Obtaining a Spanish police certificate of no criminal record (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) may seem like a complicated process, particularly for those residing abroad. However, Spanish law allows applicants to request this document from outside Spain, including from Canada. By following the official procedure carefully and preparing all documents correctly, you can successfully obtain the certificate without having to travel to Spain. The information provided below is valid as of May 2025.
Certification of Passport Copy at the Spanish Consulate
The first step involves authenticating your passport copy.
You must:
- visit any notary public in Canada to notarize a copy of the first page of your passport (average cost: CAD 50–60);
- prepare an envelope with the following documents to send to the Consulate General of Spain in Toronto:
- the notarized copy of your passport;
- an additional plain copy of the passport (optional but recommended, as this is the copy the consulate often certifies);
- a money order in the amount of CAD 4.80 payable to the consulate (the exact fee should always be checked on the official consulate website as it may change);
- a prepaid Xpresspost envelope with your return address;
- a cover letter with your contact details (full name, address, telephone number, and email).
Send the package to:
Consulado General de España
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1201
Toronto, ON, M4W 1A8
Canada
Once processed, the consulate will return the certified copy of your passport to you in your prepaid envelope. On average, this stage takes about one to two weeks.
Sending Documents to Spain
After receiving the certified passport copy, you must submit your application to the Spanish Ministry of Justice.
You need to complete the Modelo 790 form (Solicitud de Certificado de Antecedentes Penales). Each applicant in the family must complete their own form. When the form is generated, it will include a unique identification number that must be kept for all subsequent steps.
The government fee as of May 2025 is €3.86, which must be paid via international bank transfer to the Ministry of Justice of Spain. The payment details are as follows:
- Bank: BBVA
- Recipient: Ministerio de Justicia – Cuenta Restringida Recaudación Tasas Extranjero
- NIF: S-2813610-I
- IBAN: ES62 0182 2370 4202 0800 0060
- BIC: BBVAESMMXXX
- Amount: €3.86 (always check the official website for updated fees)
- Payment reference: Pago por tasa 790 #[unique form ID] – [full name of applicant]
The fee can be paid through services such as Wise, Revolut, or via a Canadian bank (noting that Canadian banks typically charge a fee of CAD 20–25).
Prepare an envelope containing:
- the signed and completed Modelo 790 form;
- the certified passport copy received from the consulate;
- proof of fee payment.
Send the package to:
La Sección de Antecedentes Penales
Oficina Central de Atención al Ciudadano
Calle de la Bolsa, 8
28012 Madrid
Spain
For additional inquiries, you may use the contact form provided by the Ministry of Justice: sede.mjusticia.gob.es/es/contacto.
Receiving the Certificate
If the documents have been correctly prepared and submitted, the Ministry of Justice of Spain will issue the certificate and send it by mail to your Canadian address. In some cases, only an electronic version is provided. The expected processing time as of May 2025 is approximately 20 to 30 days from the date the package is received in Spain.
Conclusion
Although the process consists of several steps, obtaining a Spanish police certificate from Canada is entirely feasible. The most important aspects are to strictly follow the procedural requirements, safeguard the unique identifier from the Modelo 790 form, complete the payment on time, and ensure all documents are correct.
This certificate is frequently required for immigration processes, work permits, study permits, or other administrative procedures in Canada where proof of good conduct is essential. Early preparation and careful attention to detail will help avoid delays and ensure successful completion of the process.
