Registering a baby in Spain is a little different from other countries. This post will walk you through the basics of how to register your child in Spain.

What does registration include?

First off, let’s discuss the essential details involved with the registration of a baby in Spain. These include the baby’s full name and gender, the date, time and place of birth, the full names/details of both parents, the registration number assigned to the birth, and the time and date of registration.

How long do I have to register the birth of my child?

According to the General State Administration of Spain, you have 10 days to declare the birth to the Civil Registry Office. However, this time period can change depending on the circumstances. For example, if the notification of birth is not carried out by the health establishment, the period is only 72 hours. This period can also be extended to as long as 30 days when a valid excuse is provided.

Registration with married couples

In Spain it is only necessary for one of the parents to visit the Registro Civil. The location of the Registro Civil relates to the place in which the baby was born. When attending the Registro Civil, there are a couple specific documents required.

If it is not possible for the parents to register the birth, it is permissible for other family members, i.e. grandparents, to register the birth.

These include the “parte médico de alumbramiento” or, the medical delivery report. This document is supplied by the hospital where the baby was born, or other medical staff if the birth took place outside a hospital.

Next, you need the identity documents of both parents and the Libro de Familia, which is issued after the marriage registration in Spain. If the parents were not married in Spain, they need to show a marriage certificate.

Lastly, you need residency documents if you are not Spanish nationals.

Registration with non-married parents

If the parents are separated, the mother can register the birth, eliminating the fathers surname and removing him from all family obligations.

The documents required for this are:
● parte médico de alumbramiento
● Identity documents of both parents
● Identification of the mother’s marital status
● Divorce documentation

Names

The only restriction is that names should not be potentially harmful, confusing or induce false assumptions about the gender of the baby. If Spanish nationality is acquired, then the child will be assigned two surnames as required by Spanish law. If they are not Spanish nationals, then they must abide by the rules of their host country.