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Translating visa documents for Spain and Latin America

For a visa or residence permit in a Spanish-speaking country, Moroccan documents written in Arabic must be submitted with an official Spanish translation. Each country and each consulate has its own rules.

Spain

The Spanish consulates in Morocco require every document written in a language other than Spanish to be accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation, made by an authorised sworn translator. Each consulate publishes an updated list of sworn translators on its website.

In addition, the Moroccan public documents in the file, such as birth or marriage certificates and the criminal record certificate, must bear the Hague apostille.

Common applications for Spain

• Family reunification visa
• Student visa
• Work visa, employed or seasonal
• Non-lucrative residence visa
• Registration of marriages and births at the consular Civil Registry

Latin America

Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru and the other Latin American countries also require an official Spanish translation. However, some only accept translations made or reviewed by an official translator of that country, such as a traductor público matriculado in Argentina or a perito traductor in Mexico. Before ordering the translation, ask the country's embassy or consulate which translations they accept.

Documents usually translated

• Birth certificate and family record book
• Marriage or divorce certificate
• Criminal record certificate
• Employment and salary certificates, bank statements
• Diplomas and transcripts
• Property and business documents

Tip: check that names are spelled exactly as in your passport, and send all documents at once so the spelling is identical across all translations.

What about the apostille?

For Spain, the Moroccan public documents in the file must be apostilled. For Latin America it depends on the country and the procedure, although most of these countries are parties to the Hague Convention. More information in the apostille guide.