Certificate of criminal record in Spain and country of origin
A criminal record certificate is one of the key documents for obtaining a residence permit, filing with migration authorities, executing contracts, working with government agencies, registering businesses and participating in legal processes. Spain imposes strict requirements to the form of the document, validity period, apostille, translation and authentication. An error in the form leads to refusals, delays or the need to completely redo the document. We accompany the process of obtaining the certificate in Spain and in the country of origin, issue the apostille, sworn translation and bring the document to a state where it will be accepted from the first submission.
Why should you entrust the service of criminal record certificate to us?
We know the official requirements of Spain and guarantee that the document will be accepted on the first attempt
Spanish migration authorities require a strictly defined format of the certificate, its validity, apostille, sworn translation and proof that the document was issued by a competent authority. We prepare everything in advance in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerio de Justicia and Extranjería to avoid refusals and resubmissions.
We issue certificates both in Spain and in the client's country of origin
We obtain a certificate from the Spanish Ministry of Justice and also accompany the process of processing documents from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, EU countries and Latin America. This is particularly important because documents from other countries must be processed under the Hague Convention or through consular procedures.
Preventing mistakes that lead to rejection of documents by migration authorities
Frequent errors are lack of apostille, wrong date of issue, wrong issuing authority, incomplete translation, lack of digital verification. We guarantee that the document meets all requirements.
We accompany the process until the document is fully accepted by Spanish migration or any government authority
We don’t just get the certificate – we bring it to the point where it is officially accepted when applying for a residence permit, obtaining residency, submitting documents to the police or notary procedure.
We work with urgent cases and process documents promptly
If the filing is already scheduled or the old certificate expires, we speed up the process, choose the fastest way to obtain it and prepare the document without delays.
Who needs a criminal record certificate?
To obtain a residence permit in Spain
Most types of residency - student, work, reunification, entrepreneurs, investors, self-employed - require an up-to-date criminal record certificate from the country of last residence.
To extend your residence permit or change your residence status
When moving from one residence to another, it is sometimes necessary to submit a new certificate if the previous one has expired or does not meet the requirements.
Obtaining licenses or participating in official procedures
Some legal and business processes require proof of no criminal record in the country of origin or in Spain.
For labor contracts and work in regulated areas
If a person takes a job involving responsibility, access to vulnerable groups or working in a government agency, the certificate becomes mandatory.
Our advantages in obtaining a criminal record certificate
An accurate understanding of the rules for issuing certificates in different countries
We work with documents according to international standards and know exactly how the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice and consulates of different countries issue certificates of criminal record. This eliminates situations where a document is "roughly" prepared but is not accepted by the Spanish authorities because of an incorrect format or incorrect method of submission.
Checking the authenticity and correctness of the reference before use
We check whether the document meets the official requirements: whether the applicant's data is correct, whether the signatures and stamps are correct, whether the digital verification is correct. This expertise protects the client from cases where the certificate visually looks normal, but in fact is not considered valid in Spain.
Correct legalization: apostille, consular certification, translation
We ensure the correct procedure for legalizing the certificate: where to place the apostille, how to get the translation done by a sworn translator, whether an additional stamp is needed. Errors at this stage are the most common cause of refusals, and we eliminate them completely.
Dealing with non-standard situations and complex countries
Some states issue certificates with limited timeframes, digitally, through the police, through the courts or through notarized requests. We know how to deal with "complicated" countries - where issuance takes longer or requires a special procedure. You get your document ready without stress or unnecessary steps.
Responsibility for the final result - a certificate that will actually be accepted
We accompany the process until the document is complete: correctly issued, legalized, translated and legally valid. The client receives a certificate that can be used in any official procedure in Spain - without the risk of rejection, redoing or resubmitting the request.
How to apply for a criminal record certificate in Spain step-by-step
The process of applying for a criminal record certificate depends on where you have lived in recent years and what the Spanish migration requirements are. We analyze the client’s situation, prepare the documents, prepare the request, control the issuance, then perform all the necessary legal actions: apostille, translation, filing with the authorities.
Analyze your situation and determine what kind of criminal record is required
The issuance of a criminal record certificate begins with an accurate understanding of which document is required in your case. We determine whether you need a certificate from Spain, from your country of origin or from several countries, depending on where you have lived in recent years. At this stage, it is important to take into account the validity of the document, the specifics of issuance in different countries, the need for an apostille and the format that the Spanish authorities accept. We will assess the requirements for your application in advance and explain what documents will be needed so that the process is quick and without resubmissions.
Obtaining a criminal record certificate in Spain
If you require a Spanish certificate, we process it through the Ministerio de Justicia using a formal request. We prepare the necessary data, send the application electronically or in person and track the status of the document until it is issued. Important nuance – the certificate in Spain is most often issued in digital format, which must contain a correct electronic signature and a unique verification code. We make sure that the certificate is legally valid and complies with Extranjería and police requirements.
Obtaining a criminal record certificate in the country of origin
If the document is needed from another country, we prepare step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a certificate from the Ministry of Interior or Ministry of Justice of your country. The procedure varies: somewhere the certificate is issued through the police, somewhere through the court, consulate or digital services. We take into account the specifics of your country and make sure that the certificate is issued by the right authority in the correct legal format that Spain actually recognizes.
Legalization of a document: apostille or consular certification
The obtained certificate must be properly legalized – it is at this stage that most clients make mistakes. We determine whether a Hague Convention apostille, consular legalization or a document is already self-sufficient. We ensure that every element is correct: seals, stamps, format, date of issue and legalization authority. An error in legalization is one of the most frequent reasons for refusals, and our task is to completely eliminate such a risk.
Sworn translation of the criminal record certificate
After legalization, the certificate must be translated by a sworn translator (Traductor Jurado) officially accredited by the Ministry of Justice. We will organize the translation in compliance with all requirements: correct wording, accurate reflection of stamps and seals, correct legal terminology. This translation is accepted by all Spanish authorities, including migration, police, notaries and courts.
Checking the document for compliance with Spanish requirements
Before handing over the document to the client, we carry out a final legal assessment. We check the validity period, correctness of the apostille, compliance of the contents with the original, accuracy of the translation, presence of all mandatory details and the possibility of online verification. This step ensures that the certificate will be accepted without objection and will not raise additional inquiries or suspicions.
Transfer of the finished certificate and support in its further use
We hand over a fully executed and legally valid document to the client, explain where and how to use it correctly, and advise on the timing of submission, the necessary supporting materials and the specifics of particular procedures. The client receives a document that can be used immediately in Spain – without the risk of being rejected due to formal or technical inconsistencies.
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Email: info@polenovapartners.com
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We are trusted by families, investors, expatriates and freelancers moving to Spain or buying real estate in Barcelona. We are proud that 90% of new clients come by recommendation. Read real reviews of Polenova&Partners’ work – on transaction support, renting, obtaining a residence permit and legal support.
