Requirements for a German Citizen to Obtain Legal Capacity to Marry (LCM) in the Philippines
(A practitioner‑oriented guide as of 17 April 2025)
1. Why a “Legal‑Capacity” document is indispensable
Article 21 of the Family Code of the Philippines requires every foreigner who wishes to wed in the country to prove that he or she “possesses legal capacity to marry” under the laws of his/her own State. The local civil registrar (LCR) cannot issue a Philippine marriage licence without this proof. For German nationals, the proof normally comes in one of two forms:
| Form | Issued by | Statutory root in German law | Typical Philippine label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ehefähigkeitszeugnis (Certificate of No Impediment, CNI) | The Standesamt (civil registrar) that has jurisdiction over the German’s last or current place of residence | §§ 1309–1312 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) in conjunction with §§ 38–39 Personenstandsgesetz (PStG) | “Legal Capacity to Marry” or “Certificate of Legal Capacity” |
| “Affirmation in Lieu of an Ehefähigkeitszeugnis” (Eidesstattliche Versicherung) | A German Embassy/Consulate abroad, if the Standesamt certifies that it is unable to issue a CNI because foreign law must first be clarified by a German court (Befreiung nach § 1309 II BGB) | § 1309 II BGB; §§ 102–104 PStG | Also accepted by many LCRs as proof of LCM |
Either document, once apostilled for use abroad, satisfies Article 21 Family Code.
2. Core legal texts to keep in view
| Jurisdiction | Key provisions |
|---|---|
| Philippines | Art. 21, 11, 15 & 26 Family Code; § 5(b) Civil Registry Law (Act No. 3753); DFA Circular 2024‑11 on apostille formalities |
| Germany | §§ 1303‑1318 BGB (marriage requirements); § 1309 (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis obligation); §§ 38‑39 & 79‑82 PStG (civil‑status procedure); Haager Apostille Convention 1961 (both States are Parties) |
3. Document checklist for the German fiancée/fiancé
| Document | Where obtained | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Valid German passport | Bürgeramt/Standesamt or German Embassy (if renewal abroad) | Photocopy (biopage) + original for inspection |
| Geburtsurkunde (full‑form birth certificate) | Standesamt of place of birth | Must be issued within the last six months if it is to be filed with a Standesamt for the CNI |
| Meldebescheinigung (certificate of residence) or Abmeldebescheinigung if no longer registered in Germany | Local Bürgeramt | Shows current civil status (“ledig”, “geschieden”, “verwitwet”) |
| Proof of civil status changes (if any) | – Divorce decree rechtskräftig, death certificate of deceased spouse, or annulment judgment | Certified copy + legalised/Apostille + sworn German translation into English/Tagalog if required by LCR |
| Affidavit of parental consent/advice | Not normally needed—minimum marriageable age in both jurisdictions is 18 (Germany) / 18 (Philippines) | |
| Ehefähigkeitszeugnis or Embassy Affirmation | Standesamt in Germany or German Embassy Manila | Apostille by a German authority (Landgerichtspräsident or district Regierungspräsidium) |
Practical tip: The Philippine LCR will file the German original plus an English translation done by a licensed Philippine translator or a German court‑sworn translator. Provide two sets.
4. Philippine documents required by the German Standesamt
Because a German Standesamt examines the capacity of both parties, the Filipino partner must supply:
- PSA‑issued birth certificate (security paper, issued ≤ 6 months before filing).
- PSA‑issued CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record).
- If previously married: PSA divorce/annulment decree, judicial recognition of a foreign divorce (if applicable), or death certificate.
- Passport/Philippine ID copy.
- All above documents: DFA‑Apostilled and translated into German by a court‑sworn translator.
Plan at least 2–3 months for the Standesamt examination; some districts forward the file to the Oberlandesgericht (higher regional court) for a § 1309 II BGB exemption, adding another 2–3 months.
5. Step‑by‑step procedure
| Stage | Action | Authority / time‑frame |
|---|---|---|
| A – Collect & legalise documents | Both parties gather documents and secure apostilles/translations. | PSA ≈1 week; DFA apostille 3–5 working days; German local offices 1–2 weeks |
| B – Apply for Ehefähigkeitszeugnis | File complete set at German Standesamt (in person or through an authorised relative). Pay fee (€65–120); processing 4–12 weeks. | Standesamt in Germany |
| C – Apostille & courier to PH | Once issued, Standesamt forwards to Landgericht for apostille. DHL/FedEx delivery to Manila. | 1–2 weeks |
| D – Translate into English (if necessary) | Have the CNI translated & notarised. | 1–3 days |
| E – Apply for Philippine marriage licence | Personal appearance before the LCR where the Filipino resides: submit CNI/affirmation, passport copies, birth documents, passport photos, pre‑marriage counselling certificate. | 10‑day posting period under Art. 64 Family Code |
| F – Solemnisation & registration | Civil, church, or embassy wedding; file Certificate of Marriage with LCR within 15 days. | PSA copy available after ≈3 months |
Validity window: Many LCRs insist that the CNI or Embassy Affirmation be no more than 120 days old on the date the licence is issued. Check locally.
6. When the Standesamt cannot issue a CNI
If the Oberlandesgericht concludes that German substantive law does not require a foreign CNI because the Filipino spouse’s capacity is governed by Philippine law, it will issue a Befreiung (exemption). The Embassy in Manila may then take an affirmation under oath from the German national reciting:
- personal data & current civil status;
- reference to the OLG exemption order;
- statement that no legal impediment exists under German law.
The Embassy notarises the affirmation (fee ≈ €56 or PHP equivalent) and attaches the OLG order. This packet, once apostilled by the German Federal Foreign Office, is accepted by most Philippine LCRs as LCM. Always telephone the LCR in advance; some smaller offices still insist on the classic CNI.
7. Special situations
| Scenario | Additional requirement |
|---|---|
| Previous German divorce | German decree must bear the Rechtskraftvermerk (finality stamp). If divorce occurred outside the EU, a German Recognition of Foreign Divorce certificate (§ 107 FamFG) is mandatory before the CNI can be issued. |
| Widow/er | Spouse’s death certificate (German Sterbeurkunde or PSA record) + apostille + translation. |
| Adoption / legitimation | Provide amended birth certificate reflecting new parentage plus adoption decree. |
| Same‑sex couples | Phil. law currently recognises only heterosexual marriages. A German same‑sex couple can marry in Germany and later register the marriage in the PH for immigration purposes, but cannot solemnise one in the PH. |
| Age 18‑25 German citizen | Parents’ advice/knowledge is needed under § 1304 BGB; Standesamt will ask for parents’ statement, but the Philippine LCR itself does not require it. |
8. Post‑marriage: recognition and immigration
- German recognition: Send PSA marriage certificate (with DFA apostille) to the Standesamt to register the marriage in the German family register (Eheregister).
- Philippine immigration benefits for the German spouse: Convert visa to 13(a) Permanent Resident, 47(a)(2) work visa, or stay on a 9(a) tourist visa with “Balikbayan” stamp.
- German immigration for the Filipino spouse: Apply for Familiennachzug (family‑reunification) visa at the German Embassy Manila; present A1 German‑language certificate, financial proof, rental contract, and PSA‑apostilled marriage certificate.
9. Common pitfalls & practitioner tips
- Document staleness: Philippine LCRs occasionally reject CNIs older than 6 months even if apostilled—renew early.
- Wrong translations: Use translators accredited by the Regional Trial Court (PH) or sworn translators (vereidigte Übersetzer) in Germany.
- Name mismatches: The Standesamt will refuse to issue a CNI if the Filipino’s documents carry inconsistent middle names; correct first via PSA annotation.
- Short stay weddings: Because the German must appear personally to apply for the Philippine licence, advise clients to plan at least three weeks in the Philippines.
- Church weddings: The Catholic Church still requires the civil licence first, plus its own Nihil Obstat and pre‑Cana seminars.
10. Fees and processing timeline snapshot
| Item | Typical fee (PHP/€) | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|
| PSA Birth/CENOMAR | PHP 155 / PHP 210 | 1 week |
| DFA apostille (per doc.) | PHP 200 | 3–5 days |
| German Standesamt fee | €65–120 | 4–12 weeks |
| German apostille | €25 | 1 week |
| Embassy notarisation (affirmation) | €56 (~PHP 3,600) | Same day |
| Philippine marriage licence | PHP 350 | 10 days (posting) |
Conclusion
Obtaining Legal Capacity to Marry for a German citizen in the Philippines is a two‑jurisdiction exercise: German civil‑status authorities verify freedom to marry under German law, while Philippine civil registrars insist on seeing that verification before issuing a marriage licence. Early document gathering, meticulous apostille and translation, and clear communication with both the German Standesamt and the Philippine LCR are critical to avoid costly delays. Observing the timelines above, most couples can move from first document request to a Philippine wedding ceremony in three to five months—and under smoother circumstances if the German Embassy’s affirmation route is available.