Legalization/Notarial Services- Checklist of Requirements as of January 2024
LEGALIZATION/NOTARIAL SERVICES
The Notarials Unit of the Embassy notarizes personal documents that are to be used in the Philippines. Such documents can be sent by post. For urgent matters only, documents may also be handed in personally.
Documents that will be used in the Philippines fall into one of these categories:
- Documents that are issued by authorities in Switzerland or Liechtenstein. These must bear an Apostille Certificate from the competent State Chancellery / Chancery of Switzerland or Liechtenstein for the documents to have legal effect in the Philippines.
- Personal documents that are executed, signed, or issued in Switzerland or Liechtenstein. These documents must be legalized/consularized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulates to have legal effect in the Philippines.
Documents from the Philippines to be used in Switzerland and/or Liechtenstein do not pass through the Embassy. These documents must bear the Apostille Certificate of the Philippines before they can be accepted by foreign authorities of countries, which are also Parties to the Apostille Convention.
Philippine Apostille Certificates are processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or selected consular offices. For information on the Apostille Certificates on Philippine documents, please visit the link on Apostille Certificates.
Legalization of Documents through Apostille Certification
For Apostille Certificates on Swiss or Liechtenstein documents, please contact the concerned Cantonal authorities of Switzerland or Liechtenstein. Swiss documents bearing the Apostille Certificate of Switzerland are recognized in the Philippines. They do not need further authentication by the Philippine Embassy noting that both the Philippines and Switzerland are signatories to the Apostille Convention.
Documents from the Philippines must bear the Apostille Certificate of the Philippines before they can be accepted by foreign authorities if they are also Parties to the Apostille Convention. They do not need to pass through the Embassy for notarization / legalization.
For information on the Apostille Certificates on Philippine documents, please visit the link on Apostille Certificates.
Notarization by the Embassy
The Embassy can issue the required Jurat, Acknowledgment or Certification on the documents executed by the client/s or prepared by the lawyers for their respective clients:
Acknowledgment will be issued on the following documents, in legal format:
- Special Powers of Attorney (SPA)
- Deed of Donation
- Deed of Sale
- Sworn Statement
- Judicial Affidavit
- Other documents of a personal nature
Jurat will be issued to the following documents:
- Other Affidavits
Certification will be issued to the following applications:
- Waiver of Exclusion Grounds (WEG)
- Certificate of Travel Tax Exemption (for Filipinos only)
Templates / Forms
Templates / sample forms may be downloaded below:
- Affidavit (General form/template)
- Joint Affidavit of Legitimation by Subsequent Marriage (for Civil Registry)
- Affidavit of Acknowledgement of Paternity and Consent to Use the Surname of the Father (APP-AUSF) - biological father of the child to accomplish (for Civil Registry)
Requirements
Please view the requirements from the link “Notarial Services – Checklist of Requirements” at the top of this page.
Notarial clients are further advised that the Embassy:
- Processes only applications with complete documents and with the corresponding payment for each document. (Original and one copy of the requirements must be submitted for each set requested.)
- Reserves the right to require additional document/s from the client/s, and
- Requests for clarifications on Notarials may be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Processing Time
Regular processing is five (5) working days upon receipt of the complete requirements.
Processing and release of the document/s in 24 hours from the receipt of the complete documentary requirements for notarial service/s is possible upon payment of an expedite (additional) fee.
Fees
The fees due may be viewed from: Schedule of Service Fees.
For residents of the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud
Documents for notarization executed by residents of the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud must be submitted to the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva. Their contact details are as follows:
The Philippine Consulate General in Geneva
Address: Allee David-Morse 14, 1202 Geneva
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: https://genevapcg.dfa.gov.ph/
Tel. No.: +41 (02) 22 716 1930
Mobile No.: +41 (0) 79 136 9114
Other Information:
Consular clients are required to enclose a self-addressed envelope with stamps worth at least CHF6.50 along with their consular documents for pre-evaluation and processing of the Consular Section. Please purchase the stamps at your local Post Office.
