When applying for immigration to Spain, whether for a Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, Golden Visa, Student Visa, a key part of the process involves legalizing and translating your official documents. Understanding the requirements can help streamline your application and avoid unnecessary delays. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
Apostilles and Legalizations
An apostille is an essential step in legalizing official government documents for international use. It’s a certification issued by countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, verifying that the document is authentic and signed by the appropriate authority in your home country. Spain recognizes these documents, making them equivalent to domestic documents without needing further verification at a consulate.
Here’s a compiled list of the countries that are part of the Apostille Convention as of August 2024:
Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Vietnam, Zambia.
As can be seen from above, not all countries are part of the Apostille Convention.
If your document comes from a non-apostille country, such as the UAE, Thailand, or Malaysia, you’ll need to follow a different process. First, your document must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country. Then, it must be consularized at the Spanish embassy in that country before it can be used in your visa application.
Translating Your Documents
Once your document is apostilled or legalized, it needs to be translated. Not just any translator can do this—the translation must be done by a sworn translator accredited by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This translator doesn’t need to be located in your country; as long as they are accredited and can handle your language pair (e.g., English to Spanish, French to Spanish), the translation will be accepted.
One advantage of working with sworn translators is that you don’t need the original translation in physical form. Once the document is translated and stamped, a scanned copy is typically sufficient for submission.
If you need help with translation, feel free to reach out to us here.
What Comes First: Apostille or Translation?
The sequence of steps is critical: apostille first, then translation. The document must be certified before it can be translated into Spanish.
Specific Country Requirements
Each country has different authorities responsible for issuing apostilles or legalizations. Here are some common examples:
- Philippines: Apostilles for all documents are processed through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
- USA: For state-issued documents like birth and marriage certificates and company certificates, apostilles are handled at the state level. Federal documents, such as FBI background checks, are apostilled by the Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Canada: Provincial documents, like birth or marriage certificates, are apostilled at the provincial level. For federal documents like RCMP checks, Global Affairs Canada handles the process, though turnaround times can be lengthy. Alternatively, you can expedite the process through the Canadian Embassy in Spain.
- Australia: Apostilles are issued through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the passport offices in the relevant region.
- UAE: The document (including police clearances, trade licenses, certificates of incorporation) must first be brought to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and then consularized and stamped by the Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi.
Conclusion
Understanding the apostille, legalization, and translation process is crucial when applying for Spanish immigration. By ensuring your documents are properly certified and translated by accredited professionals, you can minimize delays and increase your chances of a successful application.
Need Assistance?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of obtaining apostilles or translations, you’re not alone. Navigating the legalities can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Whether you’re unsure where to start with apostilles or need help finding a certified translator, our team is here to assist you every step of the way.
Reach out to us today for expert guidance and support in legalizing and translating your documents for Spanish immigration. Contact us now or book a consultation with us now and let us help make your journey smoother and stress-free!
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