Spain
Apostille in Spain
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Spain, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Ratified (signed and confirmed), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes (Ministerio de la Presidencia, Justicia y Relaciones con las Cortes), judicial documents through its Territorial Offices (Gerencias Territoriales), administrative documents, and online e-Apostilles for some Ministry certificates2 |
| Fee | No fee, according to the office (apostilles from the High Courts of Justice and the Ministry of Justice)2checked 18 October 2026 €3.50 to €7.50 (apostilles from the Professional Association of Notaries)2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Processing time | Not published by the office3checked 18 October 2026 |
| Electronic apostille | Available3 |
| Online register to check apostilles | Available (check an apostille)3 |
| Documents covered | 4 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Spain
Find the authority for your document type: notarial documents go to the Notarial Colleges, and judicial and administrative documents go to the Ministry of Justice offices or a High Court of Justice.2
For some certificates issued by the Ministry of Justice, apply online on the Ministry's electronic office and identify yourself with Cl@ve.3
Otherwise, apply in person before an authority with apostille competence anywhere in Spain.4
To apply by post, send the apostille application form together with the original public document.5
Fill in every field of the application form, including the number of documents and the destination country, and attach the documents.6
Download an electronic apostille within one year using the user name (your DNI) and password printed on the request receipt.3
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
- Certificates issued by the Ministry of Justice (online e-Apostille)3
- Judicial documents2
- Notarial documents2
- Administrative documents2
More about these documents: court judgment.
Contacts
Who to contact in Spain
- Apostille officeMinistry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes (Ministerio de la Presidencia, Justicia y Relaciones con las Cortes)2Judicial documents through its Territorial Offices (Gerencias Territoriales), administrative documents, and online e-Apostilles for some Ministry certificates
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Spain
A document issued in Spain
The apostille comes from Spain, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Spain.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Spain
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Spain. Spain accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
The listed authorities can apostille documents regardless of where in Spain the document was issued.2
Note: Rule
After one year the public document is no longer embedded in the electronic apostille, but the apostille can still be verified for 25 years from issue.3
Note: Rule
As a general rule, documents finished at the Ministry of Justice are returned to the address in Spain given on the application.6
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in Spain
Does Spain accept apostilles?
Yes. Spain has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 25 September 1978, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Spain?
Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes (Ministerio de la Presidencia, Justicia y Relaciones con las Cortes) (judicial documents through its Territorial Offices (Gerencias Territoriales), administrative documents, and online e-Apostilles for some Ministry certificates).
How much does an apostille cost in Spain?
No fee, according to the office (apostilles from the High Courts of Justice and the Ministry of Justice). €3.50 to €7.50 (apostilles from the Professional Association of Notaries). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Spain?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Spain - Competent Authority (Art. 6)
- Legalización única o Apostilla de la Haya
- Apostilla Electrónica - Servicio Público de Justicia
- Apostilla de documentos - Administración de Justicia en Euskadi
- Solicitud de legalizaciones / apostillas
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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