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.

NOTE: The list below is not exhaustive – all other documents not listed below must have passed through the usual chain authentication and must have gone through the Notar and Landgericht, if to be submitted by post. All documents in German must be accompanied by an official English translation made by a licensed translator, and the official English translation must be authenticated by the Landgericht. 

 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

Prior to sending the documents by post or submitting in person, please ensure that the documents have been pre-authenticated by the corresponding German authorities indicated above.

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

• Submit the document/s via email for pre-assessment – Please send the scanned copies of the documents to authentication@philippine-embassy.de. The Authentication officer will assesses the completeness of the emailed submission, and will inform you if the documents are ok to be sent by post.
• Mail your documents to the Embassy – Once the emailed documents have been determined to be complete and in order by the Consular Officer, you 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 book an appointment here and prepare the following:

• Payment of €27.50 in cash per document
• One (1) photocopy of the document/s 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 (SPA), Affidavits, and Au Pair Contracts, the signatories should bring 2 photocopies of their passport data pages.

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PROCESSING TIMES

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.

Note: Express processing cannot be released on the same day.

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

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BANK DETAILS OF THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BERLIN

Account Name:     Philippinische Botschaft
IBAN:                       DE83 3807 0059 0195 0229 00
BIC:                          DEUTDEDK380
Bank Name:          Deutsche Bank AG, Bonn

View the complete list of fees here.

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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.