Document Authentication and Legalization Process in Philippines

Introduction

When interacting with other nations whether for employment, studying, or even settling in that country, document attestation and legalization of documents becomes an important consideration. Document attestation or attestation of documents involves giving legal status to the document issued by a foreign institution thus enabling it to be utilized in other jurisdictions. In this article we will look at the claims including the basic requirements as well as necessary precautions to be taken into account while undergoing the process of document attestation in the Philippines.

Reasons for Legalization and Authentication of Document Attestation

The other documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, diplomas, etc which are vital records and are frequently utilized as legal documents in the foreign countries need to be classified as authentication of documents in the Philippines by the notary specialist. Authenticating documents forms part of the necessary procedures that must be undertaken for proper validation of documents in foreign countries and legalization means that it can be used in the country where it is to be used.

Procedures To Follow For Legalization and Authentication Of The Document Attestation

1. Document Gathering

Fetch the originals of the documents that need to be authenticated such as certificates or official records ensuring that the documents when submitted set the desired parameters because any error may prolong the whole process of authentication.

2. Verification from State Agencies

• The primary government authority in charge of Document Authentication in the Philippines is the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). First, the relevant office for the issuance of your document, for example PSA for birth or marriage certificates, the Department of Education (DepEd) for school records, or Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for diplomas, should carry out the authentication on that document. 
• These documents previously cited shall then be authenticated by the DFA through an official seal and signature to signify that the document is real. 

3. Legalization for Overseas Use

• Other countries requiring further Document attestation may be appropriate after the initial validation from the DFA. Depending on the country of destination, there could be other steps that need to be taken such as notarization and embassy endorsement.
• if the country is signatory to the Apostille Convention such as Japan and most of the European nations, the Apostille stamp from the DFA would be enough to satisfy the legal requirements, and there would be no need for additional legalization. But in the case of many Middle Eastern nations which are not signatory to the convention, there is a requirement in most cases, that the documents must be attested by an embassy.

Popular Documents for Authentication and Legalization 

Certificate Attestation in the Philippines could be an important task for many documents depending on the reason for the travel or migration. These can be: 

• Personal Documents:  include birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates etc.
• Educational Documents:  these can be diplomas, transcripts or any academic certificates.
• Commercial Documents:  include Power of attorney, contracts and business licenses etc. 

Tips for a Smooth Document Authentication and Legalization Process

• Check Requirements: Each country may have specific needs regarding the documents and why you want them attested. Always check what is necessary so you are not turned back at your destination.
• Plan Ahead: If you wish to travel or migrate, then have in mind that the process of document attestation and legalization is not a one day affair so it is best to plan ahead. 
• Get Professional Help: If you are in a hurry and do not want to go through a lot of paperwork, then you can find professionals to take care of the attestation and legalization for you.

How Helpline Group Can Help

For someone in a country that is not an Apostille country, the process of Document Authentication and Legalization can be quite difficult because there is a little more to it than the regular process. Helpline Group provides best document attestation services that are related to Certificate Attestation in the Philippines and provides assistance in ensuring that such documents are authenticated, legalized and accepted in the destination country. Years of experience in this field and comprehensive insight into international needs is what helps the Helpline Group to make the process less tedious, allowing the clients to concentrate their efforts on achieving their targets abroad. Contact our helpline today to learn more about how we can assist you in getting your document attestation quickly and reliably.