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Notary services are available by appointment only. If you need something notarized urgently, 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 issued by Spain 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.
Notarization under the Spanish system is a three-step process:
Step 1: Sign the document in front of any notary public (notario público). Find here an English-speaking notary.
Step 2: Next, visit the website for the Spanish Ministry of Justice and follow the instructions to have a Hague apostille affixed to your document.
Step 3: If your document is written in Spanish, have it translated by a certified/sworn translator (traductor jurado).
If you do not wish to have your documents notarized under the Spanish system, or need a U.S. consular notary:
To make an appointment in Madrid, please email NotaryServicesMadrid@state.gov.
Follow this link to make an appointment for a notary service at U.S. Consulate General Barcelona.
Follow this link to make an appointment for a notary service at one of the U.S. consular agencies in Spain.
On the day of your appointment, you must have with you:
Documents we notarize:
Documents We Do Not notarize:
If you have questions regarding notary services that are not addressed on this page, please email NotaryServicesMadrid@state.gov or BarcelonaACS@state.gov
Acknowledgment: To “acknowledge” is to admit, affirm, or declare; to recognize one’s acts, assuming obligation or incurring responsibility. For example, if you sign a deed before a U.S. consular official, you acknowledge your signature.
Oath: Any form of an attestation by which a person signifies that he or she is bound in conscience to perform an act faithfully and truthfully. A person who intentionally makes false statements under oath before a U.S. consular official is punishable for perjury (22 U.S.C. 4221).
Affirmation: A solemn and formal declaration that an affidavit is true, that the witness will tell the truth, etc..
Affidavit: A written or printed declaration or statement of facts, made voluntarily, and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the person making it, taken before a U.S. consular official having authority to administer such an oath.
Attestation: The act of witnessing an instrument in writing, at the request of the party executing the document, and subscribing it as a witness.
Corporate Acknowledgment: Officials of corporations who desire to execute an instrument in their capacity as corporate officials before a U.S. consular official must present adequate proof of their corporate identity.
Power of Attorney: A power of attorney allows you to designate someone to take legal actions on your behalf. A common example of this is empowering someone else to buy or sell property in the United States in your name while you are overseas. We cannot advise you on the specific language or content of a power of attorney. You must consult a lawyer or other appropriate advisor before making an appointment to have your power of attorney notarized.
Certified Copy of a Foreign Valid Passport to request ITIN number: We are able to certify copies of foreign valid passports in relation to ITIN applications only. We are prohibited from making certified copies of foreign passports for any other purpose.
Self-Proving Wills: We cannot execute your will. We can acknowledge your own and your witness’ signature on a self-proving will, but this is not execution of the will itself. If you have questions about whether yours is a self-proving will, or other issues related to your will, you should speak with an attorney in the jurisdiction where the will is to be in effect. Before you make your appointment for a notary service to acknowledge a self-proving will, remember:
There are some services we cannot provide. For more information, click on the links below.
How to obtain copies of U.S.-issued vital and court/legal records.
How to obtain an Apostille (legalization) for U.S. vital and court/legal records.
How to obtain Additional Copies of Reports of Death of an American Citizen Abroad.
How to Apply for a Certified Copy of Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
How to Authenticate American Academic Credentials (diplomas, transcripts etc.).
Learn more about the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office, which signs and issues certificates under the Seal of the State Department.
Learn more about Signature or Medallion Guarantees. Medallion signature guarantees are often required by U.S. banks or mutual fund companies. Unfortunately, we are prohibited from performing a signature or Medallion guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee is not a notarial service, but rather a special procedure related to securities, which can only be performed by an authorized representative of a financial institution participating in a Medallion program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). U.S. consular officials are not authorized to provide this service. For more information, see the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or call 1-800-732-0330
Madrid
Telephone (+34) 91 587 2200.
Email: MadridACS@state.gov
Email: NotaryServicesMadrid@state.gov
Barcelona
Telephone: (+34) 93 280 2227.
Email: BarcelonaACS@state.gov
For emergencies outside of normal business hours, please call (+34) 91 587 2200.
Please call: (+34) 91 587 2200
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (+34) 91 587 2200
Outside of Spain: (+34) 91 587 2200
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