Registering a child born in the United States as Spanish

A child born in the United States to a Spanish parent is already Spanish by origin under article 17 of the Civil Code. What the consulate does is not grant nationality: it registers the birth in the Spanish Civil Registry so it takes effect.

It is free, takes ten to twelve weeks and is the step before a first passport.

Who can request it

The parents, the closest relative or, failing that, any adult who witnessed the birth. To register at this office, the Spanish parent must be registered as a resident on its consular register.

The paperwork, with two traps

For the baby: the long-form or live birth certificate issued by the Department of Health —not the hospital's, which is the first trap— and a copy of the US passport if there is one.

And the second: the certificate of delivery, the report signed by the doctor who attended the birth, stating the type of delivery and the names of mother and newborn. Failing that, the Delivery or Discharge Report works. A certificate from the hospital is not accepted, even with the doctor's name on it.

For the parents: full birth certificates for both —the Spanish one less than a year old—, copies of passports, copies of residence permit or visa and, if married, the family book or marriage certificate.

Surname order is decided once

With your first child you choose the order of the surnames, and that choice applies to any born later. It goes on the relevant form and deserves thought, because changing it afterwards is a separate procedure.

How to send it

First as a scan, everything in a single PDF, in the order given, to the consulate's email. If it is in order, they tell you to send it by certified mail or private courier, with no need to attend in person.

To get your originals back, enclose a prepaid USPS envelope —express, certified or registered, with tracking—. UPS, DHL and FedEx are not accepted. Without an envelope, originals are collected in person.

If the parents are not married, the consulate may ask both to attend.

Details verified on 8 September 2026.

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We publish what the official sources say and point out where they disagree. Before traveling, check the detail with the office.