The Philippine Embassy, through its consular section, performs authentication/notarization of documents that are to be used in the Philippines. Please be informed that the documents can be handed in personally or sent to us by post.

Overview of Chain Authentication

Although both the Philippines and Germany are parties to the 1961 Apostille Convention, the Apostille arrangement is currently not yet in force between the Philippines and Germany.

As such, documents executed in Germany must still be authenticated/legalized by the relevant Philippine Embassy or Consulate prior to use in the Philippines.

Documents submitted to the Embassy for authentication/legalization must undergo the so-called “chain authentication” in accordance with the 1963 Vienna Convention, which requires that documents be pre-authenticated by the relevant Competent Authority before they are submitted to the Embassy.

 IMPORTANT:   

• No express processing will be entertained for authentication or notarization of professional labor or employment contracts and manpower agreements
• Incomplete or incorrect documents will be sent back  
• Applicants must submit the original document together with one (1) photocopy for the Embassy’s file
• Kindly inquire with the Honorary Consulates if express processing is possible

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PROCEDURE

Once the documents have been pre-authenticated by the appropriate German authorities, the following steps need to be taken:

A. If sending the documents by post, please follow the below steps:

• Submit the document via email – Send scanned copies of the documents to authentication@philippine-embassy.de for pre-assessment.
• The Embassy assesses the completeness of the emailed submission
• Mail your documents to the Embassy – Once the emailed documents have been determined to be complete and in order by the Consular Officer, the informant/applicant will be instructed to mail the documents to:
  • Embassy of the Philippines
    Authentication Unit
    Luisenstraße 16, 10117 Berlin, Germany
  • You must include proof of payment (Überweisungsbeleg) of €27.50 per document, one (1) photocopy for the Embassy’s file, and a self-addressed envelope with €4.05 Deutsche post stamps or a pre-paid envelope, preferably from a private courier service (e.g. UPS Standard, DHL Expresseasy) that will be used to send back your documents.
    Note: The Embassy assumes no liability for any loss of documents once they have been handed over to the German Post Office / courier service.

B. If submitting the documents personally, please arrange an appointment here and provide the following:

• Payment of €27.50 in cash per document
• One (1) photocopy for the Embassy’s file
• Self-addressed return envelope with EUR 4,05 postal stamps that will be used to send back your documents
• For Special Power of Attorney, Affidavit, and Au Pair Contract signatories should bring 2 copies of their passports.

Express processing: An applicant who appears PERSONALLY at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin may pay an additional fee of €11.00 (per document) for the document to be processed and released the NEXT WORKING DAY. The processed document(s) may be picked up personally, or mailed back through a self-addressed pre-paid return envelope. 

Due to the increased workload, we regret that express processing CANNOT BE DONE ON THE SAME DAY.

Regular processing: For regular processing, applicants may return to the Embassy to claim the processed document after five (5) working days or have it mailed back through a self-addressed pre-paid return envelope.

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FORMS FOR AUTHENTICATION

Please be advised that the Embassy follows the “NO REFUND POLICY “ on fees paid by applicants for actual services rendered by the Embassy. “Actual services rendered” include, but are not limited to, services rendered from receipt of documents for review by the Consular Officer or, in case of payment, from the time of its receipt, and not merely restricted to the issuance of the document. Fees for unserviced applications/applications no longer pursued are non-refundable.