Frequently Asked Questions

What is an apostille?

A Hague Apostille is a certificate that validates the authenticity of a public document so it can be legally recognized in any country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Its purpose is to simplify the international legalization process by eliminating the need for additional consular procedures.

In Spain, the authority that issues the apostille depends on the type of document and the issuing body:

• Judicial or notary documents: apostilled through the Notary Associations or the Chief Clerk’s Offices of the competent courts.
• Administrative documents issued by the Spanish central government: apostilled by the Ministry of Justice, either through the Central Citizen Assistance Office or its regional offices.
• Official university documents: generally apostilled at the Ministry of Justice, once the signature of the competent academic authority has been verified.

Each type of document may require prior verification steps (such as signature certification) before the apostille can be issued.

 

Can you obtain an apostille on my behalf?

We do not process apostilles directly, as the procedure involves different authorities depending on the type of document and the country where it was issued. However, if you need guidance on how to proceed, feel free to contact us. We will help you identify the appropriate authority and understand the steps involved.

Does my document need an apostille?

Only documents that will be used in countries that are party to the Hague Convention require an apostille.
If the destination country is not a member of the Convention, the document must go through a consular legalization process, which typically involves several authorities (such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the destination country’s embassy or consulate).

If you are unsure whether your document requires an apostille, you can contact us and we will advise you based on the destination country and the purpose of the document.

Can I obtain an apostille online?

In Spain, part of the apostille process can be completed online, depending on the type of document:

• Electronic documents with verifiable digital signature: in many cases they can be apostilled digitally through the electronic office of the Ministry of Justice.

• Physical documents: these must be submitted in person or sent to the offices of the Ministry of Justice or to the competent bodies (courts or notary associations).

It is always advisable to confirm whether your document was issued in electronic format with a valid digital signature, as this can speed up the process.

 

A sworn translator or interpreter is a professional authorized by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC) to produce official translations with legal validity in Spain.

Their authorization is granted by resolution of the MAEC and enables them to:

• translate and certify documents with complete accuracy and fidelity to the original,

• grant legal validity to the translation through their signature and official seal,

• and produce translations that are accepted by public administrations, courts, universities, notaries and private entities.

Sworn translations issued by a Spanish sworn translator-interpreter are valid throughout Spain and, in many cases, also in other countries, depending on the requirements of the receiving authority.

Our sworn translators work under strict quality standards, ensuring that each document meets all formal requirements and is fully prepared for any official or legal procedure.

The standard turnaround time for digital delivery of a sworn translation is usually 1 to 2 business days, depending on the length and type of document.

If payment confirmation is received before 12:00 p.m. (Spanish mainland time) on a business day, the translation will normally be delivered within the next 24–48 business hours. For longer documents or those with special requirements, we will inform you of the estimated delivery time before starting the work.

 

How does it work?

• Payments by credit or debit card or instant bank transfer: confirmation is usually received within a few minutes.
  The delivery time begins from the moment we confirm receipt of payment.
• Payments by standard bank transfer: confirmation may take 24 to 48 hours, depending on the bank.
  If the transfer is received later, the delivery time will be adjusted accordingly.

Physical delivery

If you have also requested hard-copy delivery, shipping will be arranged after the digital version has been delivered. Delivery of the physical document will depend on the courier service and normally takes an additional 24 and 48 additional hours.

Important notes:

• Public holidays or weekends: If payment is confirmed before or during a public holiday, the delivery time will begin on the next business day.
• To speed up the processing and avoid delays, we recommend paying by card or instant bank transfer.

We offer several delivery options to suit your needs. Most of our clients prefer to receive their certified translations in physical format, which is why we provide fast and secure delivery throughout the country.

You may also choose to receive your translations digitally (PDF) by email, delivered directly to your inbox.

No matter which option you choose, we guarantee that your translation will arrive quickly and securely.

Many documents must be provided with a certified translation in order to be accepted by government authorities and official institutions. These commonly include:

Official documents: birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, criminal record certificates.
Academic documents: degree certificates, transcripts, academic records.
Legal documents: contracts, powers of attorney, wills, deeds.
Corporate documents: financial reports, procedure manuals, intellectual property documents.

These documents typically require certified translation for immigration, legal, academic, and commercial purposes, both domestically and internationally.

Yes. We value our clients and understand that large-scale projects require special handling.

We offer significant volume discounts for projects exceeding 10,000 words.

These discounts help reduce overall costs and make our services more cost-effective for high-volume translation needs. If you have a large project, we invite you to contact us to discuss the best pricing and delivery options.

Our sworn translation services are 100% online, allowing us to assist you wherever you are, anywhere in Spain or abroad.
We work with a team of sworn translators-interpreters appointed by the MAEC (Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs), ensuring speed, reliability, and full legal validity for every translated document.

Delivery options

• Digital format: Sworn translation in PDF format, electronically signed by the sworn translator.
  Valid for most procedures with public administrations, universities, notaries and private institutions.

• Digital + physical format: Digital delivery and, if required, delivery of the hard-copy document with the original signature and seal of the sworn translator.

Physical deliveries within Spain are usually sent by courier within 24-48 hours.
For international deliveries, we can offer tailored options depending on the destination country.

With us, you receive a secure, fast, and fully remote service, with the assurance that every translation carries full official validity.

If you need an invoice for your sworn translation, you can request one easily after placing your order.

Simply send us an email including the required information for issuing the invoice.

What information should I include?

Please make sure to include the following details:

1. Order number in the subject line of the email.

2. Complete billing information in the body of the message:

   • Full name or company name

   • Tax ID number (NIF/CIF)

   • Registered billing address

3. If you wish, you can also indicate the email address where you would like to receive the invoice.

Important information

• Invoices are issued in accordance with current Spanish tax regulations.

• The invoice will be sent once the billing details have been verified and the corresponding payment has been confirmed.

Our billing team will review your request and send you the invoice as quickly as possible.