{"id":56847,"date":"2026-06-05T20:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/?p=56847"},"modified":"2026-05-29T16:33:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T14:33:24","slug":"how-to-get-a-negative-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/immigration\/how-to-get-a-negative-certificate","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Negative Certificate in Spain: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Spanish bureaucracy, a &#8220;negative certificate&#8221; is a document that officially confirms something <em>does not<\/em> exist. Whether you are proving you don&#8217;t have a criminal record, that you aren&#8217;t on a specific registry, or that a company name hasn&#8217;t been taken yet, you will likely need a <strong>negative certificate<\/strong> (certificado negativo) at some point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are an expat applying for a residency permit, starting a business, or working with children, these documents are non-negotiable. Here is how to navigate the most common types in 2026 without the usual headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Most Common Types of Negative Certificates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on your goal\u2014be it immigration, employment, or entrepreneurship\u2014you will encounter different versions of this document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Negative Criminal Record Certificate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Certificado Negativo de Antecedentes Penales<\/strong> (Negative <a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/immigration\/criminal-records-in-spain\"><strong>Criminal Record<\/strong><\/a> Certificate) is the most requested document for foreigners. It proves you have no criminal history in Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When you need it:<\/strong> Renewing residency, applying for Spanish citizenship, or certain job applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Where to get it:<\/strong> The <strong>Ministerio de Justicia<\/strong> (Ministry of Justice).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2026 Update:<\/strong> If you have been in Spain for less than five years, you must also provide a legalized and translated criminal record from your home country. For the Spanish version, the government now issues these instantly if you use a <a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/digital-certificate-spain\"><strong>Digital Certificate<\/strong>.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Negative Certificate of Sexual Offenses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Known as the <strong>Certificado Negativo de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual<\/strong>, this is a specific registry separate from general criminal records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When you need it:<\/strong> Mandatory for any job or volunteer position involving contact with minors (teachers, coaches, health workers).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Detail:<\/strong> A general criminal record check is <strong>not<\/strong> enough for working with children in Spain; you must have this specific certificate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Negative Name Certificate (Business)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are starting a company, you need a <strong>Certificaci\u00f3n Negativa de Denominaci\u00f3n Social<\/strong> (Negative Certificate of Company Name). This proves that the name you want for your new &#8220;S.L.&#8221; (<a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/downloadables\/company-bylaws\/limited-company-llc-bylaws\"><strong>Limited Company<\/strong><\/a>) isn&#8217;t already registered by someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where to get it:<\/strong> The <strong>Registro Mercantil Central<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rmc.es\/infgeneral.aspx?lang=en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Central Mercantile Registry<\/strong><\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Validity:<\/strong> Once issued, the name is reserved for you for six months, but the certificate itself is only valid for three months for the purpose of signing your deeds before a Notary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summary of Requirements and Costs (2026<\/strong>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"236\" src=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Certificate-Type-negative-certificate.webp\" alt=\"Certificate Type - negative certificate\" class=\"wp-image-56820\" style=\"width:569px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Certificate-Type-negative-certificate.webp 768w, https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Certificate-Type-negative-certificate-300x92.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step-by-Step: How to Apply<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get a <strong>negative certificate<\/strong> in 2026, the digital route is always the fastest. If you don&#8217;t have a digital identity yet, doing this in person will require a <strong>Cita Previa<\/strong> (prior appointment), which can take weeks to secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 1: Digital Identification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The easiest way to apply is using a <strong>Digital Certificate<\/strong> or <strong>Cl@ve<\/strong>. These tools allow you to sign into government portals and download your &#8220;negative&#8221; status immediately in PDF format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 2: Pay the Fee (Tasa)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the criminal record, you must pay<a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/immigration\/spain-form-790-payment-process\"><strong> Tasa 790 (Code 006)<\/strong><\/a>. You can do this through your online banking app or at an ATM by scanning the barcode on the form. Keep the receipt! The sexual offense certificate is currently free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 3: Submission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Online:<\/strong> Upload your ID and proof of payment to the Ministry of Justice e-office.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In Person:<\/strong> Take your <a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/immigration\/get-the-nie-step-by-step\"><strong>NIE (<\/strong><strong><em>N\u00famero de Identidad de Extranjero<\/em><\/strong><strong> or Foreigner&#8217;s ID Number)<\/strong><\/a>, your passport, and the paid Tasa 790 to the <strong>Gerencia Territorial de Justicia<\/strong> in your city.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Important Considerations for Expats<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are using a Spanish <strong>negative certificate<\/strong> for a procedure outside of Spain, it usually needs to be &#8220;Apostilled.&#8221; The<a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/immigration\/document-legalization-apostille\"> <strong>Apostille of the Hague<\/strong><\/a> is a stamp that makes a Spanish document legally valid in other countries. You can often request the Apostille at the same time you apply for the certificate online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, if you are an expat from a non-EU country applying for your first residency, <strong>Hacienda<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/en_gb\/inicio.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the Tax Agency<\/strong><\/a>) and the immigration office will likely ask for your home country\u2019s records. In 2026, many of these must be accompanied by a <strong>Traducci\u00f3n Jurada<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/sworn-translation\"><strong>(Sworn Translation)<\/strong><\/a> to be accepted by Spanish authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does the negative criminal record certificate expire?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. In Spain, these certificates are usually considered valid for only 3 months (90 days) from the date of issue. If you are mid-application and your document expires, you will have to request and pay for a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I get a certificate for another person?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only if you have a <strong>Poder Notarial<\/strong> (Power of Attorney) or an &#8220;Apud Acta&#8221; authorization. Spanish data protection laws are very strict regarding criminal and sexual offense registries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if my name certificate for a company is &#8220;Positive&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A &#8220;Positive&#8221; result means the name is already taken or too similar to an existing one. You will need to submit a new request with three to five alternative names in order of preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you are clearing your name for a new job or securing a brand for your startup, obtaining a <strong>negative certificate<\/strong> is a fundamental part of life in Spain. By using digital tools, you can bypass the &#8220;vuelva usted ma\u00f1ana&#8221; (come back tomorrow) culture and get your paperwork sorted in minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need personalized assistance, at <a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/\"><strong>Entre Tr\u00e1mites<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>we offer management and tax advisory services for freelancers and SMEs. You can contact us through this <a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/contact\"><strong>contact form<\/strong><\/a> for us to call you, or if you prefer, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/consultancy\/free-tax-consultation\"><strong>schedule a free consultation<\/strong><\/a> or write to us on<a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send\/?phone=34644034481&amp;text=Hola%21+Quisiera+saber+m%C3%A1s+sobre+sus+servicios&amp;type=phone_number&amp;app_absent=0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>WhatsApp<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Need a negative certificate in Spain? Learn how to get your criminal record, sexual offense, or company name certificates easily.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":56800,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[340,400,98],"class_list":["post-56847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-immigration","tag-digital-certificate","tag-mercantile-registry","tag-nie"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56847"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56848,"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56847\/revisions\/56848"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entretramites.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}