Criminal record cancellation
An old conviction doesn't have to close doors for you. We review your record and apply for its cancellation when possible.
What it involves
Cancelling a criminal record means removing a conviction from the register once the legal conditions are met, such as having served the sentence and having gone a certain time without reoffending. It is very important in immigration matters: a record can prevent you from renewing, obtaining nationality or applying for arraigo.
Is this your case?
- A renewal or arraigo has been refused because you have a record.
- You want to apply for nationality and have an old conviction.
- An employer asks for your criminal record certificate and it shows a conviction you thought was forgotten.
- You don't know whether your record has already been cancelled.
How we help
We help you request your certificate, review which convictions appear and check whether you can already cancel them. If so, we prepare and submit the application. If not yet, we tell you what is missing, for example paying outstanding civil liability, and when you will be able to apply. We also advise you on police records, which are dealt with separately. We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.
Once it is cancelled, we can help you with Spanish nationality or with the renewals of your permit.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a criminal record and a police record?
- A criminal record (antecedentes penales) lists final convictions handed down by a judge. A police record (antecedentes policiales) consists of entries in police files about arrests or complaints, even if there was no conviction. They are cancelled through different procedures, and both can affect your immigration applications.
- Is a record erased automatically over time?
- In theory it can be cancelled automatically once the conditions are met, but in practice it often still appears. That is why it is worth applying for cancellation expressly.
- Can my papers be refused because I have a record?
- Yes, it can be grounds for refusal in many immigration procedures, although each case is assessed individually. Cancelling it in time can make the difference.
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Tell us about your case.
A first conversation — confidential and without obligation — to understand whether we can help, and how.
We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.