Important Update on LEGALIZATION AND NOTARIZATION of documents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, and therefore does not issue apostilles. As such, in order for documents that were executed, signed or issued in Canada to be accorded legal effect in the Philippines, these documents must undergo consular notarization (or authentication, as the case may be) at the Philippine Embassy, or one of its consulates, in Canada.

The most frequent examples of these documents are Special Powers of Attorney (SPAs), Affidavits, General Powers of Attorney, Certificates of Birth, Marriage or Death, Deeds, Contracts, Assignments, Letters of Patent, Articles of Incorporation, and official documents issued by authorities in Canada.

For the legalization of these documents, please come to the Embassy with your documents already ready or printed out. Please note that the Embassy does not draft documents such as SPAs on behalf of the applicants.

Before coming to the Embassy, kindly prepare beforehand the original and photocopy of government-issued IDs, such as passports; the photocopy will be used as attachment.

For applicants who reside in far provinces and are unable to come to the Embassy or to its outreach missions, please read the instructions below, under the heading “Authentication.”

The applicant may also wish to apply for the legalization of document through the Philippine consulate in Canada that is nearest to him or her, instead of applying with the Philippine Embassy. The contact information of our consulates in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary may be found here. (https://ottawape.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/2016-04-12-08-35-52/contact-information-directory)

Please be advised that effective 15 June 2019, the Philippine Embassy no longer affixes red satin ribbons on its authenticated/notarized documents, pursuant to instructions from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Acknowledgment

An individual who executes a legal document (such as a special power of attorney, waiver of rights, etc.) which is to be used in the Philippines must personally appear before a consular officer to acknowledge and sign the document. The following are the requirements:

1. The document for notarization
2. Personal appearance of all signatories to the document
3. Government-issued identification card with photo and signature of each signatory to the document (e.g. valid passport, Canadian citizenship card, permanent residence card, driver's license). Please come to the Embassy with a photocopy of the ID/s as well, as it will be attached to your document.
4. Fee of C$ 36.25 cash, or postal money order payable to PHILIPPINE EMBASSY. The fee is per document to be acknowledged.

Authentication

If the individual who executes the legal document is unable to personally appear at the Embassy, please follow the following steps in order to have the document authenticated:

First, have your document notarized by a duly commissioned notary public.

Second, submit this notarized/acknowledged document to the following offices for certification of the signature and authority of the lawyer/notary public. The office will depend on the province or territory in Canada where you are based.

Third, after the documents have been authenticated by the appropriate authority in the above list, send it by mail to the Philippine Embassy for authentication, along with the following:

a. Postal money order payable to PHILIPPINE EMBASSY, in the amount of C$ 36.25 (per document); or, any bank draft of this amount;

b. Photocopy of the applicant’s valid passport (applicant’s contact details should be written on this document); and

c. XpressPost self-addressed prepaid envelope (‘Regional’ for residents of Ontario and Quebec; ‘National’ for residents of other Canadian provinces/territories) with a Signature Sticker.

Certification of Appearance

Please bring one passport-sized colored photograph with either blue or white background taken within the last 6 months. Service fee: C$ 36.25.

Jurat (Service fee: C$ 36.25)

Downloadable Forms (Legalization of Documents)