Responding to a correction request (requerimiento de subsanación)

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the identity number for foreigners that you need for tax, work and contracts.
• Requerimiento de subsanación — A requerimiento de subsanación is an official notice asking you to fix a defect or supply missing documents in your application.
• Número de expediente — The número de expediente is the file number the office gives your application, which you quote in every message.
• Desistimiento — Desistimiento is the office treating your application as withdrawn because you did not answer in time.
• Justificante — The justificante is the proof of filing you receive when you submit, showing the date you answered.
• Recurso de reposición — A recurso de reposición is a appeal asking the same office to reconsider its decision.
• Gestor — A gestor is a paperwork agent who handles administrative procedures on your behalf.

Key rules

• Deadline: Use the period written in your notice; if it gives none, expect 10 working days from the day after you receive it.
• Extension: Ask in writing before the deadline ends, and keep working to the original date.
• Complete answer: Send every item requested, signed, with the file number, in a single filing.
• Proof: Keep the justificante as evidence you answered in time.

What a correction request means for you

A requerimiento de subsanación is a notice saying your application has a defect or a missing document. Your application is paused, not refused. Answer fully and on time and it carries on. If you do not, the file is archived.

How long you have

You normally have 10 working days, counted from the day after the notice reaches you. The period written in your notice is the one that applies, so read it first. Some procedures set a different period.

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays do not count. Holidays are those of the State, your region and your town (or the office's town). If the last day is not a working day, it moves to the next working day. August is not excluded.

Filing electronically is possible every day, but the deadline ends at 24:00 on the last day, Spanish mainland time.

If you need more time

You can ask in writing, before the deadline ends, for up to 5 extra days on a 10-day period. Give your reasons and quote the file number. Send the request through the same channels as any other submission. The decision to grant or refuse cannot be appealed, and your deadline keeps running until your answer arrives. Do not count on the extension.

Where to send your answer

As an individual, including as a foreign national, you can usually choose your channel:

• The electronic registry or online office of the administration concerned, or the State's general electronic registry.
• An in-person registry (an assistance office for registry matters).
• A post office, sending the letter in an open envelope so the clerk stamps the date.
• A Spanish consulate abroad.

Some procedures require electronic filing, and the notice will say so. Companies, professionals who must belong to a professional association, and public employees must always file electronically. Immigration procedures often run through the immigration platform or the online office, so check your notice.

What a complete answer contains

An incomplete answer risks being treated as if the defect was never fixed. Include:

• Your name and your ID, NIE or passport number.
• The file number (número de expediente) and the office that issued the notice, or a copy of the notice.
• A clear statement that this is your response to the notice.
• Every item requested, and only those items, in the format asked for. Add certified translations or apostilles only where the notice asks for them.
• Your signature, or an electronic filing with an identifying signature.
• Proof of representation, if a lawyer or gestor answers for you.

Send everything in one go and keep the proof of filing (justificante).

If you miss the deadline

The office can treat your application as withdrawn (desistimiento), but only after it issues a resolution saying so. A late answer sent before that resolution is still taken into account, so answer as soon as you can. Once the resolution arrives, you can challenge it with a recurso de reposición or in court. A new application usually needs the fee again and may come too late if a deadline has passed.

The steps, documents, checklist and a cover letter are below.

Answer a correction request step by step

• Read the whole notice and its attachments, and keep a copy: Right away, on the day you receive it

• Work out what the notice asks for, its deadline and whether the days are working days: Within the first day or two

• Decide who will answer: you, or a lawyer or gestor (a paperwork agent) with proof of representation: Before you start gathering documents

• Gather exactly the items requested, with Spanish translations where needed, and sign the response: Well before the deadline

• Choose a channel: the office's electronic registry, an in-person registry, a post office in an open envelope, or a Spanish consulate abroad: Before the deadline ends

• File your response quoting the file number and send everything in one go: Before the deadline ends

• Keep the receipt (justificante) with the registry number and date, plus a copy of the full filing: Straight after filing

• If you cannot finish in time, ask in writing for an extension: Before the deadline ends

Documents you need

• A copy of the correction notice, or at least its file number (número de expediente) and the office that issued it, so the office can match your response to your file.

• Proof of your identity: your name and your ID, NIE or passport number.

• Proof of power to act, if a lawyer or gestor (a paperwork agent) answers for you.

• Every document or correction the notice asks for, and only those, in the format requested.

• Certified translations or apostilles, only for documents where the notice asks for them.

• A signed response, or an electronic filing with an identifying signature, stating clearly that it answers the correction request.

• The proof of filing (justificante) you receive when you submit, kept as evidence you answered within the deadline.

Checklist

• Find the period written in your notice and compare it with the normal 10 working days.

• Mark the last day in your calendar, skipping Saturdays, Sundays and holidays of the State, your region and your locality.

• Check whether the notice says you must file electronically, and if so use the office's electronic registry or its online portal.

• If you are filing on paper, choose an in-person registry, a post office (open envelope) or a Spanish consulate abroad.

• If you need more time, send a written request with your reasons and the file number before the deadline ends.

• Keep the proof of filing the channel gives you.

What to watch out for

• Counting on an extension: The office may refuse an extension, and you cannot appeal that decision. The original deadline keeps running until your answer arrives. Prepare your full response as if no extension will come, and send it as soon as it is ready.

• Sending only part of what was asked: A partial response can lead the office to find that the defect was not corrected. Check every item in the notice, send all of them and nothing extra, and quote the file number.

• Missing the deadline: If you do not answer in time, the office treats your application as withdrawn (desistimiento) once it issues a resolution, and the file is archived. Any right tied to timing is lost, and a new application needs the fee again and may come too late. Answer before the deadline. If it has passed, send your answer right away, because a late answer sent before the resolution is still taken into account.

Cover letter for submitting corrections

Send this letter in Spanish with your correction. Replace everything in square brackets with your own details. Attach only the documents the notice asks for.

[Su nombre completo]
NIE / pasaporte: [número]
Dirección para notificaciones: [dirección]
Correo electrónico y teléfono: [correo] / [teléfono]

A: [Nombre de la oficina u organismo que le envió el requerimiento]

[Ciudad], [fecha]

Asunto: Respuesta al requerimiento del expediente n.º [número de expediente]

Estimados señores:

En respuesta al requerimiento de fecha [fecha del requerimiento], referencia [referencia del escrito], relativo al expediente n.º [número de expediente], presento la documentación solicitada para corregir mi solicitud.

Adjunto los siguientes documentos:

1. Copia del requerimiento recibido.
2. [Documento 1, por ejemplo: pasaporte en vigor]
3. [Documento 2, por ejemplo: certificado de empadronamiento]
4. [Documento 3, con su traducción al español si procede]

[Si actúa un representante: Actúo en representación de [nombre del interesado], según acredito con el documento de representación que adjunto como n.º [número].]

Por todo ello, solicito que se tenga por atendido el requerimiento, que se admita la documentación aportada y que se continúe con la tramitación de mi expediente.

Atentamente,

[Firma]
[Su nombre completo]

Before you send it

• Quote the notice exactly. Copy the file number, the reference and the date from the notice itself.
• Answer every point, and only those points. A partial answer can be treated as if you never corrected the problem. Number the attachments in the same order as the letter.
• Translate foreign documents. Documents in a language that is not Spanish normally need a Spanish translation. Civil status, criminal record and academic documents often need a sworn translation (traducción jurada). Foreign public documents may also need an apostille. Check the notice, or ask the office, which one it accepts.
• Sign it. Sign on paper, or file it electronically with your digital certificate or another identifying signature.
• File before the deadline. Use a channel the office accepts and keep the receipt or the registry stamp (justificante). It is your proof that you answered on time.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if the last day of my deadline falls on a weekend?

Yes, if the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline moves to the next working day. Holidays count for the State, your region and your locality. August is not excluded. If you file electronically, you can file any day, and the deadline ends at 24:00 Spanish peninsular time on the last day.

Can I send my response by post?

Yes, you can send it by post, but the envelope must be left open so the post office can stamp the date. You can also file through an electronic registry, an in-person registry or a Spanish consulate abroad.

Is a partial response enough to keep my application alive?

No, a partial response risks being treated as if the defect was never corrected. Send every item the notice asks for, and only those items. Keep the proof of filing (justificante) once you submit.

Who can decide whether I get an extension?

The office decides, and you cannot appeal its decision to grant or refuse an extension. Your request must reach the office in writing, with your reasons and the file number, before the deadline ends.