In 2026, the conversation is no longer about ‘getting there on time’. Now the key is to strengthen your application, anticipate the requirements, and avoid unnecessary delays.

If you need to understand the full context and current status of the legal framework, you can consult our comprehensive guide and the status of the Grandchildren's Law in 2026.

Situation in 2026: who will find this guide useful?

The ordinary deadline established in the Eighth Additional Provision of the Democratic Memory Law was temporary. However, thousands of files are still being processed.

This article is particularly relevant if:

• You have already submitted your application within the deadline.
• You have an appointment and are preparing the documentation.
• You have received a request.
• You suspect that your file may contain documentary inconsistencies.

This is not a guide for starting an application from scratch. It is a guide for optimising what is already in progress.

Why many files are delayed (and how to anticipate this)

Most delays are not solely due to the volume of applications. They are due to three recurring factors:

• Incomplete or incorrect documentation.
• Errors in legalisation or translation.
• Inconsistencies in the family register.

A file is not necessarily rejected due to bad faith or lack of entitlement. It is often delayed due to lack of documentary accuracy.

In 2026, the difference will no longer be speed, but the quality of the file.

Tip 1: document your strategy before submitting or responding

It is not enough to have the documents. They must be the correct documents and in the required format.

Key aspects to review:

• Literal certifications versus extracts.
• Date of issue and validity.
• Consistency in first and last names (historical transcription errors).
• Complete documentary chain: applicant → parent → Spanish grandparent.
• Existence of pending registry corrections.

In many cases, baptismal records can play an important role when complete civil registrations do not exist. If you need more information on this point, consult our guide on baptismal records and how to use them correctly in nationality applications.

Anticipating the documentation significantly reduces the risk of subsequent applications.

Tip 2: Legalisation and translation: errors that invalidate documents

A document may exist and yet still be invalid in the file.

Check especially:

• Whether the document needs an apostille or consular legalisation.
• Whether it requires a certified translation.
• Whether the translation matches the original exactly.
• Whether the format complies with the standards required by the consulate or civil registry.

One of the most common mistakes is to assume that a document accepted in another procedure will automatically be valid here.

Form is as important as content.

Tip 3: How to respond to a request without wasting months

Receiving a request does not mean that the file has been lost. It is a normal stage in complex procedures.

To respond appropriately:

1. Identify exactly what is being requested (do not interpret).
2. Check whether the problem lies with the documentation or the registry.
3. Provide complete, organised and identified documentation.
4. Include a brief explanatory note when necessary.
5. Keep a complete copy of everything you send.

An incomplete response generates new requests and unnecessarily prolongs the process.

At this stage, clarity is strategic.

Frequent errors in ongoing cases

In the current situation, the most common errors are:

• Relying on old lists of requirements.
• Providing “equivalent” documents that are not accepted.
• Failing to review the complete consistency of the family lineage.
• Confusing legal assumptions and basing the application on incorrect grounds.
• Failing to anticipate differences between consular criteria.

If you would like an overview of related resources and articles, you can consult our resource centre on the Grandchildren Act and nationality by descent.

From urgency to strategy

During the validity period, the priority was to submit the application on time. In 2026, the priority is different: to consolidate the file and minimise friction.

Nationality by historical memory was an extraordinary opportunity. Now the approach must be technical, documented, and strategic.

If you have questions about your file, documentation, or requirements, it is possible to analyse your specific case and define the next steps with legal criteria.

This article is informative and does not replace individualised legal advice.