Four problems derail Canada-to-Spain apostille applications more than anything else, and they show up in order, at predictable points in the process. 

• Consulate variation: The Spanish consulate in Toronto has stricter RCMP freshness requirements than the Vancouver consulate. Montreal accepts French documents differently in the initial review than Calgary does. You won't find it in the consulate's official requirements. The only way to know is to have submitted to that specific consulate before or to ask someone who has
• Document mismatch: Name inconsistencies between passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and RCMP checks are a common source of rejection.
• Timing and deadlines: Apostilles take time, provincial authorities may take several weeks, and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) can take 8–14 weeks depending on the season. Misjudging these timelines can result in documents expiring before submission.
• Translation issues: Spain requires a traductor jurado registered with the MAEC. This is a specific, verifiable credential, not a self-declared specialisation. Unregistered translators exist, charge similar rates, and produce documents that Spanish consulates reject without appeal. Verify before you pay.