Your Complete Guide to Spanish Student Visa Document Authentication
Preparing for your Spanish student visa? Spain requires precise document authentication: notarization, apostille certification, and sworn translations. At Philadelphia Notary & Apostille LLC (USA Apostille & Notary Co.), we've guided over 250 students through this process. Here's everything you need to know—and exactly how we handle each step.
Important Disclaimer: We do not process, issue, or grant visas. We specialize exclusively in document legalization—notarization, apostille services, and sworn translations. This is general guidance based on our experience, not legal advice.
Spain's Three-Step Authentication Process
Spanish student visas require:
Notarization - Notary witnesses signatures and certifies identity for certain documents.
Apostille - Official state level certificate validating official signatures on documents for use in Spain.
Spanish Sworn Translation - Official Spanish translation by Ministry-commissioned translators.
The good news? We handle all three services in-house, coordinating the complete sequence so you never juggle multiple providers.
Documents That Must Be NOTARIZED
Financial Support Letters
When a parent, guardian, or relative pays for your education:
Notarized financial responsibility letter
Notarized copy of sponsor's ID/passport
How we help:
We provide in-office notarization in Philadelphia at our brick and mortar location or through Remote Online Notarization (RON) for clients anywhere in the U.S. or internationally. Parents in California, Texas, or abroad can complete notarization via secure video.
After notarization, we immediately hand courier the document for an apostille and then to our Ministry-commissioned sworn translators. You receive the complete package—notarized, apostilled, and translated—ready for the consulate or BLS appointment.
For Underage Students (Under 18)
Authorization to travel and study (both parents typically sign)
Notarized copies of both parents' passports
Birth certificate (apostilled in state of birth, then translated)
How we help:
We schedule one notarization session (in-office or RON) where both parents sign the authorization and passport copies together.
Result? Complete authentication package for your minor: authorization (notarized, apostilled, translated), birth certificate (apostilled, translated), parents' passports (notarized)—everything ready for submission.
Documents That Must Be APOSTILLE’D
1. FBI Criminal Background Check (Stays Over 180 Days)
Sworn Translation of FBI Background Check
Important: The apostille certifies the FBI signature—NO notarization needed.
How we help:
Send us your PDF file of your FBI background check. We use our expedited hand-courier service to Washington, D.C. Standard State Department processing takes 4-6 weeks. We personally deliver your document to the Office of Authentications and await for the apostille within the expedited timeframe window.
We turn weeks into 8-10 business days.
After receiving your apostilled FBI document, it goes immediately to our sworn translators. You get the complete package—FBI document, apostille, and sworn translation—ready for submission.
2. Vital Records for Family Members
Marriage certificates, children's birth certificates, divorce decrees—all need apostille + sworn translation.
The challenge: Vital records must be apostilled in the state where issued. Married in Nevada? Nevada apostille. Child born in Georgia? Georgia apostille.
How we help:
We process apostilles for all 50 states. You send us your documents, we identify the correct Secretary of State office, submit, track, and retrieve your apostilles. We know which states offer same-day processing and handle expedited requests routinely.
After apostille, documents go to our sworn translators. You receive everything apostilled and translated—complete authentication.
3. Foreign Criminal Background Checks
If you lived abroad 180+ days in the past five years, you need a background check from that country.
How we help:
While authentication must occur in the foreign country, we provide expert guidance on requirements and can connect you with trusted services abroad. Once you receive your authenticated foreign background check, we coordinate sworn translation into Spanish.
Documents That Must Be SWORN TRANSLATED
Critical: Spain requires sworn translations (traducciones juradas), not standard certified translations. Only Ministry-commissioned translators are accepted.
Our Sworn Translation Advantage
All our translators are court-appointed and directly commissioned by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Every translation includes:
Official Ministry seal
Translator's commission number
Sworn certification statement
Full legal validity in Spain
24-48 hour average translation turnaround.
Spanish Consulates, Embassies & BLS recognize our translations immediately as legally valid. No questions, no rejections.
Documents We Translate:
Bank Statements & Proof of Income
FBI background check (after apostille)
Foreign criminal background checks
Financial aid documents (scholarships, loans, grants)
Financial responsibility letters
Relationship documents (marriage/birth certificates, divorce decrees)
Minor student documents (authorization, birth certificate)
Medical certificates (if not using consulate's bilingual template)
How our process works:
After notarization and apostille (when required), documents go directly to our sworn translators—we maintain custody throughout. Our translators review for technical terminology, legal language, and formatting. Each translation is prepared on official letterhead with all required seals that will be recgonized by the Spanish government
For urgent timelines, we can expedite without sacrificing quality. We conduct quality control before delivery—every translation includes the translator's seal, commission number, and certification.
Pro tip: Most Spanish Consulates provide a bilingual medical certificate template. If your doctor uses this (we can provide it), no translation needed—saving you time and money.
Complete Authentication Examples
FBI Background Check:
✅ You send us your FBI document (no notarization)
✅ We hand-courier to State Department for expedited apostille
✅ We sworn translate the apostilled document
✅ You receive complete package in days, not weeks
Financial Support Letter:
✅ We notarize your letter and documents (in-office or RON)
✅ We apostille through Secretary of State authenticating our notary signature
✅ We sworn translate everything
✅ You receive complete three-step authentication without the need to hire separate agencies.
Minor's Birth Certificate:
✅ You send us the birth certificate
✅ We apostille from correct state (all 50 states)
✅ We sworn translate
✅ You receive apostilled and translated certificate
Why Choose Our Complete Service
Single-Provider Convenience - One firm handles notarization, apostille, and sworn translation. No coordinating multiple services.
Nationwide Apostille Processing - We handle all 50 states simultaneously. Born in California, married in Nevada, living in Pennsylvania? We manage it all.
Expedited FBI Apostille - Hand-courier service turns weeks into days—essential for tight deadlines.
Spanish Ministry-Commissioned Translators - Officially commissioned by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Full legal validity guaranteed.
Expert Knowledge - We've processed hundreds of Spanish student visas. We know Spain requires sworn translations, FBI signatures get apostilled directly (no notarization), and vital records need state-of-origin apostilles.
Complete Quality Control - We verify every apostille, notarization, and translation before delivery. Nothing is missed.
Affordable Pricing & Quick Turnarounds
💰 Transparent pricing with volume discounts for multiple documents
💰 Clear quotes upfront - no hidden fees
💰 Expedited options available at competitive rates
Same-day/next-day state apostilles when available
Days (not weeks) for FBI apostilles via hand-courier
Priority sworn translations for urgent cases
Remote Online Notarizations available evenings/weekends
Our Five-Star Track Record
Expert knowledge of Spanish requirements
Responsive communication when facing deadlines
Meticulous accuracy—documents done right the first time
Successful outcomes—students getting visas and studying in Spain
Get Started in 6 Simple Steps
1. Contact us with your timeline and document list
2. Receive detailed quote - exactly what each service costs
3. Submit documents - mail, online portal, in-person, or schedule RON
4. We handle everything - notarization, apostille (all states), sworn translation
5. Receive complete package - all documents authenticated and ready
6. Submit to Spanish Consulate or BLS International with confidence
Ready to Begin?
Spanish student visa documentation requires precision across notarization, apostille, and sworn translation. We bring specialized expertise, nationwide processing, expedited services, and Ministry-commissioned translators to handle the complete process.
We handle the notarization. We coordinate the apostilles. We provide sworn translations. You focus on preparing for Spain.
Contact Philadelphia Notary & Apostille LLC.
📧 Email us with your document list
📞 Call for immediate assistance
🌐 Visit our website for online submission
Specialized in Spanish student visa documentation | Nationwide service | Complete authentication | Ministry-commissioned sworn translations
With affordable pricing, quick turnarounds, five-star reviews, and proven success with 250+ Spanish student visas, we're your complete document authentication partner from start to finish.
This guide provides general information based on our experience and is not legal advice. For visa-specific guidance, consult an immigration attorney, the Spanish Consulate or BLS International.