Your route in three steps: 1. Order the document → 2. State or federal apostille → 3. Sworn translation into Spanish
We are not affiliated with the US Department of State, the FBI or any Spanish authority.
In Spanish this is a traducción jurada; for the FBI report, a traducción jurada del FBI background check. Upload scans from Spain or the USA; originals are never needed.
Why does Spain reject a state apostille on an FBI check?
The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. Only the US Department of State can apostille it, at $20 per document with form DS-4194. A state Secretary of State apostille on an FBI check is rejected. The file then waits while you restart the federal step.
The one fact that matters: two different offices issue US apostilles. State documents go to the state Secretary of State. The FBI background check goes to the US Department of State: about four weeks by mail, plus mailing time.
A wrong apostille costs weeks, not dollars. In a Spain visa or residence file, the FBI background check usually has the tightest timeline, so it cannot absorb a restart.
Fee and time: US Department of State – Office of Authentications (source: travel.state.gov, 12 October 2026). How to request the record: FBI Identity History Summary checks.
How long does an FBI background check translation into Spanish take?
An FBI background check translation into Spanish takes 24–48 hours once the federal apostille is on. A MAEC-appointed sworn translator translates the FBI report and its US Department of State apostille together. Prices start from €29, agreed in writing before any work starts.
Plan the whole chain: FBI processing, then about four weeks for the federal apostille by mail, plus postage, then our 24–48 hours. Translation detail: police clearance certificate sworn translation.
Americans already in Spain: getting US records and apostilles from here
You can usually gather US documents from Spain by mail and online, but each apostille is issued in the USA. Order the record, send it to the right apostille office, and send us the scan. Check each office's rules for orders and return mail from abroad before you start.
| Document | How to get it from Spain | Apostille |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary | Request it from the FBI; see its official instructions for applicants outside the USA | US Department of State, $20, about four weeks by mail |
| Birth or marriage certificate | Order from the vital records or county office of the issuing state | That state's Secretary of State |
| Diploma or transcript | Request from the college; ask about apostille-ready copies | Secretary of State of the state where issued |
Mailing from Spain is slow, so many people use a relative or a trusted person in the USA. They receive the records and send them to the apostille office. For help from the US consulate in Spain, check its own service list first. We do not order US records; we translate them once the apostille is on.
Buying a home or handling an estate here? See property and inheritance sworn translation in Spain. Long-term residents regularising their status can see arraigo sworn translation. More countries: documents from every country we cover.
How do I apostille US documents for Spain?
You apostille US documents for Spain at one of two offices. State-issued documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, go to the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Federal documents, such as the FBI check, go to the US Department of State. Then send us document and apostille together.
Spain and the USA both use the apostille (HCCH status table), so no consulate legalisation follows. Most people start with their state office, but that covers state documents only. Check which level issued each document.
Apostille USA for Spain: which office issues it
| Document | Apostille from | Time and fee |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary | US Department of State (form DS-4194) | $20 per document; about four weeks by mail, plus mailing time |
| Birth and marriage certificates | Secretary of State of the issuing state | Set by each state |
| Diplomas and transcripts | Secretary of State of the state where issued | Set by each state |
| Sworn translation | Online, with us | Certificates and degrees 24–48 hours; transcripts 2–3 working days (2–5 pages) |
We translate the apostille together with the document, as Spanish offices expect. Background: why the apostille comes before the sworn translation. One order for both steps: apostille and sworn translation.
Which state documents need a state apostille?
Documents issued by a state or county need a state apostille from that state's Secretary of State. This covers birth and marriage certificates from vital records or county offices, and diplomas from schools in that state. Your current state of residence does not matter. The issuing state decides.
Some states ask for extra steps before they apostille a diploma. Check your Secretary of State's current instructions before you post anything. Fees and processing times differ by state, so plan each state separately.
Will a Spanish consulate accept my US certified translation?
It depends on the consulate. Each sets its own checklist, and Miami asks for a sworn translation. Once you file in Spain, Extranjería expects a traducción jurada. The Registro Civil and the UGE also expect one by a MAEC-appointed translator, so check your consulate's checklist before you order.
In Spain, when an office asks for an official or 'certified' translation, it means a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a MAEC-appointed translator. A certified translation made outside Spain, for example by a UK or US translator, is not a sworn translation, and most Spanish offices won't accept it.
For the student visa, Miami's page names the FBI report and medical certificate, and says the medical certificate is valid for 3 months (Miami consulate). A sworn translation by a MAEC-appointed translator is official in Spain without further legalisation. Ordering one early means you translate once. More: sworn vs certified translation.
FBI, vital records and diplomas: the US documents we translate
American documents arrive in English. We translate them through our English to Spanish sworn translation service. Each document has its own page.
| US document | Issued by | Translation page |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary | FBI | FBI and other police certificates |
| Birth certificate | State vital records office | Birth certificate sworn translation |
| Marriage certificate | County clerk or state | Marriage certificate sworn translation |
| Divorce decree | State court | Divorce decree sworn translation |
| Diploma | College or university | Degree certificate sworn translation |
| Bank and investment statements | Your bank or broker | Bank statement sworn translation |
US court judgments for Spanish proceedings, including exequatur, are covered on our court documents sworn translation page.
USA FBI background check apostille for Spain
A USA FBI background check apostille for Spain comes only from the US Department of State. Send the FBI result with form DS-4194 and $20 per document. Allow about four weeks by mail, plus mailing time.
USA birth certificate apostille for Spain
A USA birth certificate apostille for Spain comes from the issuing state's Secretary of State. For a student under 18, Miami asks for a birth certificate issued within the last 6 months.
USA marriage certificate apostille for Spain
A USA marriage certificate apostille for Spain comes from the state where the marriage was recorded. If you married in one state and live in another, use the state of marriage.
Send your apostilled US records for a fixed price
Free quote within 1 hour · files deleted 7 days after delivery
Deadline traps in American files
American applicants usually move fast. The delays come from apostille levels and timing.
- State apostille on the FBI check. Rejected. Use the US Department of State.
- Wrong state. The issuing state apostilles, not your state of residence.
- FBI check ordered too early. Validity is set by each office, commonly 3 to 6 months.
- Underestimating the federal step. About four weeks by mail, plus postage both ways.
- Relying on a US certified translation. It is not a sworn translation, and most Spanish offices won't accept it.
- Translating before the apostille. The apostille needs translating too.
- Missing a correction notice. In Spain you have 10 working days (días hábiles) under Ley 39/2015, article 68. See correction notice sworn translation.
Last checked: 1 October 2026.
How much does a sworn translation of US documents cost?
We charge in euros only. You pay one fixed total, agreed before you pay, wherever you live. The apostille page is translated with the document. See our sworn translation price list, or get a fixed quote for your FBI check from a phone photo.
| Item | Price (€) | Standard turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| FBI check, birth or marriage certificate | From €29 | 24–48 hours |
| Diploma | From €29 | 24–48 hours |
| Academic transcript (per page) | From €29 per page | 2–3 working days (2–5 pages) |
| Bank statement (per page) | From €24 per page | Confirmed in your quote, by page count |
As an indicative market range, sworn translations in Spain cost about €30–120 a page: 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: Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, PayPal, bank transfer (SEPA or international), Apple Pay and Google Pay. Prices include VAT where it applies.
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.
Need it sooner? 24-hour delivery adds 30% to the order price. Same-day delivery adds 60%, with a €25 minimum. A tracked paper copy costs €9 within Spain, or from €29 abroad.
Questions Americans ask before paying a Spanish translator
Filing an FBI check with a consulate in Chicago, or a marriage certificate at Extranjería in Madrid? Our English translators are MAEC-appointed, work with their own official seal and sign digital files electronically. Check any seal in the official MAEC search (Buscador-STIJ).
- Real translator: follow our guide on how to verify a Spanish sworn translator.
- Rejection: if an office queries how a county seal or apostille was rendered, you get a free, prioritised re-issue if rejected on formal grounds; see our re-issue policy.
- Data: files are deleted within 7 days of delivery, under our privacy policy.
- Appointment close: our urgent sworn translation service covers short deadlines.
What clients say
4.9/5.0 from 18,000+ reviews
“Good service and clear communication. I needed my police clearance certificate translated for a residence application. They explained what they needed from me and answered my questions promptly.”
“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.”
“We needed a police certificate translated and had some doubts about the paperwork. The team replied patiently and explained the process. It was helpful to get a clear answer instead of trying to work everything out ourselves.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I needed my passport and birth certificate translated for my application. The process was simple, and my questions were answered clearly. Thank you for the help.”
Which procedure are you applying for from the USA?
Most Americans come on a digital nomad, non-lucrative or student visa, then file in Spain after arriving. Each line below notes the US document that most often needs planning for that route.
- Already in Spain (TIE, renewals): Extranjería sworn translation
- Digital nomad visa: FBI check plus federal apostille. digital nomad visa translations
- Non-lucrative visa: plan the FBI check and its federal apostille last. non-lucrative visa translations
- Student visa: FBI check if over 18 and staying over 6 months. Spain student visa sworn translation
- Any other consulate visa: sworn translation for a Spain visa
Our guide to the FBI background check for a Spanish visa covers it step by step.
Lived abroad before? Student visa and arraigo files can ask for a criminal record certificate from each country you lived in during the last 5 years. See UK documents sworn translation for Spain and Canadian documents for Spain.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the FBI check apostille take?
About four weeks by mail at the US Department of State, plus mailing time, at $20 per document with form DS-4194. Add FBI processing. Our translation then takes 24–48 hours.
Can I get a Spanish translation before the apostille arrives?
It is better to wait. The apostille must be translated with the document, so we start once it is on. Allow for the federal apostille's mail time when you plan.
Where do I get an FBI background check apostille?
Only at the US Department of State Office of Authentications. Do not send it to a state Secretary of State. An FBI background check apostille for Spain from a state office is rejected.
How much is a sworn Spanish translation of an FBI check?
From €29, including the apostille page, delivered in 24–48 hours. Your quote shows the total and delivery date before you pay.
Get your US documents into Spanish
Scan every page, including the apostille. Originals are never needed. Tell us your consulate appointment or Extranjería date.
Get your fixed euro quote today
Free quote within 1 hour · fixed price before you pay · official in Spain
What happens next
- 1You get a fixed total in euros, with the delivery date.
- 2You compare the draft with your passport, checking middle names, US-format dates and places, before it is sealed.
- 3The digitally signed PDF arrives by email, ready to upload; paper goes by courier if an office insists.
WhatsApp: +44 7482 545337. We only translate. We never sell appointments.