Sworn Translation for Filipino Applicants in Spain
Filipino nationals in Spain apply for a range of procedures — residency permits, student visas, family reunification, Spanish nationality. Most Philippine official documents are issued in English, which makes sworn translation into Spanish a common and practical step.
Philippine Documents and Spain
Many Filipino nationals living in or moving to Spain need to submit official documents from the Philippines to Spanish authorities. Whether for a visa application, a residency permit, a family reunification procedure, or a Spanish nationality application, these documents often require sworn translation into Spanish.
One practical advantage is that most Philippine official documents are issued in English. This means they can be translated directly by Alba without any intermediate step.
Alba translates from English into Spanish only. If a document is in Filipino or another language, it falls outside the scope of her services.
The Spanish Nationality Advantage for Filipino Citizens
Spain’s Civil Code provides that Filipino nationals — along with citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal — may apply for Spanish nationality after only 2 years of legal residence, rather than the standard 10 years required for most other nationalities.
This is a significant legal advantage, and it is one of the most common reasons Filipino nationals in Spain need their documents officially translated. A Spanish nationality application involves submitting civil registry documents, criminal record certificates, and other official papers, many of which are issued by Philippine authorities in English.
Alba can help with the sworn translation portion of the process. She does not provide legal or immigration advice.
Which Philippine Documents Are Commonly Translated
The following documents from the Philippines are frequently needed for Spanish administrative procedures and are typically issued in English:
- NBI Clearance — the Philippines’ national criminal record certificate, issued by the National Bureau of Investigation
- PSA Birth Certificate — issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority
- PSA Marriage Certificate — issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority
- CENOMAR — Certificate of No Marriage Record, also issued by the PSA
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates — from Philippine universities or educational institutions
- Employment certificates
- DFA apostilles — the apostille issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which accompanies the main document
Requirements vary by procedure and authority. Always check the current official instructions for your specific situation.
DFA Apostille for Philippine Documents
The Philippines joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2019. Since then, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been the authority that issues apostilles for Philippine public documents.
If a Spanish authority requires an apostille on a Philippine document, this apostille must be obtained from the DFA before the document is sent for sworn translation. The typical order is: obtain the original document, get the DFA apostille, then send the full document package (including the apostille) for sworn translation.
The apostille itself also forms part of the official document and is translated together with the main document.
Regularisation and Arraigo for Filipino Nationals in Spain
Some Filipino nationals in Spain are applying for regularisation through arraigo procedures or extraordinary regularisation processes. The documents commonly required for these applications include an NBI Clearance, a PSA birth certificate, and, where applicable, a PSA marriage certificate.
All of these documents are typically issued in English by Philippine authorities and are ready for sworn translation into Spanish.
Requirements vary by consulate, authority, office, and date. Always check the current official instructions.
What to Send Alba
To prepare the translation, send:
- A clear scan of the full document
- All pages, including any continuation pages
- The DFA apostille sticker or page, if one has been issued
You do not need to mail the original. A clear digital scan or PDF is enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Philippine documents in English?
Yes. Most official Philippine documents — including NBI Clearances and PSA certificates — are issued in English. This makes them straightforward for sworn translation by Alba into Spanish.
Do I need a DFA apostille before translation?
For many procedures in Spain, yes. If the Spanish authority requires an apostille, you should obtain it from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs before sending the document for sworn translation. Always check the current requirements for your specific procedure.
Can you translate a PSA certificate?
Yes. PSA Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, and CENOMARs are all issued in English and can be translated by Alba into Spanish.
How long does it take?
Standard delivery is typically a few business days. A 12-hour rush option is available when possible at €55 per page. Contact Alba to confirm current availability.
Can I send a scan?
Yes. A clear digital scan of the full document, including any DFA apostille sticker, is enough. You do not need to mail the original.