María-José
Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain
- 691 cases handled · 197 in this service
- 22+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Campus Elche
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4.98(53 reviews)
Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) in Spain
The Spanish criminal record certificate (certificado de antecedentes penales), also called a police clearance certificate, is asked for in visa, residence, job and adoption procedures. English-speaking lawyers request it and handle apostille and translation.
About Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) in Spain
The criminal record certificate in Spain is the certificado de antecedentes penales, issued by the Ministry of Justice from the Central Register of Convicts. It is also called a police clearance certificate, certificate of good conduct, police certificate or "no criminal record" certificate. Visa offices, employers, adoption bodies and foreign authorities ask for it. English-speaking registered lawyers can request it and deal with the apostille, translation and delivery. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Police Clearance Certificate / Criminal Record Check”.
Two different tasks
A certificate issued in Spain is for people who live or have lived in Spain and need it here or abroad. Documents from your own country are a second matter: for a Spanish visa, residence or citizenship file the authorities usually ask for a certificate from the countries where you lived, normally apostilled and with a sworn translation. A lawyer helps with the procedure, such as the apostille, the translation and the filing, but cannot issue another country's certificate. See non-lucrative visa, golden visa and citizenship application.
How the Spanish certificate is requested
Applications can be made online with a digital certificate, in person or by post, with an identity document such as a passport or residence card. If the certificate is for use abroad, say so when applying so that the apostille or legalisation is added. A representative can apply under a power of attorney.
Related documents
People who work with children are asked for a separate certificate on sexual offences, which is meant for use in Spain. Removing an old conviction from the register is a different procedure, see cancel a criminal record.
Questions and answers
Can I get the certificate online?
Yes, applications can be made online with a digital certificate, and also in person or by post.
How long is it valid?
There is no one rule. The body that asks for it says how recent it has to be.
Do I need an apostille and a translation?
For use in another country, usually an apostille, and often a sworn translation. State the country of use when applying.
Can a lawyer request it for me?
Yes, with a power of attorney, which is useful if you are not in Spain.
Is it the same as cancelling a criminal record?
No. The certificate shows what is on the register today. Cancellation removes an old entry from it.
Which certificate does a visa or citizenship file need?
Usually one from each country where you lived, as the authority specifies. A lawyer can check the list for your case.
9 lawyers who provide Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) in Spain
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Raffaele
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 1,553 cases handled · 50 in this service
- 15+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish
- Spanish Law; Italian Law, Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Università degli Studi di Milano
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4.90(38 reviews)
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Federico
Lawyer · Madrid, Spain
- 440 cases handled · 19 in this service
- 25+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, French, Spanish
- Law, Complutense University Madrid (San Pablo)
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4.82(14 reviews)
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Inma
Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain
- 910 cases handled · 4 in this service
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law
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4.95(59 reviews)
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José
Lawyer · Alicante City, Spain
- 786 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 22+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Alicante University
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4.99(97 reviews)
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Alvaro
Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain
- 1,584 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 14+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Jaén
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4.97(146 reviews)
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Miguel
Lawyer · Oviedo, Spain
- 254 cases handled
- 26+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Oviedo
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4.98(22 reviews)
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Jesus
Lawyer · Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- 16 cases handled
- 3+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
- Law Degree, University of Santiago de Compostela
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Ramon
Lawyer · Almeria, Spain
- 13+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Almeria University
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate)
9 registered lawyers provide this service in Spain. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
Other administrative law & processes services in Spain
All administrative law & processes services in Spain- Arrest Warrant Check
- Birth, Marriage & Death Certificate Applications
- Cancel Criminal Record
- Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy
- Close a Bank Account
- Fines & Administrative Penalties
- Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
- Power of Attorney
- Document Witnessing & Identity Verification
- Relocation & Settling-In Support
- Building Permits & Planning Permission
- Verify Identity
What our clients say about our service in Spain
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The lawyer helped me twice to get a police clearance certificate, and also assisted my husband with the same. His English is perfect, and we were both very satisfied.
— Kim09 Jan 2026 -
Excellent value for money and a very simple process, and I was fully satisfied.
— Allison12 Dec 2025 -
Extremely fast service, invaluable for my Schengen visa application. I was completely satisfied and highly recommend it.
— Mira18 Sep 2025 -
He did a wonderful job, was very responsive and answered all my questions promptly. The service was excellent, quick and friendly, and his English was perfect. I highly recommend him!
— Véronique15 May 2023 -
The lawyer was fantastic and very professional. She answered my queries quickly and replied promptly whenever I asked. Right at the start she explained the process, the documents required and the expected time. The quote she gave was detailed too, and fair. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal help in Spain.
— Ayaz03 Nov 2022 -
Her approach was helpful and professional, and every email got a prompt reply. I am very satisfied with the help I received.
— Felix04 Oct 2022 -
Spain's criminal record certificate was what I needed for my Canadian PR, so I contacted them through the website and the lawyer got in touch with me. He was awesome. He followed up with me, was very clear about the requirements, and was professional and very fast. I highly recommend him!
— Hind27 Jun 2022 -
The lawyer gave a comprehensive breakdown of what the service involved, including other alternatives. She delivered quickly and communicated clearly, and overall I was very satisfied with the service.
— Victor16 Jun 2022 -
She was always timely and extremely thorough in her replies, which I really appreciated. The process was easy going with her and completely stress-free, and her English was flawless, so I understood everything.
— Alexandra26 May 2022 -
The lawyer was very courteous and focused on results, and handled the case with great professionalism.
— Veronika17 May 2022 -
The lawyer replied to my request immediately and solved the issue without hesitation. Extremely helpful, excellent assistance.
— Marion14 Feb 2023 -
I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
— Antoine03 Jul 2026