A Cuban woman residing in Spain has taken to social media to express her frustration over the challenges of using Cuban-issued documents for citizenship procedures. Known online as Yuni Rodríguez, she highlighted the delays in obtaining, legalizing, and transferring these documents, which often renders them invalid before they can be utilized.
“How long will this mistreatment of us Cubans continue? How long?” Yuni passionately questions in her video, which quickly garnered over 17,000 views and 151 comments, capturing the widespread discontent among many.
The Bureaucratic Struggle
The core issue Yuni describes is Spain’s requirement for criminal records valid for three to six months, depending on the region. However, procuring these from Cuba, legalizing them through the Ministry of Justice (MINJUS), and finally having them apostilled at the Spanish Consulate in Havana can take several months. This is further complicated by frequent power outages that hamper digital processes.
“In Cuba, the power outages are so severe that by the time you obtain, legalize through MINJUS, and wait for the credentials needed to legalize at the Spanish consulate, which takes over two months, by the time it’s all done, the document is already expired,” she explains.
Systemic Challenges and Personal Decisions
Yuni also mentioned that she has been waiting for her Spanish marriage certificate since last year and is now contemplating a bold move: “I’m going to apply for Spanish citizenship with all the documents I brought from Cuba in 2024, expired or not, I don’t care.”
This frustration stems from a deeper issue: Cuba’s exclusion from the Hague Apostille Convention necessitates a double legalization process not required in other Latin American countries. While a Colombian citizen can obtain criminal records online within 24 hours, a Cuban citizen must endure a months-long ordeal and spend between 300 to 400 euros just for this procedure, according to several users commenting on the video.
Shared Experiences and Frustrations
Other Cubans in Spain echoed Yuni's sentiment, indicating her situation is far from unique. “We spend so much time chasing documents everywhere, it’s a huge stress and requires the endurance of an elite athlete,” shared one follower.
Another recounted their costly experience: “I had to pay 400 euros to legalize just the criminal record at the consulate through an agency, and the document arrived almost expired. It was issued in January and took six months to fully legalize, by then it was nearly expired.”
Some warned Yuni that submitting expired documents might lead to rejection and further delays, citing instances where children’s citizenship applications were denied for this reason. Others encouraged her to push forward, understanding her outrage.
Wider Implications of Prolonged Delays
The situation is exacerbated by the context: in 2025, the Spanish Consulate in Havana was handling over 107,000 applications under the Democratic Memory Law, and by June 2026, reports surfaced of a black market for consular appointments charging up to 300 euros to expedite a slot, with some processes facing waits of up to 19 months.
“The biggest hurdle is the Spanish Consulate in Havana, the procedures take years, for god’s sake. It takes a toll on people’s lives, both physically and mentally,” summarized another commenter, voicing the silent struggles of thousands of Cubans in Spain.
FAQs on Cuban Document Legalization for Spanish Citizenship
Why are Cuban documents difficult to use for Spanish citizenship?
Cuba is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, requiring a lengthy double legalization process that other Latin American countries don't face.
How long does it take to legalize documents from Cuba?
The process can take several months due to the need for multiple legalizations and frequent power outages in Cuba that delay digital procedures.
What are the costs associated with Cuban document legalization for Spain?
Legalizing documents can cost between 300 and 400 euros, not including potential additional fees for expedited consular appointments.