MEA ApostilleApostille for Spain
Spain objected to India's accession to the Apostille Convention in 2005 but later withdrew the objection, and the Convention has been in force between Spain and India since 12 February 2008.
Spain receives Indian students, highly qualified professionals, remote workers on its international telework visa, families joining relatives and companies entering the Spanish market. For all of them, an MEA Apostille is the route: Spain withdrew its original objection to India's accession, and the Convention has applied between the two countries since 12 February 2008.
Police certificates for long-stay visas
Many Spanish long-stay visas and residence applications ask for a criminal record certificate from your country of residence. For Indian applicants that is usually a police clearance certificate. One issued through Passport Seva can typically go straight to the MEA for the Apostille. Spanish offices often expect it to be recently issued, so check the validity period before you apply for it.
Degrees and homologation
Having an Indian qualification recognised in Spain, whether through homologation or a statement of equivalence, usually means apostilling your degree certificate and transcript and providing Spanish translations. Students may need the same for admission or a study visa.
The Spanish translation
Spanish offices generally want translations by a traductor jurado, a sworn translator appointed by Spain's foreign ministry, or translations accepted by a Spanish consulate. If a sworn translator in Spain will do the work, apostille the document first so that the translation can include the Apostille. Where a translation prepared in India is accepted, our document translation service can help.
Family and business documents
Family reunification and civil registry matters typically involve a birth certificate or marriage certificate, authenticated by the issuing state's Home Department or GAD before the MEA. Company papers, such as a certificate of incorporation, are attested by a Chamber of Commerce first.
Check your route with the Service Finder or request a quote.
Route for Indian documents going to Spain
- 1
Check the Spanish checklist
Confirm with the consulate, university or office which documents need an Apostille, how recent they must be and who may translate them.
- 2
Obtain and prepare documents
Apply for a recent police clearance certificate if one is required, and arrange university verification or notarisation for other documents.
- 3
State or Chamber authentication
Personal and academic documents are authenticated by the issuing state, and company documents by a Chamber of Commerce. Passport Seva police certificates usually skip this step.
- 4
MEA Apostille
The MEA affixes its Apostille, which a traductor jurado can then include in the Spanish translation.
- 5
Sworn Spanish translation
A Spanish translation is prepared by a traductor jurado, or in the form the receiving office accepts, covering the Apostille where required.
Documents commonly prepared for Spain
Frequently asked questions
Does my police clearance certificate for a Spanish visa need an Apostille?
Spanish consulates and offices commonly ask for the police certificate to be apostilled and translated into Spanish. A certificate issued through Passport Seva can typically go to the MEA without state authentication. Check how recent it must be before you apply for it.
Spain objected to India joining the Convention. Is an Indian Apostille valid there?
Yes. Spain withdrew its objection, and the Convention has been in force between Spain and India since 12 February 2008, so an MEA Apostille is the route.
What is a traductor jurado, and do I need one?
A traductor jurado is a sworn translator appointed by Spain's foreign ministry, whose translations Spanish authorities generally accept. Some offices also accept translations certified by a Spanish consulate, so ask which the office receiving your documents needs before commissioning one.
Not sure which route your document needs?
Tell us the document and the destination country. We will confirm the route, the documents we need from you and a quotation — before you send anything.