How to Authenticate your Documents with the DFA | Apostille Certificate Philippines

When traveling abroad, you might be required to get an Apostille Certificate. Here’s how to do it and where. But first, what is it anyway?

What is an Apostille Certificate?

According to the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), an Apostille is “a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document.”

The DFA replaced the issuance of “Red Ribbon” documents with Apostille certificates in 2019 when the Philippines became a party to the Apostille Convention, an international treaty abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents. In simpler terms, it streamlined the process of authenticating records.

Where can I Have my Documents Authenticated?

You can process your certificate in the following 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).

How to Authenticate your Documents with the DFA

• Book an appointment online on this link: https://appt.dfaapostille.ph/

• Go to the DFA office where you scheduled your visit and bring your requirements. The requirements vary depending on the document you wish to authenticate. For reference, please see the bottom of this post.

• Upon entry, the guard on duty will give you a Green form to accomplish and a queuing number. Please make sure you have an appointment because they only allow a limited number of applicants for walk-in applications.

• Wait for your turn.

• Once at the counter, present your accomplished form, valid ID, original ID, and other requirements. The officer will process your files in front of you, and you will receive a payment slip, which also serves as your claim slip.

• Pay at the counter. Keep the receipt.

• Claim your Apostille Certificate on the date provided on your payment/claim slip.
  

The Apostille Certificate will be attached to the original document you requested them to authenticate. It will also have a Gold seal.

How Much Does it Cost?

Regular processing- ₱100.00 (to be released after three working days)

Expedited processing- ₱200.00 (to be released the next working day)

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Requirements

Below are the requirements for getting an Apostille Certificate for the following public documents. I've only included the common ones in this post.

For NBI Clearance/Sundry

Original document issued by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with dry seal. Please note that a “Personal copy” of the NBI clearance is not accepted by the DFA.

For Birth/Marriage/Death Certificate, Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR, Advisory on Marriage and/or Negative Records)

1. Original document issued by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)/ National Statistics Office (NSO)

2. For newly registered records, Local Civil Registrar (LCR) copy should be certified by PSA.

Note: Provide an Local Civil Registry (LCR) copy of Birth (Form 1A)/Death (Form 2A)/Marriage (Form 3A) Certificate if the entries from PSA/NSO are UNCLEAR.

For School Documents

• For Elementary and High School Level (Form-137 and Diploma 1. Certified True Copies from the school; and 2. Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) from DepEd Regional Office

• For Technical and Vocational Courses (TOR and Diploma/National Certificate) 1. Certified True Copies from the school; and 2. Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) from TESDA

• For State Colleges and Universities (TOR and Diploma) Certified True Copies and Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) from the school.

• For Private/Local Colleges and Universities (TOR and Diploma) 1. Certified True Copies from the school; and 2. Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) from Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) document/s

Original/Certified True Copies from PRC.

Driver's License

Certification from Land Transportation Office (LTO Main and Regional Offices only)

Certificate of Employment/ Trainings/ Seminars/ Baptismal Certificates and other documents issued by a private entity

1. Notarized Affidavit stating necessary factual circumstances and indicating certificate/s as attachment/s

2. Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) signed by the Executive Judge/Vice-Executive Judge

Note: The affiant’s (person who executed the affidavit) name will be reflected on the Apostille’s caption.

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Special Power of Attorney/ Affidavit of Consent/Advice, Joint Affidavit, etc.

Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) signed by the Executive Judge/Vice-Executive Judge (issued by the Regional Trial Court)

Memorandum of Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding/any other form of contract

1. Notarized Affidavit stating necessary factual circumstances and indicating certificate/s as attachment/s or a jurat from the notary public on the document.

2. Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) signed by the Executive Judge/Vice-Executive Judge (issued by the Regional Trial Court)

Note: Copy of Notarial Commission is not the same as Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act. Clerks of Court may not sign the CANA as the certifying official (SC OCA Circular No. 27-2007)

Court Document/s

Certified True Copies from the Court

Immigration Record/s

Certified by Bureau of Immigration (BI)

DSWD Clearance

Original document issued by Department of Social Welfare and Development

Police Clearance/Sundry

Original document issued by Philippine National Police (PNP)

Business Registration and Other Documents issued by a Government Agency (e.g. SEC, DTI, BIR, SSS, Municipal Business Permit & Licensing Office, etc.)

Certified true copy from the issuing office

Barangay Clearance/Certificate

Mayor's certification/clearance which has a jurisdiction over the Barangay

Export Document/s

Certified by Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA) or by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), depending on the nature of the document

Other Reminders

Please bring your valid IDs, photocopies of it, and a pen.

That would be all. I hope this blog post helped you understand how to authenticate your documents with the DFA.

Feel free to share this blog post with someone who may need it.

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