Print this PostWell, as my loyal readers know, I am currently working on an application for a scholarship which would allow me to go to Spain and teach English for one year. The application process is going nicely and I am collecting all of the supporting documents that I need, except for one little hiccup: The Apostille of The Hague.
You see, in order for me to get a visa to go to Spain (and for me to apply for the scholarship that I want), I need what the Spanish authorities call a “Certificado de Antecedentes Penales” (criminal background check) that is sealed with a thing known as “The Apostille of The Hague.” Now, it is not hard for me to get a clear criminal background check; however, it is a bit of a process finding the right authority to seal my background check with the correct Apostille.
For those of you who have also had this problem or are having it right now, you can find more information about how to obtain the infamous Apostille of The Hague at the Embassy of the United States in Spain website, HERE. Basically, I’d like to describe the process that I’m currently going through in hopes that it might be able to help someone else…..
Soooo, after doing some research on the US Embassy site (the one I linked to above) and the Hague Conference Website, I found out that in my state (Pennsylvania), Apostilles for foreign documents are issued by the Department of State. I then went to the PA Department of State Apostille Website (don’t ask me how I found that site, it was a stroke of Google luck) and did find detailed instructions for obtaining an “Apostilled” document.
So, I just basically followed the instructions on the PA Department of State Apostille Website for how to get my criminal background check from the PA State Police notarized and then how to send the notarized copy of my background check to the Department of State to have the Apostille placed on it. I really don’t know if I did the process right or not because I haven’t heard any response from the PA Department of State yet; however, I am hoping that I get my document, with the correct Apostille, sometime soon.
I don’t really know if my experience on this matter will help anyone else out there and I can’t guarantee that what I did is the “correct” procedure for obtaining this document, but, I thought I’d write my own experience here so that maybe someone else can benefit from it. There is a lot of information on the sites I listed above. If you’re in the same boat as me, I recommend you review those sites first.
Until next time, wish me luck with the rest of the application.
Hasta la próxima,
–Chris
http://www.abroadinspain.com
Thanks for your post! I’m having the same problem myself and those links helped explain the whole complicated process! Buena suerte!
@Regan – Glad to know it helped someone!!
I’m applying for a VISA soon and I am trying to figure out the police background check stuff. Do I need one from each town I’ve lived in (college/home) or can I just get one from the state police of NY, like you did in PA?
Did your state police issued background check work?
@Matt – I used a State Police issued background check for the state of PA and it worked. Of course, I’m no immigration lawyer, so I hate to tell you to do that and then find out I’ve given you wrong advise. You might want to call the consulate to be sure — they’re usually pretty helpful…. But I can tell you that in my case, my PA State Background Check from the State Police worked.
As a follow up question, did you apply at the NYC consulate? Thanks so much for your help!
@Matt – Yes, NYC consulate. But I suggest you call them to verify my information… I did this process over a year ago and things change often!
Was your background check just an online thing that you printed out? What did you do to get that notarized? I have been asking my notary about this, and they are not helping! Thanks!
@Michelle – No, I couldn’t use the online thing… I called the state police and spoke to someone in person and they told me how to get a notarized background check directly through them. I don’t remember what number I called though. I’d recommend calling your state police or your state capital and asking directly. In my case, at least, the online background check didn’t work and I had to get a notarized background check directly through the state police. Maybe your experience will be different though, I’m no expert at this and it seems as though some people have told me that the online check works… I don’t really know how/why though… sorry I can’t give you more information on this topic.
To everyone who reads this post: Please remember, I am NOT AN EXPERT BY ANY MEANS WITH THIS APOSTILLE STUFF. Instead of directing your questions to me, I’d VERY MUCH recommend directing them to your state capital (they’re usually the ones who handle Apostilles), or a notary, or even the Spanish consulate. They can give you much better advice than I can give.
Hi Chris…..I live in Spain and had to have a copy of a document from Vital Statistics USA which they then sent on to the State Dept. for the Apostille and which they then sent by courier to me here in Spain. It was all done and paid for online and by telephone (using Skype). Once you have the document and Apostille in hand, you will have to take it to an official translator here in Spain, to be translated into Spanish, with the seal and signature from the office of the translator. Only then will your document be ready to hand over to the Spanish authorities which requested it. Good Luck!
Sharon
ahh this is so helpful! i thought i was going to crazy from the labyrinthine process of getting an apostille. doesn’t matter that you’re not an expert; everything you’ve written here is more lucid and straightforward than anything else i’ve read or heard. question though! when you say you “couldn’t use the online thing,” was it because they TOLD you that you couldn’t/shouldn’t, or because you just couldn’t log on or something? second of all, did you need to get fingerprinted?? response is so greatly appreciated. thanks!
lauren
@Lauren – Glad to hear this has helped someone. Answers to your questions: 1 – I said I couldn’t use the online system because someone from the State of PA told me that a Background Check from online couldn’t be Apostilled…. I don’t know if that’s true though, because later I had friends who used the online system in PA. 2 – I didn’t have to get fingerprinted, but I did this whole process in Pennsylvania. I think the process varies from state to state and it is possible that some states require fingerprints… at least I think it’s possible (I’m no expert). I’d recommend getting in touch with your State Police and/or Department of State if you need more specific information.
Hi everyone,
I am going through the process of getting my Spanish visa as well. Question – I’ve lived in the UK for the last four years but planning on doing the visa process in NYC (long story) should I get the criminal check from New York state OR from the UK? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am also going to call the Consulate in NYC so hopefully they can help as well.
A 2nd question, how long did it take for the visa to be processed?
Thanks everyone
Janet
I just asked the Spanish consulate here in Boston and they said thet I need to go to the FBI to obtain this! Then after i receive the document would I bring it to the State House for the Apostille’s seal.
I emailed the FBI so I will keep everyone up-to-date as well. Luckily I don’t need my visa till december!
@Theresa – Yeah, I think some consulates might ask for you to go to the FBI…. it’s been a couple years since I wrote this post so you’re right, things could have changed. I hope it goes well for you! Good luck!
Hi all,
Finally have a clear direction on how to obtain this!! First you need to have the FBI send you two fingerprint cards, then you take them to your local police department to get fingerprinted (to be done by a professional fingerprinting technician), of which you then take to your local state house to get the Apostille’s seal.
before you mail everything to the FBI, you will need to go to their website to print and fill out the application form to request your criminal background check.
Then you mail your application (with your Apostilles seal!), your two fingerprint cards, and a check for $18 to them. According to the website, it can take up to 12 weeks depending on the volume of requests.
Hope this helps make it a little easier on everyone on what may seem like a daunting process!!
Good luck!!
On the Spanish consulate website:
1. Certification of “absence of police records”, for stays over 180 days only and 18 year-old applicants and older. Original translated into Spanish and one copy will be needed. This certificate can not be older than three months from the issue date.
The certification of “absence of police records” should be certified by the police authorities of all places where the applicant has resided during the past five years.
2. In the U.S.,this certificate must be issued by the FBI – Criminal Record History or FBI Identification Report -, It should be verified with a fingerprint card. Process to follow:
o Contact the FBI: (304) 625 3878 o by mail to: Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Correspondence unit. 1000 Custer Hollow Road. Clarksburg, WV 26306. http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm
o This certificate must be stamped with the “Apostille of The Hague” . Contact the Secretary of State in the State the document has been issued. http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/authentication.htm
3. If the country where the police record was issued is not the U.S., the certificate must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate in that country or with the “Apostille of The Hague”.
@Theresa – Thanks for the info.