How to prepare UK Marriage and Birth Certificates for non-EU visa application

VERY IMPORTANT:
BE SURE TO ORDER COPIES OF YOUR LONG FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATE, AS SPANISH AUTHORITIES NEED TO SEE PARENTS’ NAMES

If your residency application involves children or spouses as beneficiaries, then you’ll need official copies of any Birth and/or Marriage Certificates, translated and legalised with an Apostille Stamp.

These documents are essential proof of the relationship between applicants and the Immigration Department need them to be dated within 3 months of your application.

Note about single parent families/step families:
In the event that children’s surnames differ from the parents’ surnames on Certificates, you may be asked for additional documentation to prove the relationship e.g. death certificate, custody permission.

Ordering duplicate Certificates from UK General Register Office (GRO)
It’s actually relatively straightforward to place an order for your Certificates and to start the process, visit this page on the UK Government website
You set up an account, request the documents you need and pay the relevant fees online. The documents will be sent to the address you enter during this registration process. 

Do these Certificates need to have an Apostille Stamp?
YES – Because the UK is no longer a member of the European Union (EU), then an Apostille stamp WILL be needed for any official documents and certificates issued in the UK. This article has full instructions about how to get Apostille Stamps for your UK documentation. Apostille stamps from the UK come in multiple languages, so  there’s no need to get them translated.

Any translations must be done by a “sworn translator”
Next the document must be translated into Spanish by a “sworn translator” (traductor jurado). All official Sworn Translators are registered at the Language Interpretation Office in Madrid and at the Government or Civil Government Delegation in their area, therefore their seal and signature on your translated document certifies the legal validity of your translations. Without this, the documents will not be accepted. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If the Certificate was issued in the EU, then no Apostille is needed, according to European law. Also, you will be able to ask for a Multi-Language Standard (MLS) form which means your Certificate will be issued in several languages (including Spanish) which will save on translation costs.

Any questions?
If you need any help or advice about applying for Spanish residency, either as an EU or non-EU passport holder, then please Book a Call for a no-obligation chat and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.