Spanish Nationality Applicants: Required Documentation

Applicants of legal age applying for Spanish nationality must submit the following required documentation:

1. Standard application form (if you are submitting the application online then you can fill out a digital form on the website)
2. TIE or foreigner identification card (EU citizen foreign residency card or residence certificate from the central foreign registry)
3. Complete copy of valid passport
4. Birth certificate from country of origin- it must be translated and apostilled (must adhere to all international agreements)
5. Criminal background check from country of origin- it must be translated and legalized and it must adhere to all international agreements. You may also submit a certificate of good conduct issued by the competent authorities at the consulate in your country of origin.
6. Marriage certificate- if the applicant is married
7. Proof of bank fee payment
8. Criminal background check from central registry of convicts
9. City registration/census certificate (empadronamiento)- the State will confirm the applicant’s current address
10. Degrees from the Cervantes Institutes- you must submit both the degree from the CCSE exam (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge) and the Spanish language exam (DELE). The DELE language exam will not be necessary in cases where applicants originate from Spanish speaking countries.

Applicants under the age of 14 or under the care of a legal representative applying for Spanish nationality must submit the following documentation:

1. Standard application form- signed by the legal representative (if you are submitting the application online then you can fill out a digital form on the website)
2. Birth certificate from country of origin- it must be translated and apostilled (must adhere to all international agreements)
3. Complete copy of valid passport or identification documentation in the event that the applicant is a citizen within the Schengen area.
4. Proof of bank fee payment
5. Authorization from the Civil Registry office verifying where the applicant lives
6. Legal representative’s identification documentation
7. Certificate from training center, residence, shelter, or special education center accrediting sufficient level of integration (obligatory for all school-aged children).
8. Foreigner identification card, EU citizen foreign residency card or residence certificate from the Central Foreign Registry.
9. City registration/census certificate (empadronamiento)- the State will confirm the applicant’s current address

Non-emancipated children above the age of 14 but under the age of 18 who are under the care of a legal representative and are applying for Spanish nationality must submit the following documentation:

1. Standard application form- The application form must be signed by the applicant as well as all legal representatives. If you are submitting the application online, you will be asked for an electronic signature of at least one of the two but you will need to attach a scanned copy of the printed application signed by both parties.
2. Birth certificate from country of origin- it must be translated and apostilled (must adhere to all international agreements)
3. Complete copy of valid passport or identification documentation in the event that the applicant is a citizen within the Schengen area.
4. Proof of bank fee payment
5. Certificate from training center, residence, shelter, or special education center accrediting a sufficient level of integration (obligatory for all school-aged children).
6. Legal representative’s identification documentation- court order clearly establishing representation or identification documentation in cases of minors subject to parental authority
7. Foreigner identification card, EU citizen foreign residency card or residence certificate from the Central Foreign Registry.
8. City registration/census certificate (empadronamiento)- the State will confirm the applicant’s current address

Additional documentation may be required in specific cases.

Refugees

1. Foreigner identification card clearly stating applicants refugee status
2. Blue EU passport from the Geneva Convention of 1951 (where applicable)
3. Certificate from the Asylum office or refugee section of the Interior Ministry (this certificate if valid for six months after the date of issue). It must state the following:
• First and last name
• Place and date of birth
• Parent’s names
• Statement that applicant has maintained his status as refugee

Applicants born on Spanish territory

• Applicant’s official birth certificate registered in a Spanish Civil Registry
• Spanish mother’s or father’s official birth certificate
• Applicant’s official birth certificate registered in a Spanish Civil Registry or a judicial resolution or acknowledgement or filiation showing applicant’s adoption by a Spanish citizen.

Applicants under guardianship or protective interim care

In cases of family placement,

• Declaration from the court clearly stating the applicant’s official guardian

In cases of fostering by Spanish Institution,

• Statement from such institution assuming legal guardianship of the applicant

In cases where the applicant is married to a Spanish citizen,

• Spaniard´s official birth certificate issued by the Spanish Civil Registry
• Official marriage certificate issued by the Spanish Civil Registry
• Partnership certificate or city registration/census certificate showing both the applicant and his Spanish partner/spouse live together

In cases where the applicant´s widow/widower is a Spanish citizen,

• Spaniard´s official birth certificate issued by the Spanish Civil Registry
• Official marriage certificate issued by the Spanish Civil Registry- this certificate must be up to date and issued close to the applicant’s nationality application date
• Spouse’s death certificate
• City registration/census certificate showing both the applicant and his spouse lived together up until the time of death

In cases where the applicant is a descendant of a Spanish citizen,

• Spanish mother’s or father’s official birth certificate
• Grandmother or grandfather’s official birth certificate, only in cases where either one is a parent of a Spanish citizen- In this case you must also submit the descendant mother’s or father’s birth certificate (even if he or she is not Spanish)

In cases where the applicant is a member of the Sephardic community,

• Supporting documentation proving the applicant’s link to the Sephardic community according to the rules and regulations established in article 1.2 of Law 12/2015, from the 24th of June, regarding the granting of Spanish nationality to Sephardic Jews originating from Spain.

Translated by: Katherine Pascal