Filling Spanish forms with one surname or several given names

Key rules

• Given names: All first and middle names go together in the Nombre box, in passport order.
• One surname: Your surname goes in the first surname box and the second stays blank.
• Forms that insist: If a form or online system will not accept a blank, use a dash or NO CONSTA.

The short version

Put all your given names together in the "Nombre" box. Put your surname in the first surname box. If you have only one surname, leave the second surname box empty.

Several given names

Spanish forms have one "Nombre" box for everything that is not a surname. Write your first and middle names there, together, in the same order as in your passport. Do not move a middle name into a surname box, and do not drop it.

One surname

Spanish forms expect two surnames, shown as "Apellidos" or "Primer apellido" and "Segundo apellido". If you have one:

• Write it in the first surname box ("Primer apellido").
• Leave "Segundo apellido" blank. Most forms accept an empty box.
• Some forms ask you to write "NO CONSTA" or a dash instead. Follow the form's own instructions if it says so.
• Some online systems will not let you continue with an empty box. If that happens, enter a dash or "NO CONSTA".

Forms with a single "Apellidos" box

If the form has one "Apellidos" box, write your surname there. If you have two surnames, write both in that box.

Your NIE

Your NIE certificate normally records a single surname in the first surname field and leaves the second empty. Some systems show a dash in the empty field. That is normal, so use the same layout on later forms so your records match.

Check before you submit

• Copy your name from your passport, not from memory.
• Each field has its own label and sometimes a character limit. Follow the labels.
• Use the same name layout on every form, so your records match across offices.

The documents list below shows what to have in front of you. The quick answers below cover accents, hyphens and other special characters.

Documents you need

Documents to have when filling in your name

• Your passport. Copy your name from it exactly as written, with all given names in the same order, in the single Nombre box.

• Your NIE certificate, if you already have one. Check that your only surname is in the first surname field and the second is empty. Some systems may show a dash there.

Quick answers on names and accents in Spanish records

Should I type accents and special letters in my name?

No, foreign names are normally entered without accents or special characters, following the passport's machine-readable lines. Spanish systems do accept Ñ and accented vowels. A ü becomes U, ø becomes O and ß becomes SS, and your NIE certificate and TIE will typically show unaccented capitals.

What happens to hyphens and apostrophes in my name?

They may be kept or replaced by a space, depending on the system. Don't be surprised if your name looks slightly different at the town hall and at your bank.

Can I leave out my middle name on a form?

No, you shouldn't leave out your middle name on a form. Some offices tolerate it, but it creates a mismatch with your NIE and passport. That can mean rejected applications, delays, or trouble later with banks, notaries and the Tax Agency.

My passport isn't in the Latin alphabet. Which spelling do I use?

Use the Latin spelling printed in your passport, which is the romanisation on the data page. Spanish records don't make their own. If a certificate spells your name differently, get a sworn translation or a note of equivalence.

How do I write my birth date and birthplace?

Write the date as day/month/year, for example 25/03/1990. Give the birthplace as town or city plus country, as in your passport, using the Spanish name of the country where you know it. Nationality and country of birth are separate fields.