Certificates for EU Family Member Residency Applications in Spain

Certificates for EU Family Member Applications in Spain

Certificates are crucial in EU family member applications in Spain, serving as vital proof of your identity and relationship to the EU citizen.

The two key Certificates applicable to most EU family member applications are:

• Marriage Certificate
• Birth Certificate

The articles linked above provide general information about each Certificate and how to obtain yours – but what happens next?

Certify that your document is genuine – Legalisation or Apostille of the Hague.

When does the Apostille Stamp apply?

All non-EU-issued Certificates (including those from the UK) must be ‘legalised’ to confirm their authenticity. For countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961, this means obtaining an Apostille Stamp.

In the UK, only the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can issue apostilles, and the cost is £30 per document (+ postage charges). Alternatively, private providers can arrange both apostilles and attestations, often offering “bundles” for multiple documents. These services may be more expensive but can save time.

What if your Certificate wasn’t issued in a Hague Convention country?

If your Certificate wasn’t issued in a country that has signed the Hague Convention, it must be ‘legalised’ by the issuing country instead. This typically involves an Embassy Attestation, but you should confirm the specific requirements with the country where the document was issued.

Note about translations

If your Certificate isn’t in Spanish, you must have it translated by a government-approved translator (sworn translator, traductor jurado).

Certificates must be dated within 90 days of your application appointment to avoid delays.

If you got married or have had children in the EU, then it’s good news certificates issued within the EU do not require an apostille. Also, EU-issued Certificates may qualify for a Multi-lingual Standard Form, which eliminates the need for translation – a convenient and time-saving solution!