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

Basically, before the end of March I’ll need a statement from my doctor, a criminal background check, a CV in Spanish, a letter of reference in Spanish, an essay in Spanish, transcripts from my college, and a few other miscellaneous items.  I have already notified my family doctor about the doctor’s statement and have started writing my essay and CV in Spanish… the only problem that I’m having right now is getting my criminal background check sealed with the Apostille of The Hague (a necessary seal for the government of Spain to accept the document).  But… that will be the topic of my next post.

Until then, wish me luck as I complete the application (hopefully on time) to go to Spain and teach English.  I’ll keep you updated on the application process as I go along.

Hasta la próxima,
–Chris
http://www.abroadinspain.com