Not all documents require legalisation or an apostille, which makes them easier to use abroad. This is due to international agreements, conventions and European Union regulations, which set out the circumstances in which documents can be used without further formalities.

1. Multilingual documents in accordance with the Vienna Convention (1976)

The Vienna Convention applies to civil registry documents, such as:

• birth certificate,
• marriage certificates,
• death certificates.

These documents, issued in a multilingual format (with translations into several languages), are automatically recognised in countries that are party to this convention, for example, most European Union Member States. This means that it is not necessary to legalise them, provide them with an apostille or translate them.

2. Regulation (EU) 2016/1191

Within the European Union, the rules on the recognition of public documents have been simplified. Documents issued in a Member State, such as:

• civil registry records,
• residence registration documents,
• criminal record certificates,

may be used in other EU Member States without the need for legalisation or an apostille. If the document is written in the official language of another Member State, a multilingual supplementary form may be attached to facilitate understanding of the content.

Documents issued in these countries, as well as Polish documents used there, are automatically recognised without the need for authentication.

4. Examples of documents that do not require legalisation

• Civil status documents issued in a multilingual format.
• Official documents used within the EU.
• Documents governed by international conventions (e.g. academic qualifications in some cases).

Why do some documents require simplifications?

The aim of these regulations is to make it easier for citizens to deal with international matters, such as looking for work, studying or procedures related to marriage. However, in practice, it is advisable to check beforehand with the consulate or the relevant country’s office to ensure that the specific document does not actually require additional procedures.

Thanks to these solutions, many procedures involving international documents become quicker, cheaper and more accessible.

What does the original multilingual marriage certificate look like that does not require legalisation, an apostille or translation, and which can be used for various official procedures in Spain?