In Spain, once the testators have granted their Wills before a Notary, the Wills have to be registered by the Registro de Actos de Úlitma Voluntad [the Spanish Probate Register]. Every time a Will is granted, even by the same testator, the Will has to be registered. When the testator passes away, the death certificate will have to be submitted to the aforesaid register. If the death certificate is a British certificate, for example, an official translation of the death certificate will be submitted as well. The death certificate will have to bear the apostille.
The Spanish Register will issue the Certificado de Actos de Última Voluntad. An official translation of this document into English may be necessary if the deceased had assets in the UK but did not grant an English Will because she or she was domiciled in Spain. There is no equivalent of this certificate in the UK; therefore the official translator will have to produce an official translation of a document with no equivalent in the UK.
The Certificate confirms the following information:
- The deceased’s full name
- Date and place of birth
- Name of parents
- Date of death
- Sex
- Marital status
- Spouse’s full name
If the deceased granted a Spanish Will, when and the name of the notary who executed the Will.
Spanish official translators have the status of Notaries Public. They do their official translations from scanned copies of the documents to be officially translated.
Official Translators are experts in legal terminology, the legal systems involved, and in intercultural communication, therefore they will produce accurate official translations to be accepted by the authorities.