How to Apostille Philippines Documents (Birth Certificates, Marriage Certs, etc.)
How to Apostille Philippine Documents covers everything you need to know about an Apostille cost, timeline, process and Apostille Requirements.
An Apostille authenticates foreign documents so that it can be used in other foreign Apostille countries.
You might need to Apostille your Diploma or Certificate of Enrollment if you are applying for a job abroad.
You might need to Apostille your Birth Certificate.
Or you might need to Apostille your Philippine Statistics Authority CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) if you are getting married abroad.
In this article, I answer common questions such as:
• How to Apostille a document
• What are the Apostille Requirements
• How much is Apostille in Philippines
• Where to get an Apostille in the Philippines
If you have any questions or need help, after reading this article you can contact us.
Contents
- What is an Apostille?
- What is the difference between an Apostille v’s Red Ribbon?
- What countries accept an Apostille from the Philippines?
- Which government agency provides an Apostille in the Philippines?
- What documents can you Apostille?
- How do I prepare my documents for Apostille?
- What are the Apostille requirements?
- How much is an Apostille in the Philippines?
- How do I get my documents Apostilled?
- Where can I Apostille a document?
- How to get an Apostille: Summary
What is an Apostille?
Basically, an Apostille says that a document is authentic.
The DFA has strict requirements to authenticate the signature of the Issuing Officer if it’s a government document.
An Apostille authenticates a document by verifying that the person or institution who issued a document is known to the government of another country, that the person or institution has the power to issue that document and that the document is authentic or genuine.
In today’s world it is very easy fake documents.
To make sure that a document is real, foreign governments and institutions require it be Apostilled.
You are most likely to be asked to Apostille Birth Certificate, CENOMARs, Diplomas and Affidavits among many others.
What is the difference between an Apostille v’s Red Ribbon?
The difference between an Apostille vs Red-Ribbon is how the documents are authenticated and the appearance of the authentication.
The Red Ribbon was the previous way of authenticating a document.
Apostille makes authenticating documents simpler.
Apostille replaced the Red Ribbon requirement when the Philippines joined the Hague Convention on Apostille.
When the Philippines first joined the Hague Convention on Apostille, people were allowed to continue to use their Red-Ribboned documents for a brief period. Now however, an Apostille is required if the destination country is also a Hague Convention member.
On the 14th May 2019 the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs also stopped issuing Authentication Certificates for documents, switching to Apostille instead.
An Apostille has a gold seal, a QR code, a number and the signature of the Authenticating Officer.
A Red Ribbon document has two red ribbons on the side with a gold seal down below.
A Red-Ribboned document typically took longer to accomplish than an Apostille does. The process included going to the foreign country’s consulate in the Philippines for them to certify the document as well.
An Apostille is a bit simpler (whew!) which is a relief if you are going to do it yourself. The Apostille Requirements are covered further on in this article
What countries accept an Apostille from the Philippines?
Most countries who are part of the Hague Convention accept an Apostille from the Philippines with the exception of:
1. Greece
2. Austria
3. Germany
4. Finland
For the above countries – and any other countries which are not listed on the accepted countries list, you will have to go through the old Red Ribbon process.
The old Red Ribbon process starts by getting Certification from the relevant government agency or office and then getting Authentication by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. After the Authentication by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, you must then taking your documents to the foreign countries Embassy for Red-ribbon or “legalization”.
You can check below for all the countries where Philippine Apostilles are accepted.
Which government agency provides an Apostille in the Philippines?
An Apostille can be done at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and its satellite branches.
The DFA will only Apostille documents that are created in the Philippines.
Philippine Apostilled documents can be used abroad if the receiving country is also a member of the Hague Convention on Apostille
Examples of documents created in the Philippines would be PSA documents, contracts and educational documents from schools in the Philippines.
Documents created abroad will NOT be Apostilled at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
So, you will need to get your divorce papers Apostilled in the country where the divorce was issued if you need them for use in the Philippines such as in a Recognition of Foreign Divorce case.
The Philippine DFA will only able to authenticate a document issued or made in the Philippines.
The rule is that the country where the document was created is also the only place where the document can be Apostilled.
What documents can you Apostille?
Below is a quick list of documents that will most likely need an Apostille. Commonly people are required to Apostille Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates and Death Certificates.
Remember that an Apostille is the end of the process.
Before a document can be Apostilled, you might have to go through several steps first.
Different documents types have different Apostille Requirements, so check these first
1. Philippines Statistic Authority/National Statistic Office (PSA/NSO) documents such as Birth, Marriage, CENOMAR or Certificate of Singleness, Death Certificates
• Original documents are required
• New records should first be authenticated with the Philippines Statistic Authority (PSA)
2. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) documents such as ID renewals, PRC Board Ratings, Certifications and Change of Status
• Certified True Copies from the Professional Regulation Commission
3. School documents such as Transcript of Records, Diplomas, Certificate of Enrollment, Honorable Dismissal, Transfer of Credentials, Course Descriptions. Certified True Copies Required as well as:
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) CAV also needed if from a Tec Voc course
• Certificate of Higher Education (CHED) documents will require a Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) if document is from private university/college while state run colleges can provide their own CAV
• Department of Education DEPED Regional Office CAV also needed if from elementary or high school
4.Employment Certificates/Training, etc
• Notarized document with document attached
• Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) from the Regional Trial Court
5. Driver’s License – Certification from the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
6. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines – Certification from CAAP
7. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for use abroad – Original document with dry seal
8. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or Philippine National Police (PNP) – Original document
9. Barangay Clearances – Mayor’s Clearance that has jurisdiction over the barangay
10. All documents issued by a government entity – Certified True Copy from the office that issued it.
11. Court Decisions – Certified True Copy from the court
12. Notarized documents – Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act CANA from the Regional Trial Court
How do I prepare my documents for Apostille?
Each type of document has different supporting documents that should be submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) along with the document for Apostille, such as a CANA for contracts and CAVs for school documents.
The DFA will only Apostilles documents which have complete supporting documents and will turn you away if something is missing.
The DFA requires these supporting documents because it serves as added verification that the document is authentic.
Let me give you two examples:
Apostille Requirements: Birth Certificates
To Apostille Birth Certificate first order a Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate. Then go through the Apostille process at the Department of Foreign Affairs. You may need to go through other steps before the Apostille stage if the copy is from the Local Civil Registrar (LCR).
Philippine Statistics Authority documents can be quickly easily Apostilled
Apostille Requirements: Transcript of Records.
You will get a Certified True Copy of the Transcript of Records from a private school.
You will also need to get a Certificate, Authentication and Verification (CAV) from the DepEd.
This is basically a manual process where you line up at the DepEd to get the CAV.
Finally, you can get an Apostille at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Different documents will have different supporting documents, which I’ve listed in the section before this one.
Check to make sure that you have all the supporting documents to meet the Apostille requirements before you go to the DFA, because they can reject you otherwise.
What are the Apostille requirements?
The DFA Apostille requirements are pretty straightforward.
The DFA will require IDs and a Special Power of Attorney if relevant, PLUS all the supporting documents I mentioned in the section that lists the documents eligible for Apostille.
SPAs need to be specific and there are several requirements
Just to be clear though, here it is:
1. Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if you will be using an Authorized Representative.
• Make sure that the SPA has the name of the Authorized Representative and is specific that it includes Apostilling the document.
• The SPA should come from the parents if the document belongs to a minor.
2. Photocopy of the owner’s ID
Make sure that the owner’s ID has a signature and is from the list of IDs accepted
3. Photocopy and original of Authorized Representative’s ID.
How much is an Apostille in the Philippines?
Apostille fees are not expensive but when you add in the time and how manual the process is, then costs can increase.
The Apostille itself doesn’t cost too much but when you add in all the additional work required to coordinate with the DFA and get the complete supporting documents, the cost in time and effort is a lot.
Apostille fees are:
If you need it within a day, you will need to pay Php200.
If you can wait 3 days, you only need to pay Php100.
But always factor in that you need at least 2 days at the Department of Foreign Affairs and then all the work required to get the supporting documents.
As an example: Some colleges will charge a few hundred pesos to release a Transcript of Records and most will require you to physically go to the campus to get it. Then, you’ll still need to get a Certificate, Authentication and Verification from the CHED – and this again is a manual process with travel time and costs.
If you go yourself, remember that it’s really the fact that it takes time that makes it such a hassle. There aren’t many online options so make sure you also budget time to do this, and not just money.
You will most likely spend at least 2 days processing and following up at the DFA office you submitted the document to.
And don’t forget, if you will be asking someone to get the document Apostilled on your behalf, you need to factor in the time and cost of getting a Special Power of Attorney (SPA).
Usually people who ask someone else to get the document are abroad and cannot travel themselves. So they will also need to factor in the time and cost of a trip to the Philippine Embassy to get the SPA notarized.
How do I get my documents Apostilled?
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) receives a lot of Apostille requests so the good news is the Apostille process is fairly streamlined. That is, IF you have got all the documents and met all the Apostille requirements!
You must make sure you have the right documents and the right requirements.
For example: You need to Apostille birth certificate, if the requirement is an original Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) document, DO NOT submit a photocopy of that document. Even if that’s all you have.
You will need to get a new copy/Certified True Copy of the document in order to secure an Apostille Birth Certificate.
Otherwise, there are 2 main steps to getting an Apostille:
1. Go to the Department of Foreign Affairs and submit the Apostille request and pay for it.
2. Pick up the Apostilled document.
Remember, before you go, make sure that you have met all the requirements and have all the supporting documents.
Get your appointment with the DFA authentication section by emailing them.
Step 1. Go to the Department of Foreign Affairs and submit the Apostille request and pay for it.
I usually go the DFA at Aseana so I’ll walk you through that process.
1. Get a queueing number from the Information Window.
2. Fill out the Authentication Application Form (I generally fill it out before I go just because I’m OC that way.)
3. Submit your documents to the Processing Window. You will need to submit the document itself and your ID and Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if you are an Authorized Representative.
4. Pay your fee at the cashier and keep your receipt somewhere safe. You will need this receipt for Step 2.
A man waiting for his name to be called in the releasing section to collect his Apostille Birth Certificate
Step 2. Pick up the Apostilled document.
1. Go back to the same Department of Foreign Affairs office on your scheduled date and time. Bring with you your receipt and your ID.
2. Drop your Official Receipt off at the drop box.
3. Wait for your name to be called from the Releasing window (This is all in one big room by the way.)
4. Receive your document and double check to make sure everything is accurate.
Where can I Apostille a document?
I go to the Department of Foreign Affairs Aseana branch myself.
But there are 7 other DFA offices that you can go to for an Apostille.
A lot of them are in malls, so you can even grab a bite along the way!
Always eat before you go to the DFA to avoid starvation if the line is long.
The DFA branches are:-
1. DFA CO-Northeast at Ali Mall Government Center Level 2
2. DFA CO-East on the 7th Floor of Building C in SM Megamall
3. DFA CO-West on the 5th Floor SM City Manila
4. DFA CO-South on the 4th Floor of Alabang Town Center
5. DFA CO Pampanga at Robinson’s Place
6. DFA CO Davao on the 3F SM Davao
7. DFA CO Cebu on the 4th Level of Pacific Mall in Mandaue City Cebu
I have also been to the SM Megamall and the Cubao branch and it’s a fairly standard process.
How to get an Apostille: Summary
If you need an official document for use abroad, you probably will need that document Apostilled.
The most common documents I get asked about is how to Apostille Birth Certificate?
(Or how to Apostille Marriage Certificates. Basically, a lot of PSA documents).
You will usually need a document Apostilled for employment or immigration purposes (as well as other uses).
You can still get documents Apostilled if you are living abroad. You will just need to ask a relative to do this for you or engage a courier. Remember though that you will need to give your relative or courier a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and then have that SPA notarized at a Philippine Embassy first.
This requires you to get an SPA properly prepared. Some SPAs are actually rejected if not properly prepared.
Atty. Francesco C. Britanico, FCB Law Office
Lawyers In the Philippines
My sister in Paris want me to do apostille her birth certificate.how to process can I use the one that send in my phone
Hello, you cannot use the copy sent to your phone for apostille. You must acquire the original PSA-issued birth certificate and follow the DFA authentication process. If you find this process hard and time-consuming, you can count on us. We offer this service and have successfully handled similar transactions. For more details, feel free to contact us at admin@lawyerphilippines.org. or call us. The contact may find ion our website. Thank you!
The process now requires to book an appointment online for a fee of 200 pesos (accdg to the website, it is equivalent to 1 document). If I only want a regular processing which costs 100 pesos, will I get refunded the excess I paid when I booked the appointment? Or is it automatically filed as “expedited” and we have no choice?
For COE, it is okay to attach photocopies of COE to the notarized affidavit and CANA? My employers issued only a single copy of the original COE and I think I should keep it for future use.
Hello! Please note that the payment made through the online appointment is non-refundable and fixed. As for the Certificate of Employment (COE), it must be the original document.
Hello! Just to give an update po!
“Since June 1, 2023, the Apostille Convention (Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents of October 5, 1961) has been in force between Austria and the Philippines.
This means that documents and certificates issued in the Philippines must be provided with an apostille by the competent Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in order to be recognized in Austria.
Further legalization by the Austrian Embassy in Manila is not required.”
Thank you for providing this information. We truly appreciate your time and effort.
I’d like to ask questions im divorce by sharia law and i need to apostle then i want to know all documents need for apostle what documents i will bring to be aspostle
Hello. The documents you’ll need to bring for apostille rally depends on your end goal, whether you will use them abroad for remarriage, custody, immigration, or simply update records. May we know the purpose? Thank you.
Hello po,
I’d like to ask a question too.
My partner is planning to a buy a property here in the Philippines. However, she is currently working in Micronesia and I will be the authorized person to act and sign on her behalf, although we are not yet married.
The Property developer provided a Special Power of Attorney that needs to be Apostilled. I would like to ask for your guidance on how to obtain an Apostille for this document, as it appears that Apostille services may not be available in Micronesia. Could you please advise us on the best course of action to have this document properly legalized and accepted?
Regards,
Jerome Bernardo
Instead of apostille, legalization at a Philippine embassy or consultate is possible
How about if yhe document is my sister who is abroad, and i eill be the to represent her in processing it at dga, i only have authorization letter scanned and email to me. Iis it okay?
Hello, a scanned authorization letter is acceptable to the DFA, provided that the document to be apostilled is either an original or a certified true copy.
Mag inquiry lng po if acceptable pa yung old red ribbon or faceout na cya.need bah kmha ng new thanxs
Depends on the accepting agency. Generally now most will require apostille instead of red ribbon but check with them to be sure.
Hello
Can i apostille my Birth Certificate through online and send only copy(from abroad) Thank you
Yes, the DFA’s e-Apostille System allows applicants to request authentication online. If the document will be sending abroad, make sure that the destination country accepts e-apostille (digital copy). If they require a physical apostille. Secure the document and have it apostilled by DFA and send the original apostilled document.
Hi, the father of my child has the immigration consent form and it is required to get it signed and apostille. Where can he get it done and how long would be the process? He was advised to get it at city hall but it is a form for Canada. Does it have to be in city hall or any branches of dfa ?
The City Hall is not a right place for apostille. The father of your child needs to sign the immigration consent form in front of notary public. After notarization, the document must be taken to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for apostille. Canada is a member of the Apostille Convention, so once DFA issues the apostille, the document is recognized in Canada without further legalization at the Canadian Embassy.
Good day, Atty!
Ask ko lang po if it’s possible to Apostille my Certification of English as the Medium of Instruction separately from my CAV(TOR/Diploma)? I’m from State University po.
Thank you po!
Yes, you may apostille that document. However, this cannot be immediately apostilled in the DFA. This also requires CAV approval from CHED. you can apply it online. Once the document approved by the CHED an email will be sent to you for instruction on how to get your apostilled document at the DFA. You can search it online both DFA and CHED website.
How can I verify the authenticity of red ribboned documents, like SPA and authorization documents, prepared and Red Ribboned in Los Angeles, CA? I am doubtful that the documents being presented to me are forged.
The Red Ribbon is a DFA document is an authenticated certificate issued by the Department if Foreign Affairs. It is not issued by a U.S. office. You can verify it through the official Philippine DFA e-Registry. Scan the QR Code on the DFA certificate or enter the 20-digit code found on the certificate into the website.
Hello, I am living in Dubai and I need to have my education docs apostille and I have requested for SPA in Philippine Embassy so my sister can work on it, my question is – do I need to send the original copy of the SPA to the Philippines? Thanks!
Yes, you must send the original copy of the SPA.
Do I have to leave my passport with the DFA if I want it apostilled ? I will be leaving the country within a few days of applying .
Do I still need to bring a certified true copy of my passport ?
You do not leave your passport with the DFA. They only need to see the original for verification when submit your documents. If the passport is the document you want to apostille, it requires certified true copy.
Hello there! I just would like to clarify if authorization letter would be enough for our uncle as my representative? Or do I really have to secure an SPA?
Thank you so much!
If you are going for a transaction that involves something important. It is best to execute an SPA since this is a legally recognized document. Drafting an Authorization may sound simple, but in some situation may not honor it.
HI Atty., my mother is deceased but I hope to get her birth certificated apostilled, is this possible?
Yes, you may apostilled her death certificate. The process now can be done online. No need for personal appearance.
Hi, my son needs an apostilled school diploma. My husband already got the certified true copy of the diploma from the school my son graduated from and will go to CHED for CAV. Atter CAV with CHED, does my husband needs a SPA from my son to process the apostille in DFA? Thanks po.
No need SPA, if your husband is the one who will process the apostille with the DFA.
Hello, I would like to apostile in August 2023.
Could you teach me how long it takes to obtain the apostiled recently?
Thank you.
The apostilled documents are typically released within two working days after submission, provided there are no issues.
I have a transcript from the United States that needs to be apostilled. Is there anyone I can contact in the Philippines or process to help me with this?
Apostille must be issued by the country where the document originated.
Since your transcript was issued in the United States, only U.S. authorities can apostille it.
The DFA in the Philippines cannot apostille foreign-issued documents. They only handle Philippine documents. You can directly mail your transcript to the Secretary of State office with an apostille request form and fee.
If you’re already in the Philippines, you’ll need to coordinate with the U.S. school/state office or hire a U.S.-based apostille service provider.
why my birth certificate not yet verify for apostille by PSA even if i have a reciept..its too long..my claim date is 7-7-2023 but till now they told me its not yet available?thankyou for answering
In most cases, delays occur because the PSA has not yet released or completed the verification of your birth certificate. Normally, once the PSA issues the document, the DFA can immediately process the apostille. Another possible cause of delay is if you opted for delivery service instead of personal pick?up. If your document is already in PSA eCertificate format, you can bypass the wait and apply directly for a digital e-Apostille online.
how do i request for a death certificate to be apostiled for a family member that passed in the philippines
You may visit the DFA official website. PSA documents are nor processed entirely online through DFA e-Apostille Portal.
Hi good afternoon, I’m a mother of a minor child, I want to process the apostile for my son’s birth certificate. Do I still needs to comply the SPA?
If you are the parent and you will personally process your own son’s birth certificate for apostille, you do not need a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). The DFA recognizes parents as the natural guardians of their minor children, so you can submit the documents directly.
An SPA is only required if you are authorizing another person (not the parent or legal guardian) to process the apostille on your behalf.
Can i only apostille my psa and cenomar?
Yes.
do I need to get an appointment for apostille of documents? thank you
Yes, the DFA Apostille process requires a confirmed online appointment, no longer walk-ins, even for urgent cases. You must book through the DFA Apostille Appointment System.
Can i apostille an affidavit of decaration to remarry
Yes, but before apostilled, the document must be CANA to confirm that the notary public is duly commissioned.
Hi po, pwedi po bang marecieve yong apostille kahit walang reciept fee? nawala kasi yong resibo ko. maraming salamat po
The DFA staff can still check using your name, date of filing, and type of document. Just bring valid government ID.
Hi . I’m the Father and if I need to apostile my 4 year old Son’s PSA BIRTH certificate, does he have to be present when I walk-in to DFA MEGAMALL. AND since I’m the Father do I still need to bring a SPA? Pls clarify. Thanks!
Hi, no. Since he is a minor, you as the father can apostille his birth certificate without his SPA. Also, apostille now for PSA documents are completely online.
What are the documents needed? For a PSA and cenomar to be apostled? Ty
If you directly process to apostille your document. the only requirements need is your valid ID. You can apply directly through online. If you let someone on your behalf, then Special Power of Attorney is necessary.
I need my aunt to get my documents apostilled (PSA Birth certificate and Cenomar) as requirement for my report of marriage here abroad. One of the requirements is the Authorization letter. However, it says that SPA is needed for minor document owners. So, does she still need to provide SPA?
Since you are the document owner and an adult, your aunt can process the apostille of your PSA Birth Certificate and CENOMAR with just your Authorization Letter. The requirement for a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) applies only when the document owner is a minor.
Can an LGBTQ holy union certificate can be apppstilled in DFA? For spousal visa use.
An LGBTQ holy union certificate cannot be apostilled by the DFA. Apostille is only issued for documents that are officially recognized and registered with Philippine government agencies such as the PSA, CHED, DepEd, or courts. Since holy union certificates are not civil registry documents under Philippine law, the DFA does not process them for apostille.
For spousal visa purposes, most embassies and immigration offices require a PSA-issued marriage certificate (apostilled) as proof of marital status. A holy union certificate, while meaningful, is not legally recognized in the Philippines and therefore cannot be used for apostille or visa applications.
Hi . I’m the Father and if I need to apostile my 4 year old Son’s PSA BIRTH certificate, does he have to be present when I walk-in to DFA MEGAMALL. AND since I’m the Father do I still need to bring a SPA? Pls clarify. Thanks!
You no longer need PSA since you are the father. the DFA only requires the document itself, plus your valid government IDs as the parent who is submitting it.
Hello can my parents do apostile my birth certificate? Im still minor
Yes, your parent can process the apostille of your birth certificate since you are a minor. This can be done through online though.
Hello, does i need to have SPA if i will facilitate the apostille of Birth Cert (PSA) of my parents?..Thank you
If you will personally facilitate the apostille of your parents’ PSA-issued birth certificates, you will need proper authorization since you are not the document owner.
This is helpful.
Is the 5. DFA CO Pampanga at Robinson’s Place location still an option? It is not listed when choosing a location on the http://www.apostilleonline.ph/appointment. Does it go by a different name?
Yes, DFA Pampanga is still an option for apostille services, but in the appointment system it is officially listed as “DFA Consular Office Pampanga (Robinsons Starmills, San Fernando City)”. It may not appear under “Robinson’s Place” because the correct designation is Robinsons Starmills.
Can I engage your office to do the Apostille documnets in behalf of my son who is working in Dubai?. He and wife is planning to go to Canada on student visa. How do I proceed? How much will it cost for me? Thank you.
Yes, you may authorize our office to process the apostille of your son’s documents on his behalf. To proceed, we need an SPA from your son valid ID and the documents to be apostilled. For the cost you may email admin@lawyerphilippines.org to give you a quotation.
Hi,
Do I need to get an appointment for DFA Appostille?
Thanks!
Yes, the DFA Apostille process requires a confirmed online appointment for most documents. Walk-ins are not accepted. You must book through the DFA Apostille Appointment System before submitting your documents.
Good Day!
How about in DFA Butuan City,can they apostille my documents there? Because that’s the nearest DFA office i can go.
Yes, the DFA Consular Office in Butuan City is authorized to process apostille requests for documents issued by Philippine government agencies. You may bring your documents there for authentication.
Hi Good morning im here in Israel for now and i want my sister to do the Apostile for my documents from the court can i just make a Authorization Letter and send to her and she will print it there in Philippines is this valid to show in DFA?
For court-issued documents, your sister will need a valid SPA from you, plus the original documents and her ID, and she must book an appointment at DFA. A plain authorization letter will not be sufficient.
Hello po good evening, what are the requirements po para ma apostille ang birth certificate at cenomar ? Sa mga nasa list lang po ba ng dfa sa article pwede mag apply ng apostille? Im from pangasinan po kase
Yes, you can apply for apostille of your PSA birth certificate and CENOMAR even from Pangasinan. For PSA documents, DFA now issues digital e-Apostilles online via the DFA e-Apostille Portal, so no physical appointment or walk-in is required.
Hello po, Ask ko lang po pwede po bang ipaapostile ang afidavit of singleness kahit sa embassy of the Philippines mo po kinuha…
At requirements po ba talaga siya sa for marriage even meron na pong CENOMAR at Birth Certificate na naka APOstile….Thanks you po.
The Affidavit of Singleness issued by the Embassy of the Philippines is considered a consular document. The consular seal makes it valid for use abroad, so it does not need DFA Apostille. The Affidavit of Singleness may sometimes be requested by the local civil registry abroad as additional proof, but it is not always mandatory if you already have a CENOMAR. The exact requirement depends on the laws and civil registry rules of the country where the marriage will take place.
A blissful day Attorney! May I inquire if is there a need for my daughter in Qatar to provide an SPA if we , her parents are the ones who will go to a DFA branch to have her BC and CENOMAR from PSA be apostilled. Thank you so much in advance for your possible prompt reply.
If you, as the parents, will personally go to a DFA branch to have your daughter’s PSA Birth Certificate and CENOMAR apostilled, there is no need for a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). Parents are considered the natural and legal representatives of their minor child, so the DFA accepts the request without requiring an SPA. However, since your daughter is an adult in which case an Authorization Letter or SPA may be required depending on the DFA rules.
Can I walk-in for my Apostille as a Senior Citizen? Thanks.
Yes, You can walk in as a senior citizen for Apostille at DFA offices, no online appointment required. Just bring your valid senior citizen ID and the documents to be apostilled.
Hello,
I have a TESDA certificate which i want to have DFA, should i appostille it or the red ribbon? I have plans for going to canada to find work there, will they accept the appostille or should i just get it old method red ribboned.
Thanks.
The red ribbon system was already phased out by the DFA in 2019. Today, only the Apostille Certificate is issued, and this is the internationally recognized authentication under the Hague Apostille Convention. For your TESDA certificate, you must have it certified/authenticated by TESDA first. After TESDA authentication, you can submit it to the DFA Apostille Section for apostille.
Hi in Cagayan de Oro DFA office, it takes 2 weeks after you sunmitted your documents. I guess it’s true to other DFA satelite offices… Just an FYI…
Can I order a psa birth certificate and have it apostilled online and have it mailed to me abroad in a foreign country like US?
Yes, you can order a PSA birth certificate and request for it to be apostilled online. The DFA now issues digital e-Apostilles for PSA documents, which are sent securely via email with QR code verification.DFA does not mail apostilled documents abroad. Instead, the digital apostille is emailed to you, and you can download and print it in the U.S.
Hello Po good day mag ask Po Ako about Po sa pag apostille Ng school credentials if I’m planning Po to work abroad need ko pa Po ba I pa apostille ung form 137 at highschool diploma ko Po kahit na I have College diploma and TOR
Yes, you have to apostille these documents when you are using this abroad.
Can I use my old CAV to be appostled?
Hi, it depends. If that old CAV is 1 year old, it’s best that you get a fresh one.
i ask my sister to apostille my documents in manila but they said have to book appointment first.my sister and i try to book an appointment t but it always said is system maintenance. where can we go for walk in really need my documents. thank you for your reply and help much appreciated
Regular applicants must book online, walk?ins are only for exempt categories. If the system shows “maintenance,” it usually means slots are full—so keep refreshing and try other DFA branches.
hi attorney ! i would like to ask about lost of official receipt of apostille .. what will i do?
Losing the receipt does not invalidate your Apostille. The DFA can still release your documents as long as you can prove your identity and transaction details.
Hi! I tried to book an appointment but it seems there is no available slot from month of October 2022, Is there any option or possibilities to get apostille my marriage certificate as my flight going back to UAE is on Nov. 3, 2022. Can I process it through courier or can I go directly in DFA office without an appointment.
If you need your PSA marriage certificate apostilled for use abroad, you must now use the DFA e-Apostille Portal. Paper apostilles and walk-in appointments are no longer available for PSA documents.
Hi Atty.,
Tanong ko lang po ano ba need pag nag authorized? Kasi po e authorized ko yong Sister ko po sa pag apostille ng birth certificate ko po kasi need ng husband ko nasa Greece to process ng visa ko po papuntang Greece. Nasa Hong Kong po kasi ako.
If you want to authorize your sister to process the apostille of your PSA birth certificate at DFA, you need an authorization letter signed by you a copy of your Valid ID and your sister’s valid ID.Then submit to DFA along wth the birth certificate and an appointment slip from DFA.
If you want you can opt to process your apostille birth certificate by e-apostille, please refer to this link. https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi. I need to get my Provisional Graduation Certificate apostilled. Will the Certified True Copy of the certificate be enough or do I need to have some accompanying document as well?
For your Provisional Graduation Certificate, the DFA will apostille it only if it is properly authenticated first. A Certified True Copy is acceptable, but it must go through the required intermediate steps before DFA can issue the apostille. Request a certified true copy of your Provisional Graduation Certificate from your school registrar. Submit the certified copy to CHED (for college) or DepEd (for high school) for Certification, Authentication, and Verification (CAV). Once you have the CAV, bring it along with the certified copy to DFA for apostille processing.
Hi atty. I’m applying for spousal visa to usa and do I still have to apostille my birthcertificate, our psa marriage certicate and my husband’s passed wife death certificate? Thank you.
We cannot speak for the requirements of US immigration. You would be best served checking with them.
hi can i ask what the difference color of the apostille? b’coz may TOR the color is blue..and the BIRTCERTIFICATE is green?
The different colors of the Apostille certificate do not indicate any difference in validity or legal effect. The color variation simply depends on the type of document and the DFA printing batch or security paper used. The color does not affect authenticity. Whether blue, green, or another shade, the Apostille is equally valid. What matters is the QR code and security features on the Apostille certificate, which allow verification online.
Hi Atty. I read one of the comments that Cagayan de Oro City DFA in Mindanao issued Apostilled documents. Is this true.?. As i need to Apostille my marriage cert and birth cert of my daughters.
Thank u.
Yes, the DFA Consular Office in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao is authorized to issue apostilles. To verify this, you may visit the official website of DFA and look for their regional offices.
Hi im getting married abroad. And i asked my mother to get my documents and get it authenticated.( apostilled). Do i still need an Special power of attonerney even if my own mother will get it or an authorization paper would be fine..? Thanks for the answer.
Hello. Authorization letter is enough, unless the DFA specifically requires it.
Hello Atty. Does driver’s license for apostille requires spa? All i have is an authorization.
Thanks
If you are an authorized representative of someone, then yes, SPA is required.
Hi just want to ask if pede pong i apply for apostile ang marriage certificate from LCR p.lng po
Slmat
Only PSA-issued marriage certificates can be apostilled by the DFA. A marriage certificate from the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) must first be endorsed to and certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Once you have the PSA-certified copy, you may then apply for an apostille through the DFA.
Is it ok that my status in payment is unpaid since my payment had error and I can’t go back to the page of payment
If your payment status shows unpaid because of an error and you can’t return to the payment page, your application will not be processed until the payment is successfully completed. The DFA system requires a confirmed payment before it can release the apostille.
Hi, May I ask because I’m going to Mexico and living there as an Au pair with my host family since it’s my first time traveling abroad my PSA birth certificate and Cenomar are only the documents that need to be appostille?
Your PSA Birth Certificate and CENOMAR are indeed among the key documents that need to be apostilled. Since Mexico is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, Philippine-issued civil registry documents must carry an apostille from the DFA to be legally recognized there. However, depending on your au pair arrangement, you may also need other supporting documents like your contract, school records, clearance and among others to be apostilled if requested by your host family or Mexican authorities.
Hello my name is Thomas Koestler i need a apostolle for my marriage zertivicate i come from Austria and i married in calbayog western samar where i can get. Thank you first Koestler Thomas
Hi. We provide apostille services on your behalf. For more details, please visit our page or contact us via email at admin@laywerphilippines.org
Good morning, Atty. May I ask po, we are planning to buy an intestate property (lot here in the Philippines) of my Uncle who passed away in 1998. He has 4 children of legal age and a surviving wife His widow and adult child is now leaving together in Illinois, Chicago, USA. One son is in Texas. The 2 other sons are now in the Philippines. Now, they are telling us (those 3 leaving in the US) to make an SPA to make one of the sons of my Uncle as their Atty.In Fact here in the Philippines. What should we do for the SPA document to be notarized and apostilled?
1. Can we send a draft of the SPA and let the heirs in the US to print it?
2. Do their Atty.In Fact will send a scanned valid ID with 3 signatures bearing on it and have the heirs in the US to print it out as attachment?
3. Can we send the soft copy (the draft SPA and the scanned calid ID with 3 signatures) to them in the US and let them print, for them to notarized and apostilled in the US?
4. Will I draft a separate SPA for the one living in. the Texas, and another one SPA for both the adult and widow of the deceased who are living in one roof in Chicago? If so, will the widow must appear personally to the Consulate, she’s 80 years old.
Please help us po?.
Hello. I have responded your inquiry in the other blog post you commented. Thank you.
Good morning, Atty. May I ask po, we are planning to buy an intestate property (lot here in the Philippines) of my Uncle who passed away in 1998. He has 4 children of legal age and a surviving wife His widow and adult child is now leaving together in Illinois, Chicago, USA. One son is in Texas. The 2 other sons are now in the Philippines. Now, they are telling us (those 3 leaving in the US) to make an SPA to make one of the sons of my Uncle as their Atty.In Fact here in the Philippines. What should we do for the SPA document to be notarized and apostilled?
1. Can we send a draft of the SPA and let the heirs in the US to print it?
2. Do their Atty.In Fact will send a scanned valid ID with 3 signatures bearing on it and have the heirs in the US to print it out as attachment?
3. Can we send the soft copy (the draft SPA and the scanned calid ID with 3 signatures) to them in the US and let them print, for them to notarized and apostilled in the US?
4. Will I draft a separate SPA for the one living in. the Texas, and another one SPA for both the adult and widow of the deceased who are living in one roof in Chicago? If so, will the widow must appear personally to the Consulate, she’s 80 years old.
Please help us po?.
1. The heirs abroad must execute a properly notarized and apostilled Special Power of Attorney (SPA). Yes, you can prepare a draft SPA in the Philippines and send abroad.
2. It is wise to avoid attaching scanned IDs with signature to the SPA itself. Instead, heirs should present their original valid government ID during notarization.
3. If it is notarized by a U.S notary, they must secure an apostille from the U.S Secretary of State, which is more practical and faster.
4. Yes, each heir must execute their own SPA, one in Texas and in Chicago. As for the widow, she must personally appear at the Embassy Consulate. However, if you are concerned about her safety in traveling due to her age, you may reach out to the Embassy to inquire whether they can provide special assistance or alternative arrangements so that her personal appearance may no longer be necessary.
If the heirs need help in drafting SPAs tailored to their individual circumstances, we can assist you in preparing suitable for each of them. You may contact us or visit us in our office.
how much is cost for apostile for the speacial power of atorney??thanks
The DFA does not have a standard fee, it varies depending on the type and number of documents. If you wish to know the exact amount, you may visit their official website
Hi,
I am an Italian citizen. My partner and I want to get married in the Philippines.
To get married, the Philippine authorities require the so called certificate of legal capacity and they say that to get this certificate you have to go to the Italian Embassy.
I ask if to get married in the Church through Apostille I can also to do without going to Manilla because the time is very long.
Thank you.
In the Philippines, the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage is indeed required for foreign citizens who wish to marry. For Italian nationals, this certificate must be issued by the Italian Embassy in Manila. Unfortunately, you cannot bypass the embassy requirement by using an apostille alone.
Good day i just want to ask if documents is already apostilled does it need to legalized. Thank you
If your document is already apostilled, you generally do not need further legalization — but this depends on the country where you will use it. Apostilled documents are automatically recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. However, if the destination country is not a member, or if it has objected to the Philippines’ accession (like Germany and Finland), then additional legalization by that country’s embassy or consulate is required.
Hi, I have a PSA Birth and Marriage certificate issued year 2018 and 2019 respectively. Are these still accepted at DFA for apostilling or is there a year requirement for this. Thanks
Yes. they are still valid for DFA apostille. The DFA does not impose a year requirement on PSA civil registry documents. What matters is that they are official PSA-issued copies (SECPA or eCertificate) with readable entries and QR codes that match PSA records. Apostille processing is accepted regardless of the year of issuance.
Hello po! How can I have my school credentials apostilled when my school already closed down more than a decade ago? I had only known about it recently as I relocated from Manila to Cebu. I sent CHED NCR copies of my school credentials via mail but they are still under verification process. It’s almost six months now and I am beyond hopeless/clueless how to proceed to the next step of my request for CAV. I have followed it up but still the same response on their end that my docs are still under verification, Please help me po. Thank u
I believe I have responded your inquiry in the comment.
Dear FCB,
Thank you for having this BLOG, it helps a lot to guide us.
I have an existing CHED Records RED RIBBON by DFA way back 2009 and for sure already expired. If I go for work to Saudi Arabia for now, do I have to go back the process of getting my TOR (from School-CHED-DFA) in order to obtain an Apostilled Educational Records? I cannot see Saudi Arabia as part of the list of countries where Philippines’ documents are to be Apostilled above. If required, it is a tedious, costly and lot of time to process indeed as experienced before, more so, that I am now living in the NORTH and my last school record is in the SOUTH of Mindanao. Since DFA has already our records and they know fairly well that our records are authentic before it was RED RIBBONED, Can the DFA not issue an APOSTILLED educational records (TOR) based on the existing RED RIBBON documents they previously issued?
Your legal advise will be highly appreciated. Maraming Salamat Po.
Your 2009 red ribboned CHED records are no longer valid for international use because the DFA has fully phased out the red ribbon system. Apostille cannot be issued based on old red ribbon documents — you must go through the CHED CAV process again before DFA can apostille your educational records.
Since Saudi Arabia is not a member of the Apostille Convention, DFA will instead issue a Certificate of Authentication (the replacement for red ribbon) after CHED releases your CAV. This authenticated document must then be submitted to the Saudi Embassy in Manila for legalization.
Good Day!
I would like to ask.
Is it possible if I would directly hand my documents to CHED for CAV instead of waiting for my school? Since they have released my documents naman.
I just graduated last month and I am planning to CAV my documents such as; certificate of Graduation, Diploma and Transcript of Record for a work abroad. But my school is very slow (private college) that they have yet to send the list of the graduating students to CHED because they are going to send it by bulk daw but they also said na it would took almost a semester to submit the names and they would not allow an individual process (really crazy!). My days are numbered because I already booked a flight this September.
Thank you po!
Hi atty,
I m indian and I want to apostille my son’s birthday certificate,he is in pinas and miner.. is it ok to apostille it in india in pinas embassy or it has to be apostilled in pinas… And do we need to get appointment or we can go straight to DFA
Your son’s birth certificate must be apostilled in the Philippines via DFA’s e-Apostille Portal. No appointment or walk-in is needed for PSA documents.
Hi I’m widowed after second marriage, I have 2 kids from first marriage.
We live in Italy but we have no work.
We were offered a job in Spain. We need 3 birth certificates, death certificate of first husband and marriage contract of my second marriage.
to get a new residency permit, the Italian one is not valid in Spain.
I have a friend in Negros Oriental with SPA to get the certificates from PSA Dumaguete and process apostille.
But nobody can afford 5 days leave from work (4 days delivery time today) to wait for the apostille once you have applied.
Is this a mistake of the reservation form, than it does not allow to ask for express (1 day) apostille?
We tried to reserve an appointment for the Apostille but the website does not allow, no matter which DFA office you choose.
It shows the NOT AVAILABLE days in red but no other date is available (in green), all dates are blank until the end of the year.
This happens with 3 different browsers, Chrome, Firefox and Opera.
This procedure really puts us in an extremely difficult situation.
Do you please have any suggestion or alternative procedure for me?
Since March 2026, the PSA-issued documents are processed entirely online via the DFA e-Apostille Portal. No physical appointment is needed, and processing is usually completed the next working day. Your friend in Negros Oriental can request PSA eCertificates and apply directly online for apostille. This avoids the 5-day leave problem and ensures faster turnaround. To process please refer to this link https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi! Hoping my inquiry would be answered.
It has come to my attention that I needed to present an “Affidavit of Support” to the immigration officer on the day of my flight to Japan. Now, my inviter and guarantor was able to secure the document (affidavit of support) from the Philippine Consulate General – Nagoya but we are not sure if it needs to be Apostille.
Does the notarized document still needs Apostille?
Thank you very much!
The Affidavit of Support notarized at the Philippine Consulate General in Nagoya does not need to be apostilled by the DFA in Manila. Consular documents issued and notarized by a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad are already considered authenticated for use in the Philippines and in the host country. Apostille applies only to documents notarized or issued within the Philippines. Since your inviter/guarantor obtained the affidavit directly from the Philippine Consulate in Japan, it is already valid for presentation to immigration officers and does not require further apostille.
Hi, my brother is asking me to get his Transcript of Record and Diploma Apostilled. He is currently working in UAE and will be needing these documents in applying for new job. So, he needs to get me an SPA abroad? after getting the SPA does he need to mail it to me or a scanned copy would be accepted?
Thank you very much for your response.
Yes, your brother will need to execute a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) abroad since he is the document owner. The SPA must be notarized and consularized/authenticated at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the UAE. Once authenticated, the original consularized SPA must be sent to you in the Philippines — DFA requires the hard copy, not just a scanned version, for apostille processing. With that SPA, you can then request his Transcript of Records and Diploma from the school, have them authenticated by CHED (CAV), and finally submit them to DFA for apostille.
Update: Since March 2026, CHED has shifted to a purely online CAV system via the CHED eCAV Portal. This means you no longer need to physically submit documents to CHED; once the school endorses the records digitally, CHED issues the eCAV online. After that, you can submit the eCAV to DFA for apostille. For reference please refer to this link https://www.apostille.gov.ph/3
Hi, my fiancee and I are getting married in the Philippines. We live in Washington state and per US embassy in the Philippines they no longer notarize “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” due to pandemic-related issues and can be notarized locally in the Philippines. My question is , is it OK to get this document here in the USA and have it apostilled , send document to the Philippines for marriage license? Just want to make sure Apostilled “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” is acceptable by PSA .
Yes, that should be accepted, but you may want to first consult on this question with the local civil registrar’s office from which you intend to apply for a marriage license.
Is there an expiration of apostille?
An apostille itself does not expire — once the DFA issues it, the certification remains valid indefinitely. What can expire, however, is the document attached to the apostille like police clearances, NBI certificates, or medical records that have a set validity period. Civil registry documents like PSA birth, marriage, or death certificates, as well as notarized SPAs, remain valid for apostille use regardless of the year of issuance, as long as the document itself is authentic and accepted by the receiving authority.
Hello Atty, I had my CAV Apostilled last 2019 for Taiwan. Can I still use it but, this time to other country of destination that accepts Appostile this 2023? Thank you
An apostilled CAV (Certification, Authentication, and Verification) issued by DFA in 2019 is still a valid apostille document under the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles do not have an expiration date — they remain valid as long as the underlying document is valid. If the destination country in 2023 accepts apostilles without regard to issuance date, you can use your 2019 apostilled CAV. But if they require a “fresh” apostille, you may need to request a new CAV from CHED/DepEd and have it apostilled again by DFA.
Tumatanggap ho ba DHL or LBC sa pag process ng apostille?
Service courier like DHL and LBC do not process apostille application. They only deliver the documents, but not authorized to accept or handled apostille request.
Good Day! I’ll just want to ask ,How can i Apostille my documents like Cenomar and PSA if I’m in other country but my papers is in the Philippines.
Even if you are abroad, you can still have your CENOMAR and PSA birth certificate apostilled while the documents are in the Philippines. you may authorize your family member to process the apostille. For PSA documents, they can use the DFA e-Apostille Portal directly — no need for physical submission. If you want someone else to handle it formally, you may issue a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) so they can act on your behalf. But this course of action takes longer process since you will need a valid and legally binding SPA executing from the country you are residing.
Hi there, I just wanted to ask if how po if the school I attended were closed due to pandemic and the school is also a foundation but they gave us diploma and tor? How can I apostille that?
As long as your diploma and TOR were issued before the school closed, they remain valid. If the school is closed, you cannot go back to them for certification. Instead:
go to CHED Regional Office (for college/university diplomas and TOR) they can authenticate and issue a certification. These certifications serve as proof that your documents are genuine even if the school no longer operates. Once CHED/DepEd has authenticated your diploma and TOR, you can submit them to the DFA Apostille Section for apostille. DFA will not apostille documents directly from a closed school unless they are first validated by CHED/DepEd.
Hello po! How can I have my school credentials apostilled when my school has already closed down more than a decade ago? I had only known about it recently as I relocated from Manila to Cebu. I sent CHED NCR copies of my school credentials but they are still under verification process. It’s almost six months now and I am beyond hopeless/clueless how to proceed to the next step of my request for CAV. Please help me po. Thank u
Since your school has already closed, CHED must first verify your records before issuing the Certification, Authentication, and Verification (CAV), and unfortunately this process often takes many months because they need to check archived files or custodianship arrangements until CHED releases the CAV, the DFA cannot apostille your credentials. The best course of action is to formally escalate your request with CHED NCR or even the CHED Central Office, ask if your school’s records were transferred to a custodian institution, and provide supporting documents like your diploma, TOR, or affidavits to help speed up verification, since persistence and consistent follow?up are usually the only way to move stalled cases forward.
Hi, I have an authenticated Birth certificate, do I need to get a new one from the PSA?
My fiancé and i getting married this year and i need to apostille my birth certificate and no marriage certificate it is possible to send it here directly in japan?
Yes, once the documents are apostilled then you may send those documents in Japan for use.
Hello my name is christine My fiancé and i getting married this year and i need to apostille my birth certificate and no marriage certificate it is possible to send it here directly in japan?
One the documents are apostilled, yes, you may send it directly in Japan.
Hi! May I ask if I need to make SPA if I will apostille my own daughter’s (minor) school documents?
If you are the parent and you will personally process your own daughter’s school documents for apostille, you do not need a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). The DFA recognizes parents as the natural guardians of their minor children, so you can submit the documents directly.
An SPA is only required if you are authorizing another person (not the parent or legal guardian) to process the apostille on your behalf.
Hi,
I need my PI birth certificate apostilled, but for over 30 years I have lived in New Zealand and do not know anyone to ask for such favours. Is there an Apostille Service that can take care of that, then send it to New Zealand? Can you recommend a reliable service? How much does this normally cost? Thank you and kind regards,
M
Yes, we do offer apostille service for PSA birth certificates and can arrange to have the apostilled document securely sent to New Zealand. Since PSA records are now processed through the DFA e-Apostille Portal, the procedure is faster and more convenient compared to the old red ribbon system. You simply authorize us to request your PSA Birth Certificate, we process the apostille with DFA, and then ship the completed document to your address abroad.
I plan to get an SPA notorized at the Philippine Embassy in the USA to authorize a family member to apostille my PI birth certificate when he returns to Manila. Can I state the duration of the validity of this SPA on the form? Can the SPA form be used multiple times for the same purpose, if indicated?
Yes, you can indicate the duration of validity in your Special Power of Attorney (SPA) when you have it notarized at the Philippine Embassy in the USA. The SPA is a private legal document, so you may specify whether it is valid for a fixed period (e.g., six months, one year) or until revoked.
Good day, my sister authorized me to go to DFA Manila to apostille her document, she just provide a Authorization letter not SPA, is it possible ?
For DFA apostille processing, a simple authorization letter is not enough. The DFA requires a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if the document owner cannot personally appear.
Hello! Can i apostille my marriage contract from local civil registrar? Thanks!
You cannot directly apostille a marriage contract from the Local Civil Registrar (LCR). The DFA only apostilles PSA?issued civil registry documents.
Hi, I’m getting married in Japan.
– The requirements say that aside from the original copies from the PSA I also need them photocopied but it didn’t say that they should be Apostilled, do you recommend that I include them also or it should be included?
– Another thing is, that I have the court’s copy of the decision and finality of my annulment which of course needs to be Apostilled. So, since the requirement needs a PSA copy and a copy, do I need to have the photocopy notarized and certified before I have them Apostilled?
– Lastly, regarding fees, my annulment documents are about 50 pages (ballpark figure) does it count as 1 document, or do I have to pay for each page?
Thank you!
For marriage in Japan, the PSA civil registry documents such as your birth certificate and CENOMAR are usually required in original and photocopy form, and if the instructions do not explicitly mention apostille, they can be submitted as is. However, it is generally advisable to have them apostilled to avoid any possible delays or questions from the local municipal office, since apostille makes them internationally recognized under the Hague Convention. As for your annulment papers, the court’s decision and certificate of finality must definitely be apostilled, but only the certified originals issued by the court are apostilled, not the photocopies. If you intend to submit photocopies, you would need to have them notarized and certified as true copies first, and then those certified copies can be apostilled. Regarding fees, DFA charges per document, not per page, so even if your annulment decision runs to about 50 pages, it will still be treated as one document for apostille purposes, with the standard fee of ?100 for regular processing or ?200 for expedited service.
I want to study abroad, specifically in Saudi Arabia, for bachelor’s degree (undergraduate level). What documents should be apostilled other than my Birth certificate and Diploma in senior high school?
For studying in Saudi Arabia, aside from your PSA Birth Certificate and Senior High School Diploma, you will also need to have your Transcript of Records (TOR) apostilled, since universities require proof of your academic subjects and grades. In most cases, schools abroad also ask for a Certificate of Graduation or Certificate of Enrollment/Attendance, which should likewise be apostilled if requested. If Saudi authorities or the university require proof of good standing, a Certificate of Good Moral Character may also be needed. All school documents must first go through CHED for CAV (now processed fully online since March 2026 via the CHED eCAV Portal), before submission to DFA for apostille.
Hi. I just want to ask because me and my husband bought a house in the Philippines and the bank is asking for SPA. I live in iceland and we don’t have philippine embassy here, the bank will send me the spa format then i will fill it out. Im thinkibg if apostilled will be enough instead of red ribbon?
Yes, that would be enough.
I have a medical emergency here in UAE, and I need to have my marriage certificate apostilled. My husband is based in the Philippine so he’s the one who will do what is necessary. He just found out an appointment is needed to have it done. Is there a possibility he would be accepted as a walk in? I need it urgently.
As of 2026, the PSA are now digitalized process that is entirely online through DFA e-Apostille Portal. The DFA no longer issues physical apostilles for PSA documents. They only secure digital apostilles with QR verification that are valid. Applications are filed online and are usually released the next working day. Your PSA marriage certificate can be apostilled digitally by your husband convenience he can proceed the process through the DFA e-Apostille Portal and select the PSA apostille that needs to be apostilled. If, however, you need the paper apostille you still need to book an appointment at the DFA website.
this is good information and i know now how to apply in apostilli… thank you for this info.
Hi! How about po ‘yung 7-year old sister ko kukuhanan ko po sana ng apostille, nasa Dubai siya ngayon and inutos sakin ng mother ko lakarin ito. Confused po ako what requirements should I prepare po for it.
This depends on what document you want to get. If you need to apostille her birth certificate, present your own birth certificate to the DFA as well to show proof that you are her brother.
Hi, I’m here in Bahrain and I want to get an apostilled cenomar/certificate of singleness, where can I apply online?
Since you’re in Bahrain and need a CENOMAR/Certificate of Singleness apostilled. You can execute a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) at the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, have it notarized/consularized, and send the original SPA to your representative in the Philippines. They can then request your PSA?issued CENOMAR and submit it to DFA for apostille. DFA requires the original SPA, not just a scanned copy.
Also, you can have it request online. Since March 2026, PSA civil registry documents (like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and CENOMAR) can be requested and apostilled entirely online. Your representative in the Philippines can process the PSA eCertificate and apply for apostille digitally, without needing to queue at DFA.
My sister is applying for a Philippine passort in Thailand where she is currently based. She would like to use her married name and was asked by DFA in Thailand to get a copy of her marriage certificate and have it apostilled here in Manila. Aside from an SPA, does she need to give me a copy of a Phil ID too? She does not have one because her Phil passport just expired which is why she is getting another one. Appreciate your advise. Thanks.
For your sister’s passport application in Thailand, the DFA is correct that she must present her PSA?issued marriage certificate apostilled in Manila if she wants to use her married name. To authorize you to process this on her behalf, the essential requirement is a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed and consularized at the Philippine Embassy in Thailand. DFA will honor the SPA as proof of authority. She does not need to provide you with a Philippine ID if she doesn’t have one, she can give you any other valid ID, since the expired passport cannot serve as a valid ID anymore. What DFA requires from you, as the representative, is your own valid government ID together with the SPA and the PSA marriage certificate.
New update: Since March 2026, the PSA-issued documents are processed entirely online via the DFA e-Apostille Portal. No physical appointment is needed, and processing is usually completed the next working day. To process please refer to this link: https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
I received a check from my former employer in tyhe Philippines. In order for me to have the money I sent an SPA to a trusted friend to encash the check and send the money to me via Western Union. The problem is, the bank manager wanted the SPA to be apostilled. Her reason was because I am here in Italy and the SPA will be used in the Philippines even that I applied the SPA from the Philippine Embassy here in Rome. Can my friend apply for apostille in the Philippine? Or should I send her the SPA for apostilling the SPA? The SPA I sent her has the signature of the Assistant Consul here because the Consul is in Milan. It also has the gold seal. Thank you very much.
Since you executed the Special Power of Attorney (SPA) at the Philippine Embassy in Rome, bearing the signature of the Assistant Consul and the official seal, it is already considered a consularized document. In principle, Philippine banks should honor consularized SPAs without requiring an apostille.
Some banks, however, are stricter and insist on apostille even if the SPA is consularized. This is an internal compliance preference, not a legal requirement. Your friend in the Philippines cannot apply for apostille on a consularized SPA executed abroad. Apostille is only for documents issued in the Philippines.If the bank insists, you may need to request the Embassy in Rome to issue a new SPA in apostille form (if available) or coordinate with DFA Manila for guidance. Alternatively, you can escalate the matter to the bank’s legal/compliance department, citing DFA rules that consularized documents are valid.
i wanted to send my Muslim divorce certificate to be apostilled (divorce certificate issued in Zamboanga Philippines), what are the requirements?
Hi, my daughter is getting married abroad and her birth certificate is and old authenticated stamp by NSO, Is this still valid? Please advice.
Many Thanks,
An old NSO?issued birth certificate with the former red ribbon authentication is no longer accepted for apostille or for use abroad. The DFA stopped issuing red ribbons in 2019 and replaced them with the apostille system. For your daughter’s marriage abroad, she must secure a PSA?issued birth certificate printed on security paper, then submit it to DFA for apostille. The NSO copy with red ribbon is considered outdated and will not be honored by foreign authorities.
Hi. I went to DFA to make my Criminal record stamp. And they are saying they cannot process it and they need me to submit a letter to a trial court. What is that for? I am the one who needs the apostille stamp. Is it necessary to pass letter to a trial court before getting an appostille stamp?
When you went to DFA for apostille of your criminal record certificate, they required you to first secure a Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) or a court verification. This is because documents like NBI Clearance, Police Clearance, or criminal record certifications are considered notarized or judicially?related documents, and DFA will only apostille them if they carry the proper court authentication. The “letter to the trial court” they mentioned is essentially a request for the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge or Clerk of Court to issue a CANA confirming that the notary public’s seal and signature on your document are genuine.
hi.. im planning to get married in Malaysia which is not a member of Hague convention on Apostile, do i need my document ( psa Bc and cenomar) to get authenticated in dfa?thanks
Since Malaysia is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, your PSA Birth Certificate and CENOMAR must first obtain authentication from the DFA and afterwards be submitted to the Malaysian Embassy in Manila for legalization. This two?step procedure ensures your documents are officially recognized in Malaysia: first DFA authentication, then embassy legalization. Apostille applies only to Hague Convention countries, so for Malaysia, DFA authentication plus embassy legalization is the correct route.
I have friend who needs a death certificate Apostilles for USA. As I understand from your site, I would first need a SPA to obtain a death certificate then to obtain the death certificate and then to Apostille. Is the certificate in English or must I arrange to have it translated and submitted with the request?
The certificate is in English as that is an official language of the Philippines.
Good day, I have my prc documents and school documents last 2015 are those still valid for apostille or do I have to get new one po?
Your PRC and school documents from 2015 can still be apostilled as long as they are certified true copies issued by the proper authority (PRC or your school/CHED). Apostille validity depends on whether the documents are official and verifiable, not on the year they were issued.
Please also note that the PRC has a renewal period for professional IDs, which you need to consider when preparing your documents.
Hello good morning
What is the other options if there is no available slots until 2023.
your online website has no available slots until year 2023.
what should we do now?
we need it for employment.
many thanks.
If the website shows no slots until 2023, the best approach is to monitor daily, explore regional DFA offices, and consider authorizing a representative. At present Since March 2026, the PSA-issued documents, NBI, Ched, Deped, LTO, PNP and PRC are processed entirely online via the DFA e-Apostille Portal. No physical appointment is needed, and processing is usually completed the next working day. For more details please visit their website https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi , I just want to ask if it’s possible to add one document on the day of my apostille appointment? Because I forget to add one of my document when I schedule my appointment.
Thank you!
For DFA Apostille appointments, the documents you intend to submit must be listed when you book your slot. Adding extra documents on the day of your appointment is generally not allowed, because each slot is allocated based on the number of documents declared during scheduling. On the day of your appointment. In some cases, if the workload permits, they may allow you to include one more document, but this is subject to the discretion of the DFA staff.
For Certificate of Employment, can the said document be notarized even in the place where I am working, and also the affidavit can also be obtained there? I am currently working in Pateros and the place where I will be filing for CANA is at Manila.
You may notarize your COE and affidavit in Pateros, but the CANA must come from the RTC where the notary is commissioned (Manila). The notarization must be done by a commissioned notary public in Pateros.
This is really helpful. Thank you very much sir!
Hello,
Im a Belgian nationality now, i want to get married here in Belgium. And i need my Birth certificate to be apostille. I have my red ribon birth certificate from DFA, and the lady insists still insists the apostile. I would like to know if the Philippines Embassy here in Belgium can help or Do I need to get another copy apostile.
Thanks
The red ribbon authentication issued previously by DFA has already been replaced by the apostille system under the Hague Apostille Convention. For documents to be valid abroad, the DFA now issues apostilles instead of red ribbons.
To process your apostille birth certificate please refer to this link as the PSA documents no longer need an appointment. https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi Atty,
How can I process the CENOMAR for Apostille,for my sister she is in Germany what are the Document she will send to me so the DFA will approve my concern
Since you are acting as your sister’s representative, you will need a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or Authorization Letter, along with a copy of her valid ID, to process the apostille of her CENOMAR.
Hi Atty, do I need to send the original notarised SPA to the Philippines or I can send by email and be printed by my representative? Thank you.
For DFA Apostille processing, the original notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) is required. A scanned copy sent by email and printed in the Philippines will not be accepted by DFA, banks, or government offices.
Do prenuptial agreements executed by filipino citizens abroad and notarized need apostille?
If it is for a marriage in the Philippines, it would require that to be registered with the marriage certificate. It would be best that you consult with the local civil registrar with which the marriage will be registered.
Hello
I’m a US citizen and my siblings are planning to sell our property in the Philippines. We have a SPA drawn and they advice we have to go to Philippines embassy here to have it “red ribbon”
I live in Florida and I have to travel to Washington DC the closest Philippines embassy and want to make sure
You may consider having the document notarized by a notary in Florida then have the document apostilled by the Office of the Secretary of State of Florida. The apostille process can usually be done by mailing the notarized document.
Hello sir..im edwin and my friend ask me to get his LTO certification..i already got it..and i need to apostille it…all i need is to get an spa and the original copy of the LTO certification..thank you
For your friend’s LTO Certification, DFA requires more than just the document itself. Since you are acting on his behalf, you’ll need a proper Special Power of Attorney (SPA) plus the original LTO Certification. A simple authorization letter is not enough for DFA apostille processing.
Hello I want to book an appointment to Apostille my documents at DFA. How ?
Thanks!
To book an appointment for DFA Apostille, you need to go through the DFA Apostille Appointment System. Please refer to this link https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi my name is azeez indian national i married a filipina in 2018 we are living in uae. We already have cenomar paper we need to verified from dfa. My question is we will get red ribbon or apostille?
Apostille because the Department of Foreign Affairs no longer issues red ribbons for the authentication of documents.
Dear Sir/Maam,
I am going back to work in Thailand and i want to ask what do i need for my documents (diploma and TOR) an apostille or red ribbon? Thank you.
For Thailand, which is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you no longer need the old red ribbon authentication. The DFA now issues apostilles for documents like your diploma and Transcript of Records (TOR). The red ribbon system was officially discontinued in 2019.
School records must first be endorsed to CHED for CAV. Since March 2026, CHED CAV is processed purely online via the CHED eCAV Portal. Once CHED issues the eCAV, you can submit the documents to DFA for apostille.The apostilled diploma and TOR will then be valid for use in Thailand without further legalization.
dear sir/ma’am
first of all good day,I have a question about my NBI apostille or red ribbon.
since November 2021 until now January 2022 I didn’t take a slot in online appointment in your website. I’m JOMER USMAN GUMILING from bacoor City,Cavite please help me to get a slot for my apostille because the most important requirements in my agency is NBI apostille or red ribbon so I hope you help me.
thank you
best regard
We understand your difficulty in securing an appointment for the apostille of your NBI Clearance. At present, Since March 2026, the PSA-issued documents, NBI, Ched, Deped, LTO, PNP and PRC are processed entirely online via the DFA e-Apostille Portal. No physical appointment is needed, and processing is usually completed the next working day. For more details please visit their website https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi! Atty. I need to get an apostilled birth certificate and cenomar in order to get married abroad but I’m working overseas. How is this po?
If you are working overseas and need an apostilled birth certificate and CENOMAR for marriage abroad, the process can still be handled in the Philippines through an authorized representative. You will need to provide your representative (such as a parent or trusted relative) with a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), executed either at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate abroad or notarized locally and then consularized. With this SPA, your representative can request your PSA?issued birth certificate and CENOMAR, submit them to DFA for apostille, and then send the apostilled documents to you.
How about Atty. the transfer of ownership like a car .For an instance, the car was named after and I need to transfer it under the Name of my husband and will be bound to abroad. Kindly give me an example of SPA Content so that I can have a correct content to process and will not waste a money to reject in DFA for Apostille process. Thank you so much
hi Good Day!
May i know what will be the proper process for acquiring PSA with apostille. Because my sister will be getting married in Turkey and she couldnt sign the SPA.
I will be her representative in getting this requirement.
For your sister’s marriage in Turkey, the proper process is straightforward. Since she cannot sign an SPA, you can still act as her representative, but the DFA requires proof of authority. Normally, an SPA executed abroad and consularized at the Philippine Embassy is the standard. If she cannot sign one, DFA will only allow you to process if you are an immediate family member (parent, sibling, or child) and you can present proof of relationship (such as your own PSA birth certificate showing you are siblings).
However, there is a new update for PSA Documents effective March 16, 2026. The DFA now processes PSA?issued civil registry documents (like birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and CENOMAR) entirely through the DFA e?Apostille Portal. For more details please visit their website here at https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi, Atty!
I’m really confused how to do an appointment with DFA Apostille. I am a representative of my boss, and I need to have her documents apostilled. 2 PSA BC, 2 PSA Marriage, and 1 NBI.
Question is, is there a limit that I can Apostille as a rep? Cause when I try to book an appointment, it failed. Sabi daw, madami daw pinapa apostille ko, eh ang nabasa ko is 5 document owners ang pwede ipa apostille per month.
And also, I’ll be doing her husband’s apostille as well, same dami ng documents. Allowed ba ko na to do them both or dapat 1 rep for 1 person. Hoping na masagot.
Thank you!
Hi. You are allowed to act as a representative as long as you provide the necessary requirements, such as a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). According to the DFA, they process up to 10 documents per client. In your case, I suggest booking an appointment at one of the DFA satellite offices to ensure your Apostille application is accommodated.
Hi Atty.! I’m planning to work in Turkey. Can I still use my authenticated documents with red ribbon in that country? Or can the DFA still apostillize my old red-ribboned documents?
This is probably best addressed to the authorities in Turkey since the documents are to be used there, or to the Turkish embassy.
How about this po.I need to get an apostilled birth certificate and cenomar in order to get married abroad but I’m working overseas. What can I do about this?
I believed I have answered your inquiry in the comments. Thank you
I have Phil. psa birth cert. for passport application at the Phil. Embassy. But is not granted without apostille.
Apostille is required for own country too? Please explain.
An apostille is not required for use within the Philippines itself. It is only needed when your Philippine?issued documents like a PSA birth certificate will be presented abroad in a country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. For local purposes such as applying for a Philippine passport at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, the PSA birth certificate in security paper is already sufficient. If the embassy asked for an apostille, it may be because they are following the rules of the host country or because the document will be used in that foreign jurisdiction, not for the Philippine passport process itself.
Can a court clearance be appostiled and if so where. We did get the police clearance and nbi appostiled but they didn’t do our court clearance. Do we need some additional documents for that?
Yes, it must be first authenticated by the issuing court by the RTC Executive Judge or commonly known as CANA (Certificate of Authentication and Verification) before submitted to DFA for apostille.
My wife and I got married virtually, legally, in the USA and we have an Apostille. She has it and took it to the PSA in Cagayan and they are telling her they can’t use it, that she has to go to Manilla. Is that true? Or are they just being ignorant to the law of using an Apostille?
Regards,
Joshua
They may be telling her that she has to file a Report of Marriage abroad, which is a distinct document for purposes of the Philippine civil registry system. We cannot say without more information, but she could ask the local civil registry what they mean as well as call the national office of the PSA for guidance.
Hi, Good day! I’m in USA and I need my birth certificate to be Apostille before I can use it. What are the process to do it since I can’t sign a special power of attorney for my mom to do it n my behalf? TIA
You will need to sign a special power of attorney to authorize someone to process this for you. You can execute this SPA abroad, including at the Philippine consulate of the country where you are located.
Hi I would like to ask if an infant age (1-2yrs) needs SPA from the parents? Thank you
If you are the parent and you will personally process your own child’s birth certificate for apostille, you do not need a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). The DFA recognizes parents as the natural guardians of their minor children, so you can submit the documents directly. An SPA is only required if you are authorizing another person (not the parent or legal guardian) to process the apostille on your behalf.
I have an existing red ribbom document containing my transcript of record and CHED documents. Do I still need to get a new trancript and diploma from my school and CHED documents and have that documents apostile in the DFA?
Your existing red ribbon document are no longer valid for international use because the DFA has already phased out the red ribbon system. On the question whether or not you have to apostille it again, that depends on the country where the documents will be used and their rules and policy on the validity of the documents. If the country is member of apostille service, then you have to process new document and have it apostilled. If the country is not a member, traditional lane will be the path to authenticate the documents.
Hi. I need to have my birth certificate and marriage certificate apostilled. Can I request a copy from PSA and have it directly apostilled by DFA?
I na current not in the Philippines right now. But I have an SPA for my daughter to transact legal documents for me.
Yes, you can request your PSA?issued birth certificate and marriage certificate and have them apostilled by the DFA. Since you are currently abroad, your daughter can process this on your behalf using the Special Power of Attorney (SPA) you executed.
There is no available appointment for this year in Cebu, and I need to appostille marriage license. Will you be able to help me with this? Thanl you
We understand your concern. At present, the DFA Apostille Appointment System in Cebu may show no available slots due to high demand. For your marriage license apostille, you have a few options: you can continue monitoring the DFA online appointment system since slots are released in batches and cancellations sometimes reopen slots; you may also check other DFA Consular Offices outside Cebu (such as Pampanga, Iloilo, Davao, or Cagayan de Oro) which also process apostille requests and may have availability; or you can authorize a trusted relative or representative through a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) to process the apostille for you in Manila or another DFA office.
Hello, my husbands sister plans to marry in japan. She needs documents to be apostile. Pwede po nang kapatid nya magayos nito sa dfa without s.p.a?
If your husband’s sister is planning to marry in Japan and needs her documents apostilled, her sibling cannot simply process this at the DFA without proper authorization. The DFA generally requires a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if the document owner cannot appear personally. While immediate family members such as siblings may sometimes be allowed to transact if they can present proof of relationship (like a PSA birth certificate), the DFA often insists on an SPA to avoid issues of authority. If the sister is already in Japan, she must execute the SPA at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate there, have it notarized and authenticated, and then send the original to the Philippines for use.
how long is the process to apostille Birth Certificates this time of pandemic? is there expedite process? how much?
During the pandemic, the DFA apostille process for birth certificates continues but with stricter appointment rules and limited slots, so the main delay is in securing an online appointment rather than in the actual processing. Once you have a confirmed schedule and submit your PSA birth certificate, the apostille is usually released within one to two working days. The DFA also offers an expedited option, where the apostille can be issued within one working day, though availability may vary depending on the consular office.
At present, the DFA now processes PSA?issued civil registry documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and CENOMAR) entirely through the DFA e?Apostille Portal. For more details please visit their website https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
I am applying for a student visa for Portugal and the Consul stated that the documents issued here in the Philippines need to be apostilled. Does this include the bank certificate issued by my local bank here in the Philippines, as well as my ITR? Thank you!
This question is best addressed to the consul as it relates to their requirements rather than the Philippines’.
My friend want me to be the representative of her documents, she’s in South Korea. Does it mean she needs to get SPA there and authenticate it in Philippine Embassy there? Or I will be the one who gets SPA here in Philippines and send to her to SK? Just a bit confused.
If your friend is in South Korea and wants you to represent her documents in the Philippines, the Special Power of Attorney (SPA) must be executed by her abroad, not by you in the Philippines. She needs to prepare the SPA in South Korea, have it notarized, and then authenticate it at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in South Korea. Once the SPA is consularized, she must send the original copy to you in the Philippines. Only then can you present it at the DFA together with her documents for apostille.
How about the DFA in Iloilo ? Do they appostilled documents as well? Looks like it’s not in the 7 other location you provided.
Yes, the DFA Consular Office in Iloilo is authorized to process apostille requests for documents issued by Philippine government agencies, just like other regional DFA offices. Even if it wasn’t included in the earlier list you saw, Iloilo is part of the DFA’s nationwide network of consular offices that handle apostille services.
Can I processed my sister’s documents for apostille, she is in Korea, with just a simple SPA not authorize in the Philippine Embassy?
It depends on what the documents are, but better she executes a SPA at the Philippine embassy.
I’m planning to get married in Malaysia, but i’m having trouble to understand how can i get the certificate of no marriege record. What types of requirements do i need to prepare? And can I let my Mom do it for me? As I’m still in abroad.
The requirements usually include a valid ID and payment of the processing fee, and since you are abroad, you can authorize your mother to obtain it on your behalf by executing a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and sending her a copy of your ID. Once she has the PSA?issued CENOMAR, it must be authenticated by the DFA and then legalized at the Malaysian Embassy in Manila, because Malaysia is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
I need apointment for apostille
For booking of apostille appointment at DFA please refer to this link: https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Kami na po ba Ang magpapanotarized nun SPA sa Phil Embassy or Yun Kapatid ko po na nasa Riyadh
If your sister is the document owner and she wants you to authorized to submit documents at the DFA. Your sister should notarized the SPA to the Philippine embassy in Riyadh and send it to you by post.
Hi,I justvwanna asked if how long will it take for a annotated birth certificate to be appostilled.
The apostilled documents are typically released within two working days after submission, provided there are no issues.
I am currently in Thailand and I need my PSA birthcertificateto be Authencate by DFA apostile for travel purpose. I ask my cousin to apostile my said document, does my cousin still need a SPA?
If you are in Thailand and need your PSA birth certificate apostilled for travel, your cousin in the Philippines can process it on your behalf, but only if you provide a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). Since you are abroad, you must execute the SPA in Thailand, have it notarized, and then authenticate it at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Thailand. After authentication, you must send the original consularized SPA to your cousin in the Philippines. Only with that document can your cousin validly represent you at the DFA for apostille processing.
I don’t need to take appointment to make my birth certificate/passport aposttille?
For PSA?issued documents like your birth, you no longer need to book a physical appointment at the DFA. These are processed entirely online through the DFA e?Apostille Portal. You upload the PSA eCertificate and request the apostille digitally, and the DFA issues an e?Apostille that you can download and use abroad.
Is Affidavit of Support to travel need to be apostilled? The affidavit certifies that the sister of the affiant shoulders the expenses of the said affiant at the destination country.
This would depend on the requirements of the particular destination country.
My nephew needs a SPA to authorize him to do repairs and maintenance at our parkchester condo in new York. He also needs the SPA to eventually process the transfer of ownership from our deceased father to me and my sister. Do you do Apostille for SPA?
Yes, we can handle the apostille processing for your nephew’s SPA to ensure it is valid for use in New York for both condo repairs and the eventual transfer of ownership.
My sister is in thailand and she need her birth certificate and certificate of no marriage to be apostille, she ask me to process it on her behalf. Does she need to execute a SPA or just a simple authorization can do?
If your sister is in Thailand and needs her birth certificate and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) apostilled, a simple authorization letter will not be enough. The DFA requires a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) when the document owner cannot personally appear. Since she is abroad, she must execute the SPA in Thailand, have it notarized, and then authenticate it at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Thailand. After that, she needs to send the original consularized SPA to you in the Philippines. Only with that document can you validly represent her at the DFA for apostille processing.
May I know the requirements for the barangay clearance apostille. Thanks
For a Barangay Clearance apostille, the document must first be issued by your barangay office with the official seal and signature of the Punong Barangay or authorized officer. Since barangay clearances are not PSA?issued civil registry documents, they need to be notarized by a duly commissioned notary public, and then accompanied by a Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) where the notary is commissioned. Only after these steps can the DFA accept the clearance for apostille. You will then submit the notarized clearance with the CANA to the DFA Consular Office, pay the apostille fee (?100 for regular or ?200 for expedite), and the DFA will issue the apostille, making the document valid for use abroad in Apostille Convention countries.
Need to Apostille my Birth Certificate, Cenomar and Marriage Certificate
The DFA now processes PSA?issued civil registry documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and CENOMAR) entirely through the DFA e?Apostille Portal. For more details please visit their website https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Gud am Sir/Mam, is it required that documents apotille be attested so that it is proven not fake. I have experienced that days ago when my daughter marriage certificate was handed back to me for attestation from DFA – Dubai Embassy. Thank you.
It may have to be apostilled if it is to be used outside the Philippines.
I’m here in Thailand and wanta to get married here, Can I as somebody to have my documents apostille on my behalf especially I could not sign a SPA because I’m here Thailand.
Send us an email at admin@lawyerphilippines.org
We may be able to help you.
Hi, can my older sister who is a religious nun can act as my SPA to perform,execute the tasks on my behalf in accomplishing the steps in buying the condominium property back home in the Philippines? I was confuse because she used to be my SPA and she told she can no longer be my SPA and I need to execute everything if I want to buy the property, she was told by lawyer friend of hers that it is illegal for her to act as my SPA this time. Can u please enlighten me in this regard .thanks do much.
Legally, any competent adult can be appointed as your attorney?in?fact through a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). There is no prohibition in the Civil Code or special laws against a religious nun acting as an SPA. Her religious status does not disqualify her from being authorized to perform civil acts on your behalf. Some religious congregations have internal rules that restrict their members from engaging in secular transactions, especially those involving property or financial matters. If your sister’s congregation has such rules, she may be bound by them personally, even if the law itself allows her to act as your SPA. A lawyer friend may have advised her based on these internal restrictions, not on the legal framework itself.
Can i appostollize my deped appontment?
Hello sir im here in Romania.i need to apostille some documents needed to bring here my two children .can apply apostille by walkin for emergency reason bcoz we need to apply the visa for my kids.need to comeback here in Romania together with my two kids? Thank you sir!
We understand your urgent need to apostille documents for your children’s visa application. The DFA generally requires all applicants to secure an online appointment before processing apostille requests. However, in cases of emergency or urgent travel abroad, you may request consideration for priority or walk?in processing. This is subject to the discretion of the DFA office and usually requires you to present proof of urgency, such as visa requirements, employment contracts, or travel documents.
Tatanong ko lang po,,paano po kung deploma ko ng school sa ibang bans,,tapos iapapa apostille ko ..Ano po kailangan ko po
It must be apostilled in the country where the school is located, through that country’s designated authority. Once apostilled abroad, the document is already valid for use in the Philippines under the Hague Apostille Convention.
I’m here in Oman and want to get married in Germany , Can I as somebody to have my documents apostille on my behalf especially I could not sign a SPA because I’m here Oman.
The DFA requires a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by you and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in Oman. Once consularized, you send the SPA to your representative in the Philippines, who can then present it along with their valid ID to process the apostille. Without an SPA, your representative cannot legally transact on your behalf for apostille purposes.
Hi Atty.! My sister in law, who is in Ireland, applied for a CAR loan her in the Philippines and appointed her mother (my mother in law) through an SPA (which she executed in Ireland) to sign all the documents on her behalf. The bank required my sis in law to have the notarized SPA apostilled in Ireland. The DFA there rejected and stated that it is a mere car loan and that apostille is no longer required. Is it true that the notarized SPA do not need the apostille? Because the bank that extended the car loan told us otherwise.
If it was notarized at the Philippine consulate, an apostille is no longer required.
Hello Sir,I want to ask if my red ribbon last aug.2017 still can use to get stamp in UAE embassy manila?Because my red ribbon doesn’t have stamp since my sister in law got it.I was here in UAE and i want to be attested in Ministry of Foreign Affair here.But they want my Red Ribbon with stamp from Philippines. What should I do?
Your red ribbon authentication from August 2017 is no longer valid for use abroad. Since May 2019, the Philippines has been part of the Hague Apostille Convention, and the DFA officially phased out the old red ribbon system. As of March 2026, PSA civil registry documents and other records are processed through the DFA e?Apostille Portal, while notarized documents still require apostille through DFA Consular Offices. The UAE Embassy in Manila will not accept your 2017 red ribbon because it is considered obsolete; instead, you must request new PSA?issued copies of your birth, marriage, or other civil documents, then have them apostilled by DFA. Once apostilled, these documents can be submitted to the UAE Embassy for consular legalization, which is required since the UAE is not a member of the Apostille Convention.
It’s so frustrating to book an appointment to process Apostille! Can someone help me
The good news is that DFA Apostille application is no longer need to book an appointment for school records. The DFA now requires all academic documents (TOR, Diploma, RLE, Certificates) to be authenticated first through the CHED eCAV Portal. Once CHED issues the electronic Certificate of Authentication and Verification (eCAV), you can submit the documents directly to DFA for apostille without going through the old appointment system.
For other documents like PSA birth certificates, marriage certificates, or court decisions, appointments may still apply, but DFA is gradually expanding online processing through the DFA e?Apostille Portal. Pease refer to this link for more details: https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hello! Does the Apostille have an expiration/validity period? I already requested mine but will use it by early next year. Thanks!
An apostille itself does not expire once the DFA issues it, the certification remains valid indefinitely. What can expire, however, is the document attached to the apostille like police clearances, NBI certificates, or medical records that have a set validity period. Civil registry documents like PSA birth, marriage, or death certificates, as well as notarized SPAs, remain valid for apostille use regardless of the year of issuance, as long as the document itself is authentic and accepted by the receiving authority.
Birth certificate of my nephew is it need to apostilled or need to be red ribboned because it will be needed for his marriage in germany
For your nephew’s marriage in Germany, the birth certificate must be apostilled by the DFA. The old “red ribbon” authentication has already been replaced by the apostille process since 2019.
Germany, however, objected to the Philippines’ accession to the Apostille Convention. This means Germany does not accept Philippine apostilles.
Therefore, for documents like a birth certificate needed in Germany, you must still go through embassy legalization after DFA authentication.
Does red ribbon can no longer be use? To those who have red ribbon previously is it a must to get apostille?
Those documents should still be valid provided that they do not state an expiration date.
Hello po just want to know I have my marriage certificate in red ribbon amd im currently living in canada edmonton alberta is it possible to get apostille foe my marriage certificate in any consulate here in my location thank you.
Your red ribbon marriage certificate issued before May 2019 is no longer valid for apostille because the Philippines has already shifted to the Hague Apostille Convention system. Apostille processing is handled only by the DFA Consular Offices in the Philippines, and unfortunately, Philippine embassies or consulates abroad (including those in Canada) do not issue apostilles. What you need to do is request a new PSA?issued marriage certificate, then have it apostilled by DFA in Manila or at a regional DFA office. Since you are in Canada, you can authorize a trusted relative in the Philippines through a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) to request the PSA copy and submit it for apostille. Once apostilled, the document will be valid for use in Canada, which is a member of the Apostille Convention.
Bakit po Hindi kami Makapasok sa Web Site ng DFA. Para maka pag Pa set ng Appointment at maka kuha ng Slot. Para sa Aming mga Documento?
Pero Meron pong ibang nakakakuha ng Slot para ibenta Saming ng Halagang 4500 para po sa Single slot.
Bakit po Ganun? Ano po ang satingin ninyo ang nang yayari sa Ahensiya? Pera Pera na po ba ang Labanan ngayun? Katulad ko po na walang pam bayad saganun klaseng halaga. Mag Tatrabaho po kami sa Ibang Bansa para sa Aming mga Pamilya. Pero pag Dating sa mga Documento dito palang sa Ating Bansa. Ay pahirapan na ang Pag Kuha Slot palang Yan para sa Schedule. Maraming Ganid sa ibat ibang Sangay ng GOBYERNO.
We understand your frustration regarding the difficulty of securing an appointment through the DFA’s online system. At present, the DFA appointment slots are released in batches and often become fully booked quickly due to high demand. When the website shows system maintenance or no available slots, it usually means that all slots have already been taken. If you encounter people selling DFA appointments, please note that this practice is unauthorized and should be reported to the DFA or proper authorities. Buying slots from fixers may cause problems with your application.
The only valid way to secure an appointment is through the DFA’s official online system. Persistence in checking the site regularly and exploring regional offices is the safest and proper approach.
Good day! Thank you for posting this information about the process for getting apostille for documents. i would like to ask about my father’s birth certificate which I need here abroad. The PSA’s records have an error in spelling but he has a local registered birth certificate from his hometown. Can he get the PSA-issued birth certificate apostilled and just include an affidavit with the correct spelling of his name? Many thanks if you can reply.
Your father must first correct the PSA record through the LCR before requesting apostille. The local birth certificate from his hometown is useful as supporting evidence, but the DFA will only apostille the PSA?issued corrected copy.
Hello, just wanna ask if do I need to apostille all the required documents mentioned in your requirements?. Thank you.
You don’t necessarily need to apostille all the documents listed in the requirements. The rule is that only those documents which will be submitted abroad—such as your PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate, school records, or court decisions—must be apostilled to be recognized in a Hague Convention country. Supporting papers like photocopies or IDs are not apostilled; they are simply attached for verification. In practice, you should apostille the core civil registry and academic/legal documents required by the foreign authority, while the rest remain as ordinary attachments. This way, you avoid unnecessary costs and processing time, since DFA charges per document.
Can I use the same documents for TOR, Diploma and RLE to be apostille the one that I have in red ribbon?
Since you’re in Bahrain and need a CENOMAR/Certificate of Singleness apostilled. You can execute a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) at the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, have it notarized/consularized, and send the original SPA to your representative in the Philippines. They can then request your PSA?issued CENOMAR and submit it to DFA for apostille. DFA requires the original SPA, not just a scanned copy. Also, you can have it request online. Since March 2026, PSA civil registry documents (like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and CENOMAR) can be requested and apostilled entirely online. Your representative in the Philippines can process the PSA eCertificate and apply for apostille digitally, without needing to queue at DFA.
If po ba testa certificate ang TOR anu pong requirements ang kailangan?kailangan ko pa po ba humingi ng CAV from my tesda SCHOOL saka po ung high school diploma ko?thank u po
The CAV for TESDA comes from the TESDA office. CAV for high school diploma from the Department of Education.
I also need a spa even not minor?pls answer thankyou
If you are already of legal age, you do not need a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) just to process your own documents for apostille, since you can personally submit them to the DFA. The SPA only becomes necessary if you cannot appear in person and want someone else to handle the apostille process on your behalf. In that case, you must execute an SPA authorizing your representative, which should be notarized in the Philippines or consularized if you are abroad.
Thank you for providing succinct information on Apostille. May I just ask if the death certificate of my grandmother will be required to get apostilled, can my grandfather apply for it without any SPA?
For the apostille of your grandmother’s death certificate, the DFA recognizes the document owner’s immediate family as having the right to request the apostille. Since your grandmother is deceased, your grandfather—as her surviving spouse—can personally apply for the apostille without needing a Special Power of Attorney (SPA).
do i need an SPa from our Consulate for someone ill authorized to do appostilled paper to the DFA?or just hand written s enough?
For DFA apostille transactions, a handwritten authorization letter is not enough if you are abroad and want someone else to process your papers. The DFA requires a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) that is properly notarized and authenticated at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the country where you are staying. Once consularized, the original SPA must be sent to your representative in the Philippines, who will present it along with their valid ID when submitting your documents for apostille. The DFA does not accept scanned copies or informal handwritten authorizations for this purpose.
Good day ..I have my original bc from NSO & also it translation here in Paris France .. can I let my sister bring this document for apostille coz I need it here for my medical card .. I will send an spa to my sister ..just want to know if will be finish within a day…& do I have to get an appointment or she can just walk .. thanks a lot .. Salvacion Formanes
Paris, France
Since your birth certificate is PSA?issued, your sister can indeed bring the original copy to DFA for apostille, provided you send her a properly executed Special Power of Attorney (SPA) that is consularized at the Philippine Embassy in Paris. A handwritten authorization will not be accepted if you are abroad. Once she has the SPA and your valid ID copy, she can submit the documents at DFA. As for the timeline, DFA apostille processing usually takes one to two working days after submission, not within the same day. Walk?ins are generally not allowed; your sister will need to book an appointment through the DFA Apostille system before going to the office. Only PSA e?certificates processed online can be apostilled digitally without an appointment, but for physical documents like your NSO birth certificate, the appointment system applies.
My daughter born in KSA her birth certificate and 1st passport released in Philippine embassy in Jeddah. Now she is 21 yrs old and stay in Philippines for 3 yrs .Her passport was expire she want to renew it and apply visit visa in KSA .Did she need to Apostille her birth certificate to renew her passport and to get visit visa in KSA?
For your daughter’s case, she does not need to have her birth certificate apostilled just to renew her Philippine passport. The PSA birth certificate is already accepted by the DFA for passport renewal and apostille is only required when a Philippine document will be used abroad in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Since the passport renewal is a Philippine government process, the PSA birth certificate alone is sufficient.
Good day sir/madam,
My daughter was born in KSA her PASSPORT and Birth Certificate was issue in KSA .She is 21 yrs old now Is APOSTILLED Birth Certificate is required in getting renew her passport she is now here in Philippines and want to get a visit visa to go in Ksa. Is this mean it need to Apostilled B C in Ksa or get PSA in Philippines and Apostille in DFA?
For your daughter’s case, she does not need to have her birth certificate apostilled just to renew her Philippine passport. The PSA birth certificate is already accepted by the DFA for passport renewal, and apostille is only required when a Philippine document will be used abroad in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Since the passport renewal is a Philippine government process, the PSA birth certificate alone is sufficient.
Hi do i need to have an appointment to claim my COE with CANA? Because according to Manila city hall it is authomatically forwarded to DFA SM Manila after they process my document for CANA?
You don’t need to have an appointment to get your COE with CANA and it is not automaticaly forwarded to DFA manila. You still have to book an appointment at DFA for apostille processing once you get your COE with CANA from Manila CIty Hall.
Im here at mindanao.. how can i proccess the birth certificate of my mother . Is there any way not to go there. Just scan it and sent it to the embassy .. ITS JUST BIRTH CERT. TO BE RED RIBBON
This is not enough information for us to comment. Send us an email at admin@lawyerphilippines.org if you would like to clarify. Thank you.
Hello sir! can I apostille my documents in DFA Butuan instead of the mentioned lists of DFA offices . Thank you po.
Yes, the DFA Consular Office in Butuan City is authorized to process apostille requests for documents issued by Philippine government agencies. You may bring your documents there for authentication.
Good day,
I am searching for an appointment to have my documents apostille at the nearest possible location in NCR.but up to now I cannot find any slot, I applied as a cleaner in Saudi Arabia and my employer is here in the Philippines to process the documents needed. And the only document I can’t send them is my school credentials which is really needed to be Apostille first.
I hope that this concern will be able to get answers.
Thank you .
You no longer need to book an appointment. Since March 16, 2026, there is a new update for school records: all academic documents must first be authenticated through the CHED eCAV Portal before the DFA will issue an apostille. This means you must request the electronic Certificate of Authentication and Verification (eCAV) from CHED online, covering your TOR, Diploma, and RLE. For more details, please refer to this link: https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
Hi i am from bacolod where is the nearest place to do the appostile of the birth of my child and what are the requirements?
Since you are in Bacolod, the nearest DFA office that processes apostille is the DFA Consular Office Bacolod located at Robinsons Place Bacolod. You can book an appointment through the DFA Apostille Appointment System before going, as walk?ins are generally not allowed except for priority lanes (senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, minors).
New update: Since March 2026, the PSA-issued documents are processed entirely online via the DFA e-Apostille Portal. No physical appointment is needed, and processing is usually completed the next working day. To process please refer to this link: https://www.apostille.gov.ph/
I wpuld.like to aak what re the documents needed in Apostle for Student Certificate in Dfa Pasay City
The student certificate must be a certified true copy and an appointment slip from DFA.
Pwede po ba authorization letter lang with passport ID if living abroad? Or kailangan po talaga nka-SPA?
Thanks in advance.
Authorization is fine as long as your representative is of legal age.
My sister is in abroad ,she need to Apostille her birtcertificate ,as her representative what are my requirements to get her birthcerticate apostille? Is it valid if her ID will be sending through email? Thank you
If your sister is abroad and needs her birth certificate apostilled in the Philippines, you as her representative can process it — but the DFA requires specific documents. You will need to present the original PSA birth certificate, your own valid government?issued ID, and a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by your sister. Since she is abroad, the SPA must be notarized and authenticated (consularized) at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in her country before being sent to you in the Philippines.
Hi. May I know if an Extrajudicial Settlement of an estate need to be notarized (have a red ribbon) abroad before sending the document back here?
I do not know if the convention re Apostile includes Extrajudicial Settlement documents.
An extrajudicial settlement executed abroad should be notarized either at the Philippine consulate or notarized by a foreign notary then apostilled.
Hi there,
Has there been a big slowdown of the apostille process due to COVID? How long does it take to get an appointment?
Yes, the apostille process at the DFA was heavily disrupted during the COVID?19 pandemic. Today, appointments are still required, and slots can be difficult to secure because demand remains high. Expect delays in booking, but once you have a confirmed slot, processing usually takes 1–2 working days.
We have just submitted an appeal to PSA to correct a typo error in our marriage certificate. Once our appeal has been granted or approved and we are able to request for a PSA copy of the annotated or corrected certificate, is there anything other steps to be taken before we can get our marriage certificate apostilled? Thanks in advance.
Once your appeal with the PSA is approved and you are able to request the annotated/corrected marriage certificate, there are no additional intermediate steps required before apostille. The DFA will apostille the corrected PSA-issued certificate directly.
How to apostille CEETIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT
Have your Certificate of Employment notarized by a licensed notary public in the Philippines. Request a Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) from the Regional Trial Court where the notary is commissioned.
Bring the notarized COE, CANA, and a valid ID and schedule an appointment at a DFA Apostille, as walk-ins are not accepted for non-PSA documents.
I got my apostilled mariage certificate,but the name of my wife has an incorrect spelling..sandralyn is the correct spell but sandralya is indicated there,,what should i do ??
If your apostilled marriage certificate shows an incorrect spelling of your wife’s name, you will need to correct the underlying civil registry record first before requesting a new apostille. The DFA only apostilles documents exactly as issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or the Local Civil Registrar. This means you must file a petition for correction of entry with the Local Civil Registrar. Once the correction is approved and you obtain the annotated or corrected PSA marriage certificate, you can then submit the corrected document to the DFA for apostille. The DFA cannot amend or correct names on its own; it only authenticates the document as issued.
dear sir mam
i would like to request schedule for apostille of my nbi at dfa pampanga youre website for schedule is fully book i need to bring nbi with apostille authentication at kwait as my requirements i have a visa in kwait i need past appointment…plss help us hoping for your kind considiration
name – joy bernardo jamlang
birthday- august 7 1983
as per attached my passport nbi at re entry visa
thank you very much
You may directly email of your details at admin@lawyerphilippines.org. Thank you.
I want to get an apostille of my birth certificate, but im here abroad.
You can still have your Philippine birth certificate apostilled even if you are abroad. You can opt to have an authorized representative. You issue a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) abroad, notarized and consularized at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate where you are. The original SPA must be sent to your representative in the Philippines, who can then request your PSA Birth Certificate and submit it to DFA for apostille.
Also, Since March 2026, PSA-issued civil registry documents (like birth certificates) can be processed entirely online for apostille. Your representative can request the PSA eCertificate and apply for apostille digitally, without needing to queue at DFA. Once DFA issues the apostille, the document can be shipped securely to you abroad.
Hello atty, I currently in Dubai and my husband is applying family visa ,top requirements is my baby’s birth certificate with apostille so I need to send bcertificate to my parents and do this, but I where do get the SPA , here in Dubai or my parents can make in Philippines?
For your situation in Dubai, the Special Power of Attorney (SPA) must come from you as the document owner, so it should be executed in Dubai. You will need to have it notarized and authenticated/consularized at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Dubai. Once that’s done, you can send the consularized SPA to your parents in the Philippines, and they can present it at the DFA together with your baby’s PSA Birth Certificate for apostille processing.
I could I ask if I can process my COE (Certificate of Employment ) but my Notarization and CANA is from RTC Iloilo and I will process my documents here in DFA ASEAN??thank youi
Yes, you can process your Certificate of Employment (COE) at DFA Aseana even if the notarization and Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) were issued by the RTC in Iloilo.
Need pa po ba ng xerox copy o original documents po ung iseseal
Photocopies cannot be apostilled. They have to be original or certified copies.
hello,
is it true that only ASEAN dfa can apostille documents from embassy?
No, it is not true. However, embassy-related documents like those issued by Philippine Embassies/Consulates abroad or foreign embassies in the Philippines are processed exclusively at DFA Aseana, not at regional DFA consular offices.
Good day i have my employment contract from my employer but this is a photocopy. But if i will notorized this documents then is it okay to apply already for apostille? Because my employer is in austria and the POLO is in milan. Until now theres no update to polomilan. Is it okay that i will notorized my employment contract then apply for apostile? Is it okay?
For an employment contract, the DFA Apostille requires the original document or a certified true copy issued by the proper authority. A plain photocopy, even if notarized, is generally not acceptable for Apostille because the DFA must verify the authenticity of the document’s origin. You must wait for POLO Milan to verify the contract, then for the Philippine Embassy/Consulate to authenticate it. That authentication serves the same purpose as Apostille for documents issued abroad.
My american citizen aunt passed away in the u.s. Her bank in the u.s. is asking for a letter from Filipino citizen siblings who are all beneficiaries in order foe the funds to be released to tgem. Does this still need an apostille? How about CANA?
This rather depends on what the US bank requires or will accept.
Good day my drivers license certificate needs to be apostille what are the other requirements aside from certificate of drivers license?
For driver’s license certificates that need to be apostilled, the DFA requires more than just the certificate itself. You must first ensure the document is properly authenticated before DFA can issue the apostille. Bring the certificate to a licensed notary public for notarization to confirm authenticity. Submit the notarized certificate to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) to get a Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA). Then bring to DFA for apostille processing with appointment slip from the DFA.
For SPAs executed abroad that need to be authenticated, can they be notarized by any notary public?
Who does the apostille authentication ?
An SPA executed abroad cannot simply be notarized by any local notary public in that country. For it to be valid in the Philippines, it must be notarized and then authenticated (consularized) at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the country where it was signed. A local notary seal alone will not be recognized by the DFA.