When a foreign authority performs a notarial or other official act on a document intended to be used in the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines, the official character of the foreign executing official is verified by a duly commissioned consular officer of the Philippine Embassy where the document was sourced, through the registered mark, stamp, or signature of the foreign government official.
This authentication service is necessary in order for the foreign document to have a valid legal force and effect in the Philippines. The authentication service is only valid for foreign documents sourced from states/countries which are NOT party to the Apostille Convention. With the Philippines’ accession to the Apostille Convention becoming effective on May 14, 2019, authentication services between the Philippines and state-parties to the Convention will no longer be necessary. The complete list of State contracting parties to the Hague Apostille Convention can be confirmed from this link.
APPLICABILITY
Based on specimen signatures on record at the Embassy, the Philippine consular officer can issue a certificate of authentication for foreign documents sourced from / issued in the Republic of Indonesia falling under two general categories:
A. Official Documents
Foreign documents issued by government agencies such as police certifications, court decrees, scholastic records, permits, licenses, and other government documents intended for submission to a requesting entity in the Philippines.
B. Private Documents
Documents of private individuals and foreign citizens that have been notarized in Indonesia, such as instruments of transfer, powers of attorney, statutory declarations and affidavits intended for use in the Philippines.
PROCESSING
Before going to the Philippine Embassy for authentication services, clients must ensure that the foreign-sourced documents must have been verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the source country (Indonesia), and affixed with a security seal and/or stamp, with a signature of a qualified official certifying its validity. If the foreign document is not in English, an official translation needs to be attached.
Messengers or representatives intending to avail of authentication services are expected to be in possession of a letter of introduction (on company letterhead if applicable) signed by the document owner authorizing the representative to transact with the embassy.
Once accepted by the Philippine Embassy for authentication, the documents can be released after five (5) working days. This is under the presumption that a specimen signature of the foreign official is on record. If a specimen signature of the foreign official is not available at the Philippine Embassy, the document will be held pending for release until a specimen is received officially from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or returned to the applicant.
REQUIREMENTS
1. The foreign-sourced document must be legalized by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KEMLU)
* Depending on the type of documents, KEMLU will directly advise if they have other requirements or procedures including notarization of the document by an Indonesian notary public or legalization by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (KEMKUMHAM).
2. Submit the original and photocopy of the legalized foreign-sourced document to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy.
3. Payment of the prescribed fee which can be found on this link.
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IMPORTANT: The Philippine consular officer only confirms and qualifies the official character of the foreign authority through their signature, and assumes no responsibility for the contents of the foreign document, nor of its genuineness or acceptability in the Philippines. |
The Apostille Convention will come into effect in Indonesia starting 4 June 2022. Documents intended to be used in the Philippines that have an Apostille by the Indonesian government do NOT need to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy.
AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS ISSUED IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta does not authenticate Philippine-sourced documents which have been authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. DFA-authenticated documents must be verified and passed upon by the foreign consular official of the country where the document is intended to be used, following internationally accepted procedures of document legalization. This is especially true for non-Apostille Convention contracting parties.
Philippine-issued documents intended to be submitted to authorities of the Republic of Indonesia should be submitted to Indonesian consular authorities at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Manila after getting it authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.
