Certifications / records
Apply for your birth, marriage or death certificate hassle-free
Obtaining an official birth, marriage or death certificate is essential for various legal and personal procedures. These documents are the official proof registered in the Civil Registry, and they can be requested for different reasons, from obtaining a passport to carrying out probate procedures.
Although you can go directly to the corresponding Civil Registry to manage your application, this often requires time and travel. To save you these inconveniences, we offer a comprehensive processing service. We take care of the entire process for you, ensuring a stress-free experience without the need to get bogged down in paperwork.
Personalisation and efficiency in obtaining certificates
Each type of certificate has specific requirements and documentation that may vary depending on the procedure you need to carry out. Visit the specific section on our website or contact us to obtain all the necessary information. Our team specialises in managing these procedures efficiently, so you do not have to worry about anything.
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Everything you need to know about a birth certificate
What is it and what is it used for?
- Official and electronic document
- A birth certificate is an essential document issued by the officer in charge of the Civil or Consular Registry. This official document certifies the fact of birth, including key details such as the date, the sex of the newborn and, where applicable, the exact time it occurred. Furthermore, it establishes the parentage of the registered person, ensuring that all relevant details are properly recorded.
- Electronic birth certifications
- Nowadays, it is also possible to obtain electronic birth certifications. These certifications, backed by the electronic signature of the Directorate General of Registries and Notaries, are generated from the information stored in the central database of persons registered in the Civil Registries. This method guarantees speed and convenience, without compromising the security and authenticity of the document.
What types of birth certificates exist?
When requesting a birth certificate, it is important to know the different types of certifications available. These certificates can be positive or negative, depending on the information required.
- Positive certificate
- Extract: The birth certificate extract is a summary of the information recorded in the Civil Registry regarding the birth. There are several types of extracts:
- Ordinary: This extract is issued in Spanish and is valid in those autonomous communities where Spanish is the sole official language.
- International or multilingual: Designed to be valid in countries that have ratified the Vienna Convention of 8 September 1976. This certificate is issued in the official language of all signatory countries, including Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, among others.
- Bilingual: When an extract is requested in an Autonomous Community with its own official language, it will be issued in both Spanish and the official language of that community.
- Full/Literal: The literal certificate is an exact copy of the birth registration, including all details relating to the identity and birth of the registered person.
- Extract: The birth certificate extract is a summary of the information recorded in the Civil Registry regarding the birth. There are several types of extracts:
- Negative certificate: This type of certificate certifies that a person is not registered in a particular Civil Registry.
- Certification with electronic signature: This certification, backed by the electronic signature of the Directorate General of Registries and Notaries, certifies the data stored in the computerised and digitised records of the central database. It is issued for registrations made from 1 January 1950 onwards in municipal civil registries or in the central civil registry. It cannot be issued for registrations prior to 1950 or those made in delegated or consular civil registries.
Information included in birth certifications
Birth certifications contain essential details that guarantee the authenticity and validity of the document. The elements that will appear in each certification are described below:
- Registry of origin:
- Municipal: The corresponding municipality and province will be specified.
- Consular: The town and the state where the registration took place will be indicated.
- Identity of the Registered Person:
- All personal details appearing in the registration will be included, reflecting the identity of the certificate holder.
- Entry details:
- The page and volume of the registered entry will be mentioned, or where applicable, the corresponding folio and file, ensuring the correct location of the record.
- Issuer's details:
- The certification will include the date of issue, the name and signature of the officer or secretary certifying it, together with the official stamp of the issuing office.
- Certifications with electronic signature:
- For electronic certifications issued by the Directorate General of Registries and Notaries, a secure verification codewill be included. This code allows the content of the document to be validated through the specified verification procedure, along with the date of issue of the document.
Who can apply for or present a birth certificate?
- Interest in Civil or Consular Registry information:
An interest in knowing the entries in the civil or consular registries is presumed for those who apply for a certificate. However, there are situations in which special authorisation is required to access certain information. Disclosure will not be granted in the following cases without such authorisation:- Adoptive or unknown parentage, or sensitive circumstances:
In these cases, privacy is protected in relation to adoptive parentage, unknown parentage, or any circumstance revealing such details, such as the change of surnames like 'Expósito' or similar. - Gender reassignment:
Authorisation to access this data will be granted solely by the magistrate in charge and only to those who demonstrate a legitimate interest and a justified reason. The certification will include the name of the applicant, the purpose for which it is issued, and the express authorisation of the officer in charge. In the registry under their charge, the officer will issue the certification personally. - Change of surnames in cases of gender-based violence or urgent situations:
In these cases, access to information is also restricted to protect the privacy of the affected individuals.
- Adoptive or unknown parentage, or sensitive circumstances:
- Electronic certifications with the signature of the Directorate General of Registries and Notaries:
An interest in knowing the entries in the civil or consular registries is presumed for those who apply for a certificate. However, there are situations in which special authorisation is required to access certain information. Disclosure will not be granted in the following cases without such authorisation:
Important: It is not possible to obtain registry information about other people using this procedure. Therefore, this process cannot be carried out through www.registrocivil.es.
How to apply for or present a birth certificate?
You can easily manage the application for your birth certificate through our website. To do so, simply follow the link below:
If you prefer to manage the process directly, you can do so in the following ways:
- In person:
Go to the corresponding civil registry in your locality to make the application in person. - By Post:
Send your application by post to the corresponding civil registry following the instructions specified on their website. - Online:
If the civil registry is digitised, you can complete the procedure online. For more details and to access online services, visit the Ministry of Justice website at www.mjusticia.gob.es.
For any questions or additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Everything you need to know about the marriage certificate
What is a marriage certificate?
The marriage certificate is an official document issued by the Registrar of the Civil Registry. This certificate validates the marriage, including essential details such as the date, time, and place where the marriage was celebrated, in accordance with Article 69 of the Civil Registry Act.
In addition, you can obtain electronic marriage certificates, which feature the electronic seal of the Directorate-General for Registries and the Notariat. These certificates are generated from the data recorded in the central database of the Civil Registries, providing a secure and efficient digital option to obtain the required information.
Types of marriage certificates
There are various ways to obtain a marriage certificate, each tailored to different needs and situations:
- Positive certificate
- Extract: The extract is a concise summary of the information recorded in the Civil Registry regarding the celebration of the marriage and the identity of the spouses. It can be issued in several formats:
- Ordinary: Issued in Spanish for the Autonomous Communities where Spanish is the sole official language.
- International or multilingual: Intended for use in countries that have ratified the Vienna Convention of 8 September 1976. This certificate is issued in the official languages of all signatory countries, including Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia, and Montenegro.
- Bilingual: For Autonomous Communities with their own official language, the extract is issued in Spanish and the official language of the corresponding autonomous community.
- Full/Literal: A literal copy of the marriage entry, which includes all the details of the ceremony, the identity of the spouses, and marginal notes such as the matrimonial property regime, separation, annulment, or divorce.
- Extract: The extract is a concise summary of the information recorded in the Civil Registry regarding the celebration of the marriage and the identity of the spouses. It can be issued in several formats:
- Negative certificate
- This certificate certifies that the marriage is not registered in the corresponding Civil Registry.
- Electronic certificate with official seal
- Electronic certificates with the seal of the Directorate-General for Registries and the Notariat serve to validate the data stored in computerised and digitised registries. They are issued for marriage entries registered from 1 January 1950 onwards in Municipal Civil Registries or the Central Civil Registry. Electronic certificates are not issued for entries prior to 1950 or for registrations made in delegated Civil Registries (justices of the peace) or Consular offices.
Who can apply for a Marriage Certificate?
- Application requirements
Any citizen may apply for a marriage certificate, provided they have a legitimate interest, except for legal exemptions that require special authorisation. Public access will not be granted in the following cases without such authorisation:
- Adoptive or unknown parentage:
This includes adoptive parentage or circumstances that reveal details of non-marital parentage. It also excludes the date of marriage if it appears on the birth record and the marriage is subsequent to the birth or took place within 180 days prior to the birth. - Change of surname:
Information regarding the change of surnames such as 'Expósito' or similar names that may cause inconvenience will not be provided. - Grounds for annulment, separation, or divorce:
Information on the grounds for annulment, separation, or divorce of a marriage, as well as on the deprivation or suspension of parental authority, is restricted. - Archived documents:
This includes documents relating to dishonourable circumstances or those forming part of confidential files. - Abortion files:
Information on abortions is not available without authorisation.
Authorisation to access this data must be granted by the judge in charge and only to those who can demonstrate a legitimate interest and well-founded reasons. The certificate will include the applicant's name, the purpose for which it is issued, and the express authorisation of the Registrar, who will issue the certificate directly from the registry in their charge.
- Electronic certificates
Electronic certificates issued with the seal of the Directorate-General for Registries and the Notariat may only be requested by the data subject, who must identify themselves using an electronic ID (DNIe) or other advanced electronic signature systems accepted by public administrations. These certificates relate to digitised or computerised marriage entries registered from 1 January 1950 onwards.
Important note: It is not possible to obtain registration data of other individuals through this procedure.
How to apply for your marriage certificate
You can easily apply for your marriage certificate through our website. To start the process, use the following link:
You also have the option to manage your application directly at the corresponding civil registry. You can do so in the following ways:
- In person:
Visit your local civil registry to apply in person. - By Post:
Send your application by post to the appropriate civil registry, following the instructions available on their website. - Online:
If the civil registry is digitised, you can manage the application online. For more details on how to complete the process online, visit the Ministry of Justice website at www.mjusticia.gob.es.
For any further questions or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Everything you need to know about the death certificate
Death certificate: Information and application
The death certificate is an official document that certifies the death of a person. This document includes key details such as the deceased's personal details, as well as the place, date, and time of death, among other relevant information.
The death certificate is essential for various procedures, such as:
- Funeral and burial arrangements.
- Managing pensions and social security benefits.
- Legal procedures related to inheritance.
- Claiming life insurance.
- Banking matters and settlement of debts.
Types of death certificates
There are several ways to obtain a death certificate, each tailored to different needs and situations. Although the literal positive certificate is the most common and generally required, the different options available are described below:
- Positive certificates
- Extract:
A concise summary of the registered information regarding the death in the civil registry. Extracts can be of the following types:- Ordinary:
Issued in Spanish, available for those autonomous communities where Spanish is the sole official language. - International or multilingual:
Designed for use in countries that have ratified the Vienna Convention of 8 September 1976. This certificate is issued in the official languages of all signatory countries of the convention, including Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia, and Montenegro. - Bilingual:
In autonomous communities with an additional official language, the extract is issued in Spanish and the official language of the corresponding autonomous community.
- Ordinary:
- Full/Literal:
An exact copy of the death entry, which includes all details about the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of the death.
- Extract:
- Negative certificates
- These certificates certify that there is no record of the person's death in the corresponding civil registry. They are useful for confirming the non-existence of the record in case of doubts or errors.
Who can apply for a death certificate?
The death certificate can be requested by any citizen who has a legitimate interest, except in cases subject to legal restrictions. Below are the exceptions that prevent the disclosure of information without special authorisation:
- Adoptive or unknown parentage:
Information regarding adoptive, non-marital, or unknown parentage, or circumstances revealing such details, will not be published. This includes the date of the marriage if it appears on the birth record and the marriage is subsequent to it or was celebrated within 180 days prior to birth. Information on changes of surnames such as 'Expósito' or similar names that may cause inconvenience is also excluded. - Correction of sex:
Information relating to the correction of legal sex is restricted and is only disclosed with special authorisation. - Grounds for annulment, separation, or divorce:
Access to information on the grounds for annulment, separation, or divorce of a marriage, as well as on the deprivation or suspension of parental authority, is limited. - Archived documents:
This includes documents containing information on the aforementioned cases, as well as dishonourable details or those forming part of confidential files. - Abortion files:
Information related to abortions is also subject to restrictions and is only disclosed under specific circumstances with the appropriate authorisation.
In these cases, the authorisation must be granted by the judge in charge and only to those who can demonstrate a legitimate interest and well-founded reasons to access this information. The certificate will include the applicant's name, the purpose for which it is issued, and the express authorisation of the Registrar, who will issue the certificate from the corresponding registry.
How to apply for your death certificate
You can easily apply for your death certificate through our website. To start the process, use the following link:
- Death certificate sapplication form You also have the option to manage your application directly at the corresponding Civil Registry in the following ways:
- In person:
Go to your local civil registry to apply in person. - By post:
Send your application by post to the appropriate civil registry, following the instructions available on their website. - Online:
If the civil registry is digitised, you can apply online. For more details on how to proceed, visit the Ministry of Justice website at www.mjusticia.gob.es.
- In person:
For any further questions or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.