An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document. It is issued by a country that is party to the Apostille Convention to be used in another country which is also a party to the Convention.

On 14 May 2019, the Philippines became a party to the Apostille Convention. Authentication is still required for all Philippine documents to be used abroad, but this time with an Apostille instead of an Authentication Certificate (“red ribbon”) as proof of authentication.

After authentication (Apostillization) by DFA-OCA, as Competent Authority, there is no more need for authentication (legalization) by the Embassies or Consulates except for non-Apostille countries and those that objected to the Philippine accession.

The Apostille Convention only applies if both the country where the public document was issued and the country where the public document is to be used are parties to the Convention. For the updated list of all “Apostille Countries,” please visit this link: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41

Like in non-Apostille countries, the Philippine Apostille cannot be readily used in Finland, Germany and Greece (Apostille countries that objected to the Philippine accession). Documents from and to such countries will require legalization by the concerned Embassy or Consulate.

If your public document is to be used in a country where the Apostille Convention does not apply, you should contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country where you intend to use the document in order to find out what your options are. This usually means that you need to present your documents to the said country’s Embassy or Consulate in the Philippines for its authentication/legalization. You may also ask the intended recipient of your document whether an Apostille is necessary in your particular case.

The Philippine Apostille applies to the same types of documents that were subject to authentication by the DFA prior to the effectivity of the Apostille Convention in the Philippines.

Moreover, Apostilles are strictly for the use of public documents abroad. Thus, if your document is to be used in the Philippines, it cannot be submitted to the DFA for authentication/Apostillization.

Private documents or those that were executed by the applicants in their private capacity can be authenticated only if they have been notarized and subsequently issued a Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) by the supervising Regional Trial Court.

The Apostille streamlines the whole authentication procedure of documents for use abroad resulting to more convenience, less cost and processing time for the applicants. Before Apostille, a Philippine document to be used abroad needs a Certification by the relevant government agency or office, Authentication by the DFA and Authentication (Legalization) by the Embassy or Consulate of the country of destination.

With the Apostille, the aforementioned document will no longer require legalization by the Foreign Embassy or Consulate if the country of destination is also an Apostille country.

The Apostille is available in all Authenticating Units of the DFA: DFA-Aseana; DFA Consular Office (CO) Northeast (Ali Mall, Cubao); CO East (SM Megamall); CO West (SM Manila); CO South (Metro Gaisano, Alabang); CO San Fernando, Pampanga; CO Davao (SM Davao); CO Iloilo; and CO Cebu (Pacific Mall-Metro Mandaue).

Payment for DFA-OCA’s Authentication service is : Php100.00 for regular processing (released after five working days) and Php200.00 for expedited processing (released after two working days).

Just as Philippine documents for use in Apostille countries will no longer need to pass through another authentication by the Foreign Embassies in Manila after they have been authenticated (Apostillized) by the DFA-OCA, foreign documents from Apostille countries will only need Apostillization by the host government for them to be validly used in the Philippines or in another Apostille country. (Note: DFA-OCA does not authenticate/Apostillize foreign documents.)

There shall be no change in the authentication process between the Philippines and the non-Apostille countries and Austria, Finland, Germany and Greece.

Philippine Embassies/Consulates shall no longer authenticate documents originating from Apostille countries. Such documents still need the Apostille from the host government but not the authentication (legalization) by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. Embassies and Consulates are not authorized to issue an Apostille. However, Philippine Embassies and Consulates shall continue to provide acknowledgement and jurat services to walk-in applicants regardless of whether the origin of the document is an Apostille country or not.

Just like the Authentication Certificate (or “red ribbon”), an Apostille only certifies the origin of the public document to which it relates: it certifies the authenticity of the signature or seal of the person or authority that signed or sealed the public document and the capacity in which this was done.

An Apostille does not certify the content of the public document to which it relates.

Documents originating from another country are considered as “Foreign Documents”. There are two (2) types of Foreign Documents:

1. Certificate of Authentication, Certificate of Acknowledgment, Jurat, and other documents issued by Philippine Embassies/Consulates; and
2. Documents issued by Foreign Embassies / Consulates in the Philippines.

Foreign documents cannot undergo authentication (apostillization) since this process is only applicable to Philippine public documents for use abroad. If foreign documents will only be submitted to local offices in the Philippines, documents shall be submitted at the DFA Aseana for Certification.

A Certification is only issued to foreign documents described in items 1 and 2. This is for one-time use only. Please be reminded that the Certification is strictly for local use and cannot be submitted to Foreign Embassies / Consulates in the Philippines.

If the foreign document is apostillized by another country, it shall be submitted directly to the local office without the need for further authentication/certification by the DFA or Philippine Embassies / Consulates.

Kindly coordinate with the concerned Foreign Embassy / Consulate. Since the Philippines is not the issuing authority nor the recipient of the document, the DFA Apostille or Certification is not applicable.

An e-Apostille is an apostille issued in electronic form which bears an electronic signature with a digital certificate. Like a normal apostille, it authenticates the origin of a public document that will be used abroad.

Because the apostille is issued electronically, it ensures the apostille’s authenticity and security. Applicants also have the option to send the e-Apostille directly to its end users via email, which minimizes the risk of tampering and fraud.

1. Determine first whether an e-Apostille is acceptable to the end-user
   • Not all countries accept an e-Apostille and would still require the physical copy of the apostille and the underlying public document. Before securing your Philippine public document, make sure to know the requirements of your end-user.
   • For Philippine public documents to be used in Non-Apostille Countries, note that these still need to be legalized by their Embassies/ Consulates in the Philippines. Make sure to inquire with them first before securing your document.
   • You may view the list of the Apostille Convention Member-States and their respective Competent Authorities:
     https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41
2. Secure the e-Certificate version of your public document
   • Currently, the e-Apostille may only be issued to the e-Certificate of the Philippine Statistics Authority. To secure an e-Certificate of your PSA document, please visit https://e-app1.apostille.gov.ph, select the PSA document you wish to be apostillized, and pay the corresponding fees
   • Please note the Reference Code once you have successfully paid for the e-Certificate.
3. Pay for the e-Apostille through LinkBiz
   • After paying for the PSA e-Certificate, you may now proceed to Landbank’s LinkBiz Portal, select Single DFA e-Apostille for PSA e-Certificates on the dropdown menu and pay for the e-Apostille fee. Payment for the PSA e-Certificate is separate from the e-Apostille fee.
   • Input your Reference Code from your PSA e-Certificate transaction.
   • An e-Apostille costs 200 Php, the same as the expedited processing fee.
4. Receive your e-Apostille via e-mail
   • The e-Apostille will be sent to your declared email addresses once finalized. You may download your e-Apostille or forward the email to your intended end-user. You may not request and will not be provided a printed copy of the e-Apostille.

For a visual presentation of the process of securing an e-Apostille, please proceed to https://www.apostille.gov.ph/e-apostille/

The first phase of the Philippine e-Apostille only covers civil registry documents or PSA issued documents

An e-Apostille is worth 200Php. This is a separate payment from the 300Php PSA e-Certificate fee

Not all countries accept an e-Apostille and would still require the physical copy of the apostille and the underlying public document but most of the Apostille Convention Member-States may accept an e-Apostille (please make sure to inquire with the end user of the document first if they would accept an e-Apostille and e-Certificate). You may find the list of the Apostille Convention Member-States and their respective

Competent Authorities:
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41

An e-Apostille is ordered online. Please visit https://e-app1.apostille.gov.ph to order a PSA e-Certificate and DFA e-Apostille

This would depend on the requirements and procedures of the Foreign Embassy. Usually, legalization/ attestation procedure usually requires the physical copy of the Apostille and the corresponding public document. It is better to inquire first with the foreign embassy or the intended user if the e-Apostille is already sufficient.

All processed DFA e-Apostilles can be verified in multiple ways:

1. By clicking on the verified link on the e-Apostille cover sheet.
2. By scanning the QR Code also found on the cover sheet
3. By using the Adobe Acrobat Reader’s Sign feature. When verifying the signature, make sure it is signed by the DFA and includes the statement “no changes are allowed”
4. You may also visit the website https://e-app1.apostille.gov.ph/eAppVerification and input the Apostille’s Serial Number and Keycode to the appropriate boxes.

No, the e-Apostille loses its validity if printed and submitted as hard copies. Applicants may forward their e-Apostille file to its intended end-user via e-mail. If the end-user requires a physical Apostille, applicants must follow the procedure for the processing of Apostilles (https://www.apostille.gov.ph/application-process/)

For more information about the Philippines’ Apostille, visit https://www.apostille.gov.ph/ or contact the Authentication Division through [email protected] (for e-Apostille concerns) or [email protected] (for general apostille inquiries).

No, DFA with authentication services are accepting applicants through the following options

Please fill out https://appointment.apostille.gov.ph to set an Authentication/Apostille appointment to any of the following:

LOCATION ONLINE APPOINTMENT STATUS EMAIL (for further inquiries)

Appointment can be rescheduled by clicking the reschedule button on the appointment confirmation email.

Please click the CANCEL button on the appointment confirmation email.

Here is the link for the documentary requirements:

https://www.apostille.gov.ph/documentary-requirements/

List of acceptable IDs: https://www.apostille.gov.ph/application-process/

Yes, a representative may process and claim an Apostille on behalf of the document owner. Requirements for authorized representatives:

https://www.apostille.gov.ph/application-process/

Yes, applicants may authorize a courier as his/her representative. Please coordinate with your chosen courier regarding their requirements, fees, and instructions.

Contact and coordinate with your chosen courier.

Appointment is not required for claiming apostilles that are filed in DFA Aseana.

For documents forwarded by CHED with Authentication Stub, appointment is required to process for authentication.(Note: The date of release indicated in the Authentication Stub is the date when the document is available for process DFA Aseana.)

For Consular Offices (COs), send them an email:

Unclaimed Apostilles will be disposed of three (3) months from the scheduled date of release.

Philippine Apostilles may be verified through this link: https://e-registry2023.apostille.gov.ph/apostilleverifying/. You may also scan the QR Code on the Apostille, using your smartphone, for a quick access to the verification link.

Send an email to [email protected] stating your concern concern and attach a copy of the Apostille.

Each Apostille Country is required to keep a register which records the date and number of every Apostille it issues, as well as information relating to the person or authority that signed or sealed the underlying public document. Recipients may contact the Competent Authority identified on the Apostille and ask whether the information on the Apostille corresponds with the information in the register.

Contact information for the Competent Authorities, including phone numbers and website information, is available in the Apostille Section of the Hague Conference website: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41.