The Central Civil Registry (RCC) is the central body of the Spanish registry system, dependent on the Ministry of Justice. It is located in Madrid, on Calle de la Montera, 18, and acts as the superior instance for local civil registries, coordinating registrations and the issuance of documents for special cases, such as births abroad of Spanish nationals, international adoptions, or certificates for emigrants. Its main function is to guarantee uniformity in the registration of civil acts, resolve appeals, and centralise requests that do not correspond to provincial registries. For remote and efficient procedures, it is recommended to use specialised agency services, which avoid travel and manage applications before the RCC or local registries professionally.

The Central Civil Registry (RCC) is the central body of the Spanish registry system, dependent on the Ministry of Justice. It is located in Madrid, on Calle de la Montera, 18, and acts as the superior instance for local civil registries, coordinating registrations and the issuance of documents for special cases, such as births abroad of Spanish nationals, international adoptions, or certificates for emigrants. Its main function is to guarantee uniformity in the registration of civil acts, resolve appeals, and centralise requests that do not correspond to provincial registries. For remote and efficient procedures, it is recommended to use specialised agency services, which avoid travel and manage applications before the RCC or local registries professionally.

Main functions of the Central Civil Registry

• Centralisation of registrations: Registers civil acts that occurred outside Spain (e.g. births of Spanish nationals in consulates) or those requiring superior review.
• Issuance of certificates: Issues documents for administrative, judicial, or international uses, including Hague apostilles.
• Management of appeals and corrections: Resolves challenges to registrations and authorises changes of name or surname in exceptional cases.
• Coordination with consulates: Collaborates in the registration of Spanish nationals abroad and in obtaining documents for migratory procedures.
• Limited online services: Although the Ministry of Justice offers basic digital access, for complexities, agencies provide personalised assistance without requiring an electronic signature.

Certificates that can be obtained from the Central Civil Registry

The RCC issues a variety of certificates related to civil acts, prioritising those with national or international scope. These documents are essential for procedures such as inheritances, nationality, pensions, or legalisations. Below are the main ones:

• Birth certificate: Certifies the birth of a person, including data such as date, place, and parentage. Useful for nationality applications or passports.
• Marriage Certificate: Registers the celebration of the marriage, with details of the spouses and witnesses. Necessary for divorces or international unions.
• Death certificate: Confirms the death, date, and place. Required for inheritances, insurance, or pension cancellations.
• Literal birth, marriage, or death certificate: Full copy of the registry entry, with all original details.
• Spanish nationality certificate: Proves the acquisition or possession of nationality, especially for descendants of emigrants or option cases.
• Certificate of last wills: Indicates whether the deceased person left a will and its notarial location, essential for probate processes.
• Certificate of life insurance contracts (death coverage): Lists active policies in the name of the deceased, available for 5 years after death.
• Certificate of non-marriage or civil status: Confirms the absence of marriage or the current status (single, widowed, etc.), for marital procedures.

For international uses, these certificates may include a Hague apostille, recognised in more than 120 countries adhering to the convention.

How to obtain them through an agency

Specialised agencies facilitate remote application before the Central or local Civil Registry, managing the documentation and delivery by certified mail. This service is ideal for avoiding queues and errors, with processing by registered professionals. No additional software or digital signature is required; simply complete an online form.

General prerequisites

• Details of the registered person: Full name, date and place of the civil act, and registry references if known (from the family record book).
• Applicant identification: DNI, NIE, or passport.
• Shipping address: For reception by certified mail.
• Digital signature on the form for authorisation.

Associated costs (approximate, via agency)

• Base fee per certificate: €55.00 (VAT included).
• Additional copies: €5 (second), €10 (third).
• Hague Apostille: €25.
• Last wills or death insurance: €25 each.
• Maximum Priority: €35.
• Shipping: Variable by destination.

The total is calculated upon completion, with full transparency.

Links to request certificates at the agency

Visit the following portals to start the process safely and quickly. Each one directs to the specific application:

• Birth certificate: https://www.registrocivil.es/en/application-for-birth-certificate/
• Marriage Certificate: https://www.registrocivil.es/en/application-for-marriage-certificate/
• Death certificate: https://www.registrocivil.es/en/application-for-certificate-of-death/
• Certificate of last wills: Available as an additional option in death applications.

The agency registrocivil.es is a private entity that operates independently of the Ministry of Justice, ensuring efficiency in management.