I ran a straight-through padrón (municipal register) visit on a normal weekday. The aim was simple: can you do it in one morning, and what actually happens if you bring the right paper.
INE — Padrón municipal (official)
What I Brought
- ID: DNI/NIE or passport
- Proof of address: rental contract or deed; if you aren’t the holder, an authorization from the holder plus their ID copy
- One recent utility bill with the address (helpful, not always required)
- For minors: family book/passports and the adult’s authorization
- A pen and my own photocopies
The Run (Today’s Timings)
- 08:05 Arrive at the office entrance
- 08:07 Take a ticket (no appointment; light queue)
- 08:12 Quick triage at the door; forms handed over
- 08:18 Fill forms (name, ID, address, household)
- 08:23 Called to the desk
- 08:31 Documents checked; one question about contract dates
- 08:36 Data keyed; confirm spelling on screen
- 08:41 Sign; clerk takes copy
- 08:47 “Volante” (simple certificate) printed; “certificado” available with stamp/fee later if needed
- 08:53 Out
Time inside: 46 minutes. With walking and coffee, still a one-morning job.
What Actually Happens at the Desk
- They confirm identity, tie you to the address, and add you to the household record.
- If the holder isn’t with you, the authorization matters more than the bill.
- Handwritten or short contracts trigger an extra question.
- If someone on the padrón clearly moved away, you may sign a short declaration so they can clean the record.
Where People Lose Time
- No authorization from the address holder
- Contract missing the page with the full address
- Phone photos instead of clean copies the scanner can read
- Appointment taken for the wrong desk (registry vs padrón)
Bring paper. It moves faster than a cracked screen.
One Small Change To Try At The Door
- A thin “docs ready” card with four tick boxes: ID, proof of address, holder authorization (if not holder), copies ready.
- A second tray at triage so people hand over the full set at once, not sheet by sheet.
Cost: printing and a tray. Expect fewer returns for missing pages.
My Checklist (Copy/Paste)
- ID + photocopy
- Contract or deed page with your address + photocopy
- If not the holder: signed authorization from the holder + their ID copy
- One recent bill with the address (if you have it)
- For minors: family book/passports and authorization
- A pen
Edge Cases And What To Ask
- Renting a room and the holder won’t sign: ask if there’s an alternative path (responsible declaration or social-services referral).
- Bill with a small address error: show the contract; they’ll use it.
- No printer: ask for the email to send PDFs to the desk printer, or use the copy shop first.
- Contract start date in the future: many offices accept it if you already have keys; they may ask for a follow-up bill later.
What I’ll Measure Next Time
- Entrance to ticket: target under 10 minutes
- Ticket to desk: target under 20 minutes on non-peak days
- Desk time: target under 15 minutes with complete documents
- Returns for missing documents: target 0
- Door signage that matches the docs card: yes/no
- People redirected from the wrong desk: count for 15 minutes
If the office tries the “docs ready” card, I’ll re-run on a busier day and see if the averages drop.
If I Ran The Counter For A Week
- Put forms on a clipboard with the four boxes at the top so people self-check as they write.
- Seat triage next to a copier for single missing pages.
- One big sign at the door: “Padrón here; Registry there” with arrows.
- Make the website’s “what to bring” match the door card, word for word.
Notes To Myself
- Don’t promise “same day” if another office needs a stamped certificado. The volante is fast; the certificado may take longer or carry a fee.
- If you need the certificate for something later today, say so at the door so they can triage you.
- Keep two copies of everything. If a scanner jams, one set survives.
What Went Wrong In Front Of Me (And How To Avoid It)
- One person had only a phone photo of the contract and no holder authorization; they were told to return.
- Another had ID but no proof of address; they left to print a bill the landlord emailed.
- Having clean copies and the authorization kept my desk time under ten minutes.
When This Format Helps
- First registration after moving
- Address change within the same town
- Adding a newborn or partner to the household record
Same method each time: right papers, one pass, out before lunch. If the process changes, I’ll date an edit and rerun the timings.