What is a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) for Spain?
A Certificate of No Impediment (Certificado de Capacidad Matrimonial) for Spain is a document that confirms no legal impediments are preventing you from marrying in Spain. This CNI is also called:
It is one of the essential documents that allows you to initiate the marriage process as a foreign national getting married in Spain.
The CNI confirms that:
You are not currently married, or if you were, the marriage has been legally dissolved
You meet the legal age requirements for marriage
You are mentally competent to consent to marriage
There are no legal impediments under your home country's laws, such as close family relations or existing marriages.
Who needs a CNI when marrying in Spain?
Foreigners marrying in Spain must provide a CNI or the equivalent document from their country to initiate the marriage process. Here's what you must know:
Foreigners
All foreign nationals marrying in Spain must provide a CNI or equivalent to prove they can legally marry in Spain. For example, if an Australian and a UK citizen are marrying in Spain, they must provide their respective country' CNI. The Australian will need an Australian CNI, while the British citizen will apply for a UK certificate of no impediment to marriage.
Mixed nationality couples
If you are a Spanish citizen marrying a foreign national, your partner must provide a CNI. For example, if you are marrying an Australian citizen, they must apply for a Certificate of No Impediment to marry in Spain.
Spanish citizens marrying overseas
If you are a Spanish citizen marrying overseas, you must provide a CNI if required. For example, if you are getting married in Italy, you must obtain a Spanish CNI, which is referred to as the Certificado de Capacidad Matrimonial in Spain.
Who doesn't need CNI when marrying in Spain?
Spanish citizens marrying in Spain do not have to apply for a CNI. You can use other documents requested by the civil registry office. This often includes a death certificate and divorce documents if you are widowed or divorced. This rule also applies to people with Dual citizenship. You can use your Spanish citizenship to get married in Spain without needing to apply for a CNI from your country of origin.
Note: Some countries don't issue a Certificate of No Impediment but provide an equivalent. For example, if you are a US citizen getting married in Spain, you can apply for
These documents are then apostilled for use in Spain. Always confirm which documents are required from your home country and the Spanish civil registry.
Where to apply: Civil Registry, Consulate or Embassy?
Where you apply for CNI in Spain depends on your nationality. Here's what you should know
Foreigners marrying in Spain
As a foreign national, you can apply for a CNI at your home country's diplomatic mission in Spain. This includes:
The Embassy located in Madrid
Consulates in major cities such as Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia, and Bilbao, among others.
For example, if you are a UK citizen, you can apply for a CNI by post from the British Consulate General in Madrid or another high commission in Spain. You can't apply at the Spanish Civil Registry, as only your government can issue official documents regarding your legal status under the laws of your nationality.
For Spanish citizens marrying abroad
Spanish citizens who are residents in Spain can apply at the Civil Registry office before travelling to the country where the wedding ceremony will be held. If you are already a resident of the destination country where your marriage will be held, you can apply at the Spanish diplomatic missions there.
For example, if you are a Spanish citizen staying in Italy and want to marry there, you can apply for the CNI at the Spanish Consulate in Italy.
Required documents for a CNI in Spain
Valid Passport: Must be current, with a validity of at least 6 months remaining.
Birth Certificate: Full/long-form version, recently issued (within 3-6 months), apostilled.
Proof of residence in Spain: Certificado de Empadronamiento from your local town hall, issued within 3 months.
Completed application form: Obtained from your embassy/consulate.
Passport-sized photographs: Typically, 2-4 recent photos are required per embassy specifications.
Divorce Decree: Final divorce documents, apostilled (if previously married and divorced).
Death Certificate: If previously married and widowed.
Sworn affidavit/declaration: Statement swearing you're free to marry, signed at the embassy.
Proof of legal status in Spain: Residence permit (TIE), visa, or NIE.
Partner's information: Full name, nationality, date of birth, sometimes a copy of ID.
Note: If any of these documents are not in Spanish, they must be officially translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado). You can request a free quote for sworn translation services from Translayte at competitive market rates.
How can you apply for a Letter of No Impediment in Spain
To apply for a CNI in Spain, you must obtain the required document, fill out the application form and pay fees. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Confirm the competent authority
The issuing authority will differ depending on your situation. If you are a foreign national marrying in Spain, you should apply at your home country's embassy or consulate in Spain. In contrast, Spanish citizens marrying abroad can apply at the Spanish Civil Registry (Registro Civil) or the Spanish consulate in the foreign country.
Step 2: Gather required documents
Collect all necessary documents and verify whether they require an apostille or a sworn translation by an official translator (traductor jurado). Typically, documents issued abroad will need an apostille or consular legalisation for use in Spain.
Step 3: Submit your application
You can submit your application in person, by post or online. The option depends on the issuing country and embassy rules. If you are applying in person, you must schedule an appointment at your embassy/consulate. For embassies that offer application submission via post or online, you don't need to schedule an appointment; however, they may have additional requirements. This often includes application timelines, document formats and delivery options.
Step 4: Pay fees and wait for processing
Once you've completed the application, you must pay the required application fees at the time of submission. The processing time can vary from 24 hours to 6 weeks, depending on the country and demand.
Step 5: Collect your CNI
Retrieve your certificate once ready. You can pick it up in person or have it delivered by post, depending on the authority. If required by the receiving authority, arrange for the CNI to be apostilled or legalised.
Step 6: Get a sworn Spanish translation
If your CNI is not in Spanish, have it officially translated by a sworn Spanish translator (traductor jurado) before submitting to Spanish authorities.
Processing times, validity and fees
Processing times vary significantly depending on the issuing authority:
UK, Ireland, certain EU countries: Immediate to same-day
US, Canada, Australia: 3-5 business days:
Countries requiring internal verification: 1–2 weeks
Countries that need to verify documents with the home country authorities: 2–4 weeks
Rare and complex cases: Up to 6 weeks:
Spanish Civil Registry: 1–3 weeks, but this timeframe can be extended during high-peak periods.
Validity
Most CNIs are valid for 3 to 6 months from the date of issue. The duration often depends on the issuing country. For example, the Italian CNI, also known as Nulla Osta, is valid for 6 months, while the Danish CNI (civilstandsattest) is valid for only 3 months.
CNI fees in Spain
How much you pay for a CNI application in Spain depends on the country and the authority. However, the cost often ranges from €150 to €350. This covers the CNI fee, apostille and sworn translation services.
Embassy/Consulate fees for foreign nationals: EU embassies: €30-€80, and non-EU embassies: €50-€150
Spanish Civil Registry for Spanish citizens: May vary by registry office from €0 to €30
Additional costs to consider
Do I need an apostille or legalisation on my CNI?
Whether you need an Apostille or consular legalisation on your CNI depends on the issuing country's participation in the Hague Convention. If the country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is required; otherwise, consular legalisation is necessary.
For example, if you obtained your CNI from the UK, it must be apostilled by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This is because both Spain and the UK are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. The same rule applies when using a Spanish CNI overseas.
Do I need a sworn translation (traducción jurada) for Spain?
You’ll need a sworn translation (traducción jurada) of your Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) and other supporting documents if they are not in Spanish. This is because Spanish authorities (like the Registro Civil, local town hall, or notary) require all foreign documents to be in Spanish and officially certified.
A sworn translator (traductor jurado) is an authorised linguist recognised by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). Their signature and stamp make the translation legally valid in Spain, with no additional certification required. If you are getting married in Spain as a foreigner and need a sworn translation, it is advisable to use authorised translators with experience in translating civil documents into Spanish.
At Translayte, we provide sworntranslation and apostille services, ensuring your CNI and other supporting documents are accepted in Spain. You can request a free quote to receive rates and high-quality translation.
