Legalization is the procedure for validating the signatures of the authorities who sign a document, thereby certifying its authenticity for presentation in a third country. In the case of degrees or academic certificates, legalization generally consists of recognizing the signature of the educational authority that issued the original document.

The procedures vary depending on the country of origin where the academic documents were issued:

1. Member States of the European Union or signatories to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

• No type of legalization is required for documents issued in these countries.
• The countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Switzerland is also included, by bilateral agreement with the EU.

2. Countries that have signed the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.

• A single legalization or “apostille” issued by the competent authorities of the country is sufficient.
• Information on the procedure should be provided by the competent authorities or consular services of the signatory countries

3. Countries that have signed the Andrés Bello Agreement.

• The documents, which must be legalized through diplomatic channels, must be submitted to each of the locations indicated below, and in the following order:
  1. Ministry of Education of the country of origin.
  2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin.
  3. Diplomatic or consular representation of Spain in that country.
• The subscriber countries are: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Venezuela. 

4. Other countries.

• The documents, which must be legalized through diplomatic channels, must be submitted to each of the locations indicated below, and in the following order:
  1. Ministry of Education of the country of origin.
  2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin.
  3. Spanish Consulate in that country or Consular Section of the Embassy provided with a security label.

OFFICIAL TRANSLATION

• All documents issued in a language other than any of the official languages ​​used in the Valencian Community must be accompanied by their translation into Spanish, which may be done:
  • By any diplomatic or consular representation of the Spanish State abroad or of the issuing country in Spain.
  • By the diplomatic or consular representation in Spain of the country where the document was issued. 
  • By a sworn translator, duly authorized or registered in Spain.