U.S. Citizen Services

Notice

In-person services are by appointment only. The consular agencies are accepting payment by credit card only.

Overview

One can become a U.S. Citizen through a variety of means—birth in the United States, birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, or through the naturalization process. For all of these, a specific series of legal requirements must be met. At the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Spain, we can provide certification of U.S. citizenship for eligible individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. We also process Certificates of Loss of Nationality for those U.S. citizens who would like to give up their U.S. citizenship or believe that they have expatriated themselves.

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Emergency Assistance

International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance

International Parental Child Abduction

International parental child abduction is the removal or retention of a child outside their country of habitual residence in breach of another parent or guardian’s custody rights.

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Arrest of a U.S. Citizen

One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More informaton available at Travel.State.gov.

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Death of a U.S. Citizen

When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.

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Victims of Crime

When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.

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Emergency Financial Assistance

U.S. consular officers can assist U.S. citizens abroad who are temporarily destitute to get in touch with a family member, a bank, or an employer to arrange for transfer of funds.

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Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.

Visas to the U.S.

Travelers to the U.S. can get visa information and guidance.

Visas

U.S. Passport Services

U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.

Passports

Notarial Services

Anyone can take advantage of our notarial services.

Notarials

Get Travel Alerts

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

It's free to enroll with the local Embassy or Consulate when travelling abroad.

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Federal Programs

Social Security Veterans Affairs Internal Revenue Service Selective Service Voting

Social Security

If you reside in Spain and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Spain. For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World. If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments.

Federal Benefits Unit

Veterans Affairs

Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Internal Revenue Service

If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a U.S. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.

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Selective Service

U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.

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Voting

Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices.

FVAP

Local Resources

The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.

Legal assistance Medical Assistance Frequently Asked Questions Economic Impact Payment (coronavirus stimulus check) U.S. Criminal Records Internet Scams

Legal assistance

A Consular Officer cannot draft legal documents for private persons nor act as an attorney or paralegal. He/she can, however, refer you to publications where standard legal forms and documents can be found and can provide lists of attorneys practicing law within the consular district. American citizens in Spain or Andorra, whether they are tourists, students, businessmen or residents, are subject to Spanish or Andorran laws and to the Spanish or Andorran judicial/penal system in the event they are accused of violating the law. The following rights are guaranteed by the Spanish and Andorran constitutions: Right to due process of law. Right to an impartial judge. Right to defense. Right to counsel by an attorney. Right to be informed of charges. Right to a public and speedy trial. Right to use all available means of evidence in one’s defense. Right not to testify against one’s interest. Right not to self-incrimination. Right to be presumed innocent.

List of Attorneys

Medical Assistance

All travelers should familiarize themselves with conditions at their destination that could affect their health (high altitude or pollution, types of medical facilities, required immunizations, availability of required pharmaceuticals, etc.). To help American citizens, who might not speak Spanish, the Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking physicians in Spain. The Consulate General in Barcelona and the U.S. Consular Agents throughout Spain can provide information concerning the availability of health care in their respective regions. The Department of State maintains information which may be of use should you experience a medical problem while outside the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you have a list of FAQ regarding ACS issues.

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Economic Impact Payment (coronavirus stimulus check)

The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. Please visit IRS website for more information and to find out how to receive your payment abroad.

U.S. Criminal Records

For information on how to request your FBI criminal history record, please see: FBI background check. To request state criminal records, chech with your state of residence in the U.S. Criminal records check need to be authenticated with the Hague Apostille for use in Spain. For information on how to obtain the Apostille for FBI criminal records, see: Obtain the Apostille and Requesting Authentication Services by Mail. To get the Apostille for State/criminal record checks: Information on where to obtain the Apostille.

Get Your Fingerprints Taken

Internet Scams

If you believe you are a victim of an internet scam, • Do not send money. Unfortunately, any money that you might already have sent will probably not be recovered. • End all communication with the scammer immediately, rather than attempt resolution directly. If you feel threatened, contact your local police at once. Do NOT attempt to personally recover the funds lost. Contact the appropriate authorities to resolve the matter • Report the matter immediately to The Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership among the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BIA); and, if you are in the Spain, contact the nearest Spanish or regional police station. • If the scam originated through a particular website, notify the administrators of that website.

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Child and Family Matters

Adoption Birth Marriage

Adoption

The Office of Children’s Issues of the U.S. Department of State plays an active role in the intercountry adoption processes.

Birth

A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

Marriage

U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.

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Consular Resources

U.S. Embassy in Spain

US Consulate General in Barcelona

Consular Agency Las Palmas

Consular Agency Málaga

Consular Agency Palma de Mallorca

Consular Agency Seville

Consular Agency Valencia

U.S. Embassy in Spain

Address:

Calle de Serrano, 75 28006 Madrid, Spain

Phone:

(+34) 91-587-2200

Fax:

(+34) 91-587-2303

Website:

https://es.usembassy.gov/

US Consulate General in Barcelona

Address:

Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23 08034 Barcelona, España

Phone:

(+34) 93 280 22 27

Fax:

(+34) 93 280 61 75

Website:

https://es.usembassy.gov/barcelona/

Consular Agency Las Palmas

The Las Palmas Consular Agency covers the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.

Address:

Edificio ARCA C/ Los Martínez Escobar, 3, Oficina 7 35007 Las Palmas, Islas Canarias, Spain

Email:

laspalmascons@state.gov

Hours:

The Consular Agency provides services by appointment only, Monday through Friday, except for U.S. and Spanish holidays.

Consular Agency Málaga

The Málaga (Fuengirola) Consular Agency covers the provinces of Málaga, Granada, Almería, the eastern part of the province of Cádiz, and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

Address:

Avenida Juan Gómez “Juanito”, 8 Edificio Lucía 1º-C 29640 Fuengirola (Málaga), Spain

Email:

malagacons@state.gov

Hours:

The Consular Agency provides services by appointment only, Monday through Friday, except for U.S. and Spanish holidays.