Citizenship

Adults

👮🏼‍♂️ Criminal record certificate from your country of origin, properly translated and legalised.

It is important to keep in mind that the Administration will always automatically review your Spanish criminal and police record during the nationality application process.

⭐ Exception: In the case of nationals from EU member states, this can be replaced by the Spanish Central Criminal Record Certificate.

📚 Diplomas from the Cervantes Institute for the Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge test (CCSE) and the Spanish language knowledge test (DELE).

⭐ Exception: Nationals of the following countries are exempt from the DELE test; Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

⭐ Exception: Knowledge of the Spanish language may be demonstrated through the submission of official certificates of Spanish as a foreign language education, Aptitude certificates, and Academic Certifications of Basic Cycle, issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports, competent regional governments, or Official Language Schools, in accordance with current legislation.

⭐ Exception: Those who hold degrees in official studies conducted in Spanish at intermediate or higher level, and individuals who have completed compulsory secondary education courses in Spain, will also be exempt from both tests. Likewise, those who cannot read or write or who have learning difficulties may request an exemption through a form to the Ministry of Justice.

📝 Representation Authorisation: mandate or power of attorney from the voluntary representative, if applicable, accompanied by their identification document.

Minors

Depending on the age of the minor, or if they are a PCMJ (person with modified judicial capacity), the requirements differ.

Emancipated Minor

📃 In the case of legally emancipated minors, public deed of emancipation or court order from the Judge in charge of the Civil Registry.

Over 14 Years Old but under 18 and Not Having Modified Judicial Capacity, Who Can Act on Their Own Assisted by Their Legal Representative

🪪 Identification document of the parents in the case of minors subject to parental authority or an official document certifying legal representation (court order) in other cases, together with the identification documentation of the corresponding representative. In this case, the representatives must sign the application form together with the interested party.

🏫 Certificate from the training, residence, or care center that certifies the sufficient degree of integration.

Minor under 14 or PCMJ Who Must Act through a Legal Representative

🪪 Identification document of the representative or legal representatives, who must also complete the standardised application form on behalf of the interested party.

🏫 Certificate from the training, residence, care, special education center that certifies the sufficient degree of integration, mandatory for school-age children.

⭐ Exception: In the case of PCMJ, the same certificate applies, without prejudice to the administration's ability to request and obtain additional documents or reports on its own accord.

⭐ Exception: In the case of minors of preschool age, the submission of this certificate will be voluntary.

🏛️ Authorisation from the Civil Registry officer at the minor's or PCMJ's home address will also be required, following the opinion of the Public Prosecutor's Office, if at least one of the two circumstances applies to you:

1. In cases of guardianship, custody, or fostering by someone other than the parents and, generally, in all cases of legal representation other than parental authority; or

2. When acquiring Spanish nationality requires renouncing the original nationality.

Other Cases

When one of the following cases occurs, documentation must be provided to prove one or more of the following circumstances:

Born in Spanish Territory

• Literal birth certificate of the interested party registered in the Spanish Civil Registry.

Those Who Have Not Timely Exercised the Right to Opt

• Birth certificate of the Spanish father/mother.

• Literal birth certificate of the interested party registered in a Spanish Civil Registry or judicial resolution stating the adoption by Spanish or the recognition of lineage.

• Persons under guardianship, custody or non-provisional care.

In Cases of Family Fostering

• Order from the competent Court designating the person who will exercise guardianship, custody or fostering.

In Cases of Fostering by a Spanish Institution

• Resolution from said Institution assuming guardianship, custody or fostering.

Married to a Spanish Citizen

• Literal birth certificate of the Spanish spouse, issued by the Spanish Civil Registry.

• Literal marriage certificate issued by the Spanish Civil Registry.

• Certificate of Coexistence or Joint Registration with the spouse.

Widow/Widower of a Spanish Citizen

• Literal birth certificate of the spouse issued by the Spanish Civil Registry.

• Literal marriage certificate issued by the Spanish Civil Registry updated, that is, issued close to the nationality request date.

• Death certificate of the spouse.

• Joint registration or coexistence certificate on the date of the spouse's death.

Descendant of a Spanish Citizen

• Literal birth certificate of the Spanish father/mother.

• Literal birth certificate of the grandfather/grandmother, only when one or both of them are Spanish ancestors. In this case, the birth certificate of the father/mother, a descendant of a Spanish citizen, must also be presented, whether or not they were Spanish.

Refugees/Stateless Persons

• Identity card for foreign nationals indicating their status as a refugee/stateless person.

• Blue passport from the Geneva Convention of 1951 (if available).

• Certificate from the Asylum and Refuge Office of the Ministry of the Interior (this certificate will be valid for six months from the date of issue) indicating:

  • Name and surname.

  • Date and place of birth.

  • Parents' names.

  • That they maintain their refugee status.