Spanish Nationality (LMD/Philippines)

The deadline to request a new appointment for the Ley de Memoria Democrática (LMD) officially closed on October 22, 2025.

However, because the system was overwhelmed, consulates (like the one in Manila and those in the US) are still actively processing applications throughout 2026 for anyone who secured their credentials or appointment before that deadline.

1. Required Documents: Annex I (Anexo I)

For Grandchildren or Children of an originally Spanish citizen. This is the primary route for Filipinos claiming nationality directly through a Spanish grandfather or great-grandfather.

Official Forms

• Formulario Anexo I: The main application form. Must be completed and signed.

  • Download Anexo I (PDF)

• Formulario Anexo V: The authentication sheet. Must be completed but left UNSIGNED. You will sign this in front of the consular official.

  • Download Anexo V (PDF)

• Hoja Declaratoria de Datos: The civil registry data sheet used to create your eventual Spanish birth record.

  • Download Hoja Declaratoria (PDF)

Applicant's Personal Documents

• Valid Passport & Local ID: Original and photocopies of your passport and a government-issued ID proving you live in the consulate's jurisdiction.

• PSA Birth Certificate: Your official Philippine Statistics Authority birth certificate. It must be Apostilled by the DFA.

  • Note on Translations: If applying at the Manila consulate, English is generally accepted for the initial appointment, but if you are applying at a US consulate, it must be translated by a Spanish MAEC-certified Traductor Jurado.

Lineage / Connecting Parent's Documents

• PSA Birth Certificate of the Connecting Parent: The parent in the bloodline of the Spanish ancestor. Must be PSA-issued and DFA Apostilled.

• PSA Marriage Certificate of your Parents: Apostilled by the DFA. (If they were never married, a copy of the non-Spanish parent's birth certificate is usually required).

Spanish Ancestor's Documents

• Spanish Literal Birth Certificate (Certificación Literal de Nacimiento): Issued by the Spanish Civil Registry.

• The "Philippines Quirk" (Church Records): If your ancestor was born before 1870 or their records were destroyed (very common), you must provide their Baptismal Certificate authenticated by the local Archdiocese, accompanied by a Negative Certification from the Spanish Civil Registry proving the civil record does not exist.

• Proof of Retention (Community Tip): Reddit forums frequently highlight that you may need to prove your Spanish ancestor did not naturalize as a Filipino/American citizen before the next generation was born. This is usually proven with alien registration cards or a negative certificate of naturalization.

2. Required Documents: Annex III (Anexo III)

For Adult Children of parents who obtained nationality via LMD or LMH. If your parent recently claimed their Spanish citizenship under the 2007 or 2022 memory laws, you apply through this much simpler route.

Official Forms

• Formulario Anexo III: The specific application form for adult children. Completed and signed.

  • Download Anexo III (PDF)

• Formulario Anexo V: Completed, but NOT signed until your appointment.

• Hoja Declaratoria de Datos: Completed and signed.

Applicant's Personal Documents

• Valid Passport & Local ID: Original and photocopies.

• PSA Birth Certificate: Your official PSA birth certificate, Apostilled by the DFA (and translated by a Traductor Jurado if applying outside of the Philippines).

Parent's Documents (The LMD Beneficiary)

• Parent's Spanish Literal Birth Certificate: You do not need the grand-ancestor's paperwork anymore. You only need the newly issued Spanish birth certificate of your parent, showing they were granted nationality via the LMD (Ley 20/2022) or LMH (Ley 52/2007).

My personal tip: Anexo III applications cannot be approved until the Anexo I parent's Spanish birth certificate is officially registered and issued. Many families apply in tandem, but the Anexo III file will sit pending until the parent's file clears.

Official Hubs for LMD Guidelines

• Consulate General of Spain in Manila: Nacionalidad por la Ley de Memoria Democrática

• Ministry of Justice (Spain): General LMD Information