Legalising a document from a country outside the Hague Convention

Key rules

• Chain: For a non-Hague country, the document goes from the local authority or notary to the foreign ministry, then to the Spanish consulate.
• Treaty exemption: A bilateral treaty can exempt some documents, usually civil-registry or court documents, so check your document type before skipping the chain.
• Order: The Spanish consulate legalises last, because it certifies the foreign ministry's signature.
• Translation: A document not in Spanish also needs a sworn translation into Spanish.

The short answer

If the country that issued your document is not in the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille will not work. The document goes through a chain instead: the local authority or notary, then the foreign ministry of that country, then the Spanish consulate or embassy there. The exception is a bilateral treaty between that country and Spain that exempts your type of document.

First, check whether you need the chain

1. Look up the issuing country in the current Apostille Convention status table. If it is a party, you need an apostille, not this chain.
2. Check whether Spain has objected to that country's accession. If it has, the Convention does not apply between the two countries, and you need the chain.
3. Check whether a treaty between that country and Spain exempts your document. Such treaties exist with a number of countries, but they usually cover only some documents, often civil-registry certificates or court documents. Ask the Spanish Ministry of Justice or Foreign Ministry for the current list, and confirm that your document type is covered before you skip anything.

If both a treaty and the Hague Convention apply, the Convention usually governs.

The three steps

1. Local issue. Get the document issued or notarised by the local authority or notary in the country that issued it.
2. Foreign ministry. Take it to the foreign ministry of that country, or the authority it designates. They certify the signature on the document.
3. Spanish consulate. Take it to the Spanish consulate or embassy in that country. It legalises the document by certifying the foreign ministry's signature.

Do the steps in this order. A consulate will normally not accept a document that has skipped the foreign ministry.

Cost and timing

Consular fees are modest, but they vary by country and change over time. Steps and waiting times also differ by country. Check the fee and the process on the website of the Spanish consulate you will use, and ask whether you need an appointment.

Translation

If the document is not in Spanish, you will also need a sworn translation into Spanish. The other pages in this guide cover how to get one.

The documents list, checklist and questions below go through each step in more detail.

Choosing between options

Which route does your document need to be accepted in Spain?

• Apostille: Your issuing country is in the Apostille Convention and Spain has not objected to it.

• No legalisation under a treaty: A bilateral treaty between your country and Spain covers your type of document, such as a civil-registry certificate.

• Foreign ministry, then Spanish consulate: Your country is outside the Convention, or Spain has objected, and no treaty covers your document.

Check the Convention status table first, then the treaty list. Use the legalisation chain only if neither applies.

Check the current status table and treaty list; they change over time.

Documents you need

• The original public document, issued or notarised by the local authority or notary in the country that issued it.

• The same document certified by the foreign ministry of the issuing country, or another authority it designates.

• The document legalised by the Spanish consulate or embassy in that country, which certifies the foreign ministry's signature. Consular fees apply and vary by country.

• A sworn translation into Spanish, only if the document is not in Spanish.

Checklist

• Look up your issuing country in the current Apostille Convention status table and check whether Spain has objected to it.

• Take the document to the foreign ministry of the issuing country, or the authority it designates, for certification.

• Ask the Spanish consulate or embassy in that country to legalise the document and check its fee and steps.

• Arrange a sworn translation into Spanish if the document is not in Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

Can I skip legalisation if my country has a treaty with Spain?

Yes, a bilateral treaty with Spain can exempt some documents from legalisation, but only the kinds the treaty covers. Many treaties cover only civil-registry certificates or judicial documents.

Which applies if my country has a treaty and is also in the Hague Convention?

The Hague Convention usually governs when both apply, so you would normally get an apostille instead of the legalisation chain. Check which of the two covers your document type before you start.

Can Spain refuse the Hague Convention between us for a specific country?

Yes, Spain can object to a new country joining, but it has objected to very few. If Spain has objected, the Convention does not apply between you and that country, so the legalisation chain is needed. Check the objection column for your country in the status table.

Do I need a sworn translation after legalisation?

Yes, if the document is not in Spanish, you may need a sworn translation in Spain once it is legalised. Ask the Spanish office that will receive the document whether it requires one.