Hi everyone,

Feel a bit bad that my first post is a whine but I really have to comment on how excessive the charges are in the Consulate. Getting a passport is bad enough costing as it does 160? but it doesn’t stop there.  I’m going to register as an official civil partnership with my Spanish boyfriend of 11 years ( the time I’ve been living in Spain) and under Spanish law have to present a civil status certificate only valid if issued by the consulate. Now this is free for a Spanish national, just printed off the Internet and registered at the register and that’s it but imagine my total shock when i rang the consulate to ask what paperwork they needed and was told that to issue the certificate is 145?. This is a certificate that they print whilst you wait mind you not a huge administrative hassle surely, so the cost is totally abusive as they know you have to get it there.  Is there any way around it. Has anyone else registered in Madrid and managed to do it without getting this certificate from the embassy? Appreciate any advice
Thanks
Lisa