APPLICATION FOR SPANISH CITIZENSHIP BY CHOICE - Guide to access the services of the Central Civil Register

Sep 19, 2026

Guide explaining Spanish citizenship by choice, including eligibility for applicants under parental authority of a Spanish citizen, cases where a parent was Spanish and born in Spain, and situations involving kinship or birth after age 18 or adoption after age 18. Details how to apply through the Municipal Civil Register or the Central Civil Register, the time limits, key exemptions, and the procedure starting with required documentation and information sheets. Provides Central Civil Register guidance and citizen support contacts.

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APPLICATION FOR SPANISH CITIZENSHIP BY CHOICE - Guide to access the services of the Central Civil Register

What is Spanish citizenship by choice?

What is the Central Civil Register?

Who can apply?

How can I apply?

F NACION ESP OPC 18feb11.fh11 21/2/11 13:01 P􀀟gina 1 WHAT IS Spanish citizenship by choice? Choice of nationality is a benefit which Spanish legislation offers foreign citizens under certain conditions in order to acquire Spanish citizenship. The right to acquire Spanish Guide to access to the services of the Central Civil Register citizenship by this method applies to: APPLICATION FOR SPANISH CITIZENSHIP BY CHOICE • People who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spanish citizen. • People whose father or mother was Spanish and born in Spain. • People whose establishment of kinship (understood to bethe establishment of who a person´s parents are) or birth in Spain happened after they were 18 years old. In this case the time limit for opting for nationality is two years from the determination of kinship or birth. • Persons who were adopted by Spanish subjects after the age of 18. In this case the right of choice exists until the interested party is 20. C/ Bolsa, 1 Central Civil Register C/ Bolsa, 1 28012 Madrid. Opening times: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday to Friday. For more information: [www.mjusticia.es](www.mjusticia.es) Citizen Support Centre: 902 007 214 (Telephone service is only available in Spanish) NIPO: 051-10-008-0 Composici􀀟n F NACION ESP OPC 18feb11.fh11 21/2/11 13:01 P􀀟gina 2 WHAT IS the Central Civil Register? The Register records the events and acts of marital status which are not the responsibility of other registries, or when exceptional circumstances mean that the corresponding registry is unable to record them; it also records events and acts of civil society affecting Spaniards abroad. Additionally, when a Consular Register is responsible for recording an event because it occurred abroad and the person affected is resident in Spain, this must first be registered in the Central Civil Register, and later transferred to the corresponding Consular Register. The Central Register will also receive books consisting of duplicates of: 1. consular registrations. 2. Registrations of births registered in the Municipal Registries of the home country in the case of international adoption, and of foreign citizens who have acquired Spanish citizenship. 3. Registrations of Municipal Registries relating to judicial rulings affecting legal capacity, parental authority and custody of a minor, the care or administration of persons presumed incapable or minors not subject to legal custody, and the constitution and administration of protected assets. Composici􀀟n | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | C | M | Y | CM | MY | CY | CMY | K | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Documentation needed For more information: [www.mjusticia.es](www.mjusticia.es)[ ](www.mjusticia.es)Citizen Support Centre: 902 007 214 (Telephone service is only available in Spanish) WHO can apply? An application for Spanish citizenship by choice can be made by various agents: • By the legal representative of applicants under the age of 14 or with disabilities. In this case, the option requires the authorisation of the Civil Register Officer of the applicant's domicile, after the ruling of the Department of Public Prosecution. Such authorisation will be granted in the interests of the minor or disabled person. • By the interested party, assisted by his legal representative, if older than 14 or, if with disabilities, if the degree of disability permits. • By the interested party alone, if emancipated or aged over 18. • By the interested party alone, within the two years following recovery of full capability. HOW can I apply? Apply in person at the Municipal Civil Register of the interested party's place of residence, by virtue of the proximity principle. Applicants resident in Spain may also apply to the Central Civil Register (although in the case of those aged under

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship by choice?

Eligibility includes people under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen, those whose father or mother was Spanish and born in Spain, and cases where kinship or birth in Spain occurred after turning 18, among other listed situations.

Where can an applicant submit the application?

Applicants apply in person at the Municipal Civil Register of their place of residence, and some applicants may also apply to the Central Civil Register under specified conditions.

What documents are required to start the procedure?

The procedure begins by presenting documentation proving the listed eligibility items, along with an information sheet, including identification documents, census and residency evidence, birth certificates with legalization/apostille and translation when needed, and authorization documents when the applicant is under 14.

Sep 19, 2026

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