LEGAL / NOTARIAL SERVICES

Consular officers of a Philippine Embassy or Consulate are allowed to perform notarial services at their offices.  Officers performing notarial acts shall certify such acts with the form of certification being dependent upon the nature of the acts performed.

• the administration of all oaths and affirmations provided for by law and in all matters incident to the notarial office;
• the execution of affidavits, depositions, and other documents requiring an oath
• receipt of proof and acknowledgment of all writings relating to commerce and navigation
• acting as magistrate, in the writing of affidavits, and making declarations and certifying to the truth thereof.
• authentication of documents.

Affidavit and Acknowledgment

An affidavit is a written statement taken under oath before a notary public or magistrate. (click here for an example of an affidavit form)

In the execution of affidavits, facts within the personal knowledge of the affiant must be made directly, positively and fully. If the matters stated in the affiant's affidavit rest upon information derived from others rather than on facts within the personal knowledge of the affiant, then the affidavit must state that such matters are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.

If an affidavit made by a Filipino before a foreign notary public and the affidavit shall be used in the Philippines, the affidavit must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country where the affidavit was notarized. The affidavit shall in turn be authenticated by Philippine consular officials.

A consular official performs the function of a notary public and the consular section of the Philippine embassy may execute affidavits.  An acknowledgment is the act by which a person who has executed an instrument such as an affidavit goes before a competent officer such as a consular official and declares it to be his true and voluntary act and deed.

When a Filipino citizen who has executed an instrument appears personally before a Philippine consular officer and makes an acknowledgment of it, the Philippine Embassy shall execute a certificate of acknowledgement.  The Philippine citizen making the oath is required for the purpose of identification to produce his/her valid Philippine passport.  If the acknowledgement is made by foreign notaries public or officials, it should in turn be authenticated by Philippine consular officials.  (click here for the requirements)

Authentication

When an officer (such as a notary public) in a foreign country has performed a notarial or other official act such as an affidavit; for use in the Philippines, the official character of the executing officer should be verified by the consular officer of the Philippines. The consular officer shall then issue a certificate of authentication in order to give the service legal force and effect in the Philippines. (click here for the requirements)

For Inquiries you may write the Consular Section at P.O. Box 2219, 103 15 Stockholm, Sweden or call Tel. No. (46 8) 23 06 06, Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.