Appeal against a proposed Extranjería fine

What you need to have to hand

1. Notificación completa del expediente (acuerdo de inicio o propuesta de sanción) con el número de expediente y el órgano instructor.
2. Identificación: pasaporte o NIE/TIE.
3. Cl@ve o certificado digital si lo vas a presentar online (lo más rápido).
4. Tus pruebas ya escaneadas en PDF (padrón, contrato, vida laboral, familia, etc.).

Documentation

1. Copia de la notificación donde conste el órgano y el plazo.
2. Escrito de alegaciones firmado: datos personales, antecedentes, hechos, fundamentos legales si conoces, y petición concreta (archivo del expediente, sustitución, etc.).
3. Pruebas: empadronamiento histórico, contratos, nóminas, vida laboral, certificados de matrimonio/hijos, citas de extranjería, billetes, informes de arraigo, etc.
4. Traducciones al español de lo que no esté en español (mejor juradas si es clave).
5. Autorización o apoderamiento si presenta otra persona (Apodera).

Step by step

1. Read the letter carefully: identify the body that handles the procedure and the date of notification. Watch out for DEHú: if you didn't open it in 10 days, it's considered served.
2. Prepare the written appeal: be clear and direct, order the evidence and number it. Put an electronic or postal address for notifications.
3. Go to the Registro Electrónico Común: https://rec.redsara.es/registro/action/are/acceso.do with Cl@ve/certificate. Choose Presentación General.
4. Fill in the recipient: search and select the Área/Oficina de Extranjería of your province or the exact Delegación/Subdelegación del Gobierno shown on the notification. In the subject, put the número de expediente.
5. Attach the written appeal and the evidence (PDF, legible, under 10–15 MB per file). Send and download the receipt (CSV or número de asiento).
6. If you can't do it online, book an appointment at an Oficina de Asistencia en Materia de Registro: https://administracion.gob.es/pag_Home/atencionCiudadana/encuentraTuOficina.html and submit at the counter addressed to the correct body.
7. Monitor notifications at https://dehu.redsara.es or https://carpetaciudadana.gob.es. If they ask you to correct something, reply through the same channel within the deadline.

Time-savers

1. File online: you avoid appointments and queues. The receipt protects you if later they say they have no record.
2. Index your evidence in the appeal (Anexo I, II, III…) and name the PDFs the same. Makes it easy to read.
3. One document per file: avoid loose photos. Scan to PDF, compress without losing legibility.
4. Carpeta Ciudadana shows status and notifications so you don't get lost between sites.
5. If someone files for you, grant power via Apodera beforehand (apoderamiento apud acta). Avoid rejections for lack of representation.

Common mistakes that can mess up your case

1. Submitting late: 15 días hábiles fly by. No extensions.
2. Sending it to Policía Nacional: the police don't resolve sanctions. Address it to the órgano instructor on the notification.
3. Not providing evidence: just saying “I disagree” won't cut it. Provide documents that prove your situation.
4. Unreadable/heavy attachments: if they don't open or you can't see them, it's as if you didn't submit them. Check before sending.
5. Paying fees unnecessarily: appealing is gratis. Don't use modelo 790 forms thinking that will “fix” it.
6. Ignoring DEHú: if you don't open it in 10 days, it's deemed delivered and the deadline runs. Check it every few days.