We advise you in English from start to finish. The deed itself is signed in Spanish before a Spanish notary — that is a legal requirement we cannot change. If you do not have a sufficient command of Spanish, Spanish law requires an interpreter or a sworn translator to be present at the signing, and NotaríaExpress arranges one for you. We will tell you in advance whether your case needs one.
What the citizenship oath is
When the Spanish Ministry of Justice grants you citizenship, the file is not closed yet. The law requires you to swear or pledge allegiance to the King and obedience to the Constitution and Spanish laws before a notary, judge or authorised official. Without that act, the grant produces no effect.
After the signing, the deed is filed electronically with the Civil Registry the same day. Once the entry is made, you receive your Spanish birth certificate at home — the document you need to apply for your DNI and Spanish passport.
Why do it before a notary instead of the Civil Registry
- Civil Registry appointments in the large cities can run months behind, sometimes over a year.
- Before a notary the act is usually resolved in 1 to 3 weeks once an appointment is secured.
- You have a hard 180-day deadline from notification of the grant — it is a lapse period, so it cannot be extended.
- The notary files the deed with the Civil Registry. The legal result is identical.
Documents you need
- Decision granting Spanish citizenship — the original issued by the Ministry of Justice.
- Original birth certificate from your country of origin, apostilled or legalised.
- Criminal record certificate from your country of origin, valid and apostilled or legalised.
- Certificate of registration (empadronamiento) — only if you have moved since applying.
- Valid passport and NIE/TIE on the day of signing, for identification by the notary.
Special case — your mother's surname. If you are a national of Russia or a former Soviet republic, Romania, Moldova, Morocco or another country where a married woman takes her husband's surname, you will also need your mother's birth certificate or her marriage certificate showing her maiden name. It is a requirement of Spanish parentage rules.
Already received your citizenship grant?
Tell us about your case — the first consultation is always free.
What our service covers
- We review your documents before the appointmentWe check that everything is valid, translated and apostilled, so the oath is completed in a single visit with no rescheduling.
- We find and book the notaryAnywhere in Spain, at a time that suits you — you do not have to be registered in that city.
- We attend the signing with youThe signing itself takes minutes. All the work happens before it.
- We follow through to registrationUntil the Civil Registry entry is made and you receive your Spanish birth certificate — then we tell you what to bring to your DNI appointment.
Price: 250€ + VAT, notarial fee included
Our fee covers everything we do — advice, document review, booking, attendance and filing — and also the notarial fee, which we pay directly to the notary's office. This is the only service in our catalogue with an all-inclusive fixed price: on the day of signing you pay nothing further for this.
Not included, because they do not depend on us: obtaining documents in your country of origin (certificates, apostilles) and sworn translation where required. We tell you exactly which documents need translating and put you in touch with trusted sworn translators.
If your 180-day deadline is close, see our page on the urgent citizenship oath. If you are in the capital, see the citizenship oath in Madrid.