Swear the oath and register as Spanish
After the grant of nationality, do the oath or promise before the Registro Civil or a notary, within 180 days, and have the nationality registered.
For: Anyone who has been granted Spanish nationality by residence and has been notified of the grant.
Last checked
- Time
- The grant lapses 180 days after it is notified to you if you have not appeared before the competent official for the oath. Instruccion DGSJFP sobre declaraciones ante notario (Mjusticia)
What you need
Steps
Check your file status in the electronic office and note the date the grant was notified to you.
The 180 days run from the notification, not from when you open it.
Choose where to swear: the Registro Civil or a notary. Either route is valid.
Contact the office you chose and arrange the date within the 180 days. Take your documents with you.
Appointment systems differ by Registro Civil and by notary.
At the act, swear or promise loyalty to the King, the Constitution and the laws, and say which regional civil status (vecindad civil) you choose.
Instruccion DGSJFP sobre declaraciones ante notario (Mjusticia)
State at the same act that you renounce your previous nationality, unless you are exempt.
Exempt: nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and Sephardic Jews originally from Spain.
Instruccion DGSJFP sobre declaraciones ante notario (Mjusticia)
Let the registry register your nationality. At the Registro Civil it does so; with a notary, the notary sends the deed to the Registro Civil for registration.
Done when: The oath is done and the Registro Civil has registered your Spanish nationality.
Common mistakes
- Missing the 180 days. The grant lapses, although a notary request for the oath suspends the deadline while it is being resolved. Instruccion DGSJFP sobre declaraciones ante notario (Mjusticia)
What varies
How to book at a Registro Civil or a notary depends on the office. The step to the DNI after registration is not described on an official page read for this recipe, so it is left out.
This page is general information, not legal advice.