Sworn Translation for Regularization and Arraigo in Spain

Regularization in Spain: why translations matter

Spain’s 2026 extraordinary regularization process has created an urgent need for clear, reliable document preparation. Many applicants are already in Spain, working with a lawyer, gestoría, migrant association, or community organization, and trying to understand which foreign documents must be prepared before submission.

For many people, the difficult part is not only completing the application — it is understanding which documents need to be legalized, apostilled, or translated before they are submitted. If a document was issued outside Spain and is not in Spanish, it may need a sworn translation by a Spain-appointed sworn translator.

Alba helps applicants prepare official English-to-Spanish sworn translations so this part of the process is clear, official, and easier to manage.

Who this service is for

This service is especially useful for applicants already in Spain who have documents issued in English or bilingual English documents from countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Philippines, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco (when the document is in English or includes English text), and other countries where official documents are issued in English.

If your document is already fully in Spanish, you may not need a translation. If your document is in English, partly in English, or attached to an English apostille, it may need sworn translation for official use in Spain.

Birth certificate translation for arraigo and regularization

Birth certificates are often used to prove identity, family relationships, nationality, parentage, or supporting circumstances in immigration procedures. Alba translates English-language birth certificates for use in Spain, including certificates issued in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, Nigeria, Ghana, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries where civil records are issued in English.

Because birth certificates contain important identity details, the translation must be careful and precise.

Do documents for regularization need apostille and sworn translation?

In many cases, foreign public documents may need legalization or apostille before being used in Spain. If the document is not in Spanish, it may also need sworn translation. The usual order is often:

1. 1
   Obtain the official document.
2. 2
   Legalize or apostille it, if required.
3. 3
   Translate the full document into Spanish with a sworn translator.

This can vary depending on the country, document type, and specific procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need sworn translation for regularization in Spain?

If your documents are not in Spanish and need to be submitted to a Spanish administration, immigration office, lawyer, or gestoría, they may require sworn translation.

Can Alba translate documents from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, or the Philippines?

Yes, if the documents are in English or include English text that needs to be translated into Spanish.

Can Alba translate Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Nepali, Hindi, or French documents?

Alba works with English and Spanish. If your document is only in another language, you will need a sworn translator for that language pair.

Does the apostille need to be translated?

Often, yes. If the apostille is attached to the document being submitted and is not in Spanish, it may need to be included in the sworn translation.

Can I send scanned copies?

Yes. In most cases, scanned copies or digital PDFs are enough to prepare the sworn translation.

How quickly can I receive my translation?

Standard turnaround is usually 24–72 hours, depending on document length and workload. Rush service may be available at €55 per page.