How to Obtain and Translate Your Irish Police Certificate for Spain
If you need an Irish police certificate for Spain, the relevant document is the Police Certificate issued by An Garda Síochána.
Step 1: Confirm You Need a Police Certificate, Not Garda Vetting
This distinction matters. A Police Certificate is not the same as Garda Vetting. For Spain, what people usually need is the Police Certificate used for foreign visa and immigration matters.
Step 2: Prepare the Application
Applicants are generally asked for a completed application form, a certified copy of passport, driving licence, or similar identification, plus proof of address and / or proof of previous addresses.
Step 3: Get the Apostille
The Irish Police Certificate must be apostilled before it is used in Spain. Arrange the apostille before ordering the translation, so the complete final document set — certificate plus apostille — can be translated together in one step.
What to Send for a Quote
- The full Irish Police Certificate
- The apostille or legalization, if already obtained
- Any attachments that form part of the official issue
- Your deadline