I’m a U.S citizen married to a Spanish citizen and we have two children together.  I would appreciate any information regarding Spanish residency, N.I.E, working papers, etc.  I’ve lived in Spain almost four years and can prove it with all the documents.  I have not received sponsorship, a working permit, nor have I worked while living here.  My wife works for a Spanish airline and I was the stay at home dad taking care of the kids.  Awesome benefits crap pay;-)  Anyway, I’m sure if you’re reading this you already think I should have no problem since I’m married.  Sure, that would probably be the case but here’s the kicker… We were married outside of the country in Aruba this past December 2010.  Nobody mentioned that if you’re married outside the country your marriage isn’t recognized in Spain for at least TWO YEARS!  We have the Apostille de La Haya as we read it was necessary for our wedding to be recognized here in Spain.  So as far as our marriage helping me to secure some sort of legality here and giving me the opportunity to file for my working papers… No such luck!  I figured the fact that I have two kids might help and finally my wife (at least my wife on the island of Aruba) says we need to find out about getting the Arraigo Familiar.  If anyone has any ideas or information regarding the Arraigo Familiar please, please, please, reply to this post.  I guess my only other hope would be to find someone that sponsors me.  My Spanish language skills are a work in progress so that’s probably a pipe dream.  I’m a photographer/videographer and wondered if I could list myself Autonomo and do everything on my own.  The bottom line is I need to work and I need to work now and I need to obtain my residency ASAP!  Will I have to leave and come back?  Yikes.

Thanks,
Aaron