New Procedures for Police Clearances in Spain
UNCLASSIFIED TELEGRAM
March 12, 2001
To: ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS - ROUTINE
Origin: VO
From: SECSTATE WASHDC (STATE 43987 - ROUTINE)
TAGS: CVIS
Captions: None
Subject: APPENDIX C UPDATE: CHANGE IN PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING POLICE CERTIFICATES FROM SPAIN
Ref: NORONHA/DARNELL E-MAILS
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1. Embassy Madrid reports that the Spanish Ministry of Justice has instituted a requirement for additional documentation for Spanish citizens outside Spain who need police certificates to apply for immigrant visas. Effective immediately, the Appendix C "Documents and Records" entry for Spain should indicate the following information for obtaining police certificates:
Begin text:
POLICE CERTIFICATE
Available. The Spanish police certificate is known in Spain as "Certificado de Antecedentes Penales."
Persons Residing in Spain: "Certificado de Antecedentes Penales" can be obtained by applying in person at the
Ministerio de Justicia, Calle San Bernardo, 45-47, 28015- Madrid. If residing outside of Madrid, applicant can buy the application form at any tobacco shop "Estanco" and mail the application to the above address.
Spanish Citizens and Non-Spanish Former Residents Applying Outside Spain:
Police records will not be provided by Spanish police to individuals requesting them, but may be requested by bona fide applicants for immigrant visas through the United States consular office where the visa application is made. U.S. posts with immigrant visa applicants who have lived in Spain should send a Visas Alpha to Embassy Madrid that includes:
1) Name of applicant;
2) Date and place of birth;
3) Applicant's sex;
4) Both parents' names;
5) When applicant lived in Spain;
6) Applicant's Spanish identity "DNI" number;
7) If applicant is not Spanish, his/her nationality and passport number.
Additional Requirements for Spanish Citizens Applying Outside Spain:
Spanish citizens applying outside Spain must also present either a copy of the citizen's Spanish passport issued overseas at a Spanish consulate, or proof that the citizen is a resident of the country and has registered with it's national authorities. If the Spanish citizen has neither of these documents, s/he should go to the Spanish consulate where s/he resides and request the consul notarize a document granting the U.S. Embassy in Madrid permission to request the applicant's Spanish police certificate. S/he must include a copy of his/her national identification card, "D.N.I.", also notarized by the Spanish consul.
Posts should fax the copy of the passport, proof of registered residence, or notarized authorization letter with the notarized national ID to the Immigrant Visa Unit at Embassy Madrid, fax number 34 91 587-2266.
Embassy Madrid will respond to requests via Visas Elektra, and, if necessary, forward the Certificado de Penales should posts wish to include it in the final immigrant visa packet.
End text.
2. Keep a copy of this cable for reference until you have verified that Appendix C reciprocity tables on the Intranet have been updated. It may take up to one week for the change to appear on the Intranet. Posts are reminded that the reciprocity schedules shown in appendix c on the Intranet (http://caweb/reciprocityweb/index.htm) reflect the most up-to-date departmental guidance.
POWELL