The process of birth registration in Spain, typically, begins within 8 days after birth. Some civil registry offices (Registro Civil) may allow up to 30 days please check locally.
After birth, some hospitals and midwives may offer to register your child for you. Please check and recheck that the paperwork has been filled correctly as any irregularities or errors on the birth registration will cause more headaches later.
The name must conform to the accepted Spanish regulations, having no more than one compound name or two simple names. Names that considered as harmful, cause confusion in the identification of the person or lead to confusion regarding sex are prohibited.
Together with the declaration form, the following documentation is required in Spain for the birth registration process:
Children born from within a marriage:
- Registration may be made by the father, mother, grandparent, aunt/uncle, brother-in-law, sister-in-law or cousins of the newborn child.
- Medical delivery card (provided by the hospital of delivery)
- Spanish national ID or Passport/driving license, NIE.
- Marriage certificate (translated and legalized)
Children born from outside marriage:
- Registration is made by both, the father and mother, in person.
- Medical delivery card (provided by the hospital of delivery)
- Spanish national ID or Passport/driving license, NIE of both parents.
- Indication of the mother’s marital status. If previously married, bring a marriage certificate and legal separation/divorce decree. This is to remove the presumption of paternity.
- For de-facto separation, two witnesses must accompany the parent to the registry.