A criminal record check for Spain is a mandatory document for almost every Spanish long-stay visa, including the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, student visa, and work visa. US citizens need an FBI Background Check; UK citizens need an ACRO Police Certificate. Both must be apostilled and accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation before submission to the Spanish consulate.
Why do I Need a Criminal Record Check for Spain?
If there’s one document that catches many Spanish visa applicants off guard, it’s the criminal record check. It’s not something most of us deal with every day, so when it appears on a visa checklist, it can feel a little overwhelming.
The good news? Once you understand the process, it’s entirely manageable. It just requires planning, because getting this document properly prepared takes time. Spanish immigration law requires a criminal record check as standard for any long-stay visa — broadly, any stay exceeding 90 days. This covers the Non-Lucrative Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, work visas, student visas, and family reunification visas. The purpose is straightforward: Spain wants to confirm that people settling in the country don’t have a criminal history that would pose a risk to public safety.
There are actually two separate types of criminal record checks that can come up in the context of Spain:
- Your home country check
Required as part of your visa application, to show you have no serious criminal history where you currently live. - A Spanish criminal record check
Occasionally required if you have previously lived in Spain, for example, when renewing a permit or applying for permanent residency.
This article covers both, with dedicated sections for US and UK applicants.
What Exactly Does Spain Require?
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires a criminal record check from every country where you have resided for at least 6 months in the past 5 years (2 years for the Digital Nomad Visa). If you’ve only lived in one country, you’ll need one certificate. If you’ve lived in multiple countries, you’ll need one from each. Regardless of which country issued it, every criminal record check submitted with a Spanish visa application must meet three conditions:
- Be issued within the past six months – Certificates older than this will not be accepted
- Be apostilled – Authenticated under the Hague Convention for international use
- Be accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation – An official translation by a certified translator
Note: The apostille and the translation are separate documents; neither requires the other to be apostilled or translated.
READ ALSO >> The Hague Apostille Process In Spain >> Requirements for Visa & Residency
For US Citizens: The FBI Background Check
For US citizens applying for a Spanish visa, the required document is the FBI Background Check (also called an Identity History Summary). Your FBI check is the only accepted document, and it must come directly from the FBI, not from a third-party background check service.
Important: State or local police checks are explicitly not accepted.
Step-by-step Instructions to Obtain Your FBI Check
How to apply: You can request your FBI Background Check online through the FBI’s official portal. An overview of the process is here, but these are the basic steps:
1. Create your request
Go to the FBI’s online portal and enter your email address. You’ll receive an email with a PIN — check your spam folder if it doesn’t arrive. Click the link, enter your PIN, and agree to the privacy statement.
2. Fill in your details
Work through the four information steps: personal details, mailing address, and contact number. On the Preferences page, answer Yes to all three questions and select email delivery.
3. Choose electronic fingerprinting
When you reach the Fingerprint Card step, select Electronic Submission. A box will appear showing participating locations near you — expand the search radius if nothing convenient comes up. This is the step that triggers the $50 fingerprinting fee, payable at the location.
4. Pay and save your confirmation
The online fee is $18. Complete your payment and save your order confirmation email — you’ll need the order number to book your fingerprinting appointment.
5. Book and attend your fingerprinting appointment
Find participating USPS locations here: edo.cjis.gov. Then register for fingerprinting at your nearest participating USPS location: ips.usps.com. Bring a printed copy of your FBI payment confirmation email.
Most people receive their background check within 24–48 hours of their fingerprinting appointment. You can track the status using the link in your original FBI confirmation email.
Moving to Spain’s Victoria Vandiver recounts her experience:
“I recommend starting this as soon as possible so you can get the longer apostille process underway. For the FBI check itself, all it takes is a trip to your local USPS. I received mine within hours, though for some it may take a day or two.
The online background check is $18, and USPS fingerprinting is $50, so the total comes to around $68. Once you have it, send it off for the apostille straight away — that’s where the wait kicks in.”
Getting the apostille: Once you have your FBI check, it needs to be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington, DC. This is not the same as a state apostille. Getting the federal apostille can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on current processing times.
Always check the Department of State website for current estimates before planning your timeline.
Tip: If you need to have your FBI check apostilled urgently, you can try to expedite it by contacting your Member of Congress.
Sworn translation: The apostilled FBI check must also be accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation before a Spanish consulate will accept it. The translation and the apostille are separate documents.
Important: You must use a translator officially recognized by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While some consulates (particularly those in Los Angeles and San Francisco) insist on this, others (such as those in Houston, Chicago, Miami, Boston, and Washington, DC) have accepted US-certified translations. The safest approach is to use an official translator or to confirm in writing with your specific consulate before proceeding.
READ ALSO >> Certified Translations for Spanish Immigration >> Guide & Recomendation
Realistic total timeline for US applicants: Given the above, allow at least 4–6 weeks from start to finish to have an apostilled, translated certificate ready for your visa appointment.
Victoria adds:
“Mine took about three weeks, but it can take longer, and it’s one of the more stressful items on the list if your visa appointment is coming up fast. Start early, and you won’t have to worry.”
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For UK Citizens: The ACRO Police Certificate
UK citizens applying for a Spanish visa must provide an ACRO Police Certificate. The ACRO Criminal Records Office, part of UK law enforcement, issues this.
Important: A standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is not accepted for Spanish visa applications.
How to get your ACRO Police Certificate
1. Apply online at acro.police.uk You’ll need to provide proof of ID and a recent proof of address. There are two service levels:
| Service | Processing Time | Fee (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Up to 20 working days | 68 |
| Premium | Up to 2 working days | 121 |
Author’s personal advice: Use the Premium service. It works, and having your certificate in hand quickly gives you real peace of mind — the rest of the process has enough waiting!
2. Post the original to the FCDO for apostilling. Once your ACRO certificate arrives, post the original (hard copy only — no electronic version exists) to the FCDO Legalisation Office, or to a commercial apostille agent. The FCDO apostille fee is around £45.
- Standard FCDO processing: approximately 15 working days
- Express service via a commercial apostille agent: 2–5 working days
Author’s personal advice: The apostille is one of the few steps in my Digital Nomad Visa application where I managed the process myself. It’s quite straightforward.
3. Get a sworn Spanish translation. Your apostilled ACRO certificate must be translated into Spanish by a translator officially certified by the Spanish authorities. Any professional translator will not do — it must be a sworn translator. Budget £60–£150 depending on the provider, and a few extra days for turnaround.
How long does the whole process take?
| Route | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Standard (DIY, no rush) | 4–6 weeks |
| Premium ACRO + express apostille | 7–10 days |
Start as early as you can. Spanish consulate appointments can be hard to come by, and arriving with an expired certificate — older than six months at submission — means starting the whole process again.
US vs UK Criminal Record Check for a Spanish Visa: Full Comparison
As we have said, applying for a Spanish long-stay visa requires a criminal record check from your country of residence, which must be apostilled and translated into Spanish. The document you need, and how you get it, depends on your nationality. In summary, here is a full comparison for US and UK citizens:
| US Citizens | UK Citizens | |
| Required document | FBI Background Check (Identity History Summary) | ACRO Police Certificate |
| Issued by | US Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | ACRO Criminal Records Office (UK law enforcement) |
| Is a DBS check accepted? | N/A | No — DBS is not accepted by Spanish consulates under any circumstances |
| How to apply | Online at edo.cjis.gov | Online at acro.police.uk |
| Fingerprinting required? | Yes — electronic fingerprinting at a participating USPS location | No |
| Service levels | One standard service | Standard (up to 20 working days) or Premium (up to 2 working days) |
| Document fee | $18 (online application) + $50 (USPS fingerprinting) = ~$68 total | £68 (standard) or £121 (premium) |
| Format issued | Electronic PDF or hard copy by post | Hard copy only — no electronic version |
| Processing time (document only) | 24–48 hours (electronic); 4–6 weeks (postal) | Up to 20 working days (standard); ~2 working days (premium) |
| Apostille required? | Yes | Yes |
| Apostille issued by | US Department of State, Office of Authentications, Washington DC | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) |
| Is a state apostille accepted? | No — federal apostille only | N/A |
| Is an e-apostille available? | Yes (for electronic FBI PDF) | No — physical original only |
| Apostille processing time | ~2 weeks (standard) | ~15 working days (standard); 2–5 working days (express agent) |
| Apostille fee | Included with federal authentication service | ~£45 (FCDO direct); varies with commercial apostille agents |
| Sworn Spanish translation required? | Yes | Yes |
| Who can translate? | MAEC-registered sworn translator universally accepted; some consulates (not LA/SF) accept US-certified translations — confirm with your consulate | Sworn translator registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Translation cost | Varies by provider; ~$50–$150 | ~£60–£150 |
| Lookback period covered | 5 years (2 years for Digital Nomad Visa) | 5 years (2 years for Digital Nomad Visa) |
| Maximum age at submission | 6 months from date of issue | 6 months from date of issue |
| Lived in other countries? | Additional check required from each country of 6+ months’ residence in past 5 years | Additional check required from each country of 6+ months’ residence in past 5 years |
| Realistic total timeline (standard route) | 4–6 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Realistic total timeline (fast route) | ~2–3 weeks (electronic FBI + express processing) | 7–10 days (premium ACRO + express apostille agent) |
| Estimated total cost (standard route) | ~$68 + apostille + translation | ~£68–£113 + apostille + translation |
Source: movingtospain.com – How to Get a Criminal Record Check for a Spanish Visa
Getting a Spanish Criminal Record Check
If you’ve previously lived in Spain and need to prove you have no criminal record there, you’ll need a Certificado de Antecedentes Penales from the Spanish Ministry of Justice. You will need this when applying for permanent residency or renewing a visa.
The Central Registry of Convicts (Registro Central de Penados) issues this and confirms whether or not you have any final criminal convictions recorded in Spain.
Can I apply online? Yes. The Spanish Ministry of Justice allows online applications through their official portal at sede.mjusticia.gob.es. You’ll need a valid Spanish digital certificate to use this route. The certificate is typically available within 24 hours, and no later than three working days.
Alternatively, you can apply by post directly to the Ministry of Justice, or in person at a local office if you are in Spain.
Cost: A small administrative fee applies. Check the current rate on the Ministry of Justice website, as fees are updated periodically.
Note: If you need a Certificado de Antecedentes Penales for use outside Spain, you can request that the Ministry issue the certificate already apostilled, saving you the step of obtaining a separate apostille.
Important: The standard Certificado de Antecedentes Penales is not sufficient for roles working with minors. That requires a separate Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual, also processed through the Ministry of Justice.
If You Have a Criminal Record
Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you from a Spanish visa. Spanish immigration authorities assess the nature and severity of any offence, how long ago it occurred, and whether the applicant has reintegrated into society. Minor or historic offences — particularly those committed many years ago — are treated differently from serious crimes such as violent offences, drug trafficking, or terrorism.
If your background check shows a conviction, it’s worth consulting a specialist Spanish immigration lawyer before applying, who can advise on how consulates are likely to view your specific situation and whether an appeal would be worthwhile if refused.
Key Timings and Checklist
Start your criminal record check for Spain early — ideally as soon as you receive your visa appointment date or acceptance letter. Consulate appointments can book up quickly in summer, and arriving with an expired certificate (older than six months at the time of submission) means starting the whole process again.
Document checklist:
- Criminal record check from each country of residence in the past five years (two years for DNV)
- Apostille for each certificate
- Sworn Spanish translation for each certificate
- All certificates issued within six months of your visa application date
Need help navigating the full visa process? Our Spanish immigration lawyer partners work with applicants from the US, UK, and beyond — they can guide you through the paperwork from start to approval.
