For many people, citizenship is more than a passport — it’s a bridge to family history, expanded opportunities, and a new future. If you have Spanish ancestry, you may already have the right to become a Spanish (and European Union) citizen through a process known as Spanish citizenship by descent.

At Apostille-USA, we specialize in making sure your documents are prepared correctly for consulates and government agencies. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know — from eligibility and requirements to the step-by-step application process — and show you exactly how we can help.

This pathway, rooted in the principle of jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), allows children, grandchildren, and in some cases even great-grandchildren of Spanish nationals to reclaim their family’s nationality. With it comes access to the European Union, visa-free travel, lower education costs, and the chance to reconnect with Spain’s rich cultural heritage.

Spanish citizenship by descent is the legal right to nationality through family lineage. Unlike naturalization (which usually requires years of residency), this process allows you to claim citizenship based on your ancestry.

The Spanish Civil Code (Articles 17–26) establishes who qualifies as a Spaniard by origin. In short:

• Children of Spanish nationals are citizens by birth.
• Grandchildren of Spaniards who emigrated may also qualify.
• Descendants of exiles and certain Sephardic Jewish families can apply under special laws.

This isn’t a “favor” from Spain — it’s a recognition of your pre-existing right to nationality based on your bloodline.

Eligibility depends on your direct family connection to Spain. The main categories include:

1. Children of Spanish Citizens

If your mother or father is Spanish, you automatically qualify for citizenship by origin, even if you were born abroad.

2. Grandchildren of Spanish Nationals

If your grandparent was born in Spain and later lost citizenship due to emigration, you may be eligible. This is especially common in Latin America, where millions of Spaniards emigrated in the 19th and 20th centuries.

3. Descendants of Exiled Spaniards

Special provisions exist for the children and grandchildren of Spaniards who fled during the Civil War and Franco regime.

4. Sephardic Jews of Spanish Origin

Spain has passed specific laws granting descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the Inquisition the right to citizenship, provided historical ties to Spain can be proven.

5. Adopted Children

Foreign minors adopted by a Spanish national automatically acquire Spanish nationality by origin.

In October 2022, Spain enacted the Democratic Memory Law, which broadened eligibility for citizenship by descent. Often referred to as the “Grandchildren’s Law,” it acknowledges the forced exile and loss of nationality that occurred under Franco’s dictatorship and the Spanish Civil War.

Key benefits of this law include:

• Eligibility for grandchildren and children of Spaniards by origin, even if their ancestors weren’t formally exiled.
• No residency requirement in Spain.
• Exemption from language (DELE A2) and cultural (CCSE) exams, which are normally mandatory for other applicants.
• Simultaneous applications allowed for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
• Dual nationality protection, even for applicants from non-Ibero-American countries.

⚠️ Deadline: Applications under this law must be submitted by October 21, 2025.

Most applicants will need to provide original vital documents that prove their family link to Spain. These typically include:

• Your birth certificate

• Birth certificates of parent(s) and grandparent(s)

• Marriage certificates (if applicable)
• Proof of Spanish nationality for your ancestor (birth record from Spain, old Spanish passport, emigration record)
• Valid passport/ID

• Proof of legal residence (only if applying inside Spain)

Apostille & Translation Requirements

• All U.S. or foreign-issued documents must be apostilled to be legally recognized in Spain.
• Documents must then be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

This is where Apostille-USA comes in: we handle the entire apostille process for you, ensuring your documents are accepted by Spanish consulates worldwide.

Applying for Spanish citizenship by descent involves several stages:

1. Determine Your Eligibility

Confirm whether you qualify through your parent, grandparent, or under the Democratic Memory Law.

2. Gather Original Documents

Most consulates require official certified copies of birth, marriage, and death records. If you don’t already have them, we can help retrieve them from U.S. agencies.

3. Apostille the Documents

Foreign-issued documents must be apostilled before Spain will accept them.

👉 Start your order here: Apostille Original Documents Order Form

Our process:

1. Upload a digital copy of your documents via the order form.
2. Receive payment link and mailing instructions.
3. Send the originals to our trusted U.S. partners.
4. Processing usually takes 10–15 business days, depending on the state.
5. We ship the completed apostilled documents back to you.

4. Translate Documents into Spanish

Certified translations are mandatory. Apostille-USA can arrange this step as part of the process.

5. Submit Application

Apply at the Spanish Civil Registry (if in Spain) or the Spanish consulate in your country of residence.

6. Wait for Approval

Processing times vary — anywhere from several months to a few years depending on the consulate and complexity.

7. Swear Allegiance

Once approved, you must swear allegiance to the Spanish Constitution before your nationality is officially recognized.

Spanish citizenship unlocks opportunities that go far beyond Spain itself. Benefits include:

• Freedom of Movement: Live, work, and study in any EU or Schengen country without visas.
• Visa-Free Travel: Spanish passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries.
• Healthcare Access: EU citizens have the right to public healthcare across the bloc.
• Educational Opportunities: Lower tuition rates and scholarships throughout Europe.
• Political Rights: The right to vote in Spain and EU elections.

Dual Citizenship: Spain allows dual nationality with many countries, particularly in Latin America, Portugal, and the Philippines.

Applying for Spanish citizenship by descent is exciting — but also document-heavy. That’s where we come in. Apostille-USA helps you every step of the way:

• Original Document Apostille: We legalize birth, marriage, and death certificates for use in Spain.
• Certified Translations: Official Spanish translations accepted by consulates.
• Document Retrieval: If you can’t get an original vital record, we can obtain notarized copies directly from U.S. agencies.
• Secure Delivery: International shipping via DHL.

1. Complete the order form:
   ➡️ Apostille Original Documents Order Form 
2. Upload a copy of your documents.
3. Make payment and receive shipping instructions.
4. Mail originals to our U.S. partners.
5. Processing in 10–15 business days.
6. Documents returned to you with apostille attached.

• $249 per document
• $65 domestic shipping / $95 international shipping

📺 Watch our quick demo video

Spanish citizenship by descent is one of the most powerful ways to reclaim your family’s heritage while opening the door to a future in Spain and the EU. Whether you qualify through a parent, a grandparent, or under the Democratic Memory Law, the process begins with getting your documents properly apostilled and translated.

Apostille-USA makes this step simple, secure, and fast — no matter where you live.

👉 Ready to get started? Begin your order today: