Face-to-face appearance of overseas Filipinos is no longer necessary when notarizing paper documents at any of the country's foreign posts.
Outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. issued a Department Order on Remote Notarization of Paper Documents at Philippine Foreign Service Posts.
According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, the order means that "face-to-face appearance is no longer necessary."
SFA @teddyboylocsin issues Department Order on REMOTE NOTARIZATION of paper documents @ our embassies & consulates abroad! Face-to-face appearance is no longer necessary. This means easier access & timely convenience for Filipinos abroad! Feel free to share the good news. pic.twitter.com/mKgyJjEN2M
— Dodo Dulay (@dododulay) June 28, 2022
"This means easier access and timely convenience for Filipinos abroad! Feel free to share the good news," he added.
The new order shall be limited to the notarization of paper documents or instruments with handwritten signatures or marks through the use of videoconferencing and auto-video capturing facilities.
It added that the rules "shall not apply to the execution of notarial wills."
The new order may be referred to as the "Rules on E-Notarization at Philippine FSPs (foreign service posts)."