Above are samples of apostilled certificates issued by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, respectively. Documents bearing any of the above certificates no longer need to undergo authentication from the Philippine Embassy starting 14 May as the Apostille Convention takes effect in the Philippines.

09 May 2019 LONDON--The Philippine Embassy no longer needs to authenticate (red ribbon) documents from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Apostille-contracting countries bearing an apostilled certificate starting 14 May as the Apostille Convention takes effect in the Philippines on that day.

An Apostille is an official government-issued certificate added to documents so they will be recognised in when presented in another country. Just like the Authentication Certificate, an Apostille certifies the origin of the public document concerned but with lesser steps.

“This is a much-awaited development as it makes the process faster, easier, and more convenient for Filipinos who will now only undergo two steps instead of three in authenticating their document for use overseas,” said Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo.

Other forms of legalisation or consularisation of documents such as Special Power of Attorney affidavits, however, retain the same requirements and procedures. END