---
title: "Marrying a Spanish Citizen: The Paperwork Nightmare Solved"
description: "Whether you are getting married or registering a civil partnership, the paperwork can test any relationship."
source: https://staging.leyapp.es/en/blog/marrying-spanish-citizen-paperwork
locale: en
published: 2026-05-17
authors: Abo, Lea
categories: Visas, Family
---

# Marrying a Spanish Citizen: The Paperwork Nightmare Solved

Whether you are getting married or registering a civil partnership, the paperwork can test any relationship.

Falling in love in Spain is the romantic dream. Realizing you need to navigate the Spanish civil registry to get married is the abrupt wake-up call. Whether you are getting married (Matrimonio) or registering a civil partnership (Pareja de Hecho), the paperwork is intense.

## The Required Documents
You will typically need:
- Your original birth certificate.
- A certificate of no impediment (Certificado de Soltería).
- A certificate of consular registration.

## The Catch: Apostilles and Translations
None of your foreign documents are valid in Spain unless they carry a Hague Apostille. They must also be translated by an official Sworn Translator (Traductor Jurado).

## The dreaded "Interview"
To prevent sham marriages, you and your partner will be interviewed separately by a civil registry official.

## The Visa Reward: Arraigo Familiar
Once married, the non-EU citizen is entitled to an "Arraigo Familiar" residency card, granting the right to live and work in Spain for 5 years.