Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)

You'll submit your application in person at the Spanish Consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. There is no online portal for citizenship by descent; all applications must be filed at a consulate with supporting documents. The process differs slightly depending on whether you qualify under Article 17 (Nationality by Origin — automatic at birth) or Article 20 (Nationality by Option — you choose to claim it).

Step 1: Determine Your Legal Pathway

Before you gather any documents, confirm which article of the Spanish Civil Code applies to you.

If you were born to at least one Spanish parent who was a Spanish citizen at the time of your birth — regardless of where you were born — you qualify under Article 17.1.a (Nationality by Origin). This is the strongest pathway and requires no age limit or declaration.

If your parent was born in Spain and was a Spanish citizen by origin (even if they later lost citizenship), you qualify under Article 20.1.b (Nationality by Option). This pathway has no age limit and is particularly valuable if your parent was born in Spain but you were not.

If you are under parental authority of a Spaniard who acquired Spanish citizenship while you were a minor, you have the right to opt for citizenship until age 20 (or two years after emancipation).

Important note: The temporary Democratic Memory Law (Ley de Memoria Democrática), which allowed grandchildren of Spanish Republicans to apply, closed on October 22, 2025. If your only connection to Spain is through a grandparent, you can no longer apply unless your parent first recovers or acquires Spanish citizenship, or unless your parent was born in Spain (Article 20.1.b).

Step 2: Gather and Prepare All Documents

Every document must be legalized or apostilled (if issued outside the EU) and translated into Spanish by an official sworn translator (traductor jurado). This is non-negotiable; consulates will reject documents without proper certification.

Collect the following:

• Your birth certificate: Request the Certificado Literal de Nacimiento (literal birth certificate) from your local registry. Do not use short-form or computerized versions; consulates reject these. The literal certificate contains all marginal notes and is essential.

• Your parent's birth certificate: This must be a literal copy (Certificado Literal) issued by a Spanish Civil Registry. If your parent was born abroad, you may need to register their birth in Spain first (see Step 3 below).

• Your parent's marriage certificate: If your parents were married, obtain a literal copy from the Spanish Civil Registry (if they married in Spain) or the equivalent registry in their country of marriage.

• Proof of your parent's Spanish nationality at the time of your birth: This can be a Spanish passport, DNI (national ID), or proof of consular registration from that period. If your parent naturalized, obtain the naturalization decree.

• Your valid passport and local ID: Bring originals and copies.

• Application form: The specific form depends on which article you're applying under. Your consulate will provide this when you book your appointment.

If your parent was born abroad: You may need to first register their birth in the Spanish Civil Registry. Contact the consulate to determine if this is necessary and how to proceed.

Step 3: Verify Consular Jurisdiction and Book an Appointment

Identify the Spanish Consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. You cannot apply at a consulate in a country where you are merely visiting; you must show proof of legal residence in that consulate's district (such as a long-term visa, residency permit, or local ID).

Visit the consulate's website to find contact information and appointment booking procedures. Many consulates now use online appointment systems; others require you to call or email. Be prepared for long wait times: due to the surge of applications before the October 2025 Democratic Memory Law deadline, many consulates have backlogs of 18 to 24 months for appointments.

When you book, inform the consulate of your specific situation (Article 17 vs. Article 20) so they can advise you on any additional documents needed.

Step 4: Submit Your Application In Person

Attend your appointment with all original documents and copies. The consulate will verify that:

• All documents are properly legalized/apostilled and translated
• Your documents establish the unbroken chain of Spanish nationality (parent → you)
• You meet the legal requirements of your chosen article

Some consulates conduct a brief interview to confirm your identity and understanding of Spanish citizenship obligations. Be prepared to answer basic questions about your parent's nationality and your own background.

Step 5: Oath of Allegiance (If Approved)

If your application is approved and you are 14 years of age or older, you must swear an oath of allegiance to the King and obedience to the Spanish Constitution (Jura de Lealtad al Rey y Obediencia a la Constitución). This typically takes place at the consulate and is a brief, formal ceremony.

If you are under 14, your parent or legal guardian may take the oath on your behalf.

Step 6: Registration and Issuance of Documents

Once the oath is completed, your birth is registered in the Spanish Civil Registry (Registro Civil). You will receive a certificate of registration. With this certificate, you can then apply for:

• Spanish National ID (DNI): Apply at the consulate or, if you move to Spain, at a local police station.
• Spanish Passport: Apply at the consulate or in Spain.

Both documents confirm your Spanish citizenship and allow you to exercise your rights as a Spanish citizen.

Important Consideration: The "Loss Trap" (Article 24)

If you are a Spaniard born abroad to a Spanish parent who was also born abroad, you must declare your will to conserve Spanish nationality between the ages of 18 and 21 at a consulate. If you do not make this declaration, you will automatically lose Spanish citizenship. Mark this deadline in your calendar and contact your nearest consulate well before your 21st birthday.

Item	Cost
Spanish government application fee	€0
Apostille (per document, varies by country)	€10–€50
Official translation into Spanish (per page, varies by translator)	€5–€15
Certified copies of birth/marriage certificates	€10–€30 per document
Estimated total for document preparation	€200–€500

Total estimate: €200–€500 for all document preparation and legalization. This does not include the cost of obtaining original certificates from registries (which varies by country), travel to the consulate, or the cost of a Spanish passport or DNI once you are approved (approximately €25–€30 for a passport).

Appointment availability: 6 to 24 months. Due to the backlog created by the October 2025 Democratic Memory Law deadline, many consulates are currently experiencing waits of 18 to 24 months before you can even submit your application.

Processing after submission: 6 to 12 months for standard cases, though this varies significantly by consulate and case complexity.

Total timeline: Expect 12 to 36 months from the time you begin gathering documents to the time you receive your registration certificate and can apply for a Spanish passport or DNI.

Document validity: Your birth certificate and other civil documents are valid indefinitely for citizenship purposes, but apostilles and translations may be requested again if more than 10 years have passed since they were issued.