FBI Background Check Apostille for Spain

What Spain usually requires

• An FBI Identity History Summary, the national, fingerprint-based check. A state or local police check is generally not accepted in its place.
• A federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State. A state apostille on an FBI report will be rejected.
• A sworn Spanish translation (traducción jurada) of the report and of the apostille itself, completed after the apostille is attached.
• A recent issue date. Many Spanish consulates expect the check to have been issued within roughly the last three months when you apply. Confirm the exact window with the consulate or office handling your application.

Visas that commonly need it

Spain’s non-lucrative residence visa, the digital nomad visa, long-term student visas, the auxiliares de conversación language assistant program, work visas and residency renewals typically include a criminal record requirement. Family members applying with you may each need their own check. See Apostilles for Spain and Digital Nomad Visa Documents.

The order matters

The most common reason Spanish files are returned is doing the steps out of order. The correct sequence is: FBI report, then federal apostille, then sworn translation. A translation made before the apostille does not cover the apostille and must be redone. We manage the sequence for you, and we can arrange the sworn Spanish translation in the same order. See Spanish Translation.

How we handle it

1. Request your FBI Identity History Summary with your fingerprints, directly from the FBI or through an FBI-approved channeler. We process the apostille, not the background check itself.
2. Upload a scan for review. We confirm that the report is the FBI-issued version the U.S. Department of State will accept before you send anything.
3. Send us the original from anywhere in the United States or abroad.
4. We obtain the federal apostille. Our DC Satellite Office hand-carries your report to the U.S. Department of State; please plan for approximately 10 business days.
5. Translation, if required, is added to the same order and completed after the apostille so the apostille is translated as well.
6. We return it with tracking, to you, your attorney or the consulate, anywhere in the world.

Timing your request

Because many consulates want a recent report, order the FBI check close enough to your appointment that it is still current, but early enough to allow for the apostille, translation and shipping. Tell us your appointment date, and we will help you choose the right moment to start.