SPANISH DOCUMENT TRANSLATION
Spanish Police Record Translation for USCIS
A certified translation of a Spanish police record (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) for USCIS costs about $15–25 and is delivered in 24–48 hours, with a signed Certificate of Accuracy that meets 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Translation HelpDesk uses native Spanish (Castilian) and Catalan-speaking specialists, and if USCIS rejects our translation we fix it free and cover your resubmission fee.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Reviewed by Victor Luján, Founder — certified translations since 2018
WHAT WE TRANSLATE
The Spanish Police Record (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales)
Spain's criminal-record certificate, the 'certificado de antecedentes penales', is issued centrally by the Ministerio de la Presidencia, Justicia y Relacion con las Cortes (Ministry of Justice), not by local police, and can be requested online, in person, or via a Spanish consulate. For any use abroad, including USCIS immigrant-visa and consular processing, request it WITH the Apostille of the Hague Convention, which the Ministry can affix at issuance since Spain is a Hague member (no consular legalization needed). The document is a single sheet bearing the Ministry seal, the applicant's identity and DNI/NIE, and a statement of whether criminal antecedents exist ('SIN ANTECEDENTES' when clear), now carrying a CSV electronic verification code. USCIS and consular officers require a certified English translation of the certificate AND of the apostille itself, since apostilles are printed in Spanish. Note that these certificates are short-lived (typically valid three months), so timing the request to the interview matters. We translate the full certificate, the Ministry seal, and the apostille fields precisely.
WHO ISSUES IT
Where Your Spanish Police Record Comes From
Spanish police and criminal-record certificates are issued by the national or state police and justice authorities described above — not the civil registry. Spain is a full member of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 1978), so documents need a single apostille — never US embassy or consular legalization. Full Spain apostille & authentication guidance →
USCIS REQUIREMENTS
How USCIS Wants Your Spanish Police Record Translated
For your Spanish police record, USCIS requires a complete English translation of everything on the page — the issuing office’s details, seals, and any marginal notes included — plus a signed certification of accuracy under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Machine translation cannot sign that certification. We reproduce the document's exact layout so an officer can compare it line by line against your Spanish original.
WATCH OUT FOR
Common Spanish Police Record Pitfalls
Spanish police and criminal-record certificates must show exact coverage dates and the issuing authority, and because they often expire quickly, the translation should be scheduled close to your filing date.
Native Spanish Specialist
A native speaker of your document's language handles it — not a generalist or a machine.
Format-Matched to the Original
The original layout, seals, and stamps reproduced in position.
USCIS Acceptance Guaranteed
If USCIS rejects it citing the translation, we fix it free and cover your resubmission fee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Spanish police record translation cost?
A standard Spanish police record is typically $15-25 total, certified and formatted, delivered in 24-48 hours. Pricing is $0.05 per word; longer or multi-page documents are quoted exactly before you pay.
Is your Spanish police record translation accepted by USCIS?
Yes. Every translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). If USCIS rejects it citing the translation, we correct it free and reimburse your resubmission fee.
My certificate is in Catalan, Galician, Basque, or Valencian. Can you still translate it?
Yes. Certificates from Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Galicia, or the Basque Country are often issued in a co-official language or bilingually. Our native-speaker specialists translate the full text — including regional-language headings, seals, and stamps — into English so nothing is left untranslated for USCIS.
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