Notarial Services
The Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires provides notarial services primarily for Philippine citizens in Argentina intending to submit notarized documents normally intended for use in the Philippines.
Notarial services as provided by the Consular Section DO NOT cover crafting legal documents, nor drawing wills, powers of attorney, deeds, and documents of similar nature on behalf of the transacting public.
It is the responsibility of the party availing of the notarization services to craft their own documents based on their purpose and/or the requirements of the Philippine-based office to which the notarized documents are to be submitted.
Furthermore, embassy staff and personnel cannot act as witnesses for the public when submitting documents for notarization.
Along with the original document and relevant attachments, applicants must prepare an extra set of photocopies in A4-size paper when submitting documents for notarization.
Important Reminders for Document Notarization in the Embassy
- Personal appearance is MANDATORY for notarization of documents at the embassy.
The person availing of notarial services must personally appear at the Consular Section and affix his/her signature on his/her document for notarization in the presence of the consular officer.
Should witnesses be necessary, they should be provided by the affiant/deponent and should likewise be physically present to witness the signing of the principal and likewise affix their own signatures on the document for notarization.
- Presentation of valid proof of identity is a MUST.
A valid, competent evidence of identity must be presented by the interested parties before notarization of documents can be performed. Only unexpired, government-issued identification, bearing the photograph and signature of the affiant will be accepted as proof of identity. A valid Philippine passport would be the simplest proof of identity to present.
A valid Philippine passport is the primary proof of a Philippine citizen’s identity.
- Use your proper legal name as it appears in your valid Philippine passport and be consistent in writing your signature.
The name used in the legal document must be consistent with the name appearing in the applicant’s valid proof of identity (i.e. passport). The signature of the affiant must also correspond to the signature in the identification document.
- DO NOT SIGN YOUR DOCUMENTS IN ADVANCE.
Supply complete and accurate information as required in the document for notarization, except your signature. The affiant‘s signature must be affixed at the embassy, before a consular officer.
Types of Documents for Notarial Services
The Consular Section performs the following notarial services:
- Acknowledgement:consular witnessing of the signing of a document by the signatory or signatories, such as for authorizations, contracts, deeds, powers of attorney, among others
- Oaths and Affirmations: administering an oath required for the fulfilment of official requirements of Philippine government agencies
- Jurat: consular witnessing of the signing and affirming of an affidavit, oath, sworn statement or Petition
- Copy Certification: making a certified true copy of documents that are neither a vital record nor a public record
- Certification: providing a certification on certain Philippine documents
- Translation: translating certificates and diplomas written in Filipino into English
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Acknowledgment is the witnessing by a consular official of the Embassy of the signing of a document and the verification of the identity of the signatories. For documents such as authorization letters, contracts of sale, deeds, powers of attorney (Special Power of Attorney, Revocation of Power of Attorney). For this service, the principal signatories cited in the document must:
- Provide the complete document for signing;
- Personally appear at the Embassy to sign each page of the document;
- Each submit a photocopy of passport (information page)
- Pay the notarial fee of US$25 per document notarized. Payment strictly by cash and in US dollars only. Regular processing is 2 business days.
OATH AND AFFIRMATION
A consul of the Embassy can administer the oath necessary for the official requirements of Philippine professional licensure, Philippine dual citizenship, renunciation of Philippine citizenship, among others. For this service, the candidate must:
- Personally appear at the Embassy to take oath and sign the documentary requirement;
- Provide the requisite form and affixed photograph;
- Pay the notarial fee of US$25 per document notarized. Payment strictly by cash and in US dollars only.
JURAT
The jurat is the official affirmation of a consul of the Embassy that the signatories of a document have attested to the truth of the statements in the document. The jurat is done for documents such as the affidavit, Petition, statement, statutory declaration, among others. For this service, the signatories cited in the document must:
- Provide the complete document for signing;
- Personally appear at the Embassy to sign each page of the document;
- Each submit a photocopy of passport (information page);
- Pay the notarial fee of US$25 per document notarized. Payment strictly by cash and in US dollars only. Regular processing is 2 business days.
COPY CERTIFICATION
The Embassy can make certified true copies of an authentic Philippine passport. Certified true copies of a single-page authentic, valid Philippine civil registry document (birth certificate, marriage certificate) or Philippine identity card (driver’s license, SSS card) will be made only if the item has been authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. For this service, the customer must:
- Present the original document for copy certification;
- Pay the notarial fee of US$25 per document notarized. Payment strictly by cash and in US dollars only. Regular processing is 2 business days.
CERTIFICATION
The Embassy issues certifications for certain compliance requirements of private organizations, government agencies, or foreign embassies in Argentina. For this service, the customer must:
- State the type of certification required;
- Present the necessary original documents necessary for the certification and submit a photocopy of these documents;
- Pay the notarial fee of US$25 per document notarized. Payment strictly by cash and in US dollars only. Regular processing is 2 business days.
TRANSLATION
The Embassy’s translation service is limited to translation to English of certificates and diplomas written in Filipino issued by certain Philippine educational or training institutions. The translations of the Embassy are not official translations. For this service, the customer must:
- Provide the original certificate or diploma and its photocopy;
- Pay the notarial fee of US$25 per document notarized. Payment strictly by cash and in US dollars only. Regular processing is 2 business days.
- Translation cannot be expedited.
IMPORTANT
| Filipino citizens who need their personal documents legalized but are unable to appear in person at the embassy for consular notarization can have their documents notarized before a notary public in the area where they currently reside, with English translation and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the notarized documents are intended to be used in the Philippines, however, it should be duly authenticated by a Philippine consular official. |
EMBASSY CONSULAR FEES
Notarial Fee: US$25, payable in cash and in US dollar only.
PROCESSING PERIOD
Processing period for document notarization is TWO (2) working days (not counting the day of application and holidays) upon receipt of the complete documents.
EXPRESS PROCESSING FEE
If you pay an additional fee of US$10.00 per document, your document/s may be processed and released the next working day.
