Postal submissions to the Ministry

Is your document stuck at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

If you sent it by post or courier to the Legalization Service and it has not come back, it may be held there. With your authorization, Legalizaciones & Apostillas can collect it for you.

Why a document gets held

According to the Ministry, postal submissions that do not meet the requirements, or that the Spanish postal service returns, stay at the Legalization Service. They can be collected there by the applicant, an authorized person or a courier company.

Common mistakes when posting it

1.Return envelopeNo PREMIUM return envelope included.
2.Sender detailsReturn envelope without your name and address.
3.FormThe completed application form is missing.
4.DocumentSending photocopies or electronically signed documents.
5.TranslationThe official translation is missing.
6.OriginPosting it from outside Spain: the Ministry only accepts domestic postal submissions.

How your document is recovered

You send the date you posted it and, if you have it, the postal or courier receipt.
An authorization is prepared to collect it on your behalf. You sign it and provide a copy of your ID document.
It is collected at the Legalization Service, C/ General Pardiñas 55, Madrid, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00.
If it has not been legalized yet, the problem is checked and, if it can be fixed, the legalization is handled.
It is handed to you in Barcelona or sent to you.

The Ministry's website does not say what an authorized person must bring. What is needed is confirmed before going.

Before you assume it is lost

For postal submissions, the Ministry states about 15 working days from receipt and gives no status updates before then. If that time has passed and you have heard nothing, send a WhatsApp message.

You can also collect it yourself in person or send a courier.

So it does not happen again

Original: It is the original document. Photocopies are not legalized.
Signature: It has a handwritten signature and the signatory's name and position. Electronically signed documents are not legalized.
Translation: If it is not in Spanish, it comes with its official translation, also signed by hand.
Condition: It is not laminated, altered or damaged.
Validity: It is within the validity period required by the Spanish authority where you will present it.

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