Family Reunification Spain Documents Checklist

Sponsor documents

The sponsor must provide:

• Application form EX-02 (autorización de residencia por reagrupación familiar)
• Tasa Modelo 790, código 062 — the application fee payment receipt
• Sponsor’s passport — full copy of every page
• Sponsor’s TIE (or equivalent residency document) — current and valid
• NIE certificate if not already on the TIE
• Certificado de Empadronamiento — current Padrón confirming Spanish residence (within last 3 months)
• Housing contract or property deed in the sponsor’s name
• Informe de habitabilidad — housing suitability report from local Ayuntamiento or licensed surveyor
• Income proof: last 12 months of employment contract + salary slips (nóminas), or pension certificates, or last submitted income tax return (Declaración de la Renta)
• Bank statements — last 6 months
• Certificate of clean Spanish criminal record (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) — from Ministerio de Justicia
• Marriage certificate or partnership registration if applying for spouse/partner reunification
• Birth certificate of children if applying for child reunification
• Proof of relationship for dependent parents (financial transfers, correspondence, etc.)
• Sponsor’s health insurance proof (or public-health registration)

Family member documents

The joining family member in their country of origin must provide:

• Visa application form (national visa application, completed in Spanish or English)
• Passport — valid for at least 12 months beyond intended Spanish entry, with at least two blank pages
• Two passport photos — recent, biometric specification
• Birth certificate (for children) or marriage certificate (for spouse) — apostilled and sworn-translated
• Certificate of clean criminal record for the past 5 years from every country of residence over the age of 18 (apostilled and sworn-translated)
• Medical certificate — in Spanish or English, signed by a doctor, confirming the applicant doesn’t have communicable diseases that pose a public-health risk (issued within 3 months of application)
• Spanish-regulated health insurance policy and bilingual certificate for each joining family member — see family reunification visa health insurance
• Authorisation document from Spanish Oficina de Extranjería (sent by sponsor after their application is approved)
• Proof of relationship additional documentation as requested
• Visa fee payment
• BLS International appointment confirmation (where applicable)

Apostille and translation

Documents issued outside Spain typically need:

• Apostille (under the Hague Convention) for documents from Hague Convention countries — certifies the issuing authority. Add 2–6 weeks to the timeline.
• Legalisation for documents from non-Hague countries — via the Spanish embassy/consulate
• Sworn translation (traducción jurada) into Spanish by a Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores-approved translator

Plan apostille and translation early — they are typically the rate-limiting steps of the application.

Suggested order of preparation

1. Sponsor: obtain housing suitability report (longest lead time)
2. Sponsor: Spanish criminal record certificate
3. Family member: apply for criminal record certificates in country of origin
4. Family member: obtain birth/marriage certificate copies and apostille them
5. Family member: arrange sworn translation of foreign documents
6. Family member: obtain medical certificate (within 3 months of application)
7. Sponsor: submit application at Oficina de Extranjería
8. Wait for authorisation (1–3 months)
9. Family member: arrange health insurance (Spanish-regulated, visa-compliant)
10. Family member: book consulate / BLS appointment
11. Family member: attend appointment with full document set

Common documentation issues

• Criminal record certificates expired: certificates have a 90-day validity for most consulates — apply close to application
• Apostille not affixed: document accepted but apostille sticker missing — returns to issuing authority
• Translation by non-sworn translator: rejected; resubmit with traducción jurada
• Medical certificate older than 3 months
• Health insurance policy not Spanish-regulated
• Passport expires within 12 months of Spanish entry
• Birth certificate of child not apostilled
• Income proof shows fluctuating income: consulates expect stable income, not seasonal spikes

Why choose 247 Expat Insurance

Related guides

• Family Reunification Visa Spain Health Insurance
• Family Reunification Spain Requirements
• Family Reunification Income Requirements
• Spanish Visa Health Insurance Requirements
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