Spain requirement) | Spain requires an apostilled criminal record certificate from every country where you have lived for 5+ years. FBI records need a federal apostille from the US State Dept. — not a state Secretary of State. |
| Birth certificate — apostilled | Vital records authority of issuing country | Valid — no expiry on apostille | Required for most long-stay visa categories. Must be apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country — a US birth certificate gets a state apostille from the Secretary of State of the state where it was issued. |
| Proof of financial means | Bank or financial institution | Last 3–6 months | Bank statements showing sufficient funds. For non-lucrative visa: typically €25,000–€30,000 per year per applicant. If statements are in English, a certified Spanish translation is required. |
| Certified Spanish translation (for English-language documents) | Sworn translator accredited by Spain MAEUEC | 1–2 business days per document | English-language documents — FBI checks, bank statements, employment contracts — require certified Spanish translation by a sworn translator on the MAEUEC registry. The translation must include the apostille text. |
How the process works
Spain requires apostilled documents for all long-stay visa and residency applications. We review your specific visa type (non-lucrative, digital nomad, work permit, golden visa) and identify exactly which documents require apostille and which need certified Spanish translation.
Each document is apostilled by the correct authority in its country of origin. FBI background checks go to the US State Dept. (federal apostille). Birth certificates go to the Secretary of State of the issuing state. UK documents go to the FCDO. We manage submissions in all major countries.
English-language documents (FBI check, bank statements, employment contracts, insurance policies) require certified Spanish translation by sworn translators on the MAEUEC registry. The translation covers the full document including the apostille text.
We deliver the complete package: apostilled originals + certified translations. We include a checklist structured to match the Spanish consulate requirements for your specific visa type and the consulate you are using.
Official sources & authorities
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
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Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
Frequently asked questions
What documents does Spain require for a non-lucrative residence visa?
The non-lucrative visa requires: criminal record certificate from every country you have lived in for 5+ years (apostilled), birth certificate (apostilled), proof of financial means, private health insurance, and completed application forms. All documents in English require certified Spanish translation by a sworn translator on the MAEUEC registry.
Does my FBI background check need a federal or state apostille for Spain?
Federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications — not a state Secretary of State. FBI records are federal documents and only the U.S. State Dept. has authority to apostille them. State offices cannot apostille federal documents. This is the most common (and costly) mistake applicants make.
Do my US bank statements need certified Spanish translation for a Spain visa?
Yes. Bank statements, employment contracts, insurance policies, and any other documents in English submitted to Spanish consulates require certified Spanish translation by a sworn translator on the MAEUEC registry. Standard certified translations by US-based certified translators are not accepted by Spanish authorities.
How far in advance should I start the apostille process for a Spain visa?
At least 6–8 weeks before your consulate appointment. Federal apostille for the FBI check takes 4–8 weeks standard (or 5–7 days expedited). Add time for obtaining the FBI check itself (3–5 weeks via mail or 1–2 days via channeler). Start early — consulate appointments for popular categories fill up fast.
Can I use the same apostilled FBI check for multiple Spain visa applications?
No — Spain has a validity requirement, typically 3–6 months from the date of the certificate (not the apostille). If your FBI check is older than that, you need a new one. The apostille itself does not expire, but the underlying document does.
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