Registries

At Gestoría Gala we process Civil Registry certificates from any municipality in Spain entirely online. There is no need for you to travel. We just need your details and the certificate you require. It usually takes between 3 and 10 working days, depending on the registry office.

It is not required by law, but it is highly advisable, as it protects the buyer against third parties. Without registration, if the seller sells the same property to someone else who does register it, that second buyer takes priority. Banks also require registration before granting a mortgage.

The Land Registry has a legal deadline of 15 working days from the filing of the public deed. In practice it can take between 2 and 6 weeks depending on the registry's workload. At Gestoría Gala we file the documentation online to speed up the process.

A "nota simple" is an informative extract from the Land Registry showing the property's current owner, a description of the property, any charges (mortgages, attachments, easements) and registered rights. It is essential before buying any property, to confirm it is free of charges and that the seller is really the owner.

Since the 2021 Civil Registry reform, the procedure for changing a first name or surname is simpler. For transgender people, the Trans Law allows a change of name and gender marker by simple request to the Civil Registry, without needing surgery or medical reports. There are also specific procedures for surname changes for other reasons, which we handle for you.

To register a trademark in Spain you must file an application with the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM). The process includes a prior-rights search, filing the application with a description of the goods/services, and paying the fees. It typically takes between 3 and 6 months. At Gestoría Gala we handle the whole process for you.