Which documents are necessary to meet the requirements of the Law?
There are two requirements according to the Law: to prove the condition of being a Sephardi of Spanish ancestry and of having a special link to or connection with Spain.
Which documents prove my condition of Sephardi of Spanish ancestry?
In order to prove the condition of Sephardi of Spanish ancestry, the following documents (which will be assessed together) can be submitted.
a) Certificate issued by the President of the Permanent Commission of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE).
b) Certificate issued by the President or someone, in similar position, of the Jewish Community of the area of residence or city of birth of the applicant.
c) Certificate of the competent rabbi authority, legally recognized in the country of origin or usual residence of the applicant.
In cases b) and c), the applicant can request a certificate of the FCJE proving the condition of authority of the person issuing the certificates within the foreign Jewish community or:
- Copy of the original Articles of Association of the foreign religious entity.
- Certificate of the foreign entity including the names of the people appointed as legal representatives.
- Certificate, or document, showing proof that the foreign entity is legally recognized in the country of origin.
- And certificate issued by the legal representative of such entity showing proof that the signatory rabbi actually and currently holds such position according to the requirements established by the articles of association.
The documents shall be submitted in Spanish language, or translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Additionally, the documents shall be authorized by a Notary of the country of origin, and apostilled or legalized as appropriate.
Other documentation:
– Proof of use of Ladino or “Haketia” as family language.
-The “ketubah” (marriage certificate) stating that the marriage took place following Castilian traditions.
-A reasoned report issued by an entity with proven competence showing proof that the applicant’s surnames are of Sephardic descent.
– Any other document proving that the applicant is a Sephardi of Spanish ancestry.