Flag of SpainLegalising UK documents for Spain

Spain is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. A UK apostille is sufficient. No Spanish consular stamp is required.

Apostille processing times:

  • Standard paper: ≈ 3-4 working days (plus post)
  • Express next-day: received by 9 am → dispatched next working day

  • Premium counter *: 2–3 hours once lodged (appointment needed)

  • e-Apostille: 24–48 hours from upload

Key requirements for Spain

  • Public-office originals:
    Birth, marriage, and death certificates (GRO), ACRO police checks, medical reports, and registry extracts—must be apostilled directly on the public official’s signature. The Spanish authorities reject versions that have been “re-certified” by a solicitor or notary.

  • ACRO only:
    Spain will accept only the ACRO Criminal Records Certificate for visa or residency purposes; DBS or basic disclosures are not recognised. The apostille must cover the ACRO officer’s wet-ink signature and cannot be older than 6 months.

  • Medical reports:
    The doctor must be GMC-registered and have their signature specimen held on the FCDO database.  Spain does not accept solicitor or notary certification for medicals. (Need a compliant report fast? Get a same-day FCDO-registered medical certificate. )
  • Educational awards:
    Spanish ministries insist that a UK FCDO-registered notary personally verify the degree with the issuing university and record that confirmation in the notarial certificate before the apostille is added.
  • Other private papers:
    Where a UK public-office signature is absent (e.g., company resolutions, powers of attorney), use a UK FCDO-registered notary public. Spanish posts accept solicitor certifications only for visa document packs.
  • Translations:
    Most end-users require a sworn Spanish translation attached behind (never over) the apostilled page. Arrange translation after legalisation so the apostille remains visible, although the apostille certificate itself does not need to be translated.

Popular price examples:

Document Type Cost per document
Educational document + solicitor + apostille from £120
Educational document + NOTARY + apostille from £210
Birth, Marriage, Death + apostille from £87
ACRO police certificate + apostille from £87
Medical report or certificate + apostille from £87
Sworn Spanish Translation from £50

Spanish Consulate-General reference (no extra legalisation required)

20 Draycott Place, Chelsea, London SW3 2RZ
Tel 020 7589 8989 ・ cog.londres@maec.es

(The consulate does not legalise UK documents; once the correct UK apostille is in place, your paperwork is ready for use in Spain.)