AUTHENTICATION AND OTHER LEGAL/NOTARIAL SERVICES

The Philippine Embassy, through its Consular Section, performs its authentication/legalization function/services in the context of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Convention states that, among other things, the various kind of documents sourced from a particular country (e.g. public documents, private documents, and commercial documents) shall bevalid in another country after being subjected to an agreed-upon authentication procedure.

A.Authentication of Documents for use in the Philippines

Persons applying for authentication/legalization of documents may do it in person or by post. Following the guidelines of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the process consists of a so-called chain authentication as follows:

In Germany, the following proceduresare adapted:

  1. Alldocuments executed by a German national(e.g. affidavit, power of attorney, deed of sale, contracts, etc.)must be in English and signed by a German Notary Public (Notar). The signature of the German Notar should then be authenticated by the respective State Judicial President (Landgericht) where the said Notary Public is registered.

Documents issued by a company or business federation, or issued by a German government office, if in German language with no English subtitles must be translated to English by a licensed translator (vereidigter Übersetzer). The photocopy of the German document should be attached to the English translation. The document should then be brought to the State Judicial President (Landgericht).

Commercial documentsmust be in English and authenticated by the Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) in the region.

Civil registry documentsissued by the Standesamt, (e.g. birth certificates, marriage certificates and similar documents that will be used for any transaction in the Philippines)must bein English and authenticated by the nearest Regierungspräsidium.

Police clearance (Führungszeugnis)must be accompanied by an English translation by a licensed translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) and authenticated by theLandgericht.

Au pair contractmust be in English and signed before a German Notar then authenticated by the Landgericht. (A separate information sheet on au pair contracts is found in the Website)

  1. The document will be further authenticated by the Philippine Embassy in Berlin.Documents shall be authenticated individually and those without the signatures and seals of both the Notary Public and the required agency will not be processed.
  1. Applicantsare required to bringtheir valid passport and a clear photocopy of its data page and/or attache a copy thereof to the document.
  1. Applicants must submit theoriginal document together with one (1) photocopy for the Embassy’s file.

B.Other Legal/Notarial Servicesonly for Filipino citizens

Consular officers of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin also perform and assist Filipino citizens in:

  1. the administration of all oaths and affirmations provided for by law and in all matters incident to the notarial office;
  2. the execution of affidavits, depositions, and other documents requiring an oath
  3. receipt of proof and acknowledgment of all writings relating to commerce and navigation
  4. acting as magistrate, in the writing of affidavits, and making declarations and certifying to the truth thereof.

For Applications by Post

The applicant must mail all the documents meeting the above requirements.

  1. Please provide a self-addressed/stamped envelope for the return of the authenticated document(s) via registered mail (Euro 3,60 Einschreiben). Processing time is five (5) working days exclusive of mailing time.The envelope may also be used for sending back incomplete documents. You cannot purchase stamps at the Philippine Embassy.
  1. The fee for each of the above services is Euro 22,50 per document, payable in cash if the applicant visits the Embassy or the Consulate. For transactions with the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, payments may be made by Überweisung to the following account of the Philippine Embassy:

Name: Philippinische Botschaft

IBAN:DE83 3807 0059 0195 0229 00

BIC (SWIFT):DEUTDEDK380
Verwendungszweck: [Your name] [name of document]

If applying with the Honorary Consular Posts, please use their own bank details.

Please note that for Überweisung, please send the exact amount exclusive of bank charges. Please attach a photocopy of the proof of payment to your accomplished application form.