Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
To get a Spanish digital certificate, I thought you only needed a passport? I went to verify my identity in the office and they turned me away because my TIE was expired. I’m very confused as to why they wouldn’t accept my identification. I know they need a NIE ( a number that never changes). I had other documents showing my NIE number and I’m sure l got in in the past with only a passport.
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Is your TIE in the process to be renewed? If so, show them the proof. If not, then technically you are not a resident in their understanding.”
“As always, it depends on the funcionario. I got mine with a very expired TIE, no problem. I did have to go to the office three times before I successfully got my digital certificate, for one reason or another. Give it another try, maybe take your renewal paperwork.”
“As with everything here, unfortunately, it depends on the day, the funcionario, and the location. In Valencia mine was expired (just barely) as I was applying and the guy couldn’t care less.”
“NIEs don’t expire. TIEs do and yea, mine had just expired and the funcionario was like, eh, don’t worry about it.”
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Explore Cities →“I got mine with an expired TIE, but I had to give my justification number for my pending renewal. I also cracked a few jokes….”
“In Spain, the “law” is what the person you’re facing thinks it should be. USA is shifting to that approach.”
“I’m in Madrid, and my TIE had expired by a week. The funcionario said no, then we explained I was renewing, so she phoned a supervisor to check, and gave it to me. But I did get the impression that it was a problem.”
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