Good to know · City hall

Apostilling US documents for use in Spain

Spain and the United States are both parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, so US public documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, FBI background checks, diplomas) destined for use in Spain need an apostille from the competent US authority rather than full consular legalization.

Why it matters

Visa applications (non-lucrative, digital nomad, marriage, work) and many Spanish bureaucratic procedures require apostilled, and often also officially translated, versions of US civil and background documents.

When

Applying for a Spanish visa or residency, registering a marriage, enrolling in university, or any procedure requiring a US-issued civil, academic, or background-check document.

How long it takes

Varies by state/agency; processing can range from days (expedited) to several weeks for standard service.

Official page

Last checked

15 Oct 2026