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Written by Super User

Category: Authentication

Published: 08 May 2014

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Any legal document issued in the U.S. must first be acknowledged or authenticated (‘consularized’) by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General in order for that document to have any legal validity in the Philippines.  Please check the Consulate Finder or the Consulates Link for the states covered by the Embassy/Consulates General in the U.S.

Each “consularized” document will bear the seal of the Embassy/Consulate General and the signature of the authenticating officer.  The Philippine Embassy/Consulate General does not assume responsibility for the contents of the document.

PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS for private documents, such as Special Power of Attorney, General Power of Attorney, Affidavit, Certification, Deed of Donation, Deed of Sale, Extra-judicial Settlement of Estate, etc:

1. Covering letter (handwritten or typed), addressed to the Consular Section, indicating service/transaction requested and complete contact details (telephone number, postal address, email address).

2. Original and one (1) photocopy of document and all enclosures.  Document/s should be signed by the signatories/affiants before a Consular Officer.

3. Original and one (1) photocopy of a valid passport or government-issued identification card (original will be returned)

4. If sent by mail:

• Documents must be notarized by a Notary Public; and
• Signature of the Notary Public must be authenticated by the Secretary of State where the Notary Public is registered (for applicants coming from states in the U.S. Southeast Region, please refer to the directory below of authenticating officers of the Secretaries of States).

Directory of the Offices of the Secretaries of States in the U.S. Southeast Region

For documents issued in U.S. territories (outside of the U.S.), which are under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy, document must be authenticated by the appropriate government offices, such as Office of the Governor, Foreign Affairs Office, etc. (please refer to the Consulate Finder or the Consulates Link for the territories under the jurisdiction of the Embassy).

5. Self-addressed return envelope, with appropriate stamps for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, or with pre-paid mailing envelope from private courier of choice, if document is to be mailed back.

6. Processing fee of $25.00 (non-refundable), payable in cash, or money order, bank draft, certified check or cashier’s check, made payable to "Embassy of the Philippines" (or "Philippine Consulate General", if application is made at one of the Philippine Consulates General in the U.S.).  Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted.

7. For applicants residing in U.S. territories or other countries within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy, applicants should enclose a treasurer’s, manager’s or certified check issued by a local bank that has a corresponding bank in the U.S., payable to the courier of choice, in U.S. dollars, to cover cost of mailing, and a corresponding self-addressed courier’s address label.  Personal checks are not accepted.

Note:  The Philippine Embassy/Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service.  The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted.

PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS for U.S. Government-issued documents, such as Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, etc., and those issued by private institutions, such as Transcript of Records, Medical Records, Licenses, Certificates of Training, etc.:

1. Covering letter (handwritten or typed), addressed to the Consular Section, indicating service/transaction requested and complete contact details (telephone number, postal address, email address).

2. Original and one (1) photocopy of document and all enclosures issued by the government agency/private institution

3. Document must be authenticated by the Secretary of State which has jurisdiction over the issuing government agency or the place where the private institution is located (please refer to the directory of authenticating officers of the Secretaries of States).

4. For documents issued in U.S. territories (outside of the U.S.), which are under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy, document must be authenticated by the appropriate government offices, such as Office of the Governor, Foreign Affairs Office, etc. (please refer to the Consulate Finder or the Consulates Link for the territories under the jurisdiction of the Embassy).

5. Self-addressed return envelope, with appropriate stamps for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, or with pre-paid mailing envelope from private courier of choice, if document is to be mailed back.

6. Processing fee of $25.00 (non-refundable), payable in cash, or money order, bank draft, certified check or cashier’s check, made payable to "Embassy of the Philippines" (or "Philippine Consulate General", if application is made at one of the Philippine Consulates General in the U.S.).  Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted.

7. For applicants residing in U.S. territories or other countries within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy, applicants should enclose a treasurer’s, manager’s or certified check issued by a local bank that has a corresponding bank in the U.S., payable to the courier of choice, in U.S. dollars, to cover cost of mailing, and a corresponding self-addressed courier’s address label.  Personal checks are not accepted.

Note:  The Philippine Embassy/Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service.  The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted.

PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS for business-related documents, such as Trademark, Patent Application, Oath of Corporate Secretaries/Offices, Appointment of Resident Agent, Affidavit of Use/Non-Use, Assignment of Letters of Patent, etc.:

1. Covering letter (handwritten or typed), addressed to the Consular Section, indicating service/transaction requested and complete contact details (telephone number, postal address, email address).

2. Original and one (1) photocopy of document and all enclosures

3. Document must be authenticated by the Secretary of State which has jurisdiction over the place where the issuing office is located (please refer to the directory of authenticating officers of the Secretaries of States).

4. Document must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.

5. For documents issued in U.S. territories (outside of the U.S.), which are under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy, document must be authenticated by the appropriate government offices, such as Office of the Governor, Foreign Affairs Office, etc. (please refer to the Consulate Finder or the Consulates Link for the territories under the jurisdiction of the Embassy).

6. Self-addressed return envelope, with appropriate stamps for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, or with pre-paid mailing envelope from private courier of choice, if document is to be mailed back.

7. Processing fee of $25.00 (non-refundable), payable in cash, or money order, bank draft, certified check or cashier’s check, made payable to "Embassy of the Philippines" (or "Philippine Consulate General", if application is made at one of the Philippine Consulates General in the U.S.).  Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted.

8. For applicants residing in U.S. territories or other countries within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy, applicants should enclose a treasurer’s, manager’s or certified check issued by a local bank that has a corresponding bank in the U.S., payable to the courier of choice, in U.S. dollars, to cover cost of mailing, and a corresponding self-addressed courier’s address label.  Personal checks are not accepted.

Note:  The Philippine Embassy/Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service.  The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco allows the “direct authentication” of U.S., state, county and other official documents (i.e., country or state-issued documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, certificates of no police record, court documents, official school transcript of records and other similar documents do not need to be notarized).