Spain is one of the most popular wedding destinations for UK couples - and because it is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, an FCDO apostille is all that is needed to authenticate your UK documents on the UK side of the process. The challenge is not the legalisation itself. It is understanding which documents you need and what format they must be in before you can submit anything.
You have never been married before
The Spanish civil register will need a Certificate of No Impediment - the document that confirms there is no legal barrier to your marriage. It must be the registrar-signed original. The certificate is issued by your local register office after a 28-day notice period, which cannot be shortened. Once issued, it must be apostilled by the FCDO before it will be accepted in Spain. A Letter of No Trace from the GRO is also commonly requested alongside it, confirming no marriage record exists in your name. Both must be apostilled, and both must be the original signed document.
You have been divorced
The Spanish register office will ask for proof that the previous marriage legally ended. A Decree Absolute is accepted either as the original court document with a wet-ink signature or an embossed seal; or as a certified photocopy - but the photocopy must be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before it can be apostilled. A printed copy or a digital PDF downloaded from a court portal cannot be legalised and will not be accepted.
Your previous spouse has died
A Death Certificate is required to confirm the previous marriage ended. It must be either the original or a certified copy issued by the General Register Office, a local register office, the National Records of Scotland, or GRONI.
Your names do not match across documents
Where names differ between a passport, birth certificate and marriage records - due to maiden names, name changes or spelling variations - Spanish authorities may ask for an Affidavit clarifying name history. This must be an original signed by a UK solicitor or notary, or a certified photocopy.
Translation requirements
Spain often requires a sworn translation of documents into Spanish, particularly for the CNI and birth certificate. Confirm translation requirements with the local registro civil or your wedding planner before beginning the legalisation process - translation adds to both the timeline and cost.
Allow three to four months
Add up the CNI notice period, apostille processing time and translation - and three to four months before the wedding date is a realistic minimum. Call our team on +44 (0) 204 646 9300 to confirm the document list for your specific circumstances and we will handle the legalisation.