How to get a Spanish passport for a baby born in Spain

For many expats who give birth in Spain, a common question is whether or not those children are entitled to Spanish citizenship. The authoritative page on Spanish nationality can be found on the Ministry of Foreign affairs, but it is actually the national police force that processes passports at the granular level. This quick guide will provide you with who qualifies for a Spanish passport for a baby born in Spain, how and where to apply for a baby’s first Spanish passport, and when and how to renew an expiring passport.

Who can apply for a Spanish passport?

According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, children can obtain Spanish nationality and thus a Spanish passport if they qualify for one of the following ways via parentage:

• born in Spain to at least one Spanish parent whose citizenship has not lapsed
• born in Spain to non-Spanish parents if at least one was born in Spain (this excludes children of diplomats)
• born in Spain to non-Spanish parents who have a stateless persons status
• adopted before age 18 by a Spanish national

Additionally, nationality by residence for minor children is possible in the following situations:

• A child born in Spain to non-Spanish resident parents are entitled to apply for a passport after one year of age
• A child fostered by a Spanish citizen or institution in national territory for a minimum of two years
• A child born outside of Spain to a Spanish father or mother, (also born outside of Spain), grandfather and grandmother, provided that all four are Spanish citizens by birth

Where to apply for a Spanish passport

Those whose children qualify for a Spanish passport for a baby born in Spain must apply for one by taking a prior appointment at a national police station; major cities will often have several locations in which passports are processed, issued and renewed. In the case of a minor, both parents must be present unless there is a valid reason why one of the parents or guardians cannot be physically present. In this case, the absent parent or guardian should sign a certificate.

Required Documents

To request a child’s first-time passport in Spain, provide original copies of:

• The child’s documento nacional de identidad (DNI), if he or she has one
• Birth certificate, issued no more than six months prior to the appointment and with express consent to be used for obtaining a passport
• Recent color photo that shows the head and shoulders
• A certificado de empadronamiento, issued no more than three months prior to the appointment
• Fee of 30€, paid in cash

Both parents must also present identification (DNI, NIE or passport); the libro de familia, or family book is not a bad document to bring along, just in case.

When arriving to the police station, type the DNI or foreign resident card number with which you requested the appointment. You will be asked to sign a waiver stating your wishes that the child be issued a passport. Hand in the required documents, pay the fee, and the passport will be issued while you are at the window.

Oftentimes, families will request the documento nacional de identidad (DNI) and passport at the same time by requesting two back-to-back appointments, provided that the child can claim Spanish citizenship. The DNI is Spain’s de-facto identity card and required for any Spanish citizen age 14 and older. The DNI has a validity of two years until a child turns 5, after which the validity is five years; children may be issued a passport without a DNI.

How much does a Spanish passport for a baby born in Spain cost?

In 2021, the cost of a passport – whether a first issuance or a renewal – is 30€; a child’s passport must be paid for in cash, and change will not be given.

Applying for a child’s Spanish passport abroad

You can apply for a child’s Spanish passport at any embassy or consulate by certifying your habitual residence with a with a domicilio mediante certificación de la Representación Diplomática o Consular. Contact your consulate for additional information.

Renewing a passport for a child in Spain

Spanish passports for minors are valid for just two years until a child is 5 years of age, after which the validity is for five years. Renewal is simple; simply book an appointment and carry a new photo, the expired passport and the DNI card. If you have changed addresses since the child’s last issuance, you can either bring a certificado de empadronamiento, issued no earlier than 90 days prior to the appointment, or you can agree to provide access to your city’s registry to confirm your address.