IF NEEDED

Supplement request — 10 days to respond

You received a requerimiento: what it means, how to respond, and what happens if you miss the deadline.

What is a requerimiento?

A formal request from the office to supply missing or incomplete documents.
It is not a denial — it is the office giving you a chance to complete your file.

How much time do I have?

Usually 10 working days from the notification date, though some procedure-specific notices set a different deadline.
If notified by letter, you have 10 days from the date you sign for it (or from the second delivery attempt if unclaimed).

What if I miss the deadline?

The file is archived (archivado) — the case is closed without decision.
You can re-file a new renewal application, but you lose time and the original filing date protection.

Conclusion

A requerimiento is not a denial. It is a chance to fix your file. Respond within 10 working days or the case gets archived.

What triggers a requerimiento

Common triggers:
• Missing document (forgotten attachment, wrong form version)
• Expired document (empadronamiento older than 3 months, expired passport copy)
• Insufficient evidence for the route (e.g. work contract but no Social Security record)
• Fee not paid or incorrect fee code
The requerimiento letter specifies exactly what is missing.

How to respond

Three channels to submit the supplement:
1. Mercurio — upload documents to your existing file (fastest, leaves a digital trail).
2. In-person — bring originals + copies to the office with a cita previa or during information hours.
3. Postal — registered mail to the office, referencing your file number (número de expediente).
Always reference your file number and the requerimiento date in your submission.

The 10-day clock

10 working days (hábiles) is the standard default, not calendar days. Some procedure-specific notices may set a different deadline — always read the notification itself for your exact deadline. Weekends and holidays do not count.
The clock starts from:
• The date you sign for the postal notification, OR
• The date of the second failed delivery attempt (if you did not collect the letter), OR
• The date the electronic notification was accessed via DEHú.
If notified by letter and you never collected it, the notification is still valid after the second attempt.

After responding

Once you submit the supplement, the 3-month resolution clock resumes from where it paused. Your file goes back to en trámite. No additional action is needed unless another requerimiento arrives.

If you miss the deadline

The file is archived. Archivado means the case is closed without a merits decision — it is not the same as denied.
You can:
• File a new renewal application (but you lose the original filing date and its protective effects).
• In some cases, file a recurso de alzada arguing you had cause for the delay (illness, postal failure).

What to do

Treat the requerimiento as urgent. 10 working days is shorter than it sounds.

Bring

Requerimiento letter read and understood
Deadline calculated (10 working days)
Missing documents identified
File number (número de expediente) noted
Submission channel chosen
Supplement submitted with proof
Status re-checked after submission

Steps

Read the requerimiento letter carefully — it lists exactly what is missing.
Count 10 working days from the notification date to set your hard deadline.
Gather the missing documents.
Submit via Mercurio (fastest) or in-person, always referencing your file number.
Confirm submission and keep proof.
Check status again 2-3 weeks after submitting the supplement.

Basis

Art. 68 of Ley 39/2015 (Common Administrative Procedure) governs the subsanación (supplement) process: 10-day deadline, consequences of non-compliance, and the right to be notified of what is missing. Art. 73 covers the archival consequence.

Verified: 2026-10-07Next review: 2027-01-05