Your route in three steps: 1. MFA Abuja → 2. The Spanish Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos, depending on your state → 3. Sworn translation into Spanish
We are not affiliated with the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Spanish Embassy in Abuja, the Consulate General in Lagos or BLS.
How are Nigerian documents legalised for Spain?
Nigerian documents are legalised for Spain in two steps. The route is MFA Abuja, then the Spanish Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos, depending on your state. Nigeria is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so no apostille is issued.
The one fact that matters: there is no Nigerian apostille. Every document follows the two-step legalisation chain. An apostille offer for Nigerian documents is a warning sign.
| Step | Where | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare the document | The issuing body | Education records usually verified by the Federal Ministry of Education |
| 2. MFA legalisation | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja | Always before the Spanish step |
| 3. Spanish legalisation | Embassy Abuja or Consulate General Lagos | Depends on your state |
| 4. Sworn translation | Online, with us | Certificates and degrees 24–48 hours; transcripts 2–3 working days |
We translate the document and both legalisation stamps together, as Spanish offices expect. Background: apostille or legalisation before or after translation. Nigeria has no apostille, so complete both legalisation steps first; then we translate.
The finished sworn translation is official and valid in Spain without further legalisation. In Spain, when an office asks for an official or "certified" translation, it means a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a MAEC-appointed translator.
How do Nigerians living in Spain get documents legalised at home?
Both legalisation steps happen in Nigeria, so Nigerians living in Spain usually work through a relative or representative there. That person takes the document to the MFA in Abuja, then to the right Spanish mission. Once both stamps are on, they scan every page and you send the scans to us.
You need these documents for Extranjería files: TIE renewals, arraigo sworn translation, family reunification and nationality. People who joined the 2026 regularisation hold one-year permits, so renewals fall due from 2027; see regularisation and renewal translations.
| Document | Route while you live in Spain | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Police character certificate | A representative applies to the Nigeria Police Force, then MFA and Spanish mission | Ask the Embassy of Nigeria in Madrid whether it can help with fingerprints or the application |
| Birth or marriage certificate | A relative gets a certified copy, then MFA and Spanish mission | Ask the issuing registry what authorisation a relative needs |
| Degree or transcript | Your institution and the verification step, then MFA and Spanish mission | Ask your university how it releases records to a representative |
| Translation | MAEC sworn translator in Spain, from scans | Send every page, both stamps included |
When the stamps are on, get a fixed quote for your Nigerian documents. Originals stay with you or your representative.
Should I go to the Spanish embassy in Abuja or the consulate in Lagos?
It depends on the state that issued or holds your document. The Spanish Embassy in Abuja covers the FCT and the northern states. The Consulate General of Spain in Lagos covers Lagos and the southern states. Each mission only handles its own area, so check your state before you book anything.
| Spanish mission | States covered |
|---|---|
| Embassy in Abuja | FCT, Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara |
| Consulate General in Lagos | Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Kwara, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo |
Source: Spanish Embassy in Abuja, consular jurisdiction.
BLS Nigeria checklists state: "Translations must be done by an authorized translator." — BLS Nigeria non-EU spouse checklist. For BLS Nigeria translation needs, a MAEC sworn translation is the safe choice. Last checked: 1 October 2026.
How do I get a police character certificate in Nigeria for Spain?
The Nigeria police character certificate comes from the Nigeria Police Force (ask for the current issuing office, and whether you can apply online). The certificate then goes to the MFA and the Spanish mission for legalisation.
Validity is set by each office, commonly 3 to 6 months. Two legalisation steps eat into that window, so request the police certificate last. For the Nigeria police character certificate translation into Spanish, see our police clearance certificate sworn translation page.
Which Nigerian documents need a sworn translation for a Spain visa?
BLS Nigeria checklists ask for translations by an authorised translator, so English documents are usually translated too. Most files include a police character certificate, birth or marriage certificates and education records. Each is legalised first, then translated with its stamps by a MAEC-appointed sworn translator.
Your documents are in English, so they go through our English to Spanish sworn translation service.
| Nigerian document | Before translation | Translation page |
|---|---|---|
| Police character certificate | Nigeria Police Force, then MFA and Spanish mission | Spanish translation of a police certificate |
| Birth certificate | MFA, then Spanish mission | Birth certificate sworn translation |
| Marriage certificate | MFA, then Spanish mission | Marriage certificate sworn translation |
| University degree | Verification usually first, then MFA and Spanish mission | Degree certificate sworn translation |
| University transcript | Verification usually first, then MFA and Spanish mission | Academic transcript sworn translation |
| Bank statements | Bank stamp and signature | Bank statement sworn translation |
Nigeria police character certificate legalisation for Spain
The certificate goes from the Nigeria Police Force to the MFA, then the Spanish mission. We translate the certificate and both stamps together.
Nigeria birth certificate legalisation for Spain
Birth certificates follow the same chain: the MFA first, then the Spanish mission. Check every name against the passport before legalisation.
Nigeria WAEC certificate legalisation for Spain
WAEC results are usually confirmed first on the WAEC verification portal. After the MFA and Spanish steps, send us the certificate with every stamp.
Send your stamped Nigerian certificates for a fixed quote
Free quote within 1 hour · files deleted 7 days after delivery
Which mistakes delay Nigerian files for Spain?
Most delays come from the legalisation chain, not the translation:
- Using the wrong mission. Each handles its own states.
- Expired police certificate. Two legalisation steps eat into its validity; request it last.
- Translating too early. The legalisation stamps must be translated too.
- Mismatched names. We check every name against your passport and add a translator's note where spellings differ.
- Fake translators and appointment sellers. Check every translator in the MAEC search, and book only through BLS Nigeria.
- Missing a correction notice. A requerimiento gives you 10 working days (días hábiles); see correction notice sworn translation.
How much does a sworn translation of Nigerian documents cost in naira?
Your quote shows one total in euros, agreed before you pay. The price depends on the document and its pages, including the legalisation stamps. Short certificates, such as a birth certificate or police character certificate, take 24–48 hours. For other documents, see our fixed prices. Prices are in euros; your card or bank converts from naira at its own rate.
| Item | Starting price | Standard turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Police character certificate or birth certificate | from €29 | 24–48 hours |
| Marriage certificate | from €29 | 24–48 hours |
| University degree | from €29 | 24–48 hours |
| Transcript (per page) | from €29 | 2–3 working days for 2–5 pages |
| Family set | from €29 per certificate | Quoted per family |
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.
As an indicative market range, sworn translations in Spain cost about €30–120 a page. That is roughly €30–80 for the first page and €15–40 for later pages (Cronoshare, January 2026). This is a market range, not our price.
Payment methods: cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, bank transfer (SEPA and international), Apple Pay and Google Pay. Prices include VAT where it applies.
How can Nigerian clients be sure our translation is genuine?
Every translator we work with is a Traductor-Intérprete Jurado on the official MAEC register. Your translation carries their seal, which you can check on that list, so a "translator" met through a Lagos agent cannot catch you out. A formal-grounds rejection is redone free and first. Your files are deleted within 7 days of delivery.
- Is the translator real? Compare the seal on your delivered translation with the official MAEC search (Buscador-STIJ). Guide: verify a Spanish sworn translator.
- What if the office rejects it? Free, prioritised re-issue if rejected on formal grounds. Read what happens if a translation is rejected.
- Is my data safe? Files are deleted within 7 days of delivery, as set out in our privacy policy.
- Police character certificate close to expiry after two legalisation steps? Use our urgent sworn translation service.
What clients say
4.9/5.0 from 18,000+ reviews
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Hola, thank you for the translation. I needed a French document translated into Spanish for an administrative procedure. Everything was explained clearly, and communication was easy from the start.”
“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.”
Which Spanish visa or residence procedure fits your Nigerian documents?
Nigerians in Spain use legalised documents for renewals, arraigo, family reunification and nationality. Applicants in Nigeria use the same documents for student and family visas. Each procedure needs them sworn-translated into Spanish. The notes below show what matters most for Nigeria.
- Already in Spain (TIE, renewals): Extranjería sworn translation
- Family reunification: once the resident's EX-02 is granted, family have 2 months to apply. Family reunification sworn translation
- Degree recognition: degree homologation Spain translation
- Student visa: adults staying over 6 months need a police certificate. Spain student visa sworn translation
- Spain visa from Nigeria, through BLS Nigeria: sworn translation for a Spain visa
Our guide to Spain visa requirements from Nigeria gives the full checklist.
Ghana uses a similar route: Ghanaian documents for Spain. We also translate Indian documents for Spain and Philippine documents for Spain. Browse documents from every country we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Do academic documents need the Federal Ministry of Education first?
Usually, yes. Educational certificates are usually verified by the Federal Ministry of Education, with WAEC or NECO results confirmed, before MFA legalisation. Check the current step before you start.
Are Nigerian documents in English accepted without translation?
Usually not. BLS Nigeria asks for translations by an authorised translator, and offices inside Spain work in Spanish. An official translation of Nigerian documents for Spain is a sworn translation, stamps included.
Can I get my Nigerian documents translated online from Lagos, Abuja or Madrid?
Yes. Send scans or photos of every page, including both legalisation stamps. You receive a digitally signed PDF, with paper by courier if an office insists.
Is a translation certified in Nigeria accepted in Spain?
It depends on the office, but usually not. Offices inside Spain ask for a sworn translator (traductor jurado), and a translation certified in Nigeria is not a sworn translation. See sworn vs certified translation.
How do I send my Nigerian documents for a sworn translation quote?
Scan or photograph every page, including the MFA and Spanish legalisation stamps, and upload them with your deadline. Originals are never needed. Tell us which Spanish office will receive the translation. We check the stamps, the pages and your names before we quote.
Upload your Nigerian documents for a fixed quote
Free quote within 1 hour · fixed price before you pay · official in Spain
What happens next
- 1We confirm both legalisation stamps are readable, then send one total in naira or euros and a date.
- 2You compare the draft's names with your passport before the translator seals it.
- 3The signed PDF comes by email for BLS Nigeria or Extranjería; paper is couriered only when an office insists.
WhatsApp: +44 7482 545337. We only translate. We never sell appointments.