Certified translation of a Spanish criminal record certificate for USCIS
The Spanish criminal record certificate (certificado de antecedentes penales), issued by the Ministry of Justice, is the police certificate US authorities ask Spanish residents for: the National Visa Center before a consular interview, USCIS in waiver and some adjustment cases, licensing boards and employers. It must come with a complete English translation and the translator's certification under 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3). I am Elena Peñaranda Ortega, sworn translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2009 (no. 7310). I translate the certificate, its verification code and its apostille, and deliver a signed PDF the same day (up to 10 pages).
Price in US dollars
$40per certificate
- Turnaround
- Same day (up to 10 pages)
- Delivery
- Signed PDF · paper copy to the US for $25
- Payment
- In USD, by card or Wise
Calculated from my euro rates at a fixed reference rate (1 € = 1.10 $), rounded to the nearest $5.
- Verifiable Foreign Ministry (MAEC) appointment
- If the authority rejects it because of my mistake, I fix it for free
- Same-day delivery up to 10 pages, deadline in writing before you pay
When US authorities ask for a Spanish police certificate
The Department of State requires a police certificate from every country where an immigrant-visa applicant has lived for 12 months or more since age 16, and the National Visa Center asks for it before the interview (DS-260). USCIS requests it in certain adjustment, waiver (I-601, I-212) and naturalisation situations. State licensing boards and adoption agencies ask for it too.
In every case the rule is the same: a full English translation and the translator's signed certification of accuracy and competence. The certificate is one page, but every word carries legal weight, starting with the standard phrase stating that no constan antecedentes penales.
What the Spanish certificate contains, and what I translate
The current certificate is issued electronically by the Ministerio de Justicia (Registro Central de Penados) or in person at a Ministry office. It contains:
- Holder's identification: full name with both surnames, parents' names, date and place of birth, nationality and DNI, NIE or passport number.
- Result: either the statement that no criminal records appear, or a list of convictions with court, offence, sentence and dates.
- Issuing data: date, official's position, electronic signature block and the secure verification code (CSV) that lets any authority check the document online.
- Validity note: three months in Spain; US agencies apply their own limits.
- The Hague apostille, if requested, issued electronically by the Ministry of Justice as a separate page with its own code.
I translate all of it, legal references and data-protection notice included, so the translation is complete in the sense USCIS means.
Why a Spanish sworn translator for this certificate
A police certificate is short, which tempts people to use a generic service. It is also where a wrong word matters most:
- The negative statement (no constan antecedentes penales) must be rendered precisely; "no records found" and "no criminal convictions are recorded" are not interchangeable to a consular officer.
- Criminal-law terms: delito, delito leve, pena, cancelación de antecedentes, sentencia firme, Juzgado de lo Penal.
- Identifiers: surnames, DNI or NIE number and parents' names must match your file letter for letter.
- Abbreviations: MJU, RCP, CSV, art., CP, LO, D./D.ª, n.º.
Since 2009 I have handled these documents as sworn translator no. 7310. USCIS does not require that appointment; it is why the translation is right the first time.
What USCIS requires vs. what you get
| What USCIS requires | What you get |
|---|---|
| A full English translation (8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3)) | The whole Spanish criminal record certificate: every stamp, note, handwritten entry and code, including the verification code (CSV) and the e-apostille if you obtained one |
| Certification of completeness and accuracy | A signed, dated Certificate of Translation Accuracy per document |
| Statement of the translator's competence | My statement, backed by my appointment as sworn translator no. 7310 (Spain's Foreign Ministry, since 2009) |
| Translator's name, signature and contact details | Name, signature, stamp, email, phone and website |
| No notarisation | None needed. Paper original couriered to the US for $25 on request |
| Copy of the original | Your scan attached in the same PDF |
How I work
Send
A full scan or clear photo of your Spanish criminal record certificate, on WhatsApp or by email.
Quote and deadline
Fixed price in US dollars and delivery date within 2 working hours.
Translation and certification
Full English translation, stamps included, with my signed certificate.
Delivery
Signed PDF the same day for up to 10 pages; paper copy to the US for $25 on request.
What clients say
Published on Google by real clients, reproduced as written.
Speedy responses and great service provided thank you
Elena was a joy to work with, the translated documents were provided within a couple of hours of getting in touch with her. Excellent job and wouldn't hesitate to use Elena again!
Frequently asked questions
Does USCIS or the NVC require an apostille on the certificate?
Not generally for US immigration, though some licensing boards and employers ask for it. If you have one, I translate it; if a body requires it, request the e-apostille from the Spanish Ministry of Justice first.
How long is the Spanish certificate valid for US purposes?
Spain treats it as valid for three months. The NVC and USCIS generally accept police certificates issued within two years if you have not returned to Spain since; check your case instructions.
I have an old paper certificate from years ago. Can you translate it?
Yes, stamps and handwritten signature included. US authorities may ask for a recent one, which you can request online or through a Spanish consulate.
Do I need to have the translation notarised for USCIS?
No. USCIS requires the translator's signed certification of accuracy and competence, not a notary. My certificate carries my name, signature, stamp, date and contact details.
How fast can you deliver?
Documents of up to 10 pages are translated, certified and delivered the same working day (Spain time); larger files get a written deadline before I start, normally 24-72 hours. No surcharge.
How do I pay from the United States?
In US dollars, by card or through Wise, once you approve the quote and deadline in writing. The dollar price quoted is the price you pay.
Need your Spanish criminal record certificate translated for USCIS?
Send me a scan on WhatsApp or by email and tell me which form it is for. You will have a fixed price in US dollars and a delivery date within 2 working hours.