The Department of Foreign Affairs said they will no longer issue Authentication Certificates for documents issued by the Philippine government that will be submitted to or have originated from 150 countries starting Tuesday, May 14
This is made possible because the Philippines signed the Hague Apostille Convention, an international law that entitles the Philippine to simplify procedures in the use of public documents abroad or from abroad here in the Philippines.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs said they will no longer issue Authentication Certificates for documents issued by the Philippine government that will be submitted to or have originated from 150 countries starting Tuesday, May 14
This is made possible because the Philippines signed the Hague Apostille Convention, an international law that entitles the Philippine to simplify procedures in the use of public documents abroad or from abroad here in the Philippines.
Filipinos used to undergo a lengthy process of authenticating public documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, university diplomas, and professional licensure certificates required for employment or immigration.
The DFA advisory reads:
PUBLIC ADVISORY: APOSTILLE CONVENTION ON AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS TAKES EFFECT IN PH ON 14 MAY 2019
Public Advisory: Apostille Convention on Authentication of Documents Takes Effect in PH on 14 May 2019
07 May 2019 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)—Office of Consular Affairs wishes to inform the public that it will no longer issue Authentication Certificates from 14 May 2019. Instead, the DFA will affix an Apostille to documents for use abroad as proof of authentication for use in Apostille-contracting parties.
After authentication by the DFA, there is no more need for authentication (legalization) by the concerned Foreign Embassies or Consulates General if the country or territory of destination of the authenticated document is already a member of the Apostille Convention.
Public documents executed in Apostille-contracting countries and territories (except for Austria, Finland, Germany, and Greece) to be used in the Philippines no longer have to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General once Apostillized.
However, in countries and territories which are not Apostille-contracting parties, the previous process of authentication applies. Documents still have to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General before they can be used in the Philippines. Also, there is still a need for authentication (legalization) by the concerned Foreign Embassies or Consulates General if the country of destination of the authenticated document is not yet a member of the Apostille Convention.
Authentication fees will remain at PhP100 (regular processing) and PhP200 (expedited processing) per document.
For the updated list of Apostille-contracting parties, please visit this link.
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The following countries which are members of the convention no longer require authentication of documents.
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Chile
China, People's Republic of
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Italy1
Japan
Kazakhstan
Korea, Republic of
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan1
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico1
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro3
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niue
Norway
Oman
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portuga
Republic of Moldova
Republic of North Macedonia
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Serbia
Seychelles
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu1
Venezuela
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For those in the Philippines, the usual process is that after getting an original or certified true copy, they need to apply the document for authentication or popularly known as the “red ribbon” at the DFA, and then submit it to the concerned foreign embassy or consulate where they are going to. For Filipinos outside the country, a public document issued by the foreign government needs authentication by the foreign ministry and then by the Philippine embassy or nearest consulate.
Starting May 14, this two-step authentication process is now cut to one step only — with the DFA only affix an Apostille to document being submitted. It also applies to Filipinos in countries which signed the Apostille Convention
However, for Filipinos in countries which are not members of the Apostille Convention like the UAE, red ribbons and foreign embassy authentication are still required.
Authentication fees will remain at P100 for regular processing and P200 for expedited processing per document.
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![POEA statistics show that there are around 2.3 million overseas Filipino workers deployed across the globe. The most number of them are located in the Middle East. In 2018, there were approximately 4,000 Filipinos in different detention facilities overseas with various cases and over a hundred of them are in death row. Sen. Fanfilo Lacson issued the statement after the DFA presented data during the meeting showing that most Filipinos overseas were detained due to drug charges. Ads SEN. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson wants the repatriation of Filipino convicts from abroad, reported Inquirer. Lacson urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to pursue more Transfer of Sentenced Persons agreements with other countries. Lacson called for it Monday during the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee Foreign Relations, where the DFA presented data showing that most Filipinos overseas were detained over drug charges. “How do you reconcile (the fact that) here in our country we’re killing people and then we’re saving drug convicts detained in another country. I’m just curious,” Lacson asked Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. “Going back to the repatriation of Filipino convicts, maybe you should pursue more Transfer of Sentenced Persons treaties, just like what we have with Spain. I’m just wondering if they would agree to be transferred to Muntinlupa [that is, the New Bilibid Prison] from where they are being detained abroad,” Inquirer quoted Lacson as saying. The Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons states that individuals tried and convicted in a foreign country have the option to serve their remaining sentence in their home country. The DFA extends financial and legal aid to Filipinos abroad, including those detained or convicted. Ads Sponsored Links “We are not saying that they [Filipino convicts abroad] should not be punished, but since they are our nationals, we take care of them, we monitor how they are treated, we look at their condition. So is that a way to rationalize?” Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, said. “Cause we will never ask a foreign country, do not punish our countryman who is involved in drugs because we also will jail him here if he violates our loss. But when you incarcerate him and you punish him, we should be allowed to take a look and pay a visit to our countryman and look at his condition or situation,” he added.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRY1WliVE9t0mwGXR7LMsmwac1UD4W7bNseWXSl4b7aWgYrTT9js8-6JfF7wuvpTmQxjzD3yDLJBIYF6iGr2CZ8Tsi3zVZGyqOnPvOXs352u9o41-btavNoutRKBQrA6FRdYX8A/s1600/lacson.png "Transfer OFW Detainees To Philippine Jail - Lacson")
