Sign up for ESO for Adults (CEPA) online

What you need to have to hand

1. Cl@ve or certificado digital to sign the application.
2. DNI/NIE scanned (front and back) as PDF.
3. Empadronamiento reciente (menos de 3 meses). Request it online at your ayuntamiento and download the PDF.
4. Historial o certificación académica of what you have passed (ESO incompleta, Bachiller, FP, etc.). If you don’t have it, ask the centre where you studied.
5. Proofs for the baremo if you use them (título de familia numerosa, certificado de discapacidad, víctima de violencia, etc.).

Documentación

• DNI/NIE in force.
• Volante/certificado de empadronamiento actualizado.
• Certificación académica oficial or historial de ESO/Bachiller/FP depending on the last studies you took.
• Título de familia numerosa (if it scores in your CCAA).
• Certificado de discapacidad or dependencia (if it scores).
• Traducciones juradas/homologaciones if your previous studies are from outside Spain.

Step by step

1. Access your CCAA portal for Educación de Personas Adultas with Cl@ve. Reliable examples: Andalucía (Secretaría Virtual: https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/educacion/secretariavirtual/), Madrid (EPA: https://www.comunidad.madrid/servicios/educacion/educacion-personas-adultas), Cataluña (Preinscripció: https://preinscripcio.gencat.cat/).
2. Choose “Secundaria para Personas Adultas (ESPA/ESA)” and the modality (presencial, semipresencial or a distancia). Select centre and shift (mañana/tarde/noche) and add alternatives.
3. Fill the application with your details and the baremo. If possible, allow the portal to consult padrón and familia numerosa; if not, attach the PDFs.
4. Attach documents: DNI/NIE, empadronamiento and historial académico. Upload familia numerosa or discapacidad if relevant. Make sure everything is PDF legible and within the size limit (usually 5–10 MB).
5. Sign and submit with Cl@ve. Download the resguardo de registro and save it (rename it so you find it later).
6. Check provisional lists on the dates your CCAA sets. If there are errors, reclama online within the deadline (normally 2–3 días hábiles) attaching the correct document.
7. Check the final allocation and matricúlate online or at the CEPA. Bring originals when they ask in September.

Tricks that save you time

• Download the empadronamiento the same day you apply. If you upload an expired one, they’ll reject your baremo.
• Ask the school for your academic certification via their sede electrónica; many issue a PDF with CSV. Avoid going in person.
• If the portal fails, use Chrome or Firefox and an incognito window. Some sedes don’t like Safari.
• Upload PDFs, not blurry photos. If files are too big, compress or export to PDF from the scanner.
• Pick several centres/shifts. If you only choose one and it’s full, you’ll miss out.

Typical mistakes that can ruin the process

• Not attaching the academic record: they place you at the initial level even if you have passed subjects.
• Expired empadronamiento: you lose points and people behind you jump ahead.
• Not signing the application: it’s saved as a draft and doesn’t count. Check there’s a número de registro and a resguardo.
• Uploading .jpg images when they require PDF: the system may let you continue but then exclude you.
• Missing the appeal deadline: you live with the mistake until the final allocation. Check the key dates every day.