Family Reunification before a Notary
Family reunification is the legal procedure through which a foreign person with a valid residence permit in Spain can obtain authorisation for their family members from another country to travel to ours in order to work and reside. In many cases, this process requires family reunification before a Notary, a procedure that allows the verification of family ties and the formalisation of the application before the competent authorities.
How does Family Reunification work in Spain?
The Royal Decree 1155/2025, of 19 November, approves the Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000 on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration and addresses family reunification in Title IV, Chapter II.
The procedure for Family Reunification Foreigners (or General Regime)
There are 4 types of family reunification in Spain and the procedure for each of them varies according to their regime.
In the general regime, family reunification would occur between non-EU foreigners (foreign family members residing outside the European Union). To apply for this procedure, you must go to the Foreigners' Office of your province or to the Government Delegation (or Sub-delegation) of your autonomous community. There, the file can be processed and if the application is approved, the visa will be requested at the Spanish Consulate in the family member's country of origin. Once they travel to Spain, the family member must obtain the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
For community family reunification (family members of people residing in the EU), there are other procedures such as the community family member, since the EU allows free movement of people. Likewise, family reunifications for humanitarian reasons and for refugees or asylum seekers can occur through other processes.
Which family members can I reunite in Spain?
- Spouse or civil partner. Cohabitation or the existing relationship may be proven through residence, jointly arranged life insurance, shared assets and children.
- Own children under 18 years old, those of the partner or common children. Also disabled adult descendants and those under their guardianship.
- Parents and grandparents of the reunifier and the spouse provided there is long-term residence (more than 5 years). Also the parents and grandparents of the spouse provided they can be supported, are over 65 years old and there are conditions that justify this act. While one of the parents or grandparents meets this condition, their partner may also be reunited. Furthermore, family reunification in Spain of parents and grandparents younger than this age may proceed, provided it is demonstrated that they lived with the reunifier in their country, are under the guardianship of the reunifier or their spouse, and are incapable or unable to care for themselves.
The Family Reunification Deed at the Notary's Office
Although the bodies we have mentioned above are responsible for issuing residence permits and approving family reunification in Spain, there are Notaries in Family Reunification specialised in certain interventions to facilitate it. This is because, on many occasions, these bodies require the family reunification certificate, a subvariant of the certificate of statements, issued at the Notary, to support this application.
What is the family reunification deed at a Notary Public for?
In the Notaries for family reunification certificates this document is processed with the purpose of:
Express the intention to regroup a family member before a Notary
The sponsor expresses their intention to reunite a specific family member, such as their spouse, children, or parents. Through this declaration, it is ensured that their intention is serious and committed.
Prove the family relationship before a Notary
When original documents such as birth or marriage certificates are not easy to obtain or there are doubts about their authenticity, it is possible to certify the family relationship before a Notary between the applicant and the relative they wish to reunite with. The family reunification certificate may be accompanied by additional evidence (such as photographs, testimonies, or sworn statements from other relatives) that support the family relationship.
Declare economic dependence on a family member in the Community Property Regime
For the regrouping of family members such as parents or children over 21 years old, one of the most important requirements is to demonstrate that the regrouping person has the capacity to financially support their relative. The certificate officially states that the family member to be regrouped is financially dependent, has no other means of subsistence, and that the regrouping person provides them with financial support. For this reason, in cases of family regrouping due to financial dependence of a relative, evidence of income (such as payslips or bank transfers) may be included. Thus, they take responsibility for the maintenance of their relative, accommodation, and other necessary expenses during their stay.
Authorise the transfer of minors
If a minor travels to Spain to join the reunifier and one of the parents does not travel with them, it is necessary to have the explicit consent of that absent parent. The notarised authorisation certificate allows the parent who is not travelling with the child to authorise in writing that their child travels to Spain, either alone or with a third party (for example, with a grandparent or a guardian). The Notary certifies that the consent is given freely and voluntarily, thus ensuring that there are no contradictions or legal issues regarding the minor's transfer.
Processing a Family Reunification Certificate at a Notary's Office
Documentation for the Family Reunification Act
The documents required for this notarial deed are:
- DNI, NIE or passport of the family member requesting the reunification
- Identification of those family members they wish to reunite
If desired, more documents can be submitted
- Evidence of family ties such as birth or marriage certificates
- Employment contract and proof of income
- Guarantee the availability of suitable housing
Once you receive the notarial deed, you must present yourself at the consulate. The family member must bring it when entering Spain.
Make a Power of Attorney to Delegate the management of the procedure
On occasions, the regrouping person cannot personally attend the authorities to manage the regrouping application and therefore can grant a power of attorney to a trusted person so that they carry out the procedures on their behalf (submission of documentation, application presentation or receipt of notifications).
This power of attorney must be registered and certified by the Notary, and is a document that ensures that the authorities will recognise the attorney as a person authorised to act on behalf of the regrouping person.
Manage an Online Family Reunification
However, processing the online family reunification certificate is now possible through an online notary, allowing you to manage the necessary documentation without the need to travel. Request the notarial certificate, submit the required documents, and receive personalised advice at every step of the process.
What happens after the grant?
After authorisation, the foreign national must apply for the visa at the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in the country where they reside. The visa issuance takes approximately 2 months.
It will then be stamped in the passport and will be valid for three months, the period during which entry into Spain must be made.
Questions related to the family reunification certificate
The Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) must be requested at the Foreigners Office or Police Station.
The validity is one year. Occasionally, the residence time that the regrouping person has will count.
Family reunification can be renewed. For this, the family reunifier must request the renewal and the family member must submit it.
In this situation, the reunited family member may apply for a residence permit for salaried work, having a work contract.
Make a Family Reunification Certificate in Barcelona with JLA
At JLA Notarios, we understand that legal and administrative procedures, such as family reunification, can be complex and require professional support. Our notarial deeds service in Barcelona offers a fast, secure, and legally valid solution to formalise family reunification in Spain.
Our team of Notaries in Barcelona will guide you through this process, ensuring that all documents are submitted correctly and in accordance with current legislation. This deed is essential to complete your application before the Spanish authorities and guarantee that your family can reunite in Spain with all legal assurances.
We offer you a personalised service and efficient management, especially if you choose the online option through our online notary service. Contact us today for more information or to arrange an appointment. We are here to assist you at every step of the process.
By your side in the moments that matter
Wills and inheritance
Making a will, making a declaration of heirs or awarding inheritance are very important moments in people’s lives.
At JLA Notarios we offer inheritance law services, both to arrange your estate and to divide up inheritance, guaranteeing the best advice for your particular needs while studying the tax implications of each case. We never forget the human factor. We even offer a notary service at home if necessary.
Contracts and property law
Over the course of our lives, we carry out important actions, such as buying a home, declaring a new-build, lifetime gifting to our children or ending partnerships, among many others.
At JLA Notarios we are experts in property and contract law and buying and selling property. We guide our clients, analysing each particular issue and always considering the tax burden of each transaction.
In addition, some of our notarial services can be performed online, so we can assist you from anywhere in Spain. Contact us to declare a new-build or a commonhold ownership structure online.
Mortgage
Taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest moments for anyone. Just think of the fees and interest you may have to pay for much of your life. So it is essential to have a trusted notary to help you understand what you are signing, explaining the tricky legal terms and their future consequences in simple words, to provide transparency and protect our clients.
At JLA Notarios we are aware of the importance of giving complete and understandable information to people about to sign a mortgage, novation or subrogation. We also advise and guide you on your future mortgage cancellation.
Loan agreements and credit facilities
Individuals and companies often need money to fulfil their dreams or projects. This can be obtained by taking out a loan or credit facility with your bank. When you sign, it is essential to understand the details properly to avoid future surprises.
JLA Notarios can be your trusted notary office, giving you accurate advice on loan contracts, providing a very agile and specialised service for processing loan contracts.
Bear in mind that from 9 November 2023, you will be able to sign your loan contracts from anywhere in Spain electronically by videoconference with JLA Notarios, saving you time and money. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about the notary office’s services in order to sign a loan contract online or sign a credit facility online.
Companies
Without entrepreneurship there is no future, so it is of vital importance to support our businesspeople and entrepreneurs.
At JLA Notaries we are familiar with companies’ life cycle, which enables us to provide legal assistance for companies in their different stages, whether incorporation, modifications of their articles of association, changes of director, share sales and purchases, capital increases and reductions, dissolution and closure, and everything related to commercial matters.
Powers of attorney
There are moments in life when a person needs to delegate. The law provides a tool for this: powers of attorney. Though a power of attorney, one person allows another person to act on their behalf.
At JLA Notarios we make sure that you understand the significance and risks of delegating or revoking powers of attorney, from a special power of attorney or power of attorney for lawsuits, to general powers of attorney or preventive powers of attorney for cases of incapacity.
We provide an agile service to sign powers of attorney. You can take your copy away immediately, saving you unnecessary trips, and from 9 November 2023 our clients will be able to sign all powers of attorney that are not general or preventive by videoconference through our digital notary office.
Family affairs
A prosperous society is based on the family and its protection. Family Law provides you with the tools to protect your family and its members, so its foundations are solid and its purposes can be achieved.
At JLA Notarios we provide legal advice on marriage or civil partnerships; property aspects of the family through marriage contracts or civil partnership contracts; the moments when the family relationship is ended, in cases such as divorce or separation; and protection of vulnerable people, such as minors or people with modified capacity, through deeds of appointment of guardians or executors or creation of protected assets. We do all of this in a way that makes everyone involved feel equally supported and secure.
Certifications and authentications
It is common knowledge that notaries attest. That important and simple action can guarantee things of vital importance, such as ensuring that the signature on a document is authentic or certifying that a copy of a document matches the original.
At JLA Notarios we will help you to certify a document or notarise a signature in accordance with the law and tailored to your specific needs.
In addition, these notarial procedures can be carried out conveniently through electronic means from 9 November 2023.
Minutes
How many times have you wanted to leave a record of an event, of a statement, of the condition in which an object is found, or notify someone of any matter. To provide a solution to these issues, the Law provides us with notarial records.
At JLA Notarios we adapt to you, reflecting in the record what you require and carrying out the notifications and requests that you demand.
Oath of Nationality
Behind every nationality oath there is a story of overcoming, sacrifice and waiting.
At JLA Notarios we understand what this moment means and offer an empathetic, agile and quick service, advising beyond the oath itself, anticipating the future requirements that the new Spanish citizen will need.
We are your reference Notary to carry out the nationality oath before a Notary in Barcelona.
Apostille of the hague convention
Globalisation enables the free movement of people and documents of all kinds. How can you guarantee that a document has been officially issued? With an apostille of the Hague Convention.
JLA Notarios can obtain an apostille for all documents executed before us so they are valid and recognised abroad. We do this transparently and save you all the bureaucratic procedures involved.
Tax and registry procedures
Tax bureaucracy can cause a lot of headaches.
So JLA Notarios offers its clients the possibility of assessing and paying the many different taxes by the executing deeds and carrying out other procedures before the notary. We can also file them with the Land or Companies Registry so you do not have to concern yourself with it and can spend your time on the things that matter. We support you from start to finish.
Wills and inheritance
Making a will, making a declaration of heirs or awarding inheritance are very important moments in people’s lives.
At JLA Notarios we offer inheritance law services, both to arrange your estate and to divide up inheritance, guaranteeing the best advice for your particular needs while studying the tax implications of each case. We never forget the human factor. We even offer a notary service at home if necessary.
Contracts and property law
Over the course of our lives, we carry out important actions, such as buying a home, declaring a new-build, lifetime gifting to our children or ending partnerships, among many others.
At JLA Notarios we are experts in property and contract law and buying and selling property. We guide our clients, analysing each particular issue and always considering the tax burden of each transaction.
In addition, some of our notarial services can be performed online, so we can assist you from anywhere in Spain. Contact us to declare a new-build or a commonhold ownership structure online.
Mortgage
Taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest moments for anyone. Just think of the fees and interest you may have to pay for much of your life. So it is essential to have a trusted notary to help you understand what you are signing, explaining the tricky legal terms and their future consequences in simple words, to provide transparency and protect our clients.
At JLA Notarios we are aware of the importance of giving complete and understandable information to people about to sign a mortgage, novation or subrogation. We also advise and guide you on your future mortgage cancellation.
Loan agreements and credit facilities
Individuals and companies often need money to fulfil their dreams or projects. This can be obtained by taking out a loan or credit facility with your bank. When you sign, it is essential to understand the details properly to avoid future surprises.
JLA Notarios can be your trusted notary office, giving you accurate advice on loan contracts, providing a very agile and specialised service for processing loan contracts.
Bear in mind that from 9 November 2023, you will be able to sign your loan contracts from anywhere in Spain electronically by videoconference with JLA Notarios, saving you time and money. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about the notary office’s services in order to sign a loan contract online or sign a credit facility online.
Companies
Without entrepreneurship there is no future, so it is of vital importance to support our businesspeople and entrepreneurs.
At JLA Notaries we are familiar with companies’ life cycle, which enables us to provide legal assistance for companies in their different stages, whether incorporation, modifications of their articles of association, changes of director, share sales and purchases, capital increases and reductions, dissolution and closure, and everything related to commercial matters.
Powers of attorney
There are moments in life when a person needs to delegate. The law provides a tool for this: powers of attorney. Though a power of attorney, one person allows another person to act on their behalf.
At JLA Notarios we make sure that you understand the significance and risks of delegating or revoking powers of attorney, from a special power of attorney or power of attorney for lawsuits, to general powers of attorney or preventive powers of attorney for cases of incapacity.
We provide an agile service to sign powers of attorney. You can take your copy away immediately, saving you unnecessary trips, and from 9 November 2023 our clients will be able to sign all powers of attorney that are not general or preventive by videoconference through our digital notary office.
Family affairs
A prosperous society is based on the family and its protection. Family Law provides you with the tools to protect your family and its members, so its foundations are solid and its purposes can be achieved.
At JLA Notarios we provide legal advice on marriage or civil partnerships; property aspects of the family through marriage contracts or civil partnership contracts; the moments when the family relationship is ended, in cases such as divorce or separation; and protection of vulnerable people, such as minors or people with modified capacity, through deeds of appointment of guardians or executors or creation of protected assets. We do all of this in a way that makes everyone involved feel equally supported and secure.
Certifications and authentications
It is common knowledge that notaries attest. That important and simple action can guarantee things of vital importance, such as ensuring that the signature on a document is authentic or certifying that a copy of a document matches the original.
At JLA Notarios we will help you to certify a document or notarise a signature in accordance with the law and tailored to your specific needs.
In addition, these notarial procedures can be carried out conveniently through electronic means from 9 November 2023.
Minutes
How many times have you wanted to leave a record of an event, of a statement, of the condition in which an object is found, or notify someone of any matter. To provide a solution to these issues, the Law provides us with notarial records.
At JLA Notarios we adapt to you, reflecting in the record what you require and carrying out the notifications and requests that you demand.
Oath of Nationality
Behind every nationality oath there is a story of overcoming, sacrifice and waiting.
At JLA Notarios we understand what this moment means and offer an empathetic, agile and quick service, advising beyond the oath itself, anticipating the future requirements that the new Spanish citizen will need.
We are your reference Notary to carry out the nationality oath before a Notary in Barcelona.
Apostille of the hague convention
Globalisation enables the free movement of people and documents of all kinds. How can you guarantee that a document has been officially issued? With an apostille of the Hague Convention.
JLA Notarios can obtain an apostille for all documents executed before us so they are valid and recognised abroad. We do this transparently and save you all the bureaucratic procedures involved.
Tax and registry procedures
Tax bureaucracy can cause a lot of headaches.
So JLA Notarios offers its clients the possibility of assessing and paying the many different taxes by the executing deeds and carrying out other procedures before the notary. We can also file them with the Land or Companies Registry so you do not have to concern yourself with it and can spend your time on the things that matter. We support you from start to finish.
