Decision 1
FBI record—not a notarized copy
Spain’s Washington consular instructions call for an FBI-issued record. The federal apostille must certify the FBI official’s signature, not a notary’s signature on a photocopy.
U.S. documents for use in Spain
Spain Apostille Services for U.S. Documents
U.S. public documents requested by a Spanish authority usually need the apostille issued by the correct U.S. state or federal authority. For Spain’s telework visa, current consular guidance specifically calls for an FBI-issued criminal record, a federal Hague apostille, and an official Spanish translation.
Four decisions to make before processing
Decision 2
Federal versus state route
FBI records follow the U.S. Department of State route. Birth, marriage, court, diploma, and notarized records normally follow the issuing state’s route.
Decision 3
Translation and freshness
The telework-visa instructions require an official Spanish translation and currently describe a six-month freshness window. Confirm the rule with the consulate handling your application.
Decision 4
Consular jurisdiction matters
Spanish consulates may publish jurisdiction-specific checklists. Confirm the receiving consulate and whether records from other countries of residence are also required.
Final acceptance belongs to the recipient. An apostille or authentication verifies a public signature or seal; it does not approve the document’s contents or guarantee acceptance.
Which U.S. authority handles the document?
| Document | Likely route | Confirm before submission |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary | U.S. Department of State | FBI-issued result, federal apostille, official Spanish translation |
| U.S. birth, marriage, or court record | Issuing state | Certified-copy type, issuing official, translation |
| Diploma or notarized private document | State tied to notarization/issuer | Notarial wording and the Spanish recipient’s format rules |
Routes are described as likely because the signer, seal, copy type, destination, and receiving authority determine eligibility.
How Notary Pin coordinates the process
1. Document review
Tell us the document, issuing authority, destination, and receiving organization. We check the likely route before quoting.
2. Route and coordination
We coordinate the eligible U.S. state or federal steps and any requested translation, legalization, or tracked return delivery.
3. Recipient confirmation
You confirm the final package with the receiving authority. Government authorities issue certificates; Notary Pin provides administrative coordination.
Official requirements used for this page
Spain telework-visa instructions are especially specific about adult criminal-record evidence.
- Embassy of Spain in Washington — Telework visa
- U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document
- HCCH Apostille Convention status table
Reviewed August 20, 2026 by Jonathan Tran, Co-Founder of Notary Pin. Requirements can change; confirm current instructions with the authority receiving the document.
Related guidance: international apostille support, FBI background-check apostille support, and digital-nomad document planning.