It was a couple of years ago ( or even 3 maybe) but Oh flew back to UK the day before passport expired and sent it off from there via PO. had it back within 10 days. Had to stay longer though due to the original reson for the trip. that's what I'll do when mine runs out.

Thanks for the info, although it states you must have a UK address to be able to go down this route, so I think I am stuck with using the embassy here in Spain.

Fred, many thanks for this information. Can you tell me though if we still need to apply - we did apply in January when we first arrived and were just awaiting the call to go to Alicante for fingerprints. Will this follow through or do we need to apply afresh?

If you applied in January you will (probably) get a residents card rather than the new certificate - if you are lucky.

You dont need to do anything apart from wait. Your copy of the application form is enough proof that you are complying with the law in the very unlikely event that you might be asked.

Thank you for that Fred we will wait and see what happens. xx

You get a friend with a digital camera to take them . If you follow the guidelines on the website they will be acceptable. This is what my husband did.

We applied for our residency in May and received one of the new certificates. Is there any ID card we can apply for, so that we don't have to carry our passports when using our debit cards, or for ID purposes? Does a Spanish driving licence suffice for ID purposes?

Jag

Well I've soley been using my driving licence for the best part of 6 months now quite sucessfully when supporting a credit card, not been asked for a passport.

A photo driving licence will serve the purpose in most shops, but it is down to the individual shop whether they accept it or not.

I have been refused checking into a hotel in the past using the driving licence as ID. If it gets refused there is no arguing with them, you just have to go elsewhere!

Of all the places that are likely to request your ID, shops are probably the least strict.

Yeah but as I said before, Hotels are always going to ask for a passport, its part of their procedures

Well, not quite. They ask for your national ID card, which most countries have. It´s just the UK that doesn´t, so then the passport is then asked for as a second best option. The driving licence is right down there as third best option, or not acceptable at all in certain places (not just hotels).

Mitzyboy, I´m starting to think your life consists of little more than shopping if you manage to get by on a day to day basis using nothing more than a driving licence as Id!!!

Exactly, we don't have an ID so its part of their procedure to ask for a passport

I use my driving licence when shopping and also when I'm stopped by the police ..... I've stayed in hotels in Spain and France by showing the licence as ID. In fact right now I can't remember the last time I showed my passport to anyone .... probably when I went home last January!

Have you got a problem with me managing to use it sucessfully .... are you feeling left out!

You should get an official form with the date for fingerprints. You should be able to use this form as proof of residencia. We have just changed our bank accounts to residents accounts on the basis of having these forms.

No, not really cos I HATE my driving licence. I changed it to a Spanish one a few years ago so I have got one of those horrible paper ones that they used to issue.

Consequently I never carry it around with me cos it doesn´t fit into my wallet (ditto for the passport). The driving llicence just lives permanently in my glove box in case I´m stopped whilst driving, and the passport is in a cupboard somewhere at home.

But I must admit I can´t quite understand how you manage to get by solely using the DL. I guess it must come down to different lifestyles - I´ve had numerous situations whereby the DL would not have been acceptable (and possibly my passport neither??) - registering as autonomo, for SS, applying for grants, applying for a residents mortgage, hotels, entering competitions(!), the padron(?), attending courses run by the JUNTA, and basically anything else that requires you to be a resident as the DL/passport do not prove this fact.

Shops are the only exception that I can think of off the top of my head that would accept DLs as ID. If you get stopped by the police it is a legal requirement to carry you ID with you (as well as the DL), however they can use their own discretion as to whether or not they do anything about it.

ahh, yes but registering on the padron etc are things I did long ago, and of course I had to show a passport for that, I'm not self employed, no need for grants, don't have a mortgage .... I'm in the land of the leisurely, so yes my lifestyle is different

So really I use it now for just day to day stuff