Did You Know? You Can Now Have Your Documents Notarized Online

Growing up, you’ll start to realize just how many documents you need to get notarized. These include deeds of sale and property transfers, affidavits and sworn statements, contracts and agreements, and even certain documents required by universities.

Getting these notarized typically requires you to personally visit a commissioned notary public or a private notarial service, which can mean long waiting times and scheduling conflicts. But did you know that you can now have certain documents notarized online?

On October 19, the Philippine Supreme Court launched its eNotarization initiative to make notarization more convenient and accessible. The process is facilitated by an Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF) Provider, defined as a “natural or juridical person that provides any secure digital tool, device, system, application, and technology solution” accredited by the Supreme Court. The notarization itself is performed by an Electronic Notary Public (ENP), who is “commissioned to perform electronic notarial acts as prescribed by the Rules.”

Here’s the step-by-step process of eNotarization.

All signatories and witnesses must register on the website of their chosen ENF Provider. Each provider also offers a list of ENP options to choose from. During registration, you will undergo an identity verification process that may require a valid government-issued ID, facial verification, authentication codes, and other security measures.

ENF Providers also have their own payment facilities for processing notarial fees, with various payment methods available, including e-wallets and credit cards. If you need help with registration, you can refer to the providers’ tutorials.

After successfully registering, you can upload your document. They currently accept PDF and PDF-A formats.

Registrants can choose between in-person and remote notarization. The latter is conducted via video conference, during which all parties involved are required to keep their cameras on.

At the moment, eNotarization is only possible if the signatories and their witnesses, if any, are physically located in the Philippines. A geolocation feature is used to verify their locations.

During the notarial session, the ENP will examine the documents and the intent of the signatories and their witnesses. They may ask a few questions during the session.

Once the necessary signatures are complete, your document will have the notarial seal and certificate. And you’re done!

The document will also be sent to the Supreme Court Central Notarial Database for official records. To further ensure that your notarized document is not fake, you can also scan the QR code on it, which leads to the verification portal of the respective ENF Provider.