Sworn Spanish Translation for a Spain Visa
Non-lucrative, digital nomad and student visas: FBI check, apostille and traducción jurada in the right order
In short: For a Spain residence visa, documents not in Spanish, including the apostilled FBI background check, need a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a translator on the register of Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The apostille is translated too unless it already includes Spanish. We take your fingerprints for the FBI check, coordinate the apostille, and arrange the sworn translation through a translator on Spain's official register.
What Spain requires
Spanish consular visa requirements call for a traducción jurada, a sworn translation into Spanish by a Traductor-Intérprete Jurado on the register kept by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). A standard U.S. certified translation, even notarized, is not the same thing. Practice can vary between consulates, so check your consulate's checklist, but plan on a sworn translation.
Which documents usually need it
- The FBI background check, after it has been apostilled
- Birth and marriage certificates for family members applying with you
- Medical certificates not issued in Spanish
- Custody or consent documents for minors
Is the apostille translated?
Yes, unless Spanish is already one of its languages. Spanish consular guidance says the apostille needs no translation only when it includes Spanish. U.S. apostilles normally don't, so translate it with the document.
The right order
- FBI check by Live Scan. We capture your fingerprints as an FBI-approved channeler; results usually arrive in about 1–8 hours.
- Apostille. The FBI report goes to the U.S. Department of State; Illinois documents go to the Illinois Secretary of State. We coordinate both.
- Sworn translation of the document and its apostille.
- Submit within your consulate's validity window. Many consulates want recent background checks, so don't start too early.
Tell us your consulate and visa type when you request a quote, and we'll quote the sworn translation, by a translator on Spain's official register, with the rest of your file.
Why people choose Efficient Biometrics for documents going abroad
- Translation, notary and apostille in one order. We translate, have our certificate signed before an Illinois notary, and take it to the Illinois Secretary of State for the apostille. One order, one point of contact.
- Certificates anyone can verify. Every Certificate of Translation Accuracy carries a QR code and a unique reference and code. Scanning it opens our verification page, which confirms the certificate is genuine and how many pages it covers, without showing any personal details.
- Tamper-evident paper sets. Certificate, source copy and translation are bound together, initialled on every page and sealed with a serial-numbered tamper-evident sticker.
- Honest answers on sworn translations. If your country only accepts its own sworn translators, we tell you up front rather than sell you a translation that will be refused.
- A real office. 682 Illinois Route 59, Naperville, with an in-house notary and our own apostille service. Call or text 847-436-5222 before walking in.
- Careful with your documents. Uploads are encrypted, never sent by email, and deleted 90 days after delivery.
Get a quote
Upload a clear scan or phone photo through our secure quote form and tell us the destination country. We confirm what that country needs and quote before any work begins. Certified translation starts from $45 per page, including our signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy. A page is up to about 250 words; dense or technical documents may be quoted higher. Standard turnaround is 48 hours, with rush as quick as 12 hours. Notarization, Illinois apostille and sworn translations are quoted with your order. Questions? Call or text 847-436-5222.
Requirements change and can differ by consulate, office and purpose. This guide reflects what official sources said when we last reviewed it (October 2026); always confirm with the office that will receive your documents. Our certificate attests to the accuracy of the translation, not to the authenticity of the original document. This is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides
- Can a U.S. translation be used abroad? Requirements by country
- Apostille before or after translation?
- Certified vs. notarized vs. sworn translation
- Can a translation be apostilled?
- Do I need to translate the apostille?
- Certified translation service
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spain accept a U.S. certified translation for a visa?
Spanish consular requirements call for a sworn translation (traduccion jurada) by a translator on the register of Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check your consulate's checklist, but plan on a sworn translation.
Do I need to translate the apostille for Spain?
Usually yes. Spanish consular guidance says the apostille only skips translation if Spanish is one of its languages, and U.S. apostilles normally aren't in Spanish.
Should I translate before or after the apostille?
After. Apostille the FBI check or certificate first, then have the document and its apostille translated together.