Background Check Translations for Spain
Sworn translations of police clearance certificates and background checks for Spanish visas, residency, nationality, and other official procedures — FBI, ACRO, RCMP, NBI Clearance, and more. Fixed per-page pricing, digitally signed, handled personally by Alba.
- €37 per page standard rate
- €55 per page 12-hour rush service
- Typical turnaround: 24–72 hours
- Pay after delivery
- Digitally signed and stamped PDF
- Personally handled by Alba Fernández Carrasco
Background checks and police clearances for Spain
Most Spanish visa categories require a criminal record certificate — also called a police clearance certificate, background check, or certificate of good conduct — from your country of nationality or your country of residence for the previous five years. Spanish authorities use this document to confirm that you have no criminal record that would prevent residence in Spain.
The document needs to be sworn-translated into Spanish before submission. The sworn translation must be prepared by a translator officially appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). A general certified translation from a UK, US, or other foreign translation agency is not the same thing and is not accepted as a sworn translation for Spanish administrative purposes.
This hub page covers the most common background check documents and nationalities. Each nationality group has its own certificate type, its own issuing authority, and often its own apostille process. Use the section below to find the right certificate for your situation.
Which background check do you need?
The correct certificate depends on your nationality. Select the group that applies to you.
US citizens
FBI Identity History Summary — the federal criminal record issued by the FBI, commonly required for Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, NALCAP, nationality, and other Spain procedures.
UK citizens
ACRO Police Certificate — the UK criminal record certificate issued through ACRO Criminal Records Office, required for Spanish visas and residency applications. GOV.UK Spain guidance directs British applicants to ACRO for this certificate.
Canadian citizens
RCMP Criminal Record Check (CPIC) — the national criminal record check issued through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or an accredited fingerprint service, typically required alongside an apostille for use in Spain.
Australian citizens
National Police Check (ACIC) — the Australian national criminal history check issued by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission or an accredited body, apostilled for Spanish official use.
Irish citizens
Garda Síochána Certificate — the Irish police certificate issued through An Garda Síochána, required for Spanish visa and residency applications by Irish nationals.
New Zealand citizens
NZ Police Vetting Service record — the New Zealand criminal record check issued through New Zealand Police, apostilled for international official use in Spain.
South African citizens
SAPS Police Clearance Certificate — the South African Police Service clearance certificate, required for South African applicants in Spanish visa and residency procedures.
Philippine citizens
NBI Clearance — the Philippine national criminal record certificate issued by the National Bureau of Investigation. Commonly required for Spanish visa, residency, and student procedures.
Other nationalities
National police clearance from your country of residence or citizenship — if your country is not listed above, you will generally need a police clearance or certificate of good conduct from your national police authority or interior ministry, apostilled for use in Spain.
Most background checks need an apostille before translation
For official use in Spain, criminal record certificates from most countries need to be apostilled under the Hague Convention before they can be submitted. The apostille is attached by the relevant authority in the issuing country and validates the document internationally.
Once your background check has been apostilled, both the certificate and the apostille should be translated together as a single sworn translation. Submitting only the certificate translation without the apostille — or the apostille without the certificate translation — can cause delays or rejection at the receiving Spanish authority.
Send the complete package — certificate plus apostille — for a single sworn translation that covers the full official document set.
Commonly used for
Background check translations are required across a wide range of Spanish administrative procedures:
- Non-Lucrative Visa
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Student Visa
- Spanish Nationality (Nacionalidad)
- Pareja de Hecho
- Residency renewal (renovación de residencia)
- NALCAP and Auxiliares de Conversación
- Long-term residence applications
Not sure whether your specific procedure requires a background check translation? Check the resource guide for your visa or residency type, or send your document for a quote.
How it works
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1
Send your document set
Upload a clear scan or PDF of your background check and the apostille, if already issued. No need to post physical originals.
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2
Receive a fixed quote
A clear per-page price covering the full document set — certificate and apostille together. Typically confirmed within one business day.
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3
Sworn translation prepared personally by Alba
No agency handoffs. Your translation is handled directly by Alba Fernández Carrasco, MAEC-certified sworn translator, Commission 8981.
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4
Digitally signed PDF delivered — pay after
You receive the completed sworn translation as a digitally signed and stamped PDF, ready for submission. Payment is made after delivery.
Frequently asked questions
- Which background check do I need for a Spanish visa?
- It depends on your nationality. US citizens need an FBI Identity History Summary. UK citizens need an ACRO Police Certificate. Canadian citizens use an RCMP criminal record check. Australians use a National Police Check. Irish citizens use a Garda Síochána certificate. New Zealanders use NZ Police Vetting. South Africans use a SAPS clearance. Philippine citizens use an NBI Clearance. Other nationalities generally need a police clearance from their country of residence or citizenship.
- Does the apostille page need to be translated?
- Yes. If your background check has been apostilled, the apostille should be included in the sworn translation so the complete official package is ready for submission. Translating only the certificate without the apostille can cause problems when the document is reviewed by Spanish authorities.
- Can I send a scan or PDF instead of the original?
- Yes. A clear scan or PDF of the background check and apostille is all that is needed. The finished sworn translation is delivered as a digitally signed PDF. There is no need to post physical originals.
- What is the difference between a certified translation and a sworn translation for Spain?
- A certified translation from a UK, US, or other foreign translation company is not the same as a sworn translation for Spain. Spanish authorities require a sworn translation prepared by a translator officially appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. See the certified vs sworn translation page for a full explanation.
- How long does the translation take?
- Most background check translations are completed within 24–72 hours. If your deadline is tight, a 12-hour rush service is available at €55 per page.