Background check
Last updated: 05 May 2026

Criminal Record Certificate for Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Every applicant aged 18+ must submit a criminal record certificate from every country they have lived in during the last 5 years. This is one of the slowest documents to prepare, so start it early.

Build your forms for free Book free consultation

Key facts

Issuer

Police / Ministry of Justice / FBI / equivalent

Apostille

Required (Hague Convention) or legalised

Sworn translation

Required if not in Spanish

Validity

3 months from issuance

Who needs this document

  • Every applicant 18 years or older
  • Spouse and adult dependents under MI-F

When
Issued within 3 months before submission. From every country of residence in the last 5 years.

How to get it

  1. 1

    Request the certificate

    Apply via the relevant national authority (e.g. ACRO in the UK, FBI Identity History in the US).

  2. 2

    Apostille

    Send to the apostille authority of the country (e.g. FCDO in the UK, US Department of State).

  3. 3

    Sworn translation

    Get the apostilled certificate translated into Spanish by a traductor jurado.

Common mistakes

  • Missing certificates from countries lived in for less than a year (still required if >180 days)
  • Apostille issued after the 3-month validity window
  • Translation that omits the apostille seal page
  • Using local police records instead of national-level certificates

Need help with this document?

Use our free forms builder to generate immigration forms and prepare your document set faster.

Build forms for freeAsk a specialist

Frequently asked questions

Related pages

Declaration of no criminal record

Apostille & sworn translation

See the complete Spain Digital Nomad Visa guide or browse the full document checklist.

Build forms for free