Criminal Background Check for a Spanish Visa
If you are applying for a Spanish visa, you will almost certainly need a criminal background check — apostilled, and translated into Spanish. Because Spain accepts the FBI Identity History Summary, this is a federal background check, which means it is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State rather than by California.
A note on the Golden Visa
Spain’s Golden Visa — residency through investment, usually property — ran from 2013 until it was abolished in April 2025 under Ley Orgánica 1/2025. It is no longer available to new applicants. The Spanish government cited housing-market pressure as the main reason: the large majority of Golden Visas had been tied to real estate purchases in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.
If you were planning to apply under that route, you will need a different one. The non-lucrative visa, the digital nomad visa, student visas and work visas all remain available — and every one of them still requires a criminal background check, apostilled and translated. Requirements differ by route and by consulate, so confirm what applies to you with your immigration lawyer or the Spanish consulate before you start collecting documents.
Criminal Background Check for Spain
If you need to apply for a Spanish visa, a criminal background check for Spain is an essential requirement to demonstrate that you have no criminal record and are eligible for residency. Here’s what you need to know:
Steps for Obtaining a Criminal Background Check for Spain:
1.Obtain Your Background Check:
•Most applicants obtain both a FBI Criminal Background Check for Spain and California Background Check for Spain. You only need your ID to do so. Just call us to make an appointment.
The criminal background check must be issued within three months of submission to the Spanish authorities to be considered valid. Some consulates require a shorter window, so confirm before you order.
•If you have lived in multiple countries in the past several years, you may need to provide criminal background checks from each country of residence.
2.Authenticate Your Background Check:
•Your criminal background check for Spain must be authenticated with an Apostille granted by the Department of State under the Hague Apostille Convention to be recognized by Spanish authorities. We can handle that part as well.
•This ensures the document is valid for use internationally.
3.Certified Translation:
• The authenticated background check must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator who is authorized by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your attorney should be able to provide this referral to you.
4.Submit the Background Check:
•Include the Apostilled and translated criminal background check with your visa application or during the residency process in Spain.
Professional Assistance
As a notaries public, fingerprint technicians, and certified apostille agents, Anshin Mobile Notary and Livescan can assist you in several ways:
• Fingerprinting Services: We provide professional and accurate fingerprinting services. We provide both in-office and mobile fingerprinting services.
•Apostille Services: We will ensure your background check is Apostilled quickly and correctly by the US Department of State and will have this couriered to you.
•Guidance on Document Preparation: We can help you understand the process and ensure all your documents are properly authenticated and translated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Background Checks for Spain
What type of background check is required for a Spanish visa?
You’ll need an FBI Identity History Summary (criminal background check) issued by the U.S. government, not a state or local police report. It must be authenticated with an Apostille to be accepted by Spanish authorities.
How recent must the background check be for Spain?
The FBI background check must typically be issued within the past 90 to 180 days of submitting your visa application. We recommend starting the process early to allow time for Apostille and translation.
What is an Apostille and why is it required?
An Apostille is an international certification that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Spain requires an Apostille on your FBI background check. Learn more on our Apostille Services page.
Do I need to translate the background check into Spanish?
Yes. The background check must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. The Apostille itself does not require translation. We can help coordinate certified translation if needed.
Can Anshin Notary help with the entire process?
Yes. We provide FBI background checks processed electronically through an authorized channeler — no ink cards or Live Scan required. We also assist with Apostille processing and can connect you with certified Spanish translators to ensure your documents meet Spain’s visa requirements.
How long does it take to complete the FBI background check with Apostille?
The FBI background check is delivered electronically within a few hours. Apostille processing through the U.S. Department of State typically takes 7–9 business days. Contact us for support with document translation or expedited services.
What if I’ve lived in other countries besides the U.S.?
If you’ve lived in another country for six months or more in the last five years, Spain may also require a criminal background check from that country, authenticated with an Apostille and translated into Spanish. We can guide you through next steps.
Where can I get fingerprinted for an FBI background check?
For electronic FBI background checks, you typically won’t need additional fingerprinting if you’ve been printed in the past 12 months. If needed, we also provide FD-258 fingerprint card services and can help coordinate fingerprint capture if required.
Call us now to learn more!
