Philippine consulates notarise private documents intended for use in the Philippines: special and general powers of attorney, affidavits, certifications, deeds of sale and donation, extra-judicial settlements of estate and insurance forms. Two limits apply without exception: they cannot notarise documents issued by a government, and they cannot notarise anything intended for use in another country.
Quick facts
Personal attendance of every signatory is compulsory. A document signed at home and mailed in is refused, because the officer has to witness the signature.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notarisation of a private document | Consular schedule | Per document, per signatory |
| Acknowledgment of a police clearance fingerprint card | Around $25 | Charged as a notarial service |
| Payment method | Money order at several posts | Cash, cards and personal checks refused |
| Return postage | Flat-rate envelope you supply | Priority or Express Mail |
| Apostille instead | $5–$25 plus $3–$25 | Where a U.S. notary is acceptable |
For a deed that a Philippine registry will act on, the consular notarisation is the safer route, because it is already in the form Philippine practice expects.
How to apply
- Have the lawyer or notary in the Philippines prepare the document with the exact wording required.
- Print it and bring it unsigned.
- Book the appointment at the post covering your address, for every person who must sign.
- Attend with valid identification and sign in front of the consular officer.
- Pay by the accepted method and provide a return envelope if the document is to be mailed back.
- Courier the original to the Philippines, keeping a copy and the tracking record.
Required documents
- Valid passport or other government photo identification for every signatory.
- The unsigned document, complete, with no blank fields.
- Details of the person receiving the power.
- Property title numbers, estate references or policy numbers.
- Proof of address in the consular district where requested.
- Payment in the accepted form.
Where to apply
At the embassy or consulate general covering your address. Outreach missions offer notarial services on their scheduled dates.
Philippine Honorary Consulate - Colorado & S Wyoming
View details →ChicagoConsulate General of the Philippines
View details →HonoluluConsulate General of the Philippines
View details →HoustonConsulate General of The Philippines
View details →Los AngelesPhilippine Consulate General, Los Angeles
View details →New YorkConsulate General of the Philippines
View details →San DiegoPhilippine Consulate General
View details →San FranciscoPhilippine Consulate General in San Francisco
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of the Philippines Consular Section
View details →Additional notes
Estate settlements
Extra-judicial settlements usually need every heir to sign. Where heirs live in different consular districts, each signs at their own post and the pages are collated afterwards.
Government documents
A birth certificate, court order or corporate registry document cannot be notarised at a consulate. Those follow the apostille route.
Be specific
Philippine registries and banks reject vague powers. Name the property, the transaction and the acts authorised.
Revocation
Revoking a power requires a further notarised document, and notice must reach whoever holds the original.