Nationality by residence
The application for Spanish nationality by residence must be applied for at the registry of births, marriages and deaths in charge of the jurisdiction in which the applicant is addressed at.
There is an application form for nationality by residence which is a guide to complete the forms. This guide can be obtained through the Internet or requested at the "Servicio de Nacionalidad" - nationality services department at the Ministry of Justice:
Address: c/Rios Rosas, 24
28003 Madrid
Telephone : +34 913 904 839
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.30 hrs and 09.00 to 14.00 hrs. on Saturday. In Summer, July 1. to August 31, opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.00 to 15.00 hrs and 08.00 to 14.00 hrs. on Saturday.
The form may also be requested via mail or telephone.
Documents required for the application for Spanish nationality by residence:
· Residence card: time of residence is to be counted as from the day residence card was solicited.
· Legalized birth certificate, (translated if not originally in Spanish) or, with Apostille issued by Spanish consul in country of origin or consul of country of origin in Spain.
· Certification from the police department of being documented as a foreigner.
· Census certification (issued by city hall).
· Penal record certificate (by a document supplied by the archives and which has to be sent to the "registro central de penados y rebeldes" of Madrid or can be obtained at the Bilbao government delegation).
· Certification obtained at the corresponding consulate stating registration, not over three months old unless document bears validity date beyond three months.
If the applicant’s grandparent is a Spanish citizen the time of required residency is reduced to 1 (one) year. For this purpose the legal birth certificate of the Spanish grandparent must be shown.
Once all documentation is ready, the interested party must go to a registry of births, marriages and deaths accompanied by their spouse and two Spanish witnesses over 18 years of age.
It is important to note that certificates 3,4,5 and 6 are only valid for three months.
The official application form to apply for Spanish nationality must be filed to the Civil Registry corresponding to the town where the applicant lives.
The following documentation will be required:
- Your own birth certificate and your spouse's birth certificate, if you are married with a Spanish national, in which case the marriage certificate will be also required.
- Consular certificate, containing the following:
- Your former nationality
- Your criminal records
- Your military situation with your home country.
- A certificate of Spanish criminal records.
- Your registration at the Spanish town Council.
- A police certificate stating the time of legal residence in Spain.
All foreign documentation must be officially translated into Spanish and authenticated by the consulate of your country of origin.
The Spanish authorities will decide upon granting the Spanish nationality within a term of 18 up to 24 months from the date of application.
These both say more or less the same thing .
This message was last edited by guslopez on 04/05/2010.