Criminal Record Certificate Translation

Certified Translation of Criminal Record Certificates

Updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by specialist

Certified translation of FBI checks, state police certificates, and foreign criminal records for Spain, USCIS, and international immigration. Sworn translators for Spain. Fast turnaround, officially accepted.

  • Sworn (jurado) translators for Spain
  • Accepted by USCIS and Spanish consulates
  • FBI + apostille + translation packages
  • 1–2 business day turnaround
Laura Chen
Reviewed byLaura ChenLegal Document Expert

What criminal record translation do you need?

Step 1 of 4

Where was your criminal record certificate issued?

Why criminal record certificates need certified translation

Criminal record certificates (background checks) are among the most frequently required — and most frequently rejected — documents in immigration applications. The most common rejection reasons:

  • Wrong translator type — Spain specifically requires sworn (jurado) translators. Using a regular certified translator causes rejection.
  • Translation before apostille — The translation must cover the complete apostilled document, not just the base certificate. Translating before the apostille is attached means the apostille text is not covered.
  • Name discrepancies — The name in the translation must exactly match the name on the certificate and on your passport. Accent marks, middle names, and order matter.
  • Expired certificate — The certificate itself must be within the validity window (typically 3–6 months). The translation does not renew an expired certificate.

We prevent all of these errors through our pre-submission review process.

Who needs this service?

🇪🇸 Spain visa and residency applicants

Spain requires a sworn (jurado) translation of your criminal record certificate for all long-term visa and residency applications. This includes the FBI check (for US residents), home country certificates, and any other country where you have lived for the past 5 years.

🛂 US immigration applicants

USCIS requires certified translations of foreign criminal record certificates. If you are applying for a US green card, adjustment of status, or naturalization, any foreign police certificate must come with a certified English translation.

📋 2026 regularización extraordinaria applicants

Spain's 2026 extraordinary regularization requires criminal record certificates from every country where you have lived for the last 5 years — each apostilled and sworn-translated. We handle the full chain for multiple countries simultaneously.

Required documents

DocumentIssuing authorityEstimated timeNotes
Original criminal record certificate Issuing authority (FBI, state, foreign ministry) Before translation Must be the original or apostilled copy. We translate the full document including any apostille attached.
Apostille (if required by destination country) Issuing country apostille authority Before translation (or simultaneously) Spain, EU, and most immigration authorities require the apostille before or at the same time as the certified translation.
Certified / sworn translation Qualified translator (sworn for Spain) 1–2 business days For Spain: must be sworn (jurado) translator. For USCIS and other authorities: certified translation is sufficient.
Copy of valid ID or passport Applicant Current Names must match across all documents. Any discrepancy can cause rejection.

How the process works

1

Upload a clear scan of your criminal record certificate. We review the issuing authority, confirm whether an apostille is also needed, and provide a quote and timeline.

2

If your certificate still needs an apostille, we handle that first — or in parallel — so you receive both the apostilled original and the certified translation together.

3

Your certificate is translated by a specialist in legal and immigration documents. For Spain, only sworn (jurado) translators are used. For US immigration, we use ATA-compliant certified translators.

4

Receive your certified translation by email and, if needed, by tracked courier. We also advise on submission requirements for your specific authority — consulate, USCIS, or immigration office.

Real client cases

DM
Democratic Memory Law – Name Typo

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

An applicant for Spanish citizenship under the Democratic Memory Law had their mother's 40-year-old US Naturalization Certificate rejected because of a minor spelling error in her first name.

We solved it…

The applicant had to petition USCIS for a formal name correction, which carried a 6-month processing delay, requiring them to request an extension from the Spanish consulate.

Result

Name corrected. Spanish citizenship application resumed.

DM
Deferred Master's – Expired FBI Check

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

A student deferred their Spanish master's program for a year and tried to reuse their previously apostilled FBI background check for the new visa application.

We solved it…

The consulate rejected it because the underlying criminal record check is only valid for 5 to 6 months from its original date of issuance.

Result

New FBI check obtained. Student visa approved for following year.

FF
FBI Fingerprint Card – Translation Required

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

An applicant submitted an apostilled and translated FBI background check to the Spanish consulate, but it was rejected for missing a translation of the physical fingerprint card itself.

We solved it…

The applicant had to hire a sworn translator to translate the English text on the standard FBI FD-258 fingerprint card to get the visa approved.

Result

Visa approved after adding translation of fingerprint card.

View all cases →

Official sources & authorities

Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.

FBI CJIS Division — Identity History Summary Official source for US federal criminal background checks. View source →
USCIS — Translation Requirements USCIS requires certified translations of all foreign criminal record certificates submitted with immigration applications. View source →
Spain Ministry of Justice — Criminal Record Official source for Spanish criminal record certificates (certificado de antecedentes penales). View source →

Related guides

Guide
FBI background check for Spain: the complete 2026 guideLaura Chen · 2026
→

Related services

🔍FBI background check for Spain (full service)FBI check + apostille + sworn translation for Spain visas🇪🇸Sworn translation for SpainMinistry-accredited sworn (jurado) translations for Spain✈️Translation for visa applicationsAll translations for visa and residency applications📋All criminal record servicesBackground check certificates from every country

Criminal record translation by country of origin

United States (FBI) Mexico Colombia Argentina Venezuela Peru Ecuador Dominican Republic
Laura Chen

Reviewed by

Laura Chen

Legal Document Expert

Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.

View full profile →

Frequently asked questions

Does my FBI certificate need to be apostilled before translation?

For Spain and most other countries, yes — the FBI certificate must first receive a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State, then be sworn-translated. The translation covers the entire document including the apostille text. We can handle both in sequence.

Can I translate a state-level criminal record certificate for Spain?

State-level certificates (from a state criminal justice authority) can be apostilled by the relevant state Secretary of State, then sworn-translated for Spain. However, for Spain visa purposes, Spain typically requires the FBI federal check — not state-level checks — because it covers your entire US residence history.

What if I have criminal record certificates from multiple countries?

We handle multi-country packages. If you need certificates from 3 or more countries apostilled and translated, we coordinate the entire process — staggering timelines so you receive everything together. This is common for the 2026 regularización extraordinaria.

How long is the translation valid?

The translation itself has no expiry. However, the underlying criminal record certificate has a validity period — typically 3–6 months for Spain and other immigration purposes. We recommend timing your translation to your application date.

Will the translation be accepted by Spanish consulates outside Spain?

Yes. Our sworn translations are performed by Ministry-accredited translators and are accepted by Spanish consulates worldwide — in the US, Latin America, Europe, and elsewhere.

What does criminal record certificate translation cost?

Sworn translation of a standard criminal record certificate (1–2 pages) starts at $79. FBI certificates with apostille text run slightly longer and start at $89. Rush delivery (+$25) is available. Contact us for a quote on multi-document packages.

Laura Chen
Laura Chen Legal Document Expert
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