Advisory on the entry into force of the Apostille Convention for the Philippines
Except for notarial services, red ribbon is no longer needed for authentication beginning 14 May 2019, the date of the entry into force of the Apostille Convention for the Philippines.
Beginning 14 May 2019, public documents to be used in the Philippines that are executed in New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga, once Apostilled by the host government (i.e., authenticated with an Apostille), need not be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy in Wellington, Consulates in Auckland and Christchurch, as well as the Consulate General in Suva – Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) in New Zealand and Fiji, respectively.
Moreover, the DFA will no longer issue Authentication Certificates (red ribbon) and will instead affix an Apostille to authenticated documents for use abroad. New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga – consular jurisdictions of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington (Wellington PE) – are among countries and territories where the Philippine Apostille will be honored. If you are using your document in these countries, there is no more need for legalization by the Embassies or Consulates of these countries.
However, FSPs in New Zealand and Fiji, will continue to provide, upon personal appearance, notarial services to applicants who swear before the Embassy / Consulate / Consulate General, to having signed or to the truthfulness and validity of documents for use in the Philippines, e.g., deed, Special Power of Attorney (SPA), agreement, contract, waiver, affidavit, sworn statement, declaration, affirmation, oath, undertaking, and deposition.
In addition, exceptions shall include the following:
- documents authenticated (not apostilled) by host governments before 14 May 2019 may still be legalized by FSPs in New Zealand and Fiji; and
- Apostilles issued by host governments before 14 May 2019 shall be recognized in the Philippines on and from said date of entry into force of the Convention.
Philippine Apostilles may be verified through www.dfa.gov.ph/verify-apostille. For Apostilles issued by host governments, recipients may wish to verify their issuance with the Competent Authority concerned, whose contact information is available in the Apostille Section of the Hague Conference website (https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41).
Following are infographics and FAQs which can help further clarify the Apostille process in the Philippines:
English
Infographic - Burning Questions About Apostille Answered
Apostille vs Authentication English
Countries and territories where PHL Apostille is accepted
Filipino
Infographic - Mga Nagbabagang Tanong Tungkol sa Apostille at Mga Sagot
Apostille vs Authentication Filipino
Mga Bansa at Teritoryo kung saan ang Philippine Apostille ay Tinatanggap