By Christopher Moreno · Sources checked September 29, 2026
Build the checklist around your route
A retiree, a student, and an employee need different evidence. Start with the official category checklist, then add documents for any dependents. A generic checklist is a starting point, not a complete application.
Common temporary-residence documents
- Identity document: generally a valid passport for applications from abroad; many route pages require at least one year of remaining validity. Bolivia has a DNI exception for the reciprocity route.
- Adult applicants generally need a current criminal-record certificate from their country of origin or the country where they lived during the last five years.
- A recent portrait photo and documents proving the selected residence purpose.
- Check apostille or legalization, document age and file-format rules. SERMIG generally requires official translations for documents in languages other than Spanish or English.
Collect in the right order
- Check the exact checklist. Note issuing authority, document age limits, and accepted file formats.
- Request the original evidence. Identify which civil records, criminal-record certificates, employer documents, or income records apply.
- Confirm authentication. Check whether each foreign document needs an apostille or another legalization process.
- Confirm translation rules. Follow the official instructions for the document’s language and accepted translation.
- Check consistency. Match names, dates, and document references across the application before submission.
Leave time for corrections
A misspelled name or expired certificate can disrupt an otherwise complete file. Keep a record of issue dates and application deadlines. Never assume one document’s acceptance means every document follows the same rule.
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Official sources
General information, not individual legal advice. Check the current official requirements before making an application.