Embassy of the United States Spain

The following documents are usually needed when applying for an immigrant visa:

• Passport. Your passport must be valid to travel to the United States and must have at least eight months of validity beyond the issuance date of the visa. Children may be included in a parent’s passport, but, if over the age of 16, they must have their photographs attached to the passport.  
• Birth Certificate. An original or certified copy, of the birth certificate of each family member (yourself, your spouse, and all unmarried children under the age of 21). The certificate must state the date and place of birth and the names of both parents.
  
  • Unobtainable Birth Certificate. In rare cases, it may be impossible to obtain a birth certificate because records have been destroyed or the government will not issue one. In such cases, you should obtain a statement to that effect from the civil registrar’s office and obtain a secondary evidence of birth. For example:
    
    • A baptismal certificate that contains the data and place of birth and both parents’ names providing the baptism took place shortly after birth
    • An adoption decree for an adopted child
    • An affidavit from a close relative, preferably the applicant’s mother, stating the date and place of birth, both parents’ names and mother’s maiden name. An affidavit must be executed before an official authorized to take oaths or affirmations. 
• Police Certificate.(Please note that the original document will not be returned). Each applicant aged 16 years and older is required to submit a police certificate from his or her country of current residence, if residing there more than six months. Police certificates are also required from countries of previous residence, if residence there was for more than one year. Police certificates from certain countries are considered unavailable; the consular office can advise you about these particular countries. For information regarding obtaining the Spanish police certificate, please see specific information.
• Court and Prison Records. If you have been convicted of a crime, you must obtain a certified copy of each court record, regardless of the fact that whether you may have benefited subsequently from an amnesty, pardon or other act of clemency. 
• Military Record. If you have served in the military forces of any country, you must obtain one copy of your military record, if available. 
• Photographs. All immigrant visa applicants, regardless their age, must bring three color passport size photographs (5X5 cm.), white background and taken within the past six months. No head covering or dark glasses should be worn.
• Evidence of relationship. Immigrant visa applicants should bring photographs, letters, etc. to prove their relationship with the petitioner.
• Evidence of Support. Form I-864 or I-864 EZ and a copy of the most recent income tax return. Evidence of assets should be provided, if needed. Either form I-864 or I-864 EZ are the most common contractual Affidavit of Supports that have to be submitted for most family-based applicants and employment-based applicants when a relative is the petitioner or has ownership interest in the petitioning business. See Form I-864 Package, Affidavit of Support Package (Forms I-864, I-864A, I-864P, I-865) for more information. 
• Marriage Certificate. Married couples are required to present an original, or a certified copy of their marriage certificates. Applicants who have been previously married must obtain evidence of the termination of EACH previous marriage (e.g., death certificate or divorce decree). 
• Translations. All documents not in English or in Spanish, must be accompanied by certified English translations. Translations must be certified by a competent translator and sworn before a Notary Public
• Fee. Information about the fees for Immigrant Visas.

If you wish to retain an original document, you may submit a photocopy but you must bring with you the original for inspection by the consular officer. You are strongly urged to personally keep a duplicate file copy of all documents submitted in connection with your visa application.

Do not send any document in advance. You must submit them in person at the time of your immigrant visa interview.