Birth registration in Spain is mandatory and not something optional you can decide not to do. Usually you need to notify the authorities of new births within 8 days. The only exception to this is if you can provide justification for not doing so.

In some circumstances, it's possible to extend the birth registration for an extra 30 days. This is not something we would recommend as it could cause issues for you and within the legal system here. Below are the steps and things you will need if you are planning on starting or adding to your family in Spain.

Registering Your Child's Birth in Spain

Registering a new birth here is not a big deal if you already have all the relevant documentation. Lucky enough, Torrevieja Translators are on hand if you need our translation services. We can help you get most paperwork here so you are 100% legal and stress free.

You need to register your child at your local Civil register office (Registro Civil). For Torrevieja you can find the address and contact number here with other offices. These include locations such as Elche, Alicante, Orihuela and Benidorm. Note: The Civil register is also for marriage, death certificates and for changing names. It also serves many other purposes which are out of scope for this article. You can check here to find out more about the Civil registry office.

Documentation You Will Need

It's important to bear in mind that different regions ask for different documentation. If you take everything below you should cover all bases.

  • NIE Number, Spanish Residency card and passports for both parents. It's best to make copies of all your paperwork and take the originals also.
  • Medical delivery report which you should get from the hospital once your child is born.
  • Marriage certificate if the child is born within marriage. This also means that any relative with knowledge of the birth can register your child on the Civil register. It's important that you provide a Spanish translation of your marriage certificate.
  • Both parents need to attend the registry office if the child is born out of wedlock.
  • Some offices insist on a Padrón for both parents from your town hall. Please ensure that this is valid and within the last 90 days.

Types Of Birth Certificate

There are actually several types of birth certificates in Spain. Some relate to autonomous communities where more than only Spanish are official languages. Below are the two which you are likely to get when you request a birth certificate.

  • Abstract Ordinary: Autonomous communities in which the only official language is Spanish.
  • Literal: This is a literal copy of the registration of the birth. it contains all data related to the identity of the individual and of the birth itself.