If you are a Filipino living outside of the Philippines and in need of Philippine documents, you would need to get those Apostilled. Apostille is done by the DFA in the Philippines. Here’s a guide on How to Get Your Documents in the Philippines Authenticated If You're Abroad.

Last May 2019, the Philippines entered the Apostille Convention. With this, the term “red ribbon” is abolished. If you are passing documents to another country that is a member, there’s no need to get your documents authenticated in their embassy; the DFA “Apostille” is enough. Read more on how to get yours when you are abroad.

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Can I Get An Apostille For My Document Issued In The Philippines At The Philippine Embassy Abroad?

No, documents that originated in the Philippines may only be issued an Apostille by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines.

What Do I Need To Do?

Here’s what you will need to prepare:

1. Choose an Authorized Representative

As the Apostille of Philippine documents is only done in the Philippines, you need to appoint someone to take care of it. It may be a relative, a friend, or an agency. I do advise that you choose someone who lives near a DFA Office or where your original documents come from.

2. Prepare Authorization Letter or Special Power of Attorney

The one required by the DFA is only an Authorization Letter. However, I advise getting a SPA abroad if the one you appointed will also get other documents for you in another agency or sector. A SPA is more powerful and authentic than an Authorization Letter.

For example, getting PSA Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates, or CENOMAR can be done online and with an Authorization Letter. However, for school documents – the school might require a SPA and not an Authorization Letter.

It really boils down to you – if your documents are already there in the Philippines and only “Apostille” is needed, then Authorization Letter is okay. But, if your documents need to be claimed from another institution or government agency and information is private, then you’ll need a SPA. The DFA accepts both.

P.S. For those going to get a minor’s documents for “Apostille,” a SPA is required by the DFA.

3. Ready a Copy of your ID

You will also need to send a copy of your ID or passport (which is much better) to the one you are authorizing.

4. Send Payment

Apostille is not free. So you will need to have a budget for this. Apostille Fees are:

PHP 100 per document for Regular (3 working days)
PHP 200 per document for Expedite (1 working day)

This does not include the payment for sending your documents via courier to your authorized representative and/or to you abroad.

What Does The Person I Authorize Need To Prepare?

When he has already a copy of your ID and the Authorization Letter, s/he will also need:

How to get an Apostille for Philippine Documents 04.jpg

The Philippine Document you want to get Apostilled
Authentication Form – to be filled up and submitted
A Copy of His/Her Valid ID
- Digitized Government Issued ID – with signature (UMID, PRC, etc.)
- Following IDs are also accepted
  - Passport
  - Senior Citizen ID
  - Solo Parent ID
  - PWD ID
  - Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification
  - Alumni or Student IDs
  - Seaman’s Book

What Philippine Documents Can I Get an Apostille for?

What Countries And Territories Accept An Apostille?

(Infographic from Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines Facebook Page)

The following countries do not accept Philippine Apostille yet:

Austria
Finland
Germany
Greece

What Do I Do In Case A Country I Am Submitting My Philippine Documents Does Not Accept Apostille?

After getting it Authenticated in the DFA, your authorized representative needs to go to the Foreign Embassy or Consulate for Legalization before sending the documents to you.

Where Are The DFA Offices Where My Representative Can Go?

Here are the offices with Apostille functions:

DFA Main Consular Office
Authentication Division, OCA ASEANA, ASEANA Business Park
Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. cor. Bradco Ave., Brgy. Tambo, Paranaque City
oca.authentication@dfa.gov.ph

DFA NCR Northeast
Level 2 Ali Mall Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
ncrnortheast.so@dfa.gov.ph

DFA NCR East
7th Floor SM Megamall Building C, EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Avenue Mandaluyong City
ncreast.so@dfa.gov.ph

DFA NCR South
4th Floor Metro Alabang Town Center, Alabang Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City
dfancrsouth@gmail.com

DFA NCR West
5th Floor, SM City Manila, Conception St., Manila
ncrwest.so@dfa.gov.ph

DFA Cebu
4th Floor Pacific Mall-Metro Mandaue, UN Ave. cor. MC Briones St., Brgy. Estancia, Mandaue City
cebu.rco@dfa.gov.ph / rco-cebu@oca.dfa.gov.ph / dfacebu@yahoo.com

DFA Davao
3rd Floor SM City Davao, Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland Subdivision, Brgy. Matina, Davao City
davao.rco@dfa.gov.ph

DFA Pampanga
2nd Floor Robinsons StarMills, San Fernando City, Pampanga
pampanga.rco@dfa.gov.ph / rcopampanga@yahoo.com

What Should My Representative Do?

Once everything is prepared, they can contact the DFA for an appointment. E-mails are stated above. The format can be:

Subject: Apostille Appointment
Name:
Preferred Schedule:
List of Documents:

They can also ask the officer if a courier is okay, especially if it’s the pandemic. There might be additional instructions.

However, if they want to go to the DFA Office, they’ll need to go on their confirmed schedule. After that, they will need to present their documents to the in-charge. Once done, payment is made.

They will be asked to return on a specific date to claim. ID and Official receipts will be asked.

What’s Inside An Apostille Document?

The features of an Apostille are:

QR Code (upper left portion)
Eight Digit Keycode in the lower part of the certificate
Electronic Sign of the Authentication Officer
A Round gold sticker

You can verify its authenticity on this website.

How About The Documents Abroad I Will Use In The Philippines? What Should I Do?

You can check the Foreign Affairs Website of the country you are living in for the instructions. There are also instructions on the PH Embassy website on what to do (though they don’t need to pass there).

Please note that the Foreign Affairs department only “Apostille” documents from their side and not from the Philippines’ side. E.g., Marriage Certificates issued by Australia can be Apostilled in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). They don’t need to pass thru the PH Embassy.

I hope this guide on how to get Your Documents in the Philippines Authenticated If You're Abroad will be of help to you. If you ask for an agency to recommend, I don’t have one btw and we don’t have that service. Please do ask assistance from a reliable person or relative in the PH. Good luck!

About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and I fell in love with the experience. I aim to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, taking pictures, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.

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