Spain Non Lucrative Visa: Apostille and Translation Requirements for the Washington DC Consulate

Question

I’m working on my Spain Non Lucrative Visa visa application for the Washington, DC consulate, and I’m finding the directions on their website to be pretty vague.

I’m confused about which documents need an apostille, which require sworn translations, which need certified translations, and which ones (if any) I could translate myself using something like ChatGPT. Any clarification would be greatly appreciated!

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

• “You can’t translate anything yourself. All translations need to be done by sworn translators registered in Spain.”
• “We applied through DC last August (2024). If I’m remembering correctly:
  1. The FBI background check needs an apostille from the State Department (mail-in). Both the background check and apostille need a sworn translation.
  2. The marriage certificate requires a state-level apostille and then a sworn translation.
  3. The affidavit letter must be notarized, then apostilled at the state level, and then translated.
  4. A letter from my husband’s employer confirming his retirement was also translated.
  5. Bank statements didn’t need translation.”
• “To be safe, we translated a few extra documents (like financial summaries), but the consulate didn’t care about them. We also made three copies of everything, but they didn’t really want them either. It seems to depend on the person processing your application.”
• “The background check must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish. The apostille does not need a translation.”
• “Apostilles:
  • FBI background check (federal apostille)
  • Marriage certificate (state apostille)
  • Birth certificate (if needed, state apostille)
  • Ensure you get the apostille from the correct authority, depending on the document.”
• “Sworn translations are required for:
  • Background check
  • Proof of income (e.g., bank statements, pension letters)
  • Marriage and/or birth certificates
  • Use a translator certified by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
• “For affidavits, some people have translated them themselves, but to be safe, it’s better to get a sworn translation. Also, your affidavit needs to be notarized, then apostilled at the state level, and finally translated by a sworn translator.”
• “The consulate’s website (Find the link here) doesn’t mention that the affidavit’s notary needs an apostille, but some applicants have been asked to resubmit their documents because they didn’t have one. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially if you don’t live near DC!”

Conclusion

When applying for a Spain Non Lucrative Visa at the Washington, DC consulate, proper apostille and translation of documents are crucial. Key takeaways from applicants’ experiences include:

1. Apostille Requirements:
   • The FBI background check requires a federal apostille and a sworn translation.
   • The marriage certificate (if applicable) and birth certificate (for dependents) need a state apostille and sworn translation.
   • The affidavit letter must be notarized, apostilled at the state level, and then translated.
2. Translation Requirements:
   • All translations must be done by a sworn translator certified by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
   • Bank statements do not need to be translated.
3. Affidavits:
   • The affidavit must be notarized and apostilled at the state level, even though the consulate’s website doesn’t explicitly mention this.
   • Some applicants have had their affidavits rejected for lacking an apostille.
4. Be Over-Prepared:
   • Some applicants translated and copied extra documents that the consulate ultimately didn’t ask for, but since requirements can vary depending on the consular officer handling the application, it’s best to prepare more than required.

For the most up-to-date guidance, applicants should verify directly with the Washington, DC consulate and BLS Office and consider seeking professional assistance for translations and apostille services.

This information is based on personal experiences and doesn’t replace official guidelines.

Join our community!

Make sure to join our dedicated Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group here!