GENERAL INQUIRY
What is an Apostille and when do I need one?
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.
In which countries does the Apostille Convention apply?
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.
What do I do if the country where I need to use my public document is not an Apostille Country?
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.
To which documents does the Apostille Convention apply?
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.
What about affidavits, SPAs and similar documents, can they be apostillized?
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.
What are the benefits of an Apostille and how is it different from the Authentication Certificate ("Red Ribbon")?
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 (Festival Mall, Alabang); CO San Fernando, Pampanga; CO Legazpi (Pacific Mall); CO Davao (SM Davao); CO Iloilo; and CO Cebu (Pacific Mall-Metro Mandaue).
How much is the processing fee? How long does it take to process an Apostille?
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).
I am an Overseas Filipino, how will the Apostille Convention affect me?
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.
What if I still want my document, executed in an Apostille country, to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy?
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.
What are the effects of an Apostille?
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.
What if my document was issued from another country and will be used in the Philippines?
Documents originating from another country are considered as“Foreign Documents”. There are two (2) types of Foreign Documents:
- Certificate of Authentication, Certificate of Acknowledgment, Jurat, and other documents issued by Philippine Embassies/Consulates; and
- Documents issued by Foreign Embassies / Consulates in the Philippines.
Foreign documentscannotundergo authentication (apostillization) since this process is only applicable to Philippine public documents for use abroad. If foreign documents will only be submitted tolocal offices in the Philippines, documents shall be submitted at the DFA Aseana forCertification.
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.
What if I have a document issued from another country and will be used to another country?
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.
APOSTILLE APPOINTMENT
Is appointment required to process for Authentication/Apostille?
No, DFA with authentication services are accepting applicants through the following options
| OPTION 1: WALK-IN (Limited slots per day depending on the capacity of the Consular Office https://dfa-oca.ph/authentication/authentication-general-info/) You may avail the walk-in facility if you are:
| OPTION 2: ONLINE APPOINTMENT (through website https://www.apostille.gov.ph/) You may avail the online appointment facility if you are:
|
How do I book for an appointment?
Please fill out https://www.apostille.gov.ph to set an Authentication/Apostille appointment to any of the following:
LOCATIONONLINE APPOINTMENT STATUSEMAIL (for further inquiries)
| DFA Aseana | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO NCR West (SM Manila) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO NCR Northeast (Ali Mall) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO NCR South (Alabang Town Center) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO NCR East (SM Megamall) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO Pampanga (Robinsons StarMills) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO La Union (CSi Mall) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO Cebu (Pacific Mall Mandaue) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO Iloilo (Robinsons Place) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO Davao (SM Davao) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO Cagayan De Oro (SM Downtown Premier) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
| CO Legazpi (Pacific Mall) | Slots on a first come, first served basis | [emailprotected] |
Appointment has been confirmed. How do I reschedule it?
Changes cannot be made to confirmed appointments
| To reschedule please fill out a new form:https://www.apostille.gov.phfor the following locations: | |
| DFA Aseana | |
| CO NCR West (SM Manila) | |
| CO NCR Northeast (Alimall) | |
| CO NCR South (Festival Mall, Alabang) | |
| CO NCR East (SM Megamall) | |
| CO Pampanga (Robinsons StarMills) | |
| CO Legazpi (Pacific Mall) | |
| CO La Union (CSi Mall) | |
| CO Cebu (Pacific Mall Mandaue) | |
| CO Iloilo (Robinsons Place) | |
| CO Davao (SM Davao) | |
| CO Cagayan De Oro (SM Downtown Premier) |
What if I won’t be able to go to my confirmed appointment?
Please send a cancellation request to[emailprotected]three (3) days prior to confirmed appointment.
APOSTILLE REQUIREMENTS
What are the documentary requirements?
Here is the link for the documentary requirements:
https://dfa-oca.ph/authentication/authentication-requirements/documents-for-authentication/
Will my Postal ID, TIN ID, or Philhealth ID be accepted?
List of acceptable IDs:https://dfa-oca.ph/authentication/authentication-application-process/
Can I have my documents Apostillized by a representative?
Yes, a representative may process and claim an Apostille on behalf of the document owner. Requirements for authorized representatives:
https://dfa-oca.ph/authentication-application-process/
Can I process my documents through a courier?
Yes, applicants may authorize a courier as his/her representative. Please coordinate with your chosen courier regarding their requirements, fees, and instructions.
I availed the services of a courier in processing/claiming documents for authentication. How do I check the status?
Contact and coordinate with your chosen courier.
CLAIMING OF APOSTILLE
Is appointment required to claim an Apostille?
For DFA Aseana:
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:
| CO NCR West (SM Manila) | [emailprotected] |
| CO NCR Northeast (Ali Mall) | [emailprotected] |
| CO NCR South (Festival Mall, Alabang) | [emailprotected] |
| CO NCR East (SM Megamall) | [emailprotected] |
| CO Pampanga (Robinsons StarMills) | [emailprotected] |
| CO Legazpi (Pacific Mall) | [emailprotected] |
| CO La Union (CSi Mall) | [emailprotected] |
| CO Cebu (Pacific Mall Mandaue) | [emailprotected] |
| CO Iloilo (Robinsons Place) | [emailprotected] |
| CO Davao (SM Davao) | [emailprotected] |
| CO Cagayan De Oro (SM Downtown Premier) | [emailprotected] |
How long is the retention period of unclaimed Apostilles?
Unclaimed Apostilles will be disposed of three (3) months from the scheduled date of release.
VERIFYING APOSTILLES
If the recipient wants to verify my Apostille, what should I suggest?
Philippine Apostilles may be verified through this link:https://www.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.
I can’t verify my Apostille on the verification site, what should I do?
Send an email to[emailprotected]stating your concern concern and attach a copy of the Apostille.
How do I verify a foreign issued 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.
