Sworn translation of the criminal record certificate
A sworn translation of the criminal record certificate is the official translation of the certificate issued by Spain’s Central Criminal Records Registry (Registro Central de Penados) — or by its foreign equivalent —, signed and stamped by a sworn translator appointed by the MAEC. It is the star requirement in visas, residence, citizenship and job applications abroad. We translate criminal records into 39 languages, with a fixed quote before we start and the delivery date confirmed in writing — and, as it is usually a single page, it is one of the most affordable sworn translations.
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Criminal
Records
What must be visible in the copy you send us
The sworn translation reproduces the criminal record certificate in full, including stamps, codes and the apostille if it carries one. Before sending it, check the following:
- Complete document: every page, with the Ministry of Justice header and the signature block.
- Legible CSV: the secure verification code is transcribed in the translation and lets the receiving body confirm the authenticity of the original.
- Apostille included if the destination country requires it — it is translated together with the certificate.
- PDF or high-quality photo: the electronic certificate with CSV is perfect; we never need the paper.
When does a criminal record certificate need a sworn translation?
In both directions: when a foreign criminal record must take effect in Spain — the immigration office requires it in almost every residence procedure — and when the Spanish certificate must be valid abroad. The logic never changes: the authority needs to check that you have no convictions, and it can only do so if it understands the document.
Your foreign certificate, before the immigration office
If the certificate was issued outside Spain, these are the procedures that most often require its sworn translation:
- Residence and arraigo: the immigration office asks for the criminal record from your country of origin, translated, together with documents such as the certificate of empadronamiento.
- Spanish citizenship: the citizenship-by-residence file includes the criminal record from your country of origin.
- Employment and public examinations that require proof of a clean record, including the sexual offences certificate for working with minors.
Your Spanish certificate, abroad
Every country sets its own rules, but the pattern repeats: they want your criminal history in their language and with guarantees of authenticity:
- Work or residence visas: the United States, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom ask for it translated in their immigration processes.
- Job offers and professional registration outside Spain that require a certified clean record.
- International adoptions and licences (firearms, private security, transport) processed in another country.
Apostille and translation of criminal records: the right order
Do you need an apostille? Between EU countries it is generally not required; outside the EU, it almost always is. If you need it, this is the order that avoids repeating the procedure — because the apostille becomes part of the document and is translated too:
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Hague Apostille
It goes on before translating: it certifies the authenticity of the certificate to the destination country.
Ministry of Justice -
Sworn translation
We translate the full certificate, apostille included, with the signature and stamp of an MAEC sworn translator.
ElbaTrad · MAEC -
Filing
Submit the digitally signed PDF on the authority’s e-filing platform, or the paper copy at the counter or consulate.
Destination authority
Mind the 3 months. The sworn translation never expires, but it accompanies a certificate that does: most authorities only accept criminal record certificates issued within the last 3 months, and the deadline does not appear on the document. The Spanish certificate is requested from the Central Criminal Records Registry of the Ministry of Justice — online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve it is issued immediately —, so the efficient move is to request it once your procedure is under way and translate it straight away.
How we translate your criminal record certificate
Everything remotely: request the certificate online, send it to us and receive the translation without leaving home.
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Send us the certificate
PDF or photo of the certificate — the electronic one with CSV works — via the quotation form, by email or on WhatsApp, stating the language and destination country.
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Receive your fixed quote
A fixed price per document, with no obligation. As it is usually one page, it is among the most affordable translations. The sworn translator starts once you confirm.
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Your translation, in la fecha acordada
You receive it as a digitally signed PDF — valid on any electronic filing platform — and, if you need it on paper, by courier or collected in Adeje, Seville or Málaga.
Why a sworn translation and not a standard one? Because immigration offices, consulates and foreign authorities only accept translations bearing the signature, stamp and accreditation number of a sworn translator appointed by the MAEC. An ordinary translation, however accurate, has no official validity: the file is returned and the procedure starts over. Translations into English are signed by our in-house translator, appointed by the MAEC.
Frequently asked questions about translating criminal records
How much does a sworn translation of a criminal record certificate cost?
As it is usually a one-page document, it is one of the most affordable sworn translations: it is quoted as a complete document, not by lines or single pages. Send us the certificate and you will receive a fixed price before deciding, with no obligation.
Does the criminal record certificate expire? And its translation?
The sworn translation never expires, but the certificate does: most authorities only accept it for 3 months from issue, even though no expiry date appears on the document. That is why it pays to request the certificate once the procedure is under way and translate it straight away.
Do I need the Hague Apostille on the criminal record certificate?
It depends on the destination. Between EU countries it is generally not required thanks to Regulation (EU) 2016/1191; outside the EU, most countries do ask for it. If you need it, the right order is to apostille first and translate afterwards, so the apostille is translated too. We can handle both in a single order.
Where do I request the Spanish criminal record certificate?
From the Central Criminal Records Registry of the Ministry of Justice: online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve — issued immediately —, in person at the territorial offices or, if you live abroad, at your consulate. Foreign nationals request theirs from their country’s diplomatic mission or consular office.
Is the electronic certificate with CSV valid, or do I need the paper one?
It is valid — and in fact it is the ideal format: the secure verification code is transcribed in the translation and lets the receiving authority verify the authenticity of the original online. We work from the PDF and you do not need to print anything.
In which format will I receive the translation of my criminal record?
As a digitally signed PDF from the sworn translator, with the same legal validity as paper, and optionally on paper by courier anywhere in Spain or collected at our offices in Adeje, Seville and Málaga.