Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)

All documents must be legalized or apostilled (if issued outside the EU) and officially translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado). Spanish consulates will not accept photocopies or informal translations.

Identity and Civil Status Documents

• Your birth certificate — must be a literal copy (Certificado Literal de Nacimiento), not a short-form or computerized version. The literal copy includes all marginal notes and amendments to your birth record.
• Your parent's birth certificate — a literal copy from the Spanish Civil Registry, if your parent was born in Spain. If your parent was born abroad, you will need their birth certificate from their country of birth, plus evidence of their Spanish citizenship (see below).
• Your parent's marriage certificate — literal copy, if applicable.
• Your identification — a valid passport and any local national ID card you hold.

Proof of Parent's Spanish Citizenship

You must prove that your parent was a Spanish citizen at the time of your birth. Acceptable documents include:

• Spanish passport or DNI (national ID card) issued to your parent, with a date showing they held it at your birth.
• Spanish birth certificate for your parent (literal copy from the Spanish Civil Registry).
• Consular registration (inscripción consular) showing your parent was registered as a Spanish citizen abroad.
• Court judgment or administrative decision confirming your parent's Spanish citizenship.

Supporting Documents (If Applicable)

• Adoption decree — if you were adopted by a Spanish citizen.
• Marriage or divorce certificates — if your parent's marital status changed and affected your eligibility.
• Death certificate — if your parent is deceased (you can still apply; their citizenship at your birth is what matters).
• Proof of legal residence — a visa, residence permit, or local ID showing you live in the consulate's jurisdiction (required to apply there).