Once Spanish citizenship is obtained, there are several important steps that must be done to complete the process. These are outlined and explained below. 

 Spanish nationality obtained. Now, what's next?

There are some procedures that you must perform in the Civil Registry closest to your home in Spain to complete the nationality process. In the event that you have acquired Spanish nationality by residence, by nature letter or by option you will have to:

• People over 14 years of age and capable of providing a declaration for themselves must swear or promise fidelity to the King and obedience to the Constitution and laws.
• Declare that he renounces his previous nationality. Unless the interested party is in one of the cases of dual nationality that appear in Section 2 of Art. 24 of the Spanish Civil Code (Ibero-American Countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal).

Foreigners who acquire Spanish nationality must be registered in the Spanish Civil Registry with a name and two surnames.

Name Registration

The name that appears on the foreign certification submitted must be indicated on the birth registration, unless the usual use of a different name is proven. If the name that appears in the foreign or commonly used certification is included in any of the established limitations, the name must be replaced by another, in accordance with Spanish standards, either chosen by the person concerned or his legal representative and, in last term, for one ex officio tax.

However, in the case of proper names that use a writing system other than Spanish (Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, etc.), it will be registered by transcription or transliteration, so that a graphic adaptation is achieved; as well as a phonetic equivalence.

Surname Registration

The application of Spanish law determines the surnames of Spanish nationalized foreign persons. In general, for a foreign person with a specific affiliation, who acquires Spanish nationality, the surnames set by said affiliation must be registered in their birth registration within the Spanish Civil Registry. This is in accordance with Spanish laws, which overlap with those used in fact (cf. art. 213, rule 1, R.R.C.).

For all the above, in the birth registration they must be reflected, said surnames, first of the father followed by first of the mother's, even if foreign (cf. art. 194 RRC), as resulting from the foreign birth certification accompanied. In the event that the affiliation does not determine other surnames, or when it is impossible to prove the identity of the parents of the person concerned, the surnames that you are already using will be maintained.

Last but not least, art. 199 R.R.C also states that “The person who acquires Spanish nationality will keep the surnames differently from the legal one, as long as he declares it in the act of acquiring it, or within the two months following the acquisition or at the age of majority”.

Links of interest

The procedures to obtain Spanish citizenship are not something simple, so receiving advice can guide you throughout the process to make it easier and less tedious. You may also be interested in the following resources:

• Work in Spain: Visa and work permit
• Invest in Spain: Visa and investment permit
• Emprender en España: Preguntas más frecuentes
• Main Civil Registries
• List of signatory States of the Apostille Convention
• Other agreements that exempt from legalization
• List of Legalization Units in the Communities Autonomous
• List of Notary Associations of Spain
• List of the High Courts of Justice in the autonomous communities
• List of headquarters of the Bank of Spain
• List of Medical Associations of Spain
• General Council of Veterinary Colleges of Spain
• List of foreign representations, which issue C.A.P. and registration documents
• General Council of Official Medical Associations of Spain
• General Council of Veterinary Colleges of Spain
• Ministry of Employment and Social Security of Spain
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain

The process of legalization of documents can in some cases be complicated, lengthy and cumbersome for the people involved. Aware of this problem, we have enabled a telephone number (+34) 943-425-726 and an email address help@echeverriaabogados.es to answer questions. If you write an email, please include first name, last name and contact phone number.