Digital Certificate (Certificado Digital): Complete Setup Guide

eIdentifier needs a card reader. Cl@ve can’t sign documents. The digital certificate (certificado digital) does both — and more.

It’s a software certificate issued by the FNMT (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Spain’s national mint) that lives on your computer. Once installed, it lets you authenticate, sign documents, and access every government service — without carrying your TIE card or needing your phone.

Anyone with legal residency in Spain can apply, regardless of residency type — student, temporary, long-term, family reunion, all eligible.

What Can You Do with It?

Everything Cl@ve does, plus:

• Sign documents legally — contracts, declarations, power of attorney
• Submit immigration applications online via the mercurio platform — no in-person visit needed
• Pay TASA 790-052 online (790-012 does not support online payment yet)
• Request refunds for incorrect TASA payments — submit electronically
• Book fingerprint appointments for other people — using your own certificate
• Download empadronamiento instantly — no waiting for postal delivery
• File taxes, check social security, access DGT — same as Cl@ve but without phone dependency

How to Get It: 4 Steps

Step 1: Download FNMT software

Go to the FNMT website (sede.fnmt.gob.es) and download the Configurador FNMT software. Install it on the computer where you’ll use the certificate.

Critical: the certificate will only be installable on this same computer. Don’t use a shared or temporary machine.

Step 2: Submit application online

On the FNMT website, select Certificado de persona física → Solicitar certificado. Enter:

• Your full name (as on TIE)
• Your NIE number
• Your email address

You’ll receive a request code (código de solicitud) by email. Save it.

Step 3: In-person identity verification

Within 10 days of submitting the application, visit one of these offices in person with your TIE + passport:

• Tax office (AEAT) — appointments are relatively easy to get and have good availability
• Social Security office — also accepts walk-ins in many locations
• Some municipal offices — availability varies

The officer verifies your identity and approves your application. Takes 5 minutes.

Tip: Tax office (AEAT) appointments are the easiest to get. More availability than social security or police stations.

Step 4: Download and install

After identity verification (usually within hours, sometimes next day), return to the FNMT website on the same computer. Enter your request code and download the certificate.

During installation, you must set a password. This password is:

• Required every time you install or export the certificate
• Not recoverable — if you forget it, you must start over from Step 1
• Should be stored securely (password manager recommended)

Export and Transfer

Once installed, you can export the certificate unlimited times and transfer it between computers:

Export: Browser settings → Privacy & Security → Manage certificates → Export → Select “export private key” → Enter your password → Save the .p12 file

Import on another computer: Double-click the .p12 file → Enter password → Installed.

A certificate exported without a password is invalid. Always include the private key and password.

Mobile Access

The official FNMT app allows certificate installation on mobile phones. However, most government websites are difficult to use on mobile — a computer is still needed for practical purposes.

For mobile-friendly government access, Cl@ve works better.

When It Expires

Digital certificates are valid for a set period (typically 2-4 years). When it expires:

• Renew online before expiration (easy, no in-person visit)
• If already expired, start from Step 1 again

The Full Stack

With all three systems set up, you’re fully equipped:

Situation	Use
Quick check from phone	Cl@ve
Highest security authentication	eIdentifier
Sign documents, submit applications	Digital Certificate
Book appointments for family	Digital Certificate
File taxes from home	Any of the three

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This article is part of SCLT’s TIE knowledge base — source facts verified against 118 immigration law articles and community experience.

Related: What Is TIE? · eIdentifier Guide · Cl@ve Guide