16 April 2020
Location: Spain – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Event: Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, on March 12, the U.S. Embassy in Madrid and the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona began to limit operations. We will not provide routine, non-emergency services during the State of Alarm, which is in effect until at least April 26. This includes notary services.
If you require a notary service during this time, consider using a Spanish notary service. Spanish notarizations are acceptable and recognized for use in the United States in compliance with the Hague Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention).
Documents that carry a Hague Apostille are entitled to recognition in any other convention country without further authentication. The United States, Spain, and Andorra are party to this convention. U.S. federal courts and state authorities should accept documents with the Hague Apostille. For private transactions, please check with the other party first to make sure they will accept notarization under the Spanish system.
Actions to Take:
- For more information on using a Spanish notary, visit our Notary Services page. Please note that we are not accepting requests for non-emergency notary appointments at this time.
- Call Spanish emergency numbers 112 and 061 right away if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms). For a list of local COVID-19 emergency numbers, please visit this website.
- Visit the Spanish Ministry of Health website for updated information (click here for general information in English) about COVID-19.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Spain.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Madrid, Spain
+34-915-872-200
AskACS@state.gov
https://es.usembassy.gov - U.S. Consulate General Barcelona, Spain
+34-932-802-227
BarcelonaACS@state.gov
https://es.usembassy.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Spain Country Information
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