Last updated: April 15, 2026

Table of Contents

• What Is Apostille
• Which Documents
• US Process
• UK Process
• Costs & Timeline
• Common Mistakes
• FAQ

An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates a public document for use in another country. Think of it as an international stamp of approval that says “this document is genuine and was issued by a legitimate authority.”

The system was created by the 1961 Hague Convention. Over 120 countries participate, including Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries.

The key point: Spanish consulates and immigration offices will not accept foreign public documents unless they have been apostilled. No apostille, no visa.

Required for virtually all Spanish visas:

• Criminal background check (FBI report for US citizens, ACRO for UK citizens)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applying with a spouse)

Frequently required depending on visa type:

• University degree or diploma (Student Visa, DNV)
• Professional qualifications or certifications
• Power of attorney (if someone is representing you in Spain)
• Divorce decree (if applicable)
• Death certificate of spouse (if applicable)
• Medical certificates (some consulates require these apostilled)

Documents that do NOT need an apostille:

• Bank statements (private documents, not public documents)
• Proof of health insurance (private document)
• Proof of accommodation (rental contracts, etc.)
• Passport (inherently internationally recognised)
• Photos

Visa-specific requirements:

Visa Type	Key Apostilled Documents
Non-Lucrative Visa	Criminal background check, birth/marriage certificates
Digital Nomad Visa	Criminal background check, birth/marriage certificates, degree/qualifications
Student Visa	Criminal background check, birth certificate, academic transcripts
Work Permit	Criminal background check, birth/marriage certificates, degree

The process varies depending on whether the document is issued at the federal or state level.

Federal Documents (FBI Background Check)

Step 1: Request your FBI Identity History Summary by submitting fingerprints through an FBI-approved channeller (2–4 weeks) or by mail (12–16 weeks).

Step 2: Receive the FBI report as a sealed letter.

Step 3: Get the federal apostille from the US Department of State, Office of Authentications. Current processing time: 4–8 weeks by mail.

Step 4: Have the document translated by a sworn translator registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

State Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates)

Step 1: Obtain a certified copy from the vital records office of the state where the event occurred.

Step 2: Get the state apostille from the Secretary of State office. Processing times vary from same-day to 4–8 weeks by mail.

Step 3: Get a sworn translation into Spanish.

Order of Operations (Critical)

The sequence must be: Original document → Apostille → Sworn translation

Never translate first and then apostille. The apostille goes on the original-language document, and then everything gets translated together.

Step 1: Obtain your documents

• Criminal record check: apply through the ACRO Criminal Records Office
• Birth/marriage certificates: order from the General Register Office

Step 2: Get the UK apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Submit documents to the FCDO Legalisation Office. Processing: standard service 2–3 weeks, premium service 1 day (in person in Milton Keynes).

Step 3: Get a sworn translation into Spanish. Use a sworn translator registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Post-Brexit note: The process hasn’t changed for apostilles. The UK is still part of the Hague Convention, so the apostille system still applies.

Apostille fees:

Country	Government Fee	Typical Total (with shipping)
US (State level)	$5–$25 per document	$15–$50
US (Federal/Dept of State)	$20 per document	$40–$80
UK (FCDO standard)	£39 per document	£50–£70
UK (FCDO premium same-day)	£85 per document	£85–£100

Sworn translation fees: €30–€80 per page (varies by language pair and translator)

Total cost per document (apostille + translation): typically €80–€200

Timeline planning:

Step	US Timeline	UK Timeline
Obtain document	2–16 weeks (FBI slowest)	1–4 weeks
Apostille	1–8 weeks	1 day – 3 weeks
Sworn translation	2–5 business days	2–5 business days
Total	5–29 weeks	1.5–7 weeks

Start early. The single biggest mistake is underestimating how long the US federal apostille takes. Begin the process at least 3–4 months before your target visa appointment date.

1. Starting too late.

The FBI background check + federal apostille can take 3–4 months total. If you start 6 weeks before your consulate appointment, you’ll miss it.

2. Getting the order wrong.

Translating before apostilling, or apostilling a photocopy instead of the original. The sequence is always: certified original → apostille → sworn translation.

3. Using the wrong translator.

Spain requires traductores jurados — sworn translators officially registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A regular certified translator won’t be accepted.

4. Letting documents expire.

Criminal background checks are typically valid for 3–6 months from the date of issue. If your apostille process takes too long, the document may expire.

5. Apostilling the wrong version.

Some states issue short-form and long-form birth certificates. Most Spanish consulates require the long-form (with parents’ names, place of birth, etc.).

6. Not checking consulate-specific requirements.

Each Spanish consulate may have slightly different requirements. Always check your specific consulate’s website before starting.