Your foreign certificates must be in Spanish. We arrange the sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a MAEC-appointed translator. A certificate usually takes 24–48 hours, from €29. That is a starting price: you approve our written quotation before work starts.
In this guide
- How many years must I live in Spain?
- Who can apply after just one year?
- Which exams do I need?
- Which documents do I need?
- How do I get my criminal record certificate?
- How do I apply online?
- How long does it take, and what is the oath?
- Do I lose my current nationality?
Getting your certificates ready? The birth certificate and criminal record need an apostille, then a sworn translation. See our Spanish nationality sworn translation service.
Upload your birth certificate and criminal record for a fixed quote
How many years must I live in Spain to get citizenship?
The general rule is 10 years of legal residence in Spain. Refugees need 5 years. Nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal need 2. So do people of Sephardic origin. Certain cases need only 1 year.
| Your situation | Residence needed (Código Civil, art. 22) |
|---|---|
| Most nationalities (India, Pakistan, Morocco, UK, USA, China and others) | 10 years |
| Refugees | 5 years |
| Nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Brazil included | 2 years |
| Nationals of Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal | 2 years |
| People of Sephardic origin | 2 years |
| Special cases, such as marriage to a Spanish national | 1 year |
The residence must be legal, continuous and immediately before you apply. Time in Spain on a student stay is a frequent point of doubt, so check how your permits count before you file.
Example: Maria is Brazilian and has held a Spanish residence permit for 2 years. She can apply now. Her Brazilian birth certificate and Polícia Federal certificate need an apostille and a Portuguese to Spanish translation. See Brazilian documents for Spain.
You must also show good civic conduct (buena conducta cívica) and integration, which the exams below prove.
Who can apply for Spanish nationality after one year?
Article 22.2 of the Código Civil allows one year of residence in specific cases. The best known is being married to a Spanish national for one year, without legal or de facto separation. Being born in Spain also qualifies. So does being the widow or widower of a Spanish national.
The one-year cases are:
- Born in Spanish territory.
- Married to a Spanish national for at least one year, and not separated.
- Widow or widower of a Spanish national, if not separated at the time of death.
- Born outside Spain to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish.
- Under the legal guardianship or foster care of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years.
- Did not use the right to opt for Spanish nationality in time.
For the marriage route, your marriage certificate is part of the file. A foreign one needs an apostille and a marriage certificate sworn translation. Marriages are usually recorded at the Registro Civil; see Registro Civil sworn translation.
Which exams do I need for Spanish nationality? (DELE A2 y CCSE)
You need two Instituto Cervantes certificates: the DELE at level A2 or higher, and the CCSE. The CCSE tests knowledge of the Constitution and Spanish society. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries skip the DELE, but still take the CCSE. Both certificates are in Spanish.
| Applicant | DELE A2 | CCSE |
|---|---|---|
| Most applicants | Yes | Yes |
| Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries | Exempt | Yes |
| Completed ESO or higher studies in Spain | Exempt (Ministry FAQ) | Exempt (Ministry FAQ) |
Adapted tests exist for people with a disability. Neither certificate needs translating, as both are issued in Spanish.
Tip: Brazilians and Filipinos are not exempt from the DELE. Spanish is not an official language of either country.
Which documents do I need for Spanish citizenship by residence?
RD 1004/2015, art. 5, asks for a valid passport and a birth certificate "debidamente legalizado y traducido". Adults also need a criminal record certificate from their country of origin, legalised and translated. Add the DELE and CCSE certificates and proof of the fee. A marriage certificate is needed where relevant.
| Document | Needs apostille or legalisation? | Needs a translation? | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | No | No | In force |
| Birth certificate | Yes | Yes, if not in Spanish | May be older than 6 months |
| Criminal record, country of origin | Yes | Yes, if not in Spanish | 6 months unless it states otherwise |
| Marriage certificate, where relevant | Yes | Yes, if not in Spanish | 6 months unless it states otherwise |
| DELE A2 and CCSE | No | No | Spanish documents |
| Fee receipt (form 790, code 026) | No | No | Spanish document |
The Ministry of Justice FAQ says all documents must be in force on the day you file. The birth certificate is the only one that may be older than 6 months. Foreign documents must be "debidamente traducidos y legalizados conforme a los Convenios Internacionales".
The Ministry does not name a type of translator. A sworn translation is the safe choice: it is official in Spain without further legalisation. Our guide to sworn vs certified translation explains the difference.
The apostille goes on first. Then the document and its apostille are translated together. For documents still without one, see apostille and sworn translation. For the birth certificate itself, see birth certificate sworn translation.
Common mistake: a name spelt differently on the passport and birth certificate. The translator adds a translator's note; see also the single-name passport in Spain.
How do I get a criminal record certificate for Spanish nationality?
Request it from the authority of your country of origin, then apostille or legalise it. File it within 6 months of issue, unless the certificate states a different validity. If it is not in Spanish, it needs a sworn translation. Order the certificate last, so it stays in date.
Common sources:
- India: police clearance certificate from the Regional Passport Office, then MEA apostille: Indian documents for Spain.
- Pakistan: police character certificate via the National Police Bureau; from Spain through the Embassy of Pakistan in Madrid: Pakistani documents for Spain.
- UK: ACRO police certificate, apostilled on paper by the FCDO (no e-Apostille for ACRO): UK documents for Spain.
- USA: FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the US Department of State, not a state office.
- Philippines: NBI clearance, with the DFA apostille: Philippine documents for Spain.
- Brazil: Polícia Federal certificate, free and online, valid 90 days.
Example: Priya from Delhi has lived in Valencia for 10 years. She passes both exams and gathers her birth certificate first. Only then does she request her police clearance certificate. Once it is apostilled, she sends a scan for translation the same week and files with months to spare.
For the translation, see police clearance certificate sworn translation. For how long each document stays usable, see does a sworn translation expire.
Certificate already apostilled? Send a scan of every page. A standard certificate translation takes 24–48 hours, so the 6-month clock stays on your side.
How do I apply for Spanish nationality online?
You apply through the Ministry of Justice electronic office (sede electrónica), using a digital certificate or Cl@ve. You attach scans of every document and sign with AutoFirma. You pay the fee with form 790, code 026, at a bank. You have two months to finish a draft application.
Steps:
- Pass the DELE A2 and CCSE, or confirm your exemption.
- Gather your certificates with apostilles, and order the sworn translations.
- Pay the fee with form 790, code 026. Never photocopy the form: each has a unique code.
- File online, then track your file through the Ministry's consultation service.
You can file yourself or through a representative, such as a lawyer or gestoría (RD 1004/2015, art. 7).
If the Ministry asks for more documents, RD 1004/2015, art. 10, gives you three months to reply. Without a reply, the application is treated as withdrawn. Our correction notice sworn translation covers documents named in that request.
How long does Spanish nationality take, and when is the oath?
By law, the Ministry of Justice must decide within one year (RD 1004/2015, art. 11). If it does not, the application counts as refused by silence. Once granted, you have 180 days from notification to swear the oath at the Registro Civil.
At the Registro Civil, you:
- swear or promise loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and the laws;
- renounce your previous nationality, unless you are exempt;
- request registration of your Spanish nationality.
Tip: an appointment granted within the 180 days counts, even if the date falls later (Ministry FAQ). Keep your apostilled originals safe, as the Registro Civil may check them.
Do I have to give up my current nationality?
Usually yes, on paper. Article 23 of the Código Civil asks you to renounce your previous nationality at the oath. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal are exempt. So are people of Sephardic origin.
What happens in practice depends on your country's own law. We do not advise on nationality law; ask a lawyer or your consulate.
What is on the Spanish nationality checklist?
- Enough years of legal, continuous residence for your route
- DELE A2 and CCSE passed, or an exemption confirmed
- Birth certificate, apostilled or legalised, sworn-translated
- Criminal record from your country of origin, under 6 months old, apostilled and translated
- Marriage certificate, if you apply through marriage
- Fee paid with form 790, code 026
- Names checked against your passport and NIE
- Digital certificate or Cl@ve ready for the online application
What should I check before ordering nationality translations?
- Is the translator real? Every translator we work with is a sworn translator-interpreter appointed by MAEC. Each page carries their seal and signature, so you can verify a Spanish sworn translator on the official MAEC list.
- What if the Ministry rejects it? Free, prioritised re-issue if rejected on formal grounds, such as a birth certificate whose apostille was left untranslated. See our re-issue policy.
- Is my data safe? Files are deleted within 7 days of delivery. See the privacy policy.
- What will it cost? From €29 per certificate. These are starting prices. For your final price, send your details through the quote form. We email you a written quotation, and work starts only after you approve it. See sworn translation prices. Short on time? Use our urgent sworn translation.
What clients say
4.9/5.0 from 18,000+ reviews
“I needed my birth certificate translated for my Spanish nationality paperwork and wasn't really sure where to start. I sent an enquiry first, and the team explained the process without making it complicated. The communication was good, and I felt more confident about getting the documents ready.”
“We had to translate our marriage certificate for a family reunification procedure. I was worried about getting the paperwork wrong, so I had quite a few questions. The team was patient and explained the translation process clearly. That was genuinely helpful during an already stressful time.”
“My nationality application involved documents from my home country, and I wasn't sure how to arrange the translations. I reached out with my questions and received a clear explanation of the process. It saved me from spending more time guessing what to do next.”
“Muchas gracias por la ayuda 😊 I needed my marriage certificate translated for a family application here in Spain. Communication was good and the steps were easy to understand.”
“Mere citizenship paperwork ke liye documents Spanish mein translate karwane the. I had a few questions before placing the order, and the team explained the process properly. Kaafi help mili, especially because I was already managing a lot of paperwork.”
“I contacted them for documents needed for my long-term residence application. There were several things to organise, and I didn't want to leave the translation until the last minute. The replies were clear, and I appreciated knowing the process before confirming the order.”
“We needed corporate documents translated into Spanish for a business procedure. The terminology and consistency mattered to us, so we wanted a service that understood the formal nature of the documents. Communication was professional, and the process was well organised.”
“Muy buen servicio. I needed an English-to-Spanish sworn translation for official paperwork and had a few doubts before ordering. They answered my questions clearly, and the whole process was easier than I expected.”
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for Spanish citizenship after 2 years as a Filipino?
Yes. Filipino nationals need 2 years of legal, continuous residence. They still take the DELE A2 and CCSE, and English documents still need a sworn translation.
Do Brazilians get Spanish nationality after 2 years?
Yes. As nationals of an Ibero-American country, Brazilians can apply after 2 years of legal residence. Portuguese documents need an apostille and a Portuguese to Spanish sworn translation.
Does marrying a Spanish citizen give me citizenship?
No, not automatically. It shortens the residence period to one year, if you have been married for a year and are not separated. You still apply and meet the other requirements.
Do I need a criminal record from every country I lived in?
It depends. RD 1004/2015 asks for a certificate from your country of origin. Check the document list for your own file. We translate whichever certificates you need.
Does my birth certificate need to be recent?
No. The Ministry of Justice FAQ says the birth certificate is the only document that may be older than 6 months. It still needs an apostille or legalisation and a translation.
Can my children get Spanish citizenship with me?
It depends on their own situation. Minors need their own application, filed by their legal representative. Their documents follow the same translation rules.
Sources: Código Civil, arts. 21–23, BOE · RD 1004/2015, BOE · Ministry of Justice nationality FAQ · Ministry of Justice online office, nationality · MAEC sworn translator search. Last checked: 12 October 2026.
How do I get my nationality certificates translated?
Photograph every page of your birth certificate and criminal record, apostille included. Tell us your filing date. Then request a fixed quote for your nationality documents. You see one total and a delivery date before you pay.
What happens next
- 1We check the criminal record's issue date against your filing date, then quote.
- 2You approve a draft with every name, date and place.
- 3Your signed PDF arrives ready to attach to the online application.
We coordinate translations by MAEC-appointed sworn translators and are not affiliated with the Ministry of Justice or the Instituto Cervantes. We only translate. We never sell appointments. Bringing family over first? Read our guide to Spain family reunification requirements, or browse all our guides.