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Resources: Electronic Notarization

Electronic Notarization

Get Ready for E-Notarization in the Philippines

The rules have changed, and notarial practice in the Philippines is entering a new chapter.

On February 4, 2025, the Supreme Court issued A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC. That means electronic notarization is now officially recognized. For the first time, notaries can perform their duties online through secure digital platforms.

This is not a theory. It’s real, and it’s already in effect.

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Electronic Notarization

Remote Notarization in the Philippines: What You Need to Know

Extended lockdowns, health concerns and continuously evolving travel policies have made it challenging to physically execute critical documents related to deeds, contracts, and loans, to name a few. Fortunately, the situation has inspired innovative policies such as the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ 2020 Interim Rules on Remote Notarization of Paper Documents, which states that individuals need not physically go to a notary public’s office to have documents notarized. While institutions overseas fully remote notarizations, a mix of online and offline procedures are still required in the Philippine setting.

Electronic Notarization

Remote notarization is now available with UNAWA RNotary

Lockdown restrictions and health risks have made it challenging to physically execute critical documents related to deeds, contracts, and loans, to name a few. Fortunately, the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ 2020 Interim Rules on Remote Notarization of Paper Documents states that individuals need not physically go to a notary public’s office to have documents notarized.

Electronic Notarization

Why Should Documents Be Notarized?

A lot of life-changing events—such as buying a home, setting up a business, or bequeathing assets to another family member—rely on the authenticity of legal documents. In this regard, there are certain documents that are required by law to be notarized. Notarization has legal implications since it converts a private document into a public instrument. Under Philippine rules on evidence, once a document is notarized, this becomes proof of the document’s authenticity. Moreover, the Philippine public tends to rely on notarization as a source of legitimacy for their transactions even in cases where it is not required.

Electronic Notarization

List of Documents Requiring Notarization

As a general rule, notarization is not required for the validity of contracts and other documents. Hence, contracts are considered validly executed even if signed electronically. However, the following documents listed below must be notarized (and hence physically signed).