Oscar
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 677 cases handled · 47 in this service
- 20+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Barcelona
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4.97(57 reviews)
Document Witnessing & Identity Verification in Spain
Banks, pension funds and authorities abroad often ask for a signature to be witnessed, a copy certified or an identity confirmed. English-speaking lawyers in Spain prepare the documents, meet you in person and explain whether a lawyer, a notary or a consul is the right official.
About Document Witnessing & Identity Verification in Spain
Banks, pension funds, embassies and buyers abroad often ask for a signature to be witnessed, a copy of a passport or document to be certified, or an identity confirmed. In Spain this goes by several names: witnessing a signature on a document, certified true copy, certifying documents (compulsa), legitimación de firma, verifying identity, and the life certificate (certificado de fe de vida) that pensions abroad ask for. English-speaking registered lawyers help to work out what is asked and to prepare it. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Proof of Identity & Document Witnessing Service”.
Lawyer, notary or consul: who does what
Many people search for a "notary", but in Spain a notary is a public official with a role of its own, and a lawyer is a different profession. Which of them an authority accepts depends on the authority that asks: some accept a lawyer's stamp with a covering letter, others require a notary, a consulate or an apostille. A lawyer can find out what the receiving body wants and arrange the right kind of signing, with a notary where one is required.
Typical situations
- Renewing a passport while living in Spain.
- Managing pensions or investments in your home country.
How it usually goes
You explain what the document is for and who asks for it. The lawyer checks the papers and the wording expected. You meet in person with your passport or national ID card, the signature is witnessed or the copy certified, and a stamp and covering letter are added where they are used. An apostille or sworn translation is arranged if the receiving country asks for one.
Questions and answers
Can a lawyer in Spain certify a copy of my passport?
It depends on who asks for it. Some bodies accept a lawyer's certification; some Spanish procedures, such as the NIE application, ask for a Spanish notary. It is best to check with the receiving body first.
Do I need an apostille or a translation?
If the document is going to another country, its authority often asks for an apostille and a sworn translation. Ask which of them applies.
Can someone sign for me?
Only under a power of attorney, and the receiving body has to accept it.
How do I get a life certificate for a pension?
In Spain a certificado de fe de vida can be issued by a notary or a civil registry, and some pension bodies have their own form. Ask the pension body which one it accepts.
25 lawyers who provide Document Witnessing & Identity Verification 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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Alvaro
Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain
- 1,584 cases handled · 39 in this service
- 14+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Jaén
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4.97(146 reviews)
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Inma
Lawyer · Valencia, Spain
- 716 cases handled · 26 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Valencia
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4.99(56 reviews)
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Rosa
Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain
- 1,612 cases handled · 23 in this service
- 17+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of the Balearic Islands
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4.98(162 reviews)
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José
Lawyer · Alicante City, Spain
- 786 cases handled · 18 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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Federico
Lawyer · Madrid, Spain
- 440 cases handled · 15 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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Raffaele
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 1,553 cases handled · 12 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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Francisca
Lawyer · Gandia, Spain
- 469 cases handled · 11 in this service
- 21+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- University of Valencia
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4.83(35 reviews)
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Domingo
Lawyer · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- 372 cases handled · 8 in this service
- 19+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Salamanca
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4.94(28 reviews)
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Inma
Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain
- 910 cases handled · 7 in this service
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law
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4.95(59 reviews)
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Esther
Lawyer · Maspalomas, Spain
- 229 cases handled · 6 in this service
- 23+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German
- Law, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
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4.99(17 reviews)
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Rafael
Lawyer · Seville, Spain
- 204 cases handled · 6 in this service
- 31+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Seville
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4.81(27 reviews)
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María
Lawyer · Estepona, Spain
- 184 cases handled · 5 in this service
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English
- Law, University Granada
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4.60(5 reviews)
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María-José
Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain
- 691 cases handled · 4 in this service
- 22+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Campus Elche
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4.98(53 reviews)
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Angela
Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain
- 381 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 27+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Business and Company Administration, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE)
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5.00(30 reviews)
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Albert
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 294 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 28+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Barcelona, Glasgow University School of Law
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4.95(4 reviews)
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Miguel
Lawyer · Oviedo, Spain
- 254 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 26+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Oviedo
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4.98(22 reviews)
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Sabela
Lawyer · Vigo, Spain
- 250 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 17+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Santiago de Compostela
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4.96(29 reviews)
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Juan
Lawyer · Madrid, Spain
- 164 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 10+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Degree in Law, Deusto University (Bilbao, Basque Country)
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4.86(7 reviews)
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Francisco
Lawyer · Cadiz, Spain
- 136 cases handled · 3 in this service
- Speaks: English
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4.63(5 reviews)
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María Luz
Lawyer · Marbella, Spain
- 24 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 3+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law Degree, University of Granada
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5.00(2 reviews)
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Juan Ignacio
Lawyer · Vera, Spain
- 117 cases handled
- 15+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Almeria
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4.93(21 reviews)
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Maria
Lawyer · Girona, Spain
- 60 cases handled
- 23+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
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4.38(8 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 Document Witnessing & Identity Verification
25 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
- Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate)
- Power of Attorney
- Relocation & Settling-In Support
- Building Permits & Planning Permission
- Verify Identity
What our clients say about our service in Spain
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I used the lawyer to witness my Irish passport application, and the experience was excellent. She was professional and accommodating, her English was perfect, and she made the entire process straightforward and stress-free. I really appreciate all her help.
— Jake05 May 2026 -
I would definitely use this service again.
— Bamidele13 Jun 2023 -
The lawyer was very quick to respond, with perfect English, and understood exactly what I needed. Extremely professional, with the perfect level of friendliness. I would highly recommend this service to family and friends.
— Alyson09 May 2023 -
The lawyer was excellent: very helpful, with excellent English. He sorted out my problems and even accompanied me in person to a notary. Very approachable and professional, and good value for money.
— Clements09 Feb 2023 -
Within an hour of my first message to the service, he called us in the Netherlands. He was very helpful and reassuring in general, and his English was flawless. Despite the short notice, he arranged a much-needed appointment for 9.00am on Monday and had everything ready by the time we got there. We hope we never again need a lawyer in Sevilla in such a hurry, but should we, we know whom to call! Many thanks also to the service for connecting us so fast and for its convincing website.
— Julie07 Nov 2022 -
He answered my enquiry very swiftly and understood perfectly what I needed, and his English is flawless.
— Jose14 Oct 2022 -
The lawyer helped me recently and went out of her way to make everything easier for me by coming to me, as I struggle to walk and do not have a car. If you need help, I highly recommend contacting her. Thank you again.
— Nev19 Jul 2022 -
The lawyer was very helpful and professional, and resolved my issue very quickly. I highly recommend him.
— Jason12 May 2022 -
The lawyer was patient, attentive and tireless. He is clever and diligent, and his English is excellent. He is affable and frank, two qualities that are essential in a good lawyer. I very much appreciate his help and advice during the case, and I do not hesitate to vouch for his professionalism.
— John02 Oct 2020 -
The lawyer was very helpful at every stage of the process. Her professional approach made the experience smooth and straightforward.
— Samat15 Sep 2026Document Witnessing & Identity Verification -
I would recommend this service to anyone who needs a witness in the future.
— Thomas06 May 2026Document Witnessing & Identity Verification -
This is the second time I have used this lawyer. He communicates well in English, and his quick replies and efficiency stand out.
— Richard06 May 2026Document Witnessing & Identity Verification