FBI apostille for Spain residency
Apostille for an FBI background check:
tips and tricks for applying for a resident visa
If you are inspired by the desire to live in Spain, whether for work or temporary/permanent Visa or obtain dual-citizenship, by now you might have checked the official requirement. And, while going through the official requirement document you might have noticed a word: apostille. Basically, it is an ornate way for a State to acknowledge a document as official. Apostille is done at the Federal level. We can call it a glorified notary.
Spain is an active member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 1978. Any type of official document preordain for Spain needs an apostille from the United States Department of State in Washington D.C.
FBI background check requested by Spain requires certification by the U.S. Federal Government. For those who are planning to move to Spain the government of Spain will request an apostille on FBI criminal background check. The keynote to consider is that the validity of FBI background checks is for 90 days. The government of Spain may not acknowledge an FBI background check older than 90 days.
Step by step
The very first step in attaining your federal background check is to reach out to the FBI approved channelers to have your fingerprints taken.
Once you receive an FBI background check (FBI will send you the original document by post and a PDF version by email), the second step is to mail the document for processing addressed to the Washington, D.C. office.
Gathering what you need for Spain residency
This is where legal work starts. Gathering all the documents required can be a bit overwhelming but it is the very first step in applying for a visa for the country of Spain.
Typically, the documents required for the visa application for Spain are:
● Visa application form: this is available online or can be picked up in-person at the Consulate.
● Original passport: you need a valid U.S passport.
● Passport-size photographs: you would need at least 3 white background passport-size photographs.
● Scope and reason for Visa request: the document must explain purpose, place, and length of stay.
● Proof of financial means: apparently, it is one of the most significant documents you need to submit.
● FBI background check: for this, simple police verification is not sufficient. It involves a fingerprint form, which you print by taking it to a nearby police station. The actual fingerprinting happens at the Police Station. You need to reach out to the FBI for a federal criminal check. The certificate is given by the FBI cannot be older than 90 days from the application date and must have apostille.
● Medical certificate: this must not be older than 90 days.
● Proof of international medical insurance: this is generally done on a family basis.
● Marriage certificate (if applicable): it must not be older than 90 days. It must be an original document from the state where the marriage certificate was issued. You might have to notify the government employee that you need an Apostille.
● Birth certificate (only for minors): this must not be older than 90 days. This is a state document, you need an apostille for the same too.
It is essential to do this process in advance
Apostille is a process that requires a lot of planning. Therefore, we advise you to begin to carry out the procedures several months before making the trip.
If you wish, you can leave this task in our hands so that we can take care of apostille your documents. We have two apostille companies: Apostille Net and FBI Apostille Services. With more than 20 years of experience, we are specialized in all types of apostilles. If you don’t have the time or knowledge, trust us!
