Quick Facts on Apostille

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Payment for DFA-OCA’s Authentication service is : Php100.00 for regular processing (released after three working days) and Php200.00 for expedited processing (to be released the following working day).

IMPORTANT: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, expedited processing of documents for authentication is temporarily suspended.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes, appointment is required.

Changes cannot be made to confirmed appointments

Please send a cancellation request to [email protected] three (3) days prior to confirmed appointment.

Here is the link for the documentary requirements:

https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/authentication/authentication-requirements/requirements-of-documents-for-authentication

List of acceptable IDs: https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/list-of-acceptable-ids-authentication

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

https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/authentication/authentication-application-process

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

Contact and coordinate with your chosen courier.

For Aseana:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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