In Spain, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Spain is a member of. The apostille is used to authenticate documents for international use in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Spain:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Spain include:
   • Birth certificates
   • Marriage certificates
   • Academic diplomas and transcripts
   • Notarized documents (e.g., powers of attorney, affidavits)
   • Court decisions and other official documents issued by state authorities
2. Obtain the Document: The document must be issued by an official Spanish authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Civil Registry (Registro Civil).
   • Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Spain.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Spanish notaries.
   • Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
3. Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney, contracts, etc.), it must first be notarized by a licensed Spanish notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: In Spain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación) is responsible for issuing apostilles. The Ministry handles apostille requests for documents issued by Spanish authorities. Note: Apostilles are typically issued by the Ministry’s regional offices in each of Spain’s autonomous communities (for example, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, etc.). Alternatively, documents can be submitted to provincial offices of the Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia).
5. Complete the Apostille Application Form: When submitting your document, you will need to complete an apostille application form. This form can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, or their websites.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Spain. The fee can vary depending on the document and the region, and it must be paid at the time of submission.
7. Processing Time:
   • In-person submissions: Apostille processing typically takes 1–2 business days.
   • By mail: If submitting by mail, processing may take 5–7 business days, depending on postal delivery times and volume.
8. Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Justice, or it can be mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.

Key Points:

• Spain is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Spain are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Justice is responsible for issuing apostilles for Spanish-issued documents.
• Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Spain.

Documents and Information You Will Need:

• The original document you want to have apostilled.
• A completed apostille application form.
• Proof of identity (passport or national ID card may be required).
• Payment for the apostille fee.

Where to Go for Apostille in Spain:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for documents from Civil Registries):
  • Address: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paseo de la Castellana, 18, Madrid, Spain.
  • Phone: +34 91 379 90 00
  • Website: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Spain
• Ministry of Justice (for documents like notary certifications, judicial documents):
  • Address: Ministry of Justice, San Bernardo 45, Madrid, Spain.
  • Phone: +34 91 537 79 00
  • Website: Ministry of Justice – Spain

For the most up-to-date information on fees, application forms, and processing times, it is best to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Justice directly or visit their official websites.