Modelo 790: payment of state administrative fees (codes 012, 026, etc.)

What you need to have ready

1. Your details: DNI/NIE/passport and, if applicable, the file number/NIE of the procedure.
2. Modelo 790 code and exact epígrafe (e.g.: 790-012 huellas TIE; 790-026 antecedentes penales).
3. Card or account in a Spanish bank (for direct debit). Better to have both in case the gateway acts up.
4. Cl@ve/certificado if you will identify yourself on the sede to pay or recover receipts.
5. An email address you control to receive the PDF of the payment.

Documentation

• Identification: DNI/NIE/passport.
• Formulario 790 for the relevant code (generated online or downloaded to print).
• Payment receipt with NRC/CSV (generated by the sede or stamped by the bank).
• If the procedure asks for it: resolution/appointment showing the epígrafe or the amount.

Step by step

1. Go to the common fees portal: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagoTasas. If you already know your specific fee, go direct (e.g.: 790-012 Policía: https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/; 790-026 Justicia: https://sede.mjusticia.gob.es/es/tramites/solicitar-certificado-antecedentes-penales).
2. Select the Modelo 790 code and the correct epígrafe. Enter your details (name, NIF/NIE/passport) and, if relevant, the expediente/NIE of the procedure.
3. Choose online payment (card/account) or payment at the bank. If you pay online, the site may ask for Cl@ve/certificado. Check the amount before you confirm the payment.
4. Complete the payment. Download the PDF receipt (it must show the NRC/CSV). Save the file and note the number in case you must provide it later.
5. If you chose the bank option, print the 3 copies of the 790 and pay at a collaborating entity. They will give you the stamped copy for the Administración; scan it to PDF.
6. Submit the receipt where required: for Policía (huellas TIE) take it to your appointment; for Justicia attach it in their sede. If the trámite is online, there will be a step to attach the receipt.

Tricks that save you time

• If the payment gateway fails, try another browser (Chrome usually works best) and disable blockers.
• Have two payment methods ready. Many foreign cards fail; charging a Spanish bank account usually works better.
• Take a screenshot of the NRC in addition to saving the PDF. If the PDF doesn't arrive by email, the screenshot can save you.
• Look up the exact epígrafe on the organismo's website. Paying "something similar" is throwing money away.
• If you pay at the bank, go early. Some branches only deal with counter payments by appointment.

Typical mistakes that can derail your trámite

• Paying the wrong epígrafe: your expediente will be stuck and refunds are slow.
• Not saving the receipt: without NRC/CSV they may not accept the payment.
• Retrying the payment without checking if you were charged: you can end up paying twice. Check your account before trying again.
• Using a foreign card that doesn't go through and wasting the morning. Switch to charge to account or print for the bank.
• Amount out of date: if the fee rises between printing and paying, you'll have to pay the difference or repeat the 790.