Any tips for Spanish citizenship application process?

hi there
by the way how was the interview did u get an answer ?do u have the spanish citizenship now
i'm ready to go and apply as i'm married to a spaniard to for 5 years plz let me know thanks

Greetings
I would be interested to hear your story as well... here is mine

I completed one year of the required Spanish residency for spouses of Spanish nationals and submitted all the various papers needed for the citizenship application. About 5 months later I received a notice to go to an "interview" at the local police station in our barrio with more papers. The list of required documents was posted on the notice and included items to demonstrate income, housing status, as well as US passport and any educational certificates such as degrees. The "interview" only took about 20 minutes and really just focused on making sure we had all the paperwork (the spouse is supposed to attend the interview). There really was not any question and answer about our life in Spain or our marriage. So - though it was a bit nerve wracking - it was quite simple and straightforward if you provide as much documentation as possible to meet the posted requirements.

The downsides - I was not given any feedback on whether or not the documentation we provided was adequate or that we had "met" the citizenship requirements... I expect another government agent will review what we submitted. Also - our "interviewer" just said that I would hear back in about a year. From others I have heard that yes - it can take another 12 months or more!! But what exactly the next step is - sorry I can't tell you.

Well - I do wish you the best and sure hope to hear how things went for you and what new or different information you may have gathered or learned about the next step(s).

Best Wishes -

hi there
i realy apreciate the effort that u made to tell me your story ,wow thats take a bit longer that i supposed to be the procedure !!! i'm going to spain the 30th of januray, as my wife is working the already, by the way i have a couple of question for u ?how long u have been married for ? did u get married in spain or in the US ? do u have a libro de familia ? did u hire a lawyer or no ? i wish u all the best and hopefully u will get your citizenship soon...i'm with u till the end if u need any help or u want to talk ,i'll be here for u...by the mean time please keep me up to date and let me know if there is any news . i know a very good lawyer in spain for citizenship..if u want i can give you the phone number ...anyway take care of your self and i wish u the best in the futur.hasta luego.

Hello!
If you are just beginning the process - hold on, it can be a bumpy ride! I am a US citizen married to a Spanish citizen for eleven years. We married in the US and only this past year submitted the application for a Libro de Familia (which is required for the citizenship). We lived the majority of the first 8 years in the US. My husband is now a US citizen as well. BTW - the US has no issue with dual citizenship whereas Spain does not officially recognize dual status (you can get along with dual if you abide by the "don't ask, don't tell" rule of thumb). We did not engage a lawyer, but rather learned along the way. First step to citizenship via marriage is to become a legal Spanish resident, then only 1 yr of residency qualifies you to apply for citizenship in Spain (in the US it is 3 yrs legal residence status).

There is lot's of paper work and it is all rather confusing but do-able without a lawyer. Sounds like you are working with a lawyer and I imagine that might make you feel more confident. If not, if you let me know where you are in the process I may be able to provide some more info before I go totally brain dead - I guess I just want to forget all the steps at this point. Some tips now though ... you will need to get US "apostilles" for US official documents (like birth certificates, marriage licenses, criminal record reports) so be sure to allow plenty of time to research that aspect and get those papers together. Apostilles are obtained from the Secretary of State of the state in which the document originates. I posted a reply to another thread regarding Apostilles here on the Forum... but you can "Google" apostille and learn plenty on line. Also - the biggest annoyance factor is dealing with the immigration office at the main police station in Madrid. The lines are so incredibly long! My husband has an uncanny knack of "working the system" and he was able to gain entrance each time we had to go by stepping right up to the front door "gate keeper" and pleading a reason to get in right away. If the lawyer could help you navigate through that department then he/she may be worth what you are paying.

I wish I had US expat/Spanish citizen contacts in Spain to learn more about the process - so I am interested to stay in touch to learn from your experiences since I have not yet made it through the maze completely. What are typical lawyer fees? And, just what do they do for you? Sure - if you send along a name & phone it might just come in really handy.

Well hope this all helps - thanks for your support ... looking forward to hearing good news from you too!

hi there
any other news by the way ,sorry i was away and i couldnt reply !!! good luck

No updates - just am waiting for the next steps but that can take up to a year. Take care

Hi Pacific
I hope all is going well for you.
just two quick questions. Did you have your interview in spanish? is it a requirement to speak spanish in order to get the citizenship?
thanks

Greetings on Thanksgiving... are you fixing the typical holiday goodies?

To your question - yes the "interview" at the local police station was in Spanish. However, it was required that my husband join me and so he was able to address most all of the questions - in fact... most of the questions were directed to him since he is working and has the papers for our residence. I speak some Spanish and was able to answer the questions directed to me. The focus of my interview was really directed at having all the necessary paperwork in - there really were no questions about my experience adapting to life in Spain - over and done in about 20 min. Also remember this interview came about 6 months after we submitted all the papers for citizenship and approximately 1.5 years after receiving my residence card. Hope this helps - take care!

Hi Pacific,
I'm finding this thread really interesting, as I'm thinking about applying for citizenship when I can. I got married here in Spain at the end of June. I've applied for the residency card, but I'm still waiting (4 months later!).
The first question I have is: Does the 1 year period of legal residency begin with the marriage date, or the issuing of the tarjeta de residencia?
Secondly, although we're living in Spain at the moment, we might be moving to work in other country within the year. Is it necessary to be living in Spain when you apply?
If you don't know that's ok - I know that every situation it different. It's just so difficult to get the infomation about these things on official websites!
Thanks in advance,
Kate

Hola Kate
Great to have you join this conversation and I hope you continue to share your experiences, as you say, it is difficult to get enough info on this subject! I had communicated with the "administrator" of this website about some of my questions and lack of responses. He/she mentioned that this site is used mostly by folks who are EU citizens but working through the residency bit for work permission - so there are not so many US (or non-EU) folks going through the process on this site.

Regarding your questions & comments.
0- time frame to get your precious tarjeta.... it took about 6 months I think to get the notification to come to the office to pick up the card. You will have to pay a tax of some kind (about about 6EURO as I recall) to pick up the card. To do so you have to get a form of some kind (they gave it to us at the desk) and then we had to find a bank a couple blocks away to go to pay the tax and then return with the the receipt back to the office! Wonderful Espana! Goofy to not be able to pay right at the office but there you have it. So... try not to wait in that long line twice!!
1- The one year residency period, to meet citizenship application criteria, began for me from the date if issuance of the tarjeta (we were married in the US and only 10-11 years later did I apply for the tarjeta). One of the documents you will need for the citizenship application is a form from the immigration/police office indicating the date that residency began. Wonderful Espana! This date does not appear on the tarjeta! However, my tarjeta was issued 2 years ago now and I hear there is a new card (not sure about this) so things may have changed. (BTW - my reference to "Wonderful Espana" does not really mean exasperation - but crazy fondnes... every country has their wackiness... I really do love Spain!)
2- You ask THE most important question!!! I wish I had the answer!! So please share this info if you get it ... please please. I asked this question at the one of the many citizenship offices we visited... and was told in a very general way (there was no info "fact sheet" that gave explicit info) that I could travel back and forth from/to Spain freely but that I should not stay out of the country more than 6 months at a time but it was a bit vague. I have to spend a lot of time out of Spain for family reasons and I am very concerned that this will interfere with my "one year" citizenship application timeframe. And, in reading the thread, you will see that there seem to be several "one year" increments. First one year with tarjeta, then apply.... then about 6 months more to wait for "interview"... then 12-18 months to wait for next step (which is what I am waiting for) in which... I don't know what will happen except that I will get an appointment for something... an approval or rejection on the application? another task to complete? not sure.

So sure hope you can find out some info along the way and pass it along! I have not yet made friends with US expats who have gone through all this so we are just figuring it out as we go! Best wishes and hope this helps!!

Greetings -
I am back - Pacific here!
Well I made it! After a 1yr and 6 months after my "interview" I was called in to the Ministry of Justice to sign some papers and then make an appointment to meet the judge! I am now official - a Spanish citizen!!

All the effort over the past 5 years was worth it!

This is for the Americans out there. I married a Spanish citizen in Spain more than a year ago, have had my residence card for at least a year. I'm back in the States for the holidays, and was wondering where I could go to get the Police Clearance Certificate. Does anybody know? Any police station? the FBI? he he he I want to apply for Spanish Citizenship when I go back after Xmas.

Thanks a heap.

Answered my own question. I'm quoting from the US Embassy Madrid Citizen Services about how to obtain an Apostille.. sounds like a nightmare!

P: ?C?mo legalizo mis documentos U.S./obtenci?n de la Apostilla de la Haya para mis documentos emitidos en los Estados Unidos? (por ej. Certificados de nacimiento, divorcio o fallecimiento)

R: Deber? enviar el documento original a la Secretar?a de Estado u oficina equivalente en su estado que sea la autoridad competente para emitir la Apostilla para documentos generados en su jurisdicci?n, incluidos tribunales estatales (state courts). Los documentos originados en Hawaii y en las Islas V?rgenes (U.S.) pueden obtener la Apostilla de la oficina de Autentificaci?n (Authentication Office) del Departamento de Estado de los EE.UU. Las direcciones para las oficinas previamente mencionadas puedes conseguirse por petici?n o visitando los siguientes enlaces web:
- http://travel.state.gov/family/hague_foreign_docs.html o
- http://travel.state.gov/about/info/customer/customer_312.html
- http://travel.state.gov/family/family_issues/divorce/divorce_591.html - http://travel.state.gov/family/hague_foreign_docs.html

> Greetings -
I am back - Pacific here!
Well I made it! After a 1yr and 6 months after my "interview" I was called in to the Ministry of Justice to sign some papers and then make an appointment to meet the judge! I am now official - a Spanish citizen!!

All the effort over the past 5 years was worth it!


Hi Pacific,

Congratulations! Were you able to retain your U.S. citizenship or did you have to renounce it? I heard that the Spanish government makes you give it up...

Thanks!

Greetings

Regarding acquiring apostilles: It is really not so difficult. Just google the apostille process in your home US state. The State Dept provides all the instructions and fees. Just be sure to submit all your requests for apostilles well in advance for all your original documents.

And... remember all documents must be translated in SPAIN. The Spanish process will not accept translations completed outside Spain.

Regarding the question about how to get a criminal record: Just google "criminal record" for your own US State to find specific details. In California the CA State Dept web site is very clear. You will need to complete a "live scan" which is fingerprinting - available at various locations (like commercial mail centers) and police stations. After submitting necesary forms and completing the live scan I recall it taking a couple weeks to get the report .

Regarding the question about dual citizenship: Spain does not accept dual citizenship for US citizens. However, there is no official turn-over of your US passport. The US does accept dual citizenship - go to the US State Dept for details.

This is the website from the California Department of Justice (each state should have its equivalent office) that explains how you can get the background check, or equivalent of the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales, which must then be apostilled by the Secretary of State (California).

http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/visaimmigration.php

(to get the back ground check via Live Scan fingerprinting)

then,
the Apostille

from the Secretary of State, Authentications & Notarial Service

http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/authentication.htm

Greetings All
The latest update. After my "swearing in" in Madrid for my citizenship I returned to California. Just this past month I was able to apply for and get my Spanish passport at the Spanish Embassy in San Francisco. Super easy - had the forms completed (access via email to Embassy) & presented along with photos and $20 +/- USD - all pleasant and easy. The passport arrived about 8 days later! A long journey but one that actually ended with success!

Best Wishes!

Congratulations!!! And thanks so much for posting and updating your experience...

I am an American and have lived off and on in Barcelona for almost 10 years and will now be getting married and plan to stay here to live and work permanently. Your advice has been very helpful and has given me some timelines to consider as I start the process.

Any ideas on how long it takes from date of marriage to receiving legal right to work? All official websites and/or personal experiences greatly appreciated.

Gracias!!

Quite the helpful thread. Thank you!!

Does anyone happen to know if time in Spain on a student card counts as residency? My fianc? and I have been empadronada at the same address for nearly a year now. I'm just wondering if I'll be able to do the oposiciones to be a teacher 8 months after we marry, (Sept. 2011) or if I'm going to miss it by a hair and have to wait another two years.

After reading so many peoples different journey to obtain the Spanish citizenship I'm happy for you that you made it. It is a little different for us all. I'm doing my paperwork here in So. Florida at the Spanish Consulate in Coral Gables. I have one document left to give them. & of course that is from Cuba.( working on it).
I really appreciate reading everyone's different experiences, it helps to kind of know what to expect. for me......my grandparents were both born in Spain. they moved to Cuba, where my mom was born, several years after that they obtained their Cuban citizenship. I'm looking forward to obtaining my citizenship with Spain. We still have alot of family there and here in Miami. Good luck to everyone....

James..

This thread was really very helpful. Thanks Pacific and congratulations for your victory at the end.

My story is probably similar to yours though I am not US citizen but both of us are non-EU with a Spanish spouse. Since my Tarjeta de Residencia (communitario) was issued in May 2008 I had worked and paid taxes and ?seguridad social? till Aug 2008. Thereafter I had been offered a good job in the UK. I took the post and been flying between Spain and the UK till June 2009 when I applied and was granted UK residence card. I had never stayed more than six months out of Spain. As family we moved to live in England in Aug 2009. My wife was issued a Registration Certificate here as EU national living in the UK. We fly to Spain very often and I am still registered as resident in Madrid with an active ?empadronamiento?. I applied for my Spanish citizenship in Nov 2009 but never heard a word yet.

You've mentioned somewhere in your thread that you've been in and forth Spain during the first year of residency. Have you been asked about this during the application process?. And have you submitted any papers from the States to support your/your spouse financial status (like US bank statements !!)? I'm asking this because throughout the second half of my 1 year residency I used money from my UK bank more often than I did with the Spanish one.


Cheers

WK

There is lot?s of paper work and it is all rather confusing but do-able without a lawyer. Sounds like you are working with a lawyer and I imagine that might make you feel more confident. If not, if you let me know where you are in the process I may be able to provide some more info before I go totally brain dead - I guess I just want to forget all the steps at this point. Some tips now though ... you will need to get US ?apostilles? for US official documents (like birth certificates, marriage licenses, criminal record reports) so be sure to allow plenty of time to research that aspect and get those papers together. Apostilles are obtained from the Secretary of State of the state in which the document originates. I posted a reply to another thread regarding Apostilles here on the Forum? but you can ?Google? apostille and learn plenty on line. Also - the biggest annoyance factor is dealing with the immigration office at the main police station in Madrid. The lines are so incredibly long! My husband has an uncanny knack of ?working the system? and he was able to gain entrance each time we had to go by stepping right up to the front door ?gate keeper? and pleading a reason to get in right away. If the lawyer could help you navigate through that department then he/she may be worth what you are paying.
____________________________________
Debit cards in Spain (http://prepaidcardtoday.com/spain.html)

Greetings
Reply to JUNDOC and the question ... Was I ever asked about traveling back and forth from US to Spain or US financial status during application process for Spanish citizenship.

Answer: Surprisingly... No! Throughout my application process I was living more in US than Spain and certainly had a great deal of skepticism about a successful outcome to the application given that. The naturalization office only asked for my passport (to make a copy) once and that was in when I submitted the "final" full packet of papers. I always maintained official Spanish residence in the same location in Madrid. I did have a fairly odd "interview" with an official at the local police station about 6-12 months after submitting the papers. I had to submit a few more papers, and did include bank statement from the US. It did not appear that there much interest in the financial papers (they were not even translated).

I think the whole process from initiating the residency application to swearing in took about 5 years. What seemed to help me was... bring all the required papers in as requested (you miss something and you will get delayed) and of course, having someone in Madrid help me with translations and navigating the all too many offices I had to go to. I did not get a lawyer.

As mentioned in the preceding post... the lines at the immigration office are really, really long. Like the author I was always able to shortcut the line and get right in because my friend convinced the security guard that we had a valid but dramatic reason to jump in at the front door. I think the Spaniards love a bit a drama!

Wish you all the best!

I am being reasigned to our company branch in Spain, any suggestions or thoughts on what I should know about Spain

Hi there,
Does anyone know if it is legal to work in Spain at any time during the ~1yr waiting period for citizenship? Once the tarjeta is received am I given some sort of working status? Or must I wait for the citizenship to become final?

My fiance and I will be marrying later this year, we currently reside in the US. He is undergoing the process to receive a green card, but I was hoping to begin my application for Spanish citizenship/residency simultaneously. I foresee us moving to Spain in the near future, and would love to have some sort of official working papers by the time that happens- is this completely unrealistic? Please pardon my ignorance! This is just the beginning of my research...

I would appreciate any insight anyone has!

Thank you!!

First off, congrats on your upcoming marriage!

First off: where are you getting married?

If you're getting married in the US, my understanding is that you must go to your local Spanish consulate and get registered as his spouse. This used to entail getting your Libro de Familia but I believe this no longer exists. You can then ask them about residing in Spain. Dual citizenship is not legally possible. You'd have to renounce your US citizenship before Spanish authorities in order to claim Spanish citizenship. My understanding, too, is that you can only get Spanish citizenship after x-number years of residency.

Hello everyone...it has been interesting reading everyone's experiences.
I have a more unique situation...and just starting to research the matter.

I have dual citizenship already (live outside of Spain).
Partner has overextended their Visa and current health of parents will take them back home in a month or so as their health is failing. This will complicate if not null re-entry.

We are already engaged, but this will definitely throw a wrench in situation from a US standpoint. Thinking marriage in their homeland (EU nation) first at Spanish embassy and partaking in visa waiver program via Spain to return...but not sure if 1) viable option, 2) how long it would take to obtain their citizenship if living outside of Spain - although married.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Muchas gracias.

Very informative thread, some notes:

The criminal records check can only be done, for US citizens, through the FBI: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks

This document must then be sent to the State Department for an apostille: http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/

Once returned to you in Spain, it must be translated by an official "traductor jur?dico." Keep in mind the FBI documents must not be more than 3 months old when submitted to the Registro Civil at the start of the nationality petition.

The birth certificates follow a similar procedure, but on a state level. One requests the certificate, then sends it to the relevant state apostille agency, usually also named 'State Department.' For example: http://www.dos.ny.gov/corps/apostille.html

This, once returned to you in Spain also needs to be translated officially. Once you have those two documents the rest is easy, grab two Spanish people who know about your life and head to the Registro Civil.

I did it last june. I had two interviews, one from a nice woman from the Ministerio de Justicia who came to my place, and one at the Polic?a Nacional. Both were very similar - where do you work, quick summary of basic facts, etc etc.

Now I'm just waiting. It's important to keep Justicia updated with any address changes as communication is via post only. There is a website where you can check the progress of your petition: http://www.mjusticia.gob.es/cs/Satellite/es/1200666550200/Tramite_C/1215326363758/Detalle.html

Guys,

What is the current average time for processing the application from the time you apply for citizenship till you get the passport?

Thanks a lot

I think someone said it's about 5 years from time of application for residency until receiving citizenship. So if residency takes 6 months... then it takes 4.5 years!! OMG!!

That's not cool! Thanks for replying anyway.