Spain Certificado de Antecedentes Penales for Ecuador Residency Visa

Spain's official criminal records certificate is called the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales. It is issued by the Ministerio de Justicia (Ministry of Justice) and confirms whether the holder has any criminal convictions registered in the Spanish Central Registry of Convicts and Fugitives (*Registro Central de Penados*).

Ecuador requires this certificate from Spanish nationals and from foreign residents of Spain who are applying for an Ecuador residency visa — including Pensioner, Rentista, Investor, Professional, and Permanent by Marriage categories.

For Ecuador visa purposes, your Certificado de Antecedentes Penales must be: - Issued by the Ministerio de Justicia (no other body issues it) - Apostilled under the 1961 Hague Convention - Issued within 180 days before your visa application submission date

Major advantage for Spanish applicants: The certificate is already in Spanish — which is the official language Ecuador requires. You do not need to pay for a certified translation. This saves both money and one to two weeks of processing time that applicants from other countries must budget for.

Important clarification on the 180-day rule: Ecuador's 180-day validity window measures from the issue date of your certificate to the date you submit your visa application. The clock pauses while Ecuador is reviewing your file. You will not be penalized if Ecuador takes weeks or months to issue a decision — what matters is that the certificate is under 180 days old on the day you submit.

Do not confuse the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales with the *Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual* (Sexual Offences Certificate) or with the *Certificado de Actos de Última Voluntad* (Wills Certificate). Those are separate documents and are not what Ecuador immigration is asking for.

The only competent authority for issuing a Certificado de Antecedentes Penales is the Ministerio de Justicia (Ministry of Justice of Spain).

Applications are processed through three official channels operated by the Ministry:

1. Sede Electrónica del Ministerio de Justicia — the Ministry's online portal at sede.mjusticia.gob.es. This is the fastest route. If you authenticate with a recognized electronic identification method (DNIe, Cl@ve, or a qualified digital certificate), the certificate can be issued digitally and on the same day, signed electronically by the Ministry.

1. Gerencias Territoriales del Ministerio de Justicia — regional territorial offices of the Ministry of Justice located in provincial capitals across Spain. These offices accept in-person applications with appointment (*cita previa*).

1. By mail (correo postal) — paper applications can be sent by post to the Oficina Central de Atención al Ciudadano in Madrid or to a Gerencia Territorial.

Police stations and town halls do not issue this certificate. Some applicants confuse it with the antecedentes that a Spanish *comisaría* might mention — only the Ministerio de Justicia can issue the document Ecuador will accept. Anything else will be rejected.

Applying from outside Spain: If you are a Spanish national or former resident of Spain currently living abroad, you may also apply through a Spanish Consulate, which forwards the request to the Ministry. Consular processing is significantly slower (typically four to eight weeks) and is only worth using if you cannot apply online with electronic identification.

There are three official application methods. Choose the one that matches your situation — the online route is dramatically faster and is the route this guide recommends whenever it is available to you.

Option A: Online via Sede Electrónica (Recommended — Same-Day Digital)

Step 1 — Confirm you have an electronic identification method

The online route requires one of the following: - DNIe (electronic national ID card) — for Spanish nationals; requires a card reader and the DNIe drivers installed on your computer, or use of the DNIe mobile app - Cl@ve — the cross-administration electronic identity system; covers both Cl@ve PIN (mobile-based, valid for that session) and Cl@ve Permanente (password + SMS, more durable) - Qualified digital certificate — issued by an accredited Spanish certification authority such as the FNMT (Real Casa de la Moneda)

If you do not yet have one of these, register for Cl@ve first. Cl@ve registration can be done online with a video-identification call, or in person at a Cl@ve registration office (most Tax Agency, Social Security, and Ministry of Justice offices serve as registration points).

Step 2 — Access the online procedure

Go to sede.mjusticia.gob.es, navigate to *Trámites* → *Certificado de Antecedentes Penales*, and select "Solicitud electrónica" (electronic application). Authenticate with your chosen identification method.

Step 3 — Complete the online form

Fill in your personal details (these will be pre-populated if you authenticate with DNIe or a digital certificate). Indicate the purpose (*finalidad*) of the certificate — you can select "Trámites en el extranjero" or specify Ecuador visa application.

Step 4 — Pay the fee online

The fee is €3.78. Pay by debit or credit card on the Ministry's secure payment gateway. Save the *Justificante de pago* (payment receipt).

Step 5 — Download your digitally signed certificate

In most cases the certificate is generated immediately and made available for download as a PDF with a *Código Seguro de Verificación (CSV)*. This electronic version is fully valid and is the form most useful for the e-Apostille process described later in this guide.

Option B: In-Person at a Gerencia Territorial

Step 1 — Book a *cita previa* (prior appointment)

Most Gerencias Territoriales require an appointment. Book at sede.mjusticia.gob.es under *Cita previa*.

Step 2 — Complete Modelo 790, código 006

Download and fill in *Modelo 790, código 006*, the official application form for the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales. The form is available on the Sede Electrónica. Print three copies (one for the administration, one for the bank, one for the applicant).

Step 3 — Pay the €3.78 fee at a collaborating bank

Take the Modelo 790 to any *entidad colaboradora* (most Spanish retail banks are collaborating entities) and pay the fee. The bank stamps your form as proof of payment. Some Gerencias Territoriales also accept on-site card payment — confirm when you book.

Step 4 — Attend your appointment

Bring originals and a photocopy of: - DNI (Spanish nationals), NIE/TIE (foreign residents), or passport - Stamped Modelo 790 with proof of payment - A completed application form

If you are applying on behalf of another person, bring a notarized power of attorney (*poder notarial*) in addition to your own ID.

Step 5 — Collect your certificate

Processing typically takes 3 to 10 business days. The Gerencia will tell you when to return or will mail the certificate to your registered address.

Option C: By Mail (Correo Postal)

Step 1 — Complete Modelo 790, código 006

Same form as Option B.

Step 2 — Pay €3.78 at a collaborating bank

Obtain the bank-stamped Modelo 790 as proof of payment.

Step 3 — Send by post

Mail the completed and stamped Modelo 790, together with a photocopy of your DNI/NIE/passport, to:

*Oficina Central de Atención al Ciudadano* *Ministerio de Justicia* *C/ La Bolsa 8, 28012 Madrid*

…or to your regional Gerencia Territorial. Include a cover letter stating where you would like the certificate sent.

Step 4 — Wait for the certificate by post

Processing time is the same as in-person: 3 to 10 business days after the Ministry receives your mailing, plus return postal time. Practical end-to-end: two to three weeks.

The document checklist is short — this is one of Europe's most streamlined criminal-records procedures.

For the online application (Option A): - Electronic identification (DNIe, Cl@ve, or qualified digital certificate) - A working card reader, mobile phone, or browser configured for your authentication method - Payment method (debit or credit card)

No paper documents are submitted; your electronic ID provides your identity and address.

For in-person or postal applications (Options B and C): - Identity document — choose one: - DNI (for Spanish nationals) - NIE or TIE card (for foreign residents of Spain) - Passport (for any applicant, especially foreign nationals applying from Spain without an NIE) - Modelo 790, código 006 — the official application form, completed and signed - Justificante de pago — proof that the €3.78 fee has been paid (stamped by the collaborating bank, or printed payment confirmation) - For applicants represented by another person: notarized power of attorney plus the representative's ID

For applicants residing abroad applying through a consulate: - A copy of your Spanish DNI or your foreign passport (if the consular procedure accepts non-Spanish nationality applicants) - A copy of any prior NIE/TIE - The completed Modelo 790, código 006 - Proof of payment (consulates can advise on payment methods accepted at their post)

Note: No photographs are required. No fingerprints are required. No police verification at your residential address is required. The Ministry consults its central registry electronically.

Processing times depend almost entirely on the channel you use.

Online via Sede Electrónica (with DNIe / Cl@ve / digital certificate): same day — usually within minutes.

The Ministry's system generates and electronically signs the certificate as soon as your payment is confirmed. You download a PDF with a CSV verification code. In edge cases (name matching issues, recent record changes, common-name disambiguation, or active legal proceedings flagged for human review), the system may route the application for manual processing, in which case the certificate is issued in one to three business days. You will receive a notification through the Sede Electrónica when it is ready for download.

In-person at a Gerencia Territorial: 3 to 10 business days.

The application itself is processed in the same way internally — what slows the timeline is the manual handling at the territorial office. Some Gerencias issue the certificate same-day if traffic is low; others schedule pickup or send the document by post. Higher-traffic offices (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville) tend to be at the slower end of this range. Smaller provincial Gerencias often turn certificates around in 2 to 4 business days.

By mail: 3 to 10 business days of processing + postal time both ways.

Plan for two to three weeks end-to-end if you must use the postal route. *Correos* (the Spanish postal service) can be slower than expected, especially around national holidays and summer vacation periods (July and August). Add a buffer if you are submitting in those windows.

Through a Spanish Consulate abroad: typically 4 to 8 weeks.

Consulates batch requests and forward them to Spain. This route is significantly slower and should only be used if you have no other option. Some consulates in Latin America are faster (3–4 weeks); some in Asia and Africa run closer to 8–10 weeks. Check with your specific consulate for current turnaround.

Realistic planning buffer for Ecuador visa applicants: If you can apply online with electronic identification, you can have a digitally signed certificate in your hands in under an hour. Add a few minutes for the e-Apostille and you have a complete document set the same day — by far the fastest background-check process Ecuador accepts from any country. The contrast with applicants from India, Nigeria, or the Philippines is stark: where they need 5 to 8 weeks to complete the same workflow, Spanish applicants need a single morning.

The official government fee for the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales is:

€3.78 (approximately $4 USD)

Payment methods: - Online (Sede Electrónica): debit or credit card during the application — typically Visa, Mastercard, or a Spanish *tarjeta de débito* - In-person: Modelo 790 stamped by a collaborating bank, or on-site card payment where supported - By mail: Modelo 790 stamped by a collaborating bank in advance — the stamped form must be included with your mailed application

There is no expedited or fast-track surcharge. The €3.78 fee is the same regardless of channel. The online route is faster simply because it is digital end-to-end — not because you are paying more. Spain is unusual in this regard: most countries charge meaningfully more for their criminal records certificates, and many add separate apostille fees on top. Spain charges €3.78 once and includes the apostille at no additional cost.

No expediter or agency fees are required for this document. Anyone who can read Spanish-language forms and has a Spanish ID can complete the process directly with the Ministry. Third-party services that advertise help with this certificate typically charge €30–€80 in service fees on top of the €3.78 government fee — they are rarely necessary. If you are paying anyone more than the government fee for this document, you should be confident the service is doing something meaningful (such as handling an unusual cross-border situation), not simply filling in your Modelo 790.

Spain is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. This means Spanish public documents — including the Certificado de Antecedentes Penales — are accepted in Ecuador with a single Apostille of the Hague.

A critical point that streamlines the workflow for Spanish applicants: The Ministerio de Justicia is the competent authority for apostilling its own documents. You do not have to take your Certificado de Antecedentes Penales to a separate institution. The same Ministry that issued the certificate also affixes the apostille.

Apostille Options

Option 1: e-Apostille (Apostilla Electrónica) — Recommended

If you obtained your certificate online via the Sede Electrónica with DNIe / Cl@ve / digital certificate, you can request an e-Apostille directly through the same portal. The e-Apostille is a digitally signed electronic apostille linked to the digital certificate. It is fully accepted by Ecuador and other Hague Convention countries.

• Cost: Free (no government fee for the apostille on Ministry-issued Certificados de Antecedentes Penales)
• Processing time: Same-day in most cases — often within minutes of the request
• Output: A PDF containing your original certificate plus the electronic apostille, both signed by the Ministry and verifiable via CSV

This is the fastest and cheapest apostille workflow available from any country Ecuador accepts visas from.

Option 2: Paper apostille at the Ministerio de Justicia

If you obtained a paper certificate (in-person or by mail), you can request a paper apostille at the same Gerencia Territorial that handled your certificate, or at the central Oficina Central de Atención al Ciudadano in Madrid.

• Cost: Free for Ministry-issued Certificados de Antecedentes Penales (some Tribunal-issued documents carry a small fee — confirm at the counter)
• Processing time: Typically same-day or 1–3 business days
• Submit: The original certificate (do not laminate, do not photocopy and present the copy)

Option 3: Mixed digital-to-paper

If you have a digital certificate but Ecuador's consulate or your service provider has asked for a paper copy with a physical apostille (this is uncommon — Ecuador accepts the e-Apostille), you can request that the Ministry issue a printed and physically apostilled version. This adds 3 to 7 business days.

Bottom line: If you used the online route to obtain your certificate, request the e-Apostille immediately afterward through the same portal session. The entire workflow — certificate plus apostille — can typically be completed in a single afternoon for €3.78 total.

This is the section that makes Spain unique among Ecuador residency visa applicants.

Ecuador requires all foreign-language documents to be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. The Certificado de Antecedentes Penales is already in Spanish. No translation is required, because Spanish is the source language and the language Ecuador's immigration authorities work in natively.

This advantage has real consequences:

• Cost savings: Certified translations of foreign criminal records typically cost between $80 and $200 USD per document. Spanish applicants avoid this expense entirely.
• Time savings: Translation typically adds 2 to 5 business days to the workflow for applicants from other countries. Spanish applicants skip this step.
• One less point of failure: Translations are a frequent source of rejection (uncertified translators, missing translator stamps, translation errors). Spanish applicants do not face this risk.

What if your certificate contains text in Catalan, Basque, Galician, or Valencian?

The Certificado de Antecedentes Penales issued by the Ministerio de Justicia is issued in Castilian Spanish (español castellano) by default for all applicants nationwide, regardless of autonomous community. Some Gerencias Territoriales in bilingual communities (Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia, Balearic Islands) may include co-official-language headers or stamps. The body of the certificate remains in Castilian Spanish and is fully readable by Ecuadorian immigration officials.

What if you have a foreign-language supporting document mixed in?

If your Spanish certificate is bundled with documents in another language (for example, a foreign birth certificate you are also submitting), only the foreign-language portion needs translation. The Certificado de Antecedentes Penales itself does not.

When submitting your Certificado de Antecedentes Penales as part of an Ecuador residency visa application — whether Pensioner, Rentista, Investor, Professional, Permanent by Marriage, or another residency category — Ecuador requires:

1. Issued by the Ministerio de Justicia (no other authority is accepted)
2. Issued within 180 days of the date you file your visa application
3. Apostilled under the 1961 Hague Convention (by the Ministerio de Justicia itself, in paper or e-Apostille form)
4. No translation required — the document is already in Spanish

Critical note on the 180-day validity window:

The 180-day clock measures from the certificate's *issue date* to the date you *submit your visa application* — not to the date Ecuador issues a decision. Ecuador's visa processing time does not count against the 180-day window. The clock pauses while Ecuador is actively reviewing your file. You will not be penalized for Ecuador taking several weeks or months to process your application. Plan your certificate timing relative to your submission date, not your anticipated approval date.

Practical implication:

Because the online route can deliver an apostilled certificate in under an hour, you do not need to apply weeks in advance. Many Spanish applicants obtain their Certificado de Antecedentes Penales the same week they upload their EcuaGo application. Just make sure the issue date is within 180 days of your submission and you are safe.

A note on dual nationals and long-term foreign residents:

If you are a Spanish national who has lived in another country for an extended period in the past five years, Ecuador may ask for a background check from that country in addition to your Spanish certificate. Similarly, foreign nationals who have lived in Spain as permanent residents will need the Spanish Certificado de Antecedentes Penales and a background check from their country of origin. Both certificates must be apostilled and submitted within their respective validity windows. Plan your timing so that both documents reach EcuaGo before the older one expires.