Can I Claim Spanish Nationality?

Post by **Art** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:54 pm

This may be evidence of different standards in different consulates.

I still have to get a couple of documents, but maybe I should call anyway.

Thanks to you both, Manuel and Charolette!

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Esto puede ser evidencia de diferentes normas en distintos consulados.

Todavía tengo que conseguir unos documentos, pero tal vez debería llamar de todas formas.

¡Gracias a los dos, Manuel y Charolette!

Post by **Art** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:01 pm

I got hold of the consular office in Washington DC. They're only open to the public until 1 pm Monday-Thursday. The man I spoke with told me that I can just show up on a Thursday from 9-11 am. The documents needed and which will need the apostille seem to depend on the specific situation, the most important being those of the Spanish grandfather. But that's for DC.

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Me puse en contacto con la oficina consular en Washington DC. Sólo están abiertos al público hasta la 1 pm de lunes a jueves. El hombre con que hablé me dijo que puedo visitar sin cita previa cualquier jueves de 9-11 am. Los documentos necesarios y que los tendrán que tener la apostilla parecen depender de la situación específica, los más importantes son los del abuelo español. Pero todo eso es para Washington.

Charolette · Post by **Charolette** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:11 pm

Did they say if the US documents would have to be translated? I'm waiting for my Grandfathers US natuarization paper to come back with the apostille. After that I'm done except for translations.

Manuel A Gonzalez · Post by **Manuel A Gonzalez** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:52 pm

No

I did not have to translate they were all in Spanish

Post by **Art** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 3:34 pm

It think the basic requirements are the same, but that local consulates requirements differ for apostille and translation. Washington didn't mention translations and the man I spoke with was better at English than I am at Spanish, so he wouldn't need translations.

Charolette · Post by **Charolette** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:55 pm

Hi Art
Did you send your Grandfathers natuarlization papers to the US Dept. of State for an apostille?

Post by **Art** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 2:27 am

No, he told me it was better to just come in and show them what I have already. Actually, I'm still collecting the US birth certificates and marriage certificate, so it'll be a little while before I can go in.

Manuel A Gonzalez · Post by **Manuel A Gonzalez** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:51 am

Make your appointment NOW.....We just made one for my niece and we will have to wait until October...

Post by **Art** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:53 pm

In DC, they don't even set up appointments. There must not be many applicants here.

Charolette · Post by **Charolette** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 7:28 pm

If you need to get an Apostille on your Grandfathers natuarlization papers don't wait too long. I sent mine on April 1st and at that time the Department of State website said it would take 5 to 8 business days after they received the documents. One week later, when I checked the website it said 10 days and now it says 20 days. It has been three weeks since I mailed mine and they still have not deposited my check.

Post by **Art** » Fri May 14, 2010 1:25 am

Charolette, where did you get your grandfather's naturalization papers? What do they look like?

I visited the consulate in DC today. The official indicated that I was eligible, but that I need all of these documents:

my birth certificate with apostile
both of my parents' birth certificates, without apostile
my grandfather's birth certificates, which has apostile but I don't know if it was needed
my parents' marriage certificate
my grandfather's naturalization papers, not a copy but an original (whatever that is)
an application
my driver's license
my passport

I will also need to bring two photo copies of each document for the consulate to keep.

There was no mention of translations.

If the names on documents don't match, I think you need more evidence that the documents are for the same person.

Charolette · Post by **Charolette** » Fri May 14, 2010 9:50 am

Art
I got my Grandfather naturalization papers from the Mid Atlantic Region of the National Archives, located in Phildelphia. I got the first ones in 2007 and they were just stamped "COPY". For the certified copy I just called and ordered it over the phone and I had it within a week. They are certified and then I sent it to the US Dept. of State to get the Apostille.
The Apostille took a little over a month.
I am waiting for the Apostille on my Fathers birth certificate and then I think I have everything. I talked to the Consulate in San Francisco and if I understood correctly, I don't need to have translations if I have the Apostille.
I have Apostille's on all of my US documents.
They also said that I needed photocopies of my parents passports.

This is what I have:
A certified Spanish birth certificate for both my Grandfather and Grandmother.

A certified Spanish marriage certificate for my Grandparents.

A certified, with apostille, U.S. birth certificates for both of my parents and myself.

A certified, with apostille U.S. marriage certificate for my parents.

A certified, with apostille U.S. marriage certificate for myself.

A certified, with apostille copy of my Grandfathers U.S. Naturalization papers.

A photo copy of my passport.

A photo copy of my parents passports.

The two forms I fill out to register my birth and to apply under Anexo 1.

They also said that I needed "proof of your residence in the area of this Consulate ( income tax..)"
I have not filled out the two forms yet because I'm not sure what they are asking for in a couple of places.

Post by **Art** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:00 am

Okay, thanks, again. I'll call Phily today.

Terechu · Post by **Terechu** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:00 am

For what it may be worth: the Spanish Consulates I have dealt with in the past have sworn translators working for them. They will translate all official documents for you, but they are also more expensive - though guaranteed to be correct and free of hassle. I suggest you ask the Consulate in your area about their translators.

Charolette · Post by **Charolette** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:14 am

When I asked for a list of translators they were all in Spain. When I called the Consulate they said if I had Apostille's I would not need to have my documents translated.
I am trying to have everything complete because I have a 600 mile (each way) trip to the Consulate.