- Filipinos can now have eligible documents notarized remotely through accredited electronic notary facilities, reducing the need to travel to a notary public’s physical office.
- The Supreme Court is rolling out electronic notarization on October 19, allowing authorized notaries to provide services remotely through accredited electronic notary public facility providers.
- The first batch of accredited providers includes NotarizeIT by Unawa, Twala by Ohelio, and QLegal by Quanby Solutions.
Filipinos can now have eligible documents notarized remotely through accredited electronic notary facilities, reducing the need to travel to a notary public’s physical office.
The Supreme Court is rolling out electronic notarization on October 19, allowing authorized notaries to provide services remotely through accredited electronic notary public facility providers.
The first batch of accredited providers includes NotarizeIT by Unawa, Twala by Ohelio, and QLegal by Quanby Solutions.
The new system marks a shift from traditional notarization, which generally requires personal appearance before a notary public within the notary’s territorial jurisdiction.
Three providers accredited for electronic notarization
The initial rollout gives Filipinos access to electronic notarization through three accredited facilities.
NotarizeIT by Unawa
Twala by Ohelio
QLegal by Quanby Solutions
The Supreme Court approved the rules governing electronic notarization and the accreditation guidelines for facility providers in February 2025.
Under the new framework, authorized notaries can conduct notarial services remotely through accredited facilities. This could make the process more convenient for people who face long travel times, live far from notaries, or have difficulty attending in-person appointments.
Users should still check each provider’s requirements to determine which documents are eligible, what identification is needed, and how much the service costs.
Supreme Court expands access to legal services
The rollout forms part of the judiciary’s effort to use technology to improve access to legal services.
Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa said the push for electronic notarization was partly prompted by difficulties people encountered when accessing government services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By enabling remote notarization under an approved framework, the system aims to reduce geographical and logistical barriers while maintaining the safeguards required for notarized documents.
Electronic notarization does not automatically mean every document can be notarized online. Filipinos should confirm whether their particular document and transaction qualify under the applicable rules before proceeding.
E-notarization for overseas Filipinos also being explored
The Supreme Court has also begun discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs on potentially extending electronic notarization services to overseas Filipino workers.
If implemented, the arrangement could give Filipinos working abroad another way to access notarial services without having to return to the Philippines for certain transactions.
However, the proposed extension remains under discussion, and the Supreme Court has yet to announce specific implementation details or a timeline.
For now, Filipinos interested in electronic notarization should consult the Supreme Court’s official announcements and the accredited providers for the latest procedures, document eligibility, and fees.