DFA Launches First e-Apostille Service in the ASEAN Region

19 March 2024, Pasay City- The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA OCA) launched the e-Apostille service for PSA e-certificates of civil registry documents on 19 March 2024 at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, DFA Main Building in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. 

The e-Apostille system allows applicants to apply online for PSA e-certificates and e-Apostilles without the need to appear in both offices. The e-Apostille which contains the digital signature of the Department of Foreign Affairs will be sent to the applicant electronically. The system ensures government-to-government transmission of public documents ensuring the authenticity of public documents received through this electronic service. 

The e-Apostille service is provided by the DFA OCA Authentication Division in collaboration with the Philippine Statistics Authority and the PSA Helpline via Pilipinas Teleserv and will be available in the DFA website at apostille.gov.ph.

DFA Usec. Antonio A. Morales delivers the keynote remarks during the launch (OPD)

“It is noteworthy to mention that the Philippines was the first country in ASEAN to accede to the Apostille Convention. We have continued our leadership in this area by being the first in ASEAN and the third in the Asia-Pacific region to fully implement the electronic Apostille today.”, said DFA Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales in his keynote address. 

Asec. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz said in his welcome remarks that, “The DFA aims to seek end-to-end digital systems for our consular services to help our public access these services wherever they may be in the world.”

DFA OCA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito S. Cruz welcomed attendees to the launch. (OPD)

Prior to the launch, the DFA OCA conducted a study visit in Spain and an online conference with the UK Competent Authorities regarding e-Apostille implementation and developed the Philippine e-Apostille service in accordance with the technical standards set by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). 

The symbolic launching ceremony with from left: Mr. Jun Yupitun of Pilipinas Teleserv, OCA Asec. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, DFA Usec. Antonio A. Morales, DICT Usec. David Almirol; PSA Deputy National Statistician Clemente Manaog and DFA OCA Authentication Division Director Dyan Kristine B. Miranda-Pastrana. (OPD)

For now, the service is only available for PSA civil registry documents via PSA Helpline but will soon cover other public documents in the next phase of the implementation in coordination with other government agencies with digital processes and issuance. 

E-payment options are available for PSA e-certificates via the PSA Helpline page while e-payment for the e-Apostille can be made via the Landbank Link.biz portal. 

The public will continue to have the option to apply for a paper Apostille for PSA certificates and other public documents since other countries will still require paper-based Apostilles, especially those from Non-Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention.

Seated from left: Mr. Jun Yupitun, Managing Director of Pilipinas Teleserv; OCA Asec. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz; DFA Usec. Antonio A. Morales; DICT Usec. David Almirol; PSA Deputy National Statistician Clemente Manaog; and DFA OCA Authentication Division Director Dyan Kristine B. Miranda-Pastrana. Standing from left: Ms. Estrelita S. Geronimo, Department Head, Landbank, Mr. Althon Ferolino, Senior VP, Landbank; Mr. Bryan Zarzuela, IT Head of Pilipinas Teleserv; Mr. Jeffrey Villanueva, Director of Pilipinas Teleserv; DICT Director June Gaudan; DICT Director Vazir Joshua Querol; PSA Deputy National Statistician Fred Sollesta; and Deputy Usec. Christina Rola-Mckernan (OPD)

There are 126 Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention which should accept e-Apostilles. Users are advised to check the requirements of the requesting party or end-user in the foreign country that has requested the Apostille before they apply.

End-users in foreign countries can check the Philippine e-Apostille using the online e-Apostille verification page at apostille.gov.ph or view the e-Apostille using a PDF reader. Instructions to verify an e-Apostille are indicated in the cover page sent to the end-user or applicant.

Photo shows the DFA Usec. Morales and Asec. Cruz with representatives from various government agencies present at the launch.

The DFA OCA presented a photo gallery of the development of the e-Apostille since the Apostille Convention took effect in the Philippines in 2019 inside the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini. A video presentation on the implementation of the Convention and the e-Apostille was also presented during the event. 

More than 150 attendees were present at the launch including representatives from 23 government agencies

A video on the e-Apostille process was presented in the launch. (OPD)

PNP Forensic Group PCol. Francisco Supe, Jr.; Ms. Leynet Aguila; and Plt. Adonis Rey Luardo views the Apostille gallery. (OPD)

Photos show attendees viewing the gallery at the launch. (OPD)

Usec. Antonio A. Morales and Asec. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz with DFA OCA officials at the launch. (OPD) 

Usec. Morales and Asec. Cruz with DFA Head of Offices and Assistant Secretaries at the event. (OPD) 

DFA Usec. Morales and Asec. Cruz with DFA OCA Authentication Division (OPD)

The DFA Chorale serenaded the audience during the launch. (OPD)