APOSTILLE FOR SPAIN
Apostille Services for Spain
Student visa, non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa or work visa for Spain? Most applications need an apostilled FBI background check and other documents translated into Spanish. We handle both.
Over 20 years in business · Thousands of documents processed · 600+ five-star Google reviews
SPAIN AT A GLANCE
Hague Convention member
An apostille is all you need.
- FBI checks for every long-stay visa
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Spanish translation arranged
The FBI background check for Spain
Documents we prepare for Spain
- FBI background checks for visas and residency
- Diplomas, transcripts and enrollment letters
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Single status affidavits for marriage in Spain
- Powers of attorney for property or banking in Spain
- Medical certificates and letters for visa applications
- Corporate documents
What Spain usually requires
| Document | Where the apostille comes from | What else to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State | Recent check; Spanish translation (sworn or certified, per consulate) |
| Diploma or transcript | Secretary of the Commonwealth, through your school | See our university pages |
| Birth or marriage certificate | Secretary of the Commonwealth or issuing state | Certified copy; Spanish translation |
| Power of attorney | Secretary of the Commonwealth, after notarization | Ask your Spanish notario or gestor about format |
Requirements change and can differ by consulate, city and purpose. Always confirm the exact requirements with the office receiving your documents. We're happy to review what they sent you.
How we handle it
- 1
Tell us what the recipient asked for
Send us the list or the email from the consulate, school, employer or attorney. We review it and confirm exactly what each document needs.
- 2
We prepare each document
Certified copies, notarization by appointment, or retrieval of records you don't have yet.
- 3
Apostilles from the right offices
Massachusetts documents go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, other states' documents to that state, and federal documents, like FBI checks, to the U.S. Department of State.
- 4
Spanish translation and shipping
We arrange certified translation when it's needed, then ship everything back with tracking, to you or directly abroad.
Good to know
Start the FBI check early
Federal apostilles take longer than state ones. Build in time before your consulate appointment.
Don't staple or sign it
Send your FBI check exactly as you received it.
Translation order
Consulates often want the translation done after the apostille, so it covers both pages.
Students
Studying in Spain? See Diplomas & Transcripts and Federal & FBI Apostille.
Spanish visas we prepare documents for
Non-lucrative visa
FBI check, medical certificate and financial documents, apostilled and translated as required.
Digital nomad visa
Background checks, degree or work documents and company letters.
Student visa
Admission documents, background checks for longer programs and academic records.
Work and family visas
Degrees, background checks and family records.
Language assistant programs
Background checks and medical certificates for auxiliares de conversación.
Marriage in Spain
Birth certificates and proof of single status. See Single Status Affidavit.
Mistakes that delay Spanish visa files
- A state check instead of an FBI check. Most consulates want the FBI check with a federal apostille.
- An FBI check that's too old. Many consulates want it issued within the last few months.
- The wrong kind of translation. Some consulates ask for sworn translations (traducción jurada). Ask yours.
- Stapling or altering the FBI report. Send it exactly as you received it.
- Booking the consulate appointment before the documents are ready. Federal apostilles take time, so plan backward from your appointment.
Planning around your consulate appointment
What usually goes into a Spanish visa file
FBI background check
With a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State. See FBI Apostille.
Medical certificate
A doctor's letter in the format the consulate asks for, notarized and apostilled if required.
Financial documents
Bank letters, income letters and employment letters, notarized when the consulate asks for it.
Family records
Birth and marriage certificates for spouses and children.
For students and teachers
Official sources
Each Spanish consulate publishes its own checklist. Follow yours exactly, and check it again before your appointment.
What clients say
Incredibly professional, responsive and FAST. I needed to get my diploma apostilled and sent abroad to meet a graduate school deadline in a rush and it was done within about 24 hours. The process for my school & the notarization was complicated but she was there to troubleshoot and quickly figured out what needed to happen and confirming everything with my school officials in Boston herself. Highly recommend this service!
I had a great experience with the service from start to finish. They were very easy to reach online and always responded quickly whenever I had questions or needed clarification. The whole process was straightforward and well explained, and they made sure I understood everything I needed to know. Communication and confirmations were also very clear throughout. I used their apostille service for a document that needed to be sent overseas, and they took care of everything for me. The entire process was quick, smooth, and hassle-free, which I really appreciated. Overall, I’m very happy with the service and would definitely come back in the future if I have any other documents or paperwork that need notarization or apostille. Highly recommend!
We needed notary and apostille services urgently, and Boston Mobile Notary & Apostille was fantastic. She were responsive, communicative, and came right to us, handling everything quickly and professionally. Super nice as well — highly recommend!
From our 600+ Google reviews. Shared with first name and last initial.
How academic records get notarized for an apostille
Massachusetts will apostille an academic record notarized with any of its four notarial acts: acknowledgment, jurat (affidavit), signature witnessing or copy certification. Which one you need is usually set by whoever receives your documents, so we confirm their requirements before we start.
School official acknowledgment
A school official signs your diploma, transcript or verification letter before the notary, and the notarial certificate names the official, their title and the school. Ministries of education and universities abroad often require this.
School official affidavit
The registrar signs a separate sworn statement confirming your graduation and that the attached records match the school's files, and the notary notarizes it. Spain's Ministry of Education, for example, accepts only this or an acknowledgment. See our Spain guide.
Certified copy, only if your recipient accepts it
As the owner of your diploma, you present the original and we notarize a certified copy, then get the apostille in 1–2 business days. Many recipients won't accept a copy certification, so please confirm with yours first.
Prepared right the first time
We coordinate with the registrar, prepare the notarial certificate with the details your recipient requires, and file with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. For the school-certified routes, you don't need to come to Boston.
School and university records for Spain
Spain recognizes U.S. studies through two ministries. The Ministry of Education handles school records: U.S. grades 1–9 need no homologation, grade 10 is homologated to the Graduado en ESO, grade 11 is convalidated as 1º de Bachillerato, and a high school diploma with grades 10–12 is homologated to the Bachiller (a GED isn’t accepted). College and graduate degrees go to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
For school records, Spain only accepts notarizations where the school itself certifies the record, through a school official’s acknowledgment or affidavit. A certified copy that Massachusetts would otherwise apostille is rejected. Our guide explains what each level needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a Massachusetts CORI instead of an FBI check?
Usually not for a Spanish visa. Most consulates ask for the FBI check. Some also ask for state checks from where you've lived.
Do I need a sworn translation?
It depends on the consulate and where the documents will be used. Ask your consulate. We can arrange the translation they require.
How recent does my FBI check need to be?
Many consulates want it issued within the last 3 to 6 months. Check your consulate's instructions.
Can you ship directly to Spain?
Yes, with tracking.
Do you help with the medical certificate?
If your consulate needs a doctor's certificate apostilled, we can have the doctor's signature notarized and apostilled. Ask your consulate what format they want.
Can you translate into Spanish?
Yes. See Spanish Translation.
Do you ship documents to Spain?
Yes, with tracking.
Can you handle documents from other states?
Yes. Each document is apostilled by the state that issued it.
What if my consulate appointment is soon?
Tell us the date right away. We'll tell you honestly what's possible and look at rush options. See Rush Apostille.
Do I need an apostille on my bank statements?
Usually not, but some consulates want certain letters notarized or apostilled. Follow your consulate's checklist, and we'll handle anything that needs authentication.
Can I apply from Massachusetts if I'm from another state?
Spanish consulates have jurisdictions based on where you live. Check which consulate serves your state. We prepare the documents either way.
Do you work with students from Boston-area universities?
Yes, often on tight timelines before a semester abroad.
Sending documents to Spain?
Tell us the documents, the purpose and your deadline, and we'll map out every step.