Complete guide to the Justice of the Peace Court in Spain

Welcome to the definitive guide to Justice of the Peace Courts in Spain. If you need a birth, marriage, or death certificate and live in a small municipality (generally with fewer than 7,000 inhabitants), it is very likely that there is no dedicated Civil Registry. Instead, the Justice of the Peace Court assumes all registry functions. Below, we explain what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to obtain certificates without travelling.

What is a Justice of the Peace Court?

The Justice of the Peace Court is a single-person judicial body (led by a non-professional judge, usually a local resident) which, in addition to resolving minor civil and criminal conflicts, manages the Civil Registry in municipalities without their own office.

Key functions of the Civil Registry at the Justice of the Peace Court:

  • Registration of births, marriages, and deaths.
  • Issuance of official certificates.
  • Celebration of civil marriages.
  • Proof of life, notarial deeds, etc.

Where is the Justice of the Peace Court?

  • Location: almost always inside the town hall.
  • Access: enquire at the citizen services desk.
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 14:00 (may vary).
  • Appointment required: not mandatory, but recommended.

Tip: call the town hall and ask for the Justice of the Peace. They are usually very accessible.

Most common procedures

ProcedureAppointment?DocumentsDeadline
Birth certificateNoDNI + details of the newbornImmediate
Marriage certificateNoDNI + details of the spousesImmediate
Death certificateNoDNI + details of the deceasedImmediate
Civil marriageYesPrior file1-3 months
Birth registrationUrgentMedical report + parents DNI72 hours
Death registrationUrgentMedical certificate24 hours

How to obtain certificates from the Justice of the Peace Court

There are several options:

1. In person (free and fast)

  1. Book an appointment at sede.mjusticia.gob.es or call 060.
  2. Go to the town hall.
  3. Request the certificate at the counter.
  4. Bring: DNI + exact details.
  5. Issued immediately.

Ideal if you are near the municipality.

2. Online with an agency (recommended – 100% remote)

Use www.registrocivil.es, a professional agency that processes certificates from any Justice of the Peace Court in Spain.

Direct links to apply:

Steps:

  1. Enter the corresponding link.
  2. Fill in the details
  3. Pay the agency fees online
  4. Receive the original by registered post

Advantages:

  • No travel required (ideal if you are in another city or abroad).
  • You can track your application
  • They manage old paper records.
  • They send the physical original by registered post.
  • They resolve incidents (errors, lost records, etc.).
  • Personalised attention.

3. Official online application (Ministry of Justice)

  • Access the Electronic Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice: sede.mjusticia.gob.es.
  • Step by step:
    1. Identify yourself with Cl@ve, digital certificate, or electronic ID (not available without these).
    2. Select the type of certificate you wish to request
    3. Enter the corresponding certificate details
    4. Download the PDF with a secure verification code.
  • Limitations: only for digitised records. If the death is old or not computerised, it will redirect you to an in-person application.
  • Advantages: requesting the certificate is free.
  • Disadvantages: there is no tracking of the application and the application may not be processed correctly if it has errors or missing information.

Civil marriage at the Justice of the Peace Court

Do you want an intimate and charming wedding? The Justice of the Peace Court is perfect.

  • Where: town hall room or judges office.
  • Requirements: prior file (processed by the court itself).
  • Cost: free.
  • Deadline: according to the registrys schedule.
  • Atmosphere: personal, close, and emotional.

Frequently asked questions

Can I request a certificate from a Justice of the Peace Court from another country?
Yes, with the online agency: www.registrocivil.es.

Are Justice of the Peace Court certificates valid abroad?
Yes, but you need the Hague Apostille (€25 extra at the agency).

What happens if the registry book is very old?
Only the Justice of the Peace Court has access to the original. The agency locates it.

Can I correct an error in the record?
Yes, go to the court with the original documentation.

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