Justice of the Peace Courts are single-judge judicial bodies located in small or medium-sized municipalities that do not have their own Civil Registry. Dependent on the Ministry of Justice and coordinated by the first instance judge of the corresponding judicial district, they act as delegated Civil Registries in their locality. Births, civil marriages, deaths, and other vital acts occurring in the municipality are registered there. For remote procedures without having to travel to the town, it is recommended to use specialised agency services, which manage the application directly with the corresponding Justice of the Peace Court professionally and securely.

Main functions of the Justice of the Peace Courts as a Civil Registry

• Immediate registration of vital events: Registers births (in hospitals or homes), civil marriages celebrated by the mayor or justice of the peace, and deaths in the municipality.
• Issuance of local certificates: Issues official documents for events registered in its registry book, valid throughout Spain.
• Celebration of civil marriages: The justice of the peace or the mayor can officiate weddings at the town hall, with automatic registration.
• Management of records and entries: Maintains family record books and issues literal copies or extracts.
• Referral to the main Civil Registry: Sends copies of the registrations to the Civil Registry of the judicial district for central archiving.

Certificates that can be obtained from a Justice of the Peace Court

Justice of the Peace Courts issue certificates only for events occurring in their municipality from 1870 onwards. They are identical in validity to those of the Civil Registry. The main ones are:

• Birth certificate: Certifies the birth in the municipality, including date, time, place, and parentage. Necessary for DNI, passports, or schooling.
• Marriage Certificate: Registers civil marriages celebrated before the justice of the peace or mayor, with details of spouses and witnesses.
• Death certificate: Confirms the death in the municipality, including date, place, and medical cause if applicable. Required for burial, inheritance, or insurance.
• Literal Certificate: Full copy of the original registration (birth, marriage, or death).
• Certificate of Civil Status: Proves the current status (single, married, widowed) for marital procedures.
• Certificate of Last Wills and Death Coverage Insurance: Managable as an additional procedure if the death is registered locally.

For international use, a Hague apostille can be requested through the agency, although the document first passes through the Civil Registry of the district.

How to obtain them through an agency

Specialised agencies contact the municipal Justice of the Peace Court directly, manage the application, and send the certificate by certified mail. Ideal for people living outside the town or wishing to avoid travel. Does not require electronic signature or software.

General prerequisites

• Details of the registered person: Full name, exact date and municipality of the event, references (family record book, volume/folio if known).
• Applicant identification: DNI, NIE, or passport.
• Shipping address: For reception by certified mail.
• Signature on the form for remote 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 depending on destination (national/international).

The total is shown before payment, with full transparency.

Links to request certificates at the agency

Indicate the name of the municipality on the form; the agency will locate the corresponding Justice of the Peace Court:

• 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/