Spanish criminal record certificate: how to apply step by step
Before starting the procedure: requirements and procedures may change. Check the information applicable to your case and consult the relevant official sources.
Updated guide
The Spanish criminal record certificate confirms whether or not a person has a record registered in the Central Registry of Convicted Persons.
You can apply online, in person or by post. It may be an important document for certain immigration, citizenship, employment or visa procedures, or for dealing with matters abroad.
Procedure
Criminal record certificate
Authority
Ministry of Justice
Form
Fee: 790-006
Use abroad
An apostille may be required
Quick summary
- The certificate states whether or not a person has a current criminal record in Spain.
- You can apply online using electronic identification, in person or by post.
- For an in-person or postal application, use Form 790-006.
- If you plan to submit it outside Spain, you should request it with an apostille or legalisation.
- This is not the certificate required for working with children. For that, you need a certificate of absence of sexual offences.
The Spanish criminal record certificate is one of the most commonly requested documents when someone needs to officially prove whether or not they have convictions recorded in the Central Register of Convicted Persons. It may be required for immigration procedures, citizenship applications, employment, visas, administrative proceedings, adoptions, authorizations or dealings with organizations in other countries.
Although it seems like a straightforward document, people often have questions: which certificate to request, how to pay the 790 fee, whether it is valid for working with minors, how long it takes, how to get it apostilled or what to do if a record appears. This guide explains the process step by step.
Important
This certificate should not be confused with police records or the certificate relating to sexual offences. If you are unsure about the difference, you can also read our guide to criminal and police records in Spain.
What is the Spanish criminal record certificate?
A criminal record certificate is an official document confirming whether or not a person has a criminal record in Spain on the date it is issued.
In practice, it is used to show an administration, company, consulate, university, foreign organization or authorized entity whether the person concerned has any current criminal records.
The certificate is based on the information held in the Central Register of Convicted Persons. Therefore, if a conviction has been properly expunged, it should not appear as a current criminal record.
What is the criminal record certificate used for?
This certificate may be requested for many procedures. Some of its most common uses include:
Spanish citizenship
Depending on the case, it may be part of the supporting documents, particularly when good civic conduct or criminal status is assessed.
Visas and permits
Some immigration or consular procedures may require criminal record certificates from the country of residence or country of origin.
Work or employment
Certain positions, authorizations or professional processes may require proof that the person has no criminal record.
Procedures abroad
If the document is submitted outside Spain, it will generally need to be apostilled or legalized.
If you are preparing a citizenship application, you may also find it useful to read the guide to documents required to apply for Spanish citizenship and, if you are studying for the test, take the Spanish citizenship test.
Who can apply?
The person concerned can apply for the certificate, provided they can prove their identity. An authorized representative may also apply, but must provide documents proving their authority to act on the person's behalf.
Foreign nationals will generally need to identify themselves using a valid document, such as a NIE, TIE, passport or another accepted document. The key is to ensure that the details in the application match the identity of the person concerned.
Practical tip: Carefully check your first name, surname(s), document number, date of birth and nationality before submitting the application. An error in these details can delay the certificate or cause problems when you use it.
How to apply for a criminal record certificate
There are currently three main ways to apply: online, in person or by post. The best option depends on whether you have electronic identification, whether you are in Spain or abroad, and how urgently you need to complete the procedure.
1. Apply online
Applying online is the most convenient option if you have a valid electronic identification system. You can submit your application through the Ministry of Justice's online portal and pay the fee electronically.
- Go to the criminal record certificate application procedure on the Ministry of Justice's online portal.
- Identify yourself using Cl@ve, a digital certificate or another system accepted by the portal.
- Fill in the personal details on the application.
- Pay the applicable fee online.
- Save the application receipt and reference number.
- Download the certificate when it is available.
In many cases, the certificate can be issued immediately. If this is not possible, it is usually available to download later by checking the application status.
2. In-person application
Applying in person may be useful if you do not have a digital certificate or prefer to complete the process at an office. In this case, you must bring your identity documents and proof of payment of the fee using Form 790-006.
Before you go, check whether the office requires an appointment and whether it can process this application on the spot. Availability may vary by Provincial Office, office or registry.
3. Application by post
You can also apply by post by sending the required documents, the duly completed Form 790-006 and proof of payment of the fee. This option is usually slower, so carefully check the requirements to avoid having your application returned or deemed incomplete.
| Method | Recommended if… | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Online | You have Cl@ve or a digital certificate. | It is the fastest and most convenient option. |
| In person | You cannot apply online. | You need Form 790-006 and an identity document. |
| By post | You cannot attend in person. | Check the documents carefully before sending them. |
Required documents
The documents required may vary depending on the method you use, but you will normally need:
- Valid identity document: DNI, NIE, TIE, passport or another accepted document.
- Form 790-006: particularly necessary for applications made in person or by post.
- Proof of payment of the fee: if payment is not made as part of the online process.
- Authorisation or proof of representation: if someone else submits the application on the applicant’s behalf.
- Contact details: especially an email address, so you can receive notifications if the certificate is pending issuance.
If you are also gathering documents for other procedures, you can also read our guide to applying for a birth certificate in Spain, as it is often part of many personal and administrative files.
Form 790-006 fee for criminal record certificates
You must pay the applicable fee to apply for a criminal record certificate. The form used is 790-006, which is also used for other certificates issued by the Ministry of Justice, such as certificates relating to wills or insurance contracts with death coverage.
If you apply online, you can pay as part of the process through the payment gateway. If you apply in person or by post, you must download Form 790-006, complete it and pay the fee before submitting your application.
Do not photocopy Form 790
Each form may have a unique receipt number. It is best to download a new form from the official source for each application and avoid reusing copies.
How long does it take to obtain a criminal record certificate?
When you apply online, the certificate can be issued immediately in many cases. If it is not issued straight away, you can usually download it once it is available by checking your application status.
In some cases, it may take longer—for example, when additional information needs to be checked, when there are identification issues, or when the applicant is a national of an EU Member State and information must be obtained through the relevant information exchange systems.
So if you need the certificate for an application with a deadline, it is best not to leave it until the last day.
How to check your application status and download the certificate
When you submit your application, you should keep the receipt and application number. You will need this information to check your application status and download the certificate when it is available.
If you lose the receipt, the process can become more complicated. It is therefore a good idea to save a PDF copy, email it to yourself, or keep a screenshot of the receipt.
Can it be used to work with children?
No. This is very important: a criminal record certificate is not the document required to work regularly with children in Spain.
For work or activities involving children, you need a certificate of offences of a sexual nature. Although both documents are related to official records, they serve different purposes and cannot replace one another.
Common mistake
If a company, school, association or other organisation asks you for a certificate to work with children, confirm that it means the certificate of offences of a sexual nature, not the general criminal record certificate.
Using the certificate abroad: apostille or legalisation
If you need to submit your criminal record certificate outside Spain, it will very likely need to be apostilled or legalised. This depends on the country where it will be used and the type of procedure.
In many cases, if the country is a party to the Hague Convention, an apostille will be required. If an apostille is not sufficient or the country does not accept apostilles, another type of legalisation may be required.
In addition, if you submit the certificate to a foreign authority, you may also be asked to provide a sworn translation. Before applying, check the instructions of the authority that will receive it.
What to do if your criminal record shows entries
If your certificate shows criminal record entries and you believe they should already have been removed, check whether you meet the requirements to apply for their removal. Removal does not always happen automatically or immediately, and you may need to start the relevant procedure.
In that case, you may find this guide useful: removal of criminal records: requirements and time limits.
It is also a good idea to make sure you are not confusing criminal records with police records. Criminal records result from court convictions, while police records may relate to police activity without necessarily involving a conviction.
Common mistakes when applying
Using the wrong certificate
For work with children, you need the sexual offences certificate, not a general criminal record certificate.
Not requesting an apostille
If the certificate is to be submitted abroad, it may not be accepted without legalisation.
Incorrect details
An incorrect name, NIE or passport number can cause problems.
Losing the receipt
You may need the application number to check the status or download the certificate.
Frequently asked questions about the criminal record certificate
Can I apply for a criminal record certificate online?
Yes. You can apply online through the Ministry of Justice’s Government online portal if you have an accepted electronic identification method, such as Cl@ve or a digital certificate.
What fee do I have to pay?
The fee associated with Form 790-006 applies to this certificate. For online applications, you can pay electronically; for applications submitted in person or by post, you must provide proof of payment.
How long does it take to be issued?
In many cases, it is issued immediately when you apply online. If additional checks are required, it may take longer, and you will need to download it once it is available.
Can I use it to work with children?
No. To work regularly with children, you need a certificate of sexual offences. The general criminal record certificate is not a substitute for it.
Does it need to be apostilled?
Only if the certificate is to be used abroad and the receiving organisation requires it. In such cases, an apostille or legalisation is usually required, depending on the country.
What should I do if a criminal record appears?
If a criminal record appears that you believe should already have been expunged, check whether you meet the requirements to apply to the Ministry of Justice to have it expunged.
Conclusion
Spain’s criminal record certificate is useful for many procedures, but you must apply for the correct one for its intended use. Before applying, check whether you need the general certificate, a certificate of sexual offences, an apostille, a sworn translation or to have your criminal record expunged first.
If you are preparing an immigration or citizenship application, also check the other required documents to avoid delays or subsequent requests for additional documents.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional legal advice or information provided by the competent authorities.
