I'm married to an American and it's time to renew her 'residencia'. Apparently, unlike us Europeans, who now have to carry an unfoldable blue A4 paper together with our passports at all times (a friend of mine was told he would be taken to the comisaría the next time he failed to carry those two wondrous documents), my wife will eventually get another proper residence card. Lucky.
However, to renew her residencia, she has to prove that she is not only married to a European (moi), but also lives together in matrimonial bliss. The small-brained nazi in the extranjería decided that we couldn't get a letter from the mayor that we lived together, neither from the carpenter that we have a double-bed, neither from the neighbour that we keep him up on Saturday nights, neither from the tax man that we make a joint declaration. No, we must get a document from our place of marriage to say that we are still together (like, they would somehow know).
Well, we were married in Gibraltar in 1985.
Three weeks later, a copy of our marriage certificate, remarkably similar to the one we already had (together will a bill for 150 euros), is in my possession.
Back to the small-brained gent in extranjería.
No, we have to have a certificate from a country in the European Union to say that we are still married. Well, we didn't marry in Spain all those years ago (mainly because we would still be waiting) and Gibraltar was just up the road. Unfortunately, to the ministerio, it's like saying you got married in Narnia.

You got told to carry your resedencia certificate everywhere?! Not heard that before!
Annoying, typical Spanish situation you find yourself in though, no idea what to suggest other than the extranjería in the next town along!

So, (disregarding the *issues* about Spain/UK/Gib), and somehow I have this feeling I should know the answer to this, isn't Gib part of the UK in which case its documentation would count as that of the UK? Or is it some other kind of protectorate/whatever category of place?

Gib is a hot potato with the Spanish government so it's not surprising that they treat it as if it didn't exist.

Unlike the Channel Islands, Gib is part of the EU and even elects an MEP to the European Parliament (through a UK constituency). Officially it is a "British Overseas Territory" like Bermuda and the Falklands to name but two.

Anyway, I don't see it is relevant where you got married so long as you can produce the marriage certificate, duly translated and stamped.

The specific paragraph on the application form is:-

2. Documentación acreditativa, en su caso debidamente traducida y apostillada o legalizada, de la existencia de
vínculo familiar; de la validez del matrimonio; o certificación expedida (con una antelación máxima de 3 meses a
la fecha de presentación de la solicitud) por el órgano encargado del registro de parejas correspondiente de la
inscripción como pareja.

Thanks Fred - I'll raise those points (seeing them later this week).
I've got 'Traducción legalizada de la partida literal de matrimonio inscrito en el registro civil del país del ciudadano de la Unión que ortorga el derecho, actualizada'... In other words - that I need the copy of the marriage guarantee (translated, blah blah) from my Own Country!
We've been married 24 years, never had to produce these documentsa before.
Yellow triangles next, I reckon.

Don't forget the reflective nightwear

It was still there this morning when I made a visit

Much to the annoyance of Madrid

Lenox I read it as them wanting a certificate no more than 3 months old with official Spanish translation.

It´s no big deal, you get a certificate from wherever you were married and just get it translated by your nearest official/accredited Spanish translator and give it to them.

Already did that. They won't accept it as it's not from my place-of-birth 'European country'.
I am not unduly worried as I have 'enchufes', but that's not the point, is it.

Not sure if you have seen this but it may be worth getting it translated into Spanish and sending it to them.....

Apparently written to an Australian passport office......


"Dear Minister,

I’m in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this.

How is it that K-Mart has my address and telephone number, and knows that I bought a Television Set and Golf Clubs from them back in 1997, and yet, the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date? For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand?

My birth date you have in my Medicare information, and it is on all the income tax forms I’ve filed for the past 40 years. It is on my driver’s license, on the last eight passports I’ve ever had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms I’ve had to fill out before being allowed off the planes over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that I’ve filled out every 5 years since 1966.

Also, would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother’s name is Audrey, my Father’s name is Jack, and I’d be absolutely f***ing astounded if that ever changed between now and when I drop dead!!!…
SHIT!

I apologize, Mr. Minister. But I’m really pissed off this morning. Between you and me, I’ve had enough of all this bullshit! You send the application to my house, then you ask me for my f***ing address!! What the hell is going on with your mob? Have you got a gang of mindless Neanderthal arse-holes working there!

And another thing, look at my damn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I can’t even grow a beard for God’s sakes. I just want to go to New Zealand and see my new granddaughter. (Yes, my son interbred with a Kiwi girl). And would someone please tell me, why would you give a shit whether I plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge to do something weird to a sheep or a horse, believe me, I sure as hell would not want to tell anyone!

Well, I have to go now, ’cause I have to go to the other end of the city, and get another f***ing copy of my birth certificate, and to part with another $80 for the privilege of accessing MY OWN INFORMATION!

Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot, to assist in the issuance of a new passport on the same day?? Nooooo.. That’d be too f***ing easy and makes far too much sense. You would much prefer to have us running all over the place like chickens with our f***ing heads cut off, and then having to find some high society wanker to confirm that it’s really me in the god-damn photo! You know the photo…the one where we’re not allowed to smile? …You f***ing morons

Signed - An Irate Australian Citizen.

P.S.: Remember what I said above about the picture, and getting someone in high-society to confirm that it’s me? Well, my family has been in this country since before 1850! In 1856, one of my forefathers took up arms with Peter Lalor. (You do remember the Eureka Stockade!!) I have also served in both the CMF and regular Army something over 30 years (I went to Vietnam in 1967), and still have high security clearances.

I’m also a personal friend of the president of the RSL. And Lt General Peter Cosgrove sends me a Christmas card each year.

However, your rules require that I have to get someone “important” to verify who I am; You know… someone like my doctor; WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN F***ING PAKISTAN!!!…A country where they either assassinate or hang their ex-Prime Ministers, and are suspended from the Commonwealth for not having the “right sort of government.”

You are all f***ing idiots."

Superb !!!

Shall have to file that one away.
With a little variation in names and places it could come in quite useful and help relieve my frustration when some w......... or banker wants my particulars confirming,......again,.....for the umpteenth time........

Brilliant, youve gotta love the Aussie's,

Is there any way to print this so I can show it to mate's ?

Hilight it, then copy it and paste into word or notebook the print it.