Seamless Legalization for Philippine Civil Status Documents for Use in Germany
Are you preparing to use your Philippine-issued documents in Germany? The process is more complex than a standard apostille, and we’re here to help. We specialize in navigating the unique steps required for German legalization of Philippine civil status documents—including birth, marriage, and death certificates.
Philippine Apostille Alone Is Not Enough for Germany
Although the Philippines ratified the Hague Apostille Convention on September 12, 2018, with implementation starting May 14, 2019, Germany has lodged an official objection to its application with respect to Philippine-issued documents . This means:
Philippine documents bearing an apostille are not recognized by German authorities unless further legalized .
Only legalization by the German Embassy in Manila provides the authentication required under German law (Sec. 13 Consular Act; Sec. 438 Civil Procedure Law).
To ensure your Philippine civil status documents are accepted in Germany, the following steps must be followed:
Order newly issued PSA documents via the official portal: PSA Helpline → DFA-Apostille (DFA-OCA) .
When ordering, specify the DFA-OCA’s Authentication Division in Parañaque as the receiving address, and include your contact information .
Wait for email confirmation of delivery to DFA-OCA. Then, settle the authentication fee via Landbank’s LinkBiz (per instructions in the DFA-OCA email) .
Visit DFA-OCA to pay the remaining service fees.
The German Embassy in Manila will handle the legalization—no appointment required, thanks to a closed-circuit procedure between DFA and the Embassy. Note, the Embassy may request supplementary documents (e.g. LCR certificate, baptismal or school records) in cases of illegible or delayed PSA registration .
Important: Only newly issued PSA certificates as part of this closed-circuit are acceptable; older documents—even if apostilled—cannot be legalized
How We Can Help You
At R.B. Soriano Law Office, we offer comprehensive support to streamline this complex process:
Guidance on properly ordering PSA documents via PSA Helpline → DFA-OCA
Coordination with DFA-OCA for authentication payments and logistics
Assistance with document submission to the German Embassy for legalization
Completion of additional documentation (e.g., LCR or supplementary certificates), if needed
Clear, client-focused updates—unlike the Embassy, which does not provide status updates
Indeed, even if some German institutions may accept an apostille alone—especially in informal cases—a government agency, such as registry offices, immigration, or courts, will likely require full legalization. To avoid complications with visas, registrations, or civil matters in Germany, proper legalization is the safest route.
Let us take the legal stress off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters in Germany. Consult with R.B. Soriano Law Office now. You may contact us via email at rbsorianolaw@gmail.com or our local number 0917-685-3999.
