AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Travel Questions for Spain

Q: How do I renew my U.S. passport? Where do I find the form?
What should I do if my passport/property is lost or stolen?

A: http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/acsdocumenting.html 

Q: How do I renew my child’s passport?

A: If your child is under 16 years of age, you must bring the following:

- Form DS-11 completed – do not sign the application.
- Both parents must appear in person with the child before the authorized consular personnel.
- Child’s original birth certificate showing the parents names.
- Parent’s valid photo identification documents (passport or Spanish DNI or resident card).

If your child is between the ages of 16 and 18, you must bring the following:

- Form DS-11 completed – do not sign the application.
- At least one parent must be present and will have to present a valid photo identification (passport or Spanish DNI or resident card).
- Also see http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/acsdocumenting.html 

Q: I am American and I would like to get married in Spain…

A: See our information on marriage formalities in Spain at our Embassy web page. http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/acsnon-emergency.html 

Q. I need my criminal records from Spain, How do I get them?

A: If you are no longer living in Spain and need criminal records from Spain, consult the following web page for instructions: www.mjusticia.es . There is an option for
the page to be read in English. You must complete the following actions:

- Complete form 790 (consists of three pages)
- Notarize a copy of your passport at a Spanish Consulate in the U.S.
- Supply a notarized authorization for U.S. Embassy to act on your behalf, which
you can obtain from a Spanish Consulate in the United States.
- Pay the required fee (see bank account information on Spanish Ministry website: www.mjusticia.es  ).

Once you have all the above documents, send them to:

US Embassy Madrid
C/ Serrano, 75
28006 Madrid
Attn: CONS/ACS

Q: Can I file a Spanish police report in English?

A: Yes, by dialing 902102112. You can then go pick it up at any police station with a reference number. Do not forget to sign the police report. You may also file a report by going to directly to C/ Leganitos # 19 (near Plaza de España).

Q. Do I need a visa to travel to other countries?

A: Please go to the following link which contains Country Specific Information Sheets
and the entry requirements for specific countries: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html 

Q. Medical Insurance for my trip to Spain.

A. The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. See the following link: Medical Insurance Overseas.

Q. I would like to bring my cat/dog into the United States, what do I need?

A. For cats and dogs: a certificate of good health issued by a veterinarian, dated within 10 days of travel and stating the pet has all vaccinations up to date. Dogs must have been vaccinated for rabies within the year, but not within the last month. This requirement does not apply to puppies less than 3 months of age; puppies up to three months must be confined at the owner’s expense, then immunized and confined for an additional 30 days. Certificates should be in English or accompanied by a translation (does not need to be an official translation).

Also check with the airline the pet will be traveling with in case they have any additional requirements that you need to comply with. This information has been obtained from U.S department websites. Because regulations may change over time, please verify the below websites for the latest update:

- US Center for Disease Control (US Federal Import Requirements): www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm 
- USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service): www.aphis.usda.gov  or www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/index.html  or www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/pet-info.html 

Q. Can I bring my medicine into the United States?

A. If you take medicines containing habit-forming drugs or narcotics (e.g. cough medicine, diuretics, heat drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, depressants, stimulants, etc.) you should have all drugs, medicine and similar products properly identified and in their original containers. Carry only the quantity that might normally be used by an individual having a health problem requiring such drugs or medicine; obtain either a prescription or written statement from your personal physician that the medicine is being used under a doctor’s direction and is necessary for your physical well-being while traveling. Declare such drugs or medications to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. An English translation (does not need to be official) is recommended.

Narcotics and dangerous drugs are prohibited entry. There are severe civil and/or criminal penalties if imported. Cannabis in any form, even if prescribed as medication is prohibited.

Q. What Foods/Beverages can I bring into the United States?

A. Don’t bring any food into the United States without first checking to see if it is permitted. Read the “Know Before You Go” before traveling at www.cbp.gov 

Q. What can I take on the plane?

A. See www.tsa.gov  . See tips for 3-1-1 for carry-on.

Q. How many bottles of Wine/Alcoholic Beverages can I bring into the United States?

A. Nonresidents who are at least 21 years old may bring in, free of duty and internal revenue tax, up to one liter of alcoholic beverage – beer, wine, liquor – for personal use. Quantities above the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and internal revenue tax. Please see the “Know Before You Go” pamphlet before traveling at www.cbp.gov .

Q. Can I bring meats like jamon serrano or other cold cuts into the United States?

A. No. Meats, livestock, poultry, and other products are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States. Read the “Know Before You Go” before traveling at www.cbp.gov .

Q. How do I legalize my U.S. documents/obtain the Apostille Of The Hague for my documents issued in the United States? (e.g., birth, divorce, marriage or death certificate?)

A. You should send the original document to the state Secretary of State or equivalent official OF YOUR STATE which is the authority competent to execute the Apostille for documents originating within their jurisdiction, including state courts. Documents originating in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands may obtain the Apostille from the Authentication Office of the U.S. Department of State. Addresses for the above mentioned offices may be obtained upon request or visiting the following web sites:

http://travel.state.gov/family/hague_foreign_docs.html  or http://travel.state.gov/about/info/customer/customer_312.html 

or http://travel.state.gov/family/family_issues/divorce/divorce_591.html  or http://travel.state.gov/family/hague_foreign_docs.html 

Q. What are U.S. Customs, Agriculture Department and Fish and Wildlife Service requirements about bringing articles, food and animals back to the United States from overseas?

A. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Know Before You Go and Pets, Wildlife, U.S. Customs, for useful information about restrictions and prohibited merchandise, medications/drugs, etc. See the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Travelers’ Tips On Bringing Food, Plant, and Animal Products Into the United States. See also the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publications, Facts About Federal Wildlife Laws and Buyer Beware Guide. www.cbp.gov .

Q: How do I find an official translator/lawyer in Spain?

A: Please take a look at these useful links:

http://www.mae.es/es/MenuPpal/Ministerio/Tablon+de+anuncios/
Intérpretes+Jurados.htm 

Or http://www.mae.es/NR/rdonlyres/1D39F0F0-9D96-4EDC-9951-533AF7C5DD3D/0/IIJJ2abril07.pdf 

Or http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/acslegalassistance.html .

If you need a lawyer in the Barcelona district:

http://barcelona.usconsulate.gov/emba/attorney.html .

Q: I have a legal document issued by a court in the United States. What do I need to do make it legally binding in Spain?

A: You should consult a lawyer. See the following web page for a list of English speaking lawyers http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/attorney.html .

For lawyers in the Barcelona district consult: http://barcelona.usconsulate.gov/emba/attorney.html .

Q: How do I obtain a U. S. Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificate?

A: Go to www.vitalchek.com 

Q. How do I legalize my Spanish document I need to present in the United States?

A. Legal or notarized documents and academic records or certificates such as birth, death or marriage issued by Spanish authorities will need the Apostille of the Hague (Apostilla de la Haya) to be used in the United States. The competent authority to execute the “Apostilla de la Haya” on notarized documents would be the “Colegio Notarial” of the area (in Madrid, Colegio Notarial de Madrid, C/ Ruiz de Alarcón 3, Bajo Izquierda, Tel: 912 130 000,

www.cnotarial-madrid.com .

If the document is a judicial document or one issued by the “Registro Civil’ it must be taken to the Secretaria de Gobierno del Tribunal Superior de Justicia of the area in Madrid, C/ General Castaños 1, planta 0, Tel: 914-934-034. The Registro General del Ministerio de Justicia will execute the Apostille on all other official or academic documents in Madrid, C/ San Bernardo, 45, using the entrance located at C/ Manzana 2, Tel: 913 902 011.

Check the following Spanish Ministry of Justice websites for more information: www.mju.es  or www.justicia.es .

Q: Can I drive with my U.S. driver’s license in Spain?

A: If you are a temporary visitor to Spain (less than 90 days) you may drive with a valid U.S. driver’s license accompanied by an official Spanish translation. We strongly recommend you request The International Driving Permit, prior to leaving the U.S. and available via AAA. Having the International Driving Permit may facilitate car rental and avoid traffic fines if you are stopped by the police. For more information, contact Spanish Traffic Authorities: 900 123 505.

Q. Can I validate my U.S. Drivers’ License in Spain?

A. No. You will need to request a Spanish Driver’s License.

Q. How can I obtain a Spanish Drivers License?

A. To obtain a Spanish driver’s license, you will have to sign up at a local driving school and take the required exams. Tests can be taken in English – inquire about this at the driving school. For more information, contact Spanish Traffic Authorities: 900 123 505.

Q. My U.S. driver’s license has expired, is lost or stolen…..

A. You must contact the Department of Motor Vehicle Office in the state where your driver’s license was issued for instructions on renewal. See www.dmv.org  

Q: How can I extend my stay/work/study here in Spain?

A: Contact the Spanish Embassy of Consulate nearest your residence in the United States. www.mae.es/Embajadas/Washington/en/Home/ 

If you have traveled under the Visa Waiver Program, you cannot stay for more than 90 days. Under very exceptional circumstances will Spanish Authorities extend your stay.
For additional information, call the Spanish Ministry of the Interior at 900 150 000.

Q: How do I vote in the next election?

A: The following link will take you to the official U.S. website for the Federal Voter Assistance Program: http://www.fvap.gov 

Q: My green card has expired, was stolen, lost or I have another USCIS question.

A: If your green card has expired, was stolen, or lost and you are in the Madrid area, contact DHS/ICE in the Embassy on a walk-in basis on Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. You can also contact them on their automated telephone service at 91 587 2330.

For other immigration questions unrelated to a green card issue, contact www.uscis.gov .

Q. I need an English-speaking doctor in the Madrid area.

A. See http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/acsphysicians.html .

If you require a doctor outside the Madrid area, contact any of our Consular Agencies throughout Spain http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/offices.htm l

Q. Searching for People in the United States.

A. Tracing people in the United States can be a lengthy and time consuming process.
The internet has many resources and freely accessible.

Tracing Former Military Personnel in the U.S. http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/uk/tracing_missing_persons_in_us.pdf 

Public Records http://www.peoplelookup.com/people-search.html?PHPSESSID=91e7ff693aaf3e93b656ff57c4ae96e2 

Veterans Friends http://www.vetfriends.com/

Yahoo! People Search http://people.yahoo.com/ 

Q. Where can a U.S. traveler get help with a tourist complaint involving a foreign country?

A. For assistance with tourism complaints, contact the foreign embassy or consulate in the United States. It may also be useful to contact the foreign country’s tourism office in the United States. In case of serious problems, contact the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of American Citizen Services and Crisis Management at (202) 647 5225 or the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Q. Will the U.S. Government pay for my legal expenses?

A. The U.S. Governments is not authorized to pay for legal expenses of U.S. citizens abroad. Some foreign countries have legal aid available, primarily for criminal matters.
This topic may be discussed in the U.S. embassy list of attorneys. For additional information, contact the local bar association, Ministry of Justice, legal attaché or consular section at the foreign embassy in Washington, D.C.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Travel Questions for the United States

Q. Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?

A. Consult with www.travel.state.gov 

Q. What do I do if I still have the Form I -94 (green or white) Departure Record still in my passport?

A. If you returned home with your departure record Form I-94 (white) or Form I-94W (green) in your passport, it means that your departure has not been recorded properly. It is your responsibility to correct this record. Go to http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/ 

Q. I need to obtain criminal records from the United States, how do I get them?

A. Contact your local Department of Public Safety or State Police from the state you last resided.

Q. I am planning to travel to the Unites States. Where can I find information on tourism, maps, business, study, work or obtain information on a particular’s state legislation in the Unites States.

A. For tourist information, maps, and a variety of other information you can contact the USA.Gov at http://www.usa.gov/visitors.shtml  and for information on a particular state’s legislation, http://www.statelocalgov.net/index.cfm 

Q. Do I need vaccinations to enter the United States?

A. Vaccinations are no longer required for temporary travel to the United States. However, if you are intending to study or work, you should contact the school or prospective employer as they may have specific requirements.

Q. What do I do about health insurance for the United States?

A. Visitors and temporary residents in the United States are required to pay their own medical costs. As a result it is advisable to take out health insurance before departure. Those planning on remaining in the United States for any length of time or permanently may obtain health insurance after their arrival in the United States. Sometimes health insurance is available through an employer because many companies arrange group insurance for their employees.

Q. Traveling abroad with my pet.

A. Before taking a pet to another country, contact that country’s consulate or embassy for information about the requirements.

Q. How can I obtain Tax Refund for my purchases in the United States?

A. Sales Tax: is on goods and services and is set by each of the fifty states, and state entities (such as cities and counties), not by the U.S. government. Each state and state entity determines what the sales tax will be (always a percent of the purchase price) and what items will and will not be assessed a sales tax. The sales tax is not included in the advertised price of goods. Please note: sales tax is not the same as value-added tax (VAT). The state sales tax is a small tax on purchases or services, calculated at the time of purchase, which individual states assess and which the U.S. Federal government neither determines nor receives. The VAT, on the other hand, is a national tax applied in many countries that is included in the actual sales price rather than at the time of purchase. The United States does not have a VAT, and the Federal government cannot refund state sales taxes. Also, many states do not charge tax on items shipped out of state. Ask about state sales tax policies in the state where you make your purchases. (Information garnered from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/home.xml 

Q. Bringing Firearms and Ammunition into the United States.

A. You may consult the following web page for more information on this topic: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm 

Q: Can I drive with my Spanish driver’s license in the United States?

A: Yes, but it is strongly recommended you obtain the International Driving Permit at Trafico at www.dgt.es  or call their toll free number 900 123 505. You may also request the International Driving Permit from RACE if you are a member. This will facilitate renting a car or be helpful if you are stopped by the police.

Q: How much currency/money/monetary instruments can I bring into the United States?

A: There is no limit on the amount of money that can be taken out of or brought into the United States. There are certain reporting requirements, however.

Please consult: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/questions/ 

If you did not find an answer to your question in this FAQ,
Please send an email to: AskACS@state.gov