Hague Apostille for Spanish documents

What you need to have ready

1. Original document you’ll use abroad: certificado del Registro Civil, court order, degree, etc. 2) ID (DNI/NIE/passport). 3) Destination country (not all are the same). 4) Return envelope if you’re posting it. 5) If it’s a notarial document, go straight to the Colegio Notarial.

Documentation

• Original of the Spanish public document.
• DNI/NIE/passport.
• Simple authorisation + copy of the DNI if someone else presents it.
• For judicial documents: testimony or copy with the signature of a Letrado/a de la Administración de Justicia.
• For Registro Civil: recent certificación literal (many countries ask for <3 months).
• If you send by post: letter with your contact details and destination country + prepaid return envelope or courier details.

Step by step

1. Confirm the country is in the Hague Convention and that your document is public. If it’s private, get it notarised first.
2. Notarial document: request the apostille at your Colegio Notarial (info on notariado.org). They charge a fee.
3. Judicial/RC/administrative document: go to a Gerencia Territorial del Ministerio de Justicia or Central Office. General info at mjusticia.gob.es.
4. In person: hand in the original + ID. Often they give you the apostille on the spot. If they require an appointment, try another Gerencia or send by post.
5. By post: send the original, a copy of your ID, a letter with the destination country and a return envelope. Keep the shipment receipt.
6. Electronic: if your document has CSV/firma electrónica, check apostilla electrónica at the sede (sede.mjusticia.gob.es). You’ll get a PDF with online verification.

Tricks that save time

• Ask for the most recent certificate possible; some countries are picky about age.
• If you need a sworn translation, apostille first and translate afterwards. You avoid paying twice.
• For degrees and academic certificates, ask the university for a signature by an official with a registered signature for apostille purposes.
• If the Gerencia is swamped, send by certified post with a return envelope. Less travel, more patience.
• For notarial apostilles, call the Colegio Notarial first: sometimes they do it the same day and tell you the fee.

Common mistakes that can derail your procedure

• Turning up with photocopies expecting them to work. They won’t.
• Apostilling a document for a country that isn’t in the Convention. You’ll need consular legalisation and you’ve wasted time.
• Submitting a document with a non-registered signature. They’ll send it back until you get the correct signature.
• Translating before apostilling when the destination requires the apostille to be on the translation as well. Money down the drain.
• Sending by post without a return envelope or contact details. Then you’ll be crying to get your original back.