How to Submit Immigration Paperwork for Your Minor Child in Spain (2026)

The problem thousands of parents encounter on the electronic office

You go to process your child's residency permit. You enter the Sede Electrónica de Extranjería (Spain's electronic immigration office), start filling out the form, and it asks for a date of birth. You enter your child's date and the system rejects it: "The applicant must be over 18 years old".

This is not a bug. It is a misunderstanding that affects thousands of families every year. The form is not designed for minors to access directly. You, as the legal guardian, are the one who submits the application. And the system needs you to do it in a specific way.

The solution: acting "on behalf of" your child

The correct procedure is as follows:

1. Log in with your digital certificate (or cl@ve permanente) on the Sede Electrónica de Extranjería.
2. On the form, look for the option "Acting on behalf of" or "Representative" (Actuar en representación de).
3. Fill in two separate data blocks:
   • INTERESTED PARTY (Interesado): your minor child's details (name, passport, NIE if they have one, date of birth).
   • REPRESENTATIVE (Representante): your details as parent (name, DNI/NIE, digital certificate).
4. Attach documentation proving legal guardianship (family book, apostilled birth certificate, custody ruling).

Most common procedures for minors

1. Minor's residency permit (Form EX-25, model 041)

This is the most common procedure. When a parent obtains their residence permit and wants to include their minor children, or when the minor needs their own residence authorization.

• The parent with legal residency submits the application.
• It is signed with the parent's digital certificate.
• You need to prove sufficient financial means to support the minor and adequate housing.
• If both parents hold parental authority, consent from both may be required (or a court ruling granting sole custody).

2. Spanish nationality by residence

There is an important distinction here depending on the minor's age:

• Under 14 years old: the application is submitted exclusively by the legal representative. The minor does not sign anything.
• Ages 14 to 17: the minor signs the application together with their parents or guardians. They need their own identity document and may have to appear in person.

The required period of residence for nationality varies: 1 year if the minor was born in Spain, 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, and 10 years as a general rule. The application is now processed electronically through the Ministry of Justice.

3. TIE renewal (Foreigner's Identity Card)

The minor's TIE expires just like an adult's. To renew it:

• The parent submits the application using their own digital certificate.
• You indicate that you are acting on behalf of the minor.
• You need to pay the corresponding fee (form 790, code 012) and book an appointment for fingerprinting if the minor is 6 years old or older.

Documents you will need for almost every procedure

Although each procedure has its specifics, this is the standard documentation required for virtually all immigration applications for a minor:

• Minor's valid passport (original and full copy).
• Minor's NIE or TIE if they already have one.
• Parent's DNI or NIE (the representative).
• Representative's digital certificate (FNMT or cl@ve permanente). Children under 14 cannot obtain their own digital certificate.
• Minor's birth certificate, apostilled and translated if necessary.
• Family book (Libro de Familia) or equivalent document proving parentage.
• Certificate of registration (empadronamiento) for the minor — they must be registered at the same address as the representative or where they will reside.
• Proof of fee payment (form 790, code depending on the procedure).

The 5 most common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

1. Entering the minor's date of birth in the applicant field. As we explained, the applicant is you. Your date of birth goes in the representative/applicant field.
2. Not checking the representation box. If you do not check it, the system assumes you are filing for yourself. The case will be assigned incorrectly and you will have to start over.
3. Not attaching proof of custody or parentage. Without a family book, birth certificate, or court ruling, the Administration cannot verify that you have the right to represent the minor.
4. Trying to use a digital certificate for the minor. Children under 14 cannot have an FNMT digital certificate. If your child is between 14 and 17, they can obtain one, but for most immigration procedures the representative is still the one who signs.
5. Submitting foreign documents without an apostille or sworn translation. A birth certificate issued in another country needs a Hague apostille (or consular legalization) and a sworn translation into Spanish. Without these, the document has no legal validity.

Official sources and applicable legislation

All information in this guide is based on the legislation in force as of 2026:

• Electronic immigration office: sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es
• Organic Law 4/2000 (LOEX), articles 16 to 19 (family reunification) and article 31 (temporary residency).
• Royal Decree 1155/2024, which amends the Immigration Regulations and updates electronic procedures.
• Ministry of Justice — nationality by residence procedures: mjusticia.gob.es
• Spanish Civil Code, articles 154 to 171 (parental authority and legal representation of minors).