Getting an NIE for your children and dependants

Key rules

• Who applies: A parent or legal guardian applies for a minor, using the child's passport and proof of relationship.
• Foreign documents: Relationship papers issued abroad generally need an apostille and a sworn translation if not in Spanish.
• Baby born in Spain: Register the birth at the Registro Civil before you apply.
• One parent: Offices differ on whether one parent's consent is enough, so ask the office you book.

Who applies for a child

A parent or legal guardian applies for a minor. You apply with your child's passport and proof that you are the parent or guardian. You also bring your own ID or passport.

Each parent or guardian shows their own ID or passport. The documents list below shows everything to bring.

Proof of relationship

Use the child's birth certificate or the Libro de Familia. A court or guardianship document also works if you are a legal guardian. If the document was issued abroad, it generally needs an apostille. If it is not in Spanish, it also needs a sworn translation. Start these early, because getting them can take longer than the application itself.

Say why the child needs the number

You must show the reason for the NIE, for example school enrolment, health registration or a benefit. Bring a document that shows it.

The appointment

Book a cita previa at a Policía Nacional foreign-nationals office. Go with your child. If you cannot attend, someone else can apply for you. They need your signed authorisation or power of attorney, plus their own ID.

A teenager aged 14 or over may sometimes be asked to appear in person with the parent. Ask the office when you book.

Offices differ on whether one parent's consent is enough. Ask the specific office before you go. If only one parent will attend, bring the other parent's signed authorisation to be safe.

A baby born in Spain

Register the birth at the Registro Civil first. Then apply at a foreign-nationals office. For a baby of legally resident foreign parents, bring the birth certificate or Libro de Familia, your residence cards and passports, and passport photos. The child is generally given residence in line with your status. Whether your child gets a card or only a number depends on your status and the office, so ask when you book. This does not apply to children who acquire Spanish nationality.

Other dependants

Use the checklist below for the steps in order. The FAQ covers the most common questions.

Documents you need

• The child's valid passport.

• Proof of relationship: the child's birth certificate or the Libro de Familia (family book), or a court or guardianship document for a guardian.

• If the proof of relationship was issued abroad and is not in Spanish, it needs an apostille.

• A sworn translation of the proof of relationship if it is not in Spanish.

• The parent's or guardian's own ID or passport.

• Proof of the reason you need the NIE.

• A signed authorisation or power of attorney, plus the representative's ID, only if a representative applies instead of you.

• For a baby born in Spain: the birth certificate or Libro de Familia, both parents' residence cards and passports, and passport photos.

Checklist

• Complete form EX-15 for your child.

• Pay the fee with modelo 790 código 012 and keep the stamped receipt.

• Gather the child's passport and your proof of relationship, with apostille and sworn translation if it is not in Spanish.

• Bring your own ID or passport.

• Attend with your child, or send a representative with a signed authorisation.

• For a baby born in Spain, register the birth at the Registro Civil before you apply.

Exact forms and whether your child gets a card or only a number vary by office, so check with yours.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone else apply for my child if I can't attend?

Yes, as long as the person has authority to act for you, as described above for applying without you. Check with the office whether they want the paperwork in a particular form.

Does my baby born in Spain need a residence card or just a number?

It depends on the parents' status: a baby born to legally resident parents is generally given residence in line with theirs. A child who needs only the number can request an NIE assignment at the same offices.

Is one parent's consent enough?

It may be, but offices differ on whether the second parent must sign or attend. Ask the specific office before the appointment.

Does my teenager have to come to the appointment?

Not always, but a child aged 14 or over may sometimes need to appear in person with a parent. Ask the office whether they want that.