Red Ribbon? Apostille? Ano ba yan? Hindi yan yung cake or nasa bible. They are both terms of the Department of Foreign Affairs that validate your documents or its origin. There are some documents that we need to pass abroad. Hindi kasi malalaman ng ibang countries if fake ba yung document, so they trust the government of the Philippines to verify our records. So if may “red ribbon” or “apostille” then the other countries would know it is legit. Here’s a guide on getting an Apostille in Philippines.
Before when you want to pass a document abroad “red ribbons” are affixed there to prove it is authentic, so may red na ribbon sa left side ng document at may gold sticker. It is a much longer process than today since kailangan pang i-present ang documents na may “Red Ribbon” sa foreign embassy.
As of May 14, 2019, the Philippines is part of the Apostille Convention, and there are no more “red ribbons”; an Apostille has a gold round sticker and a QR code. We will discuss it later.
As said above, the Apostille is a much easier process than Authentication. It has 3 steps from Certification – Apostille – End rather than 4 steps in getting a “red ribbon” since you need to go to the Embassy or Consulate of the country that needs your document for its legalization or authentication.
Please note that in case your document is submitted to a country that is not in this list, you need to go to the country’s Foreign Embassy or Consulate in the Philippines for the legalization.
Here are the countries where Apostille in the Philippines is accepted as per Apostille Convention Website :
Though the following are members of the Apostille Convention, Philippine Apostille is not yet accepted by the following countries, and you need to go to their Embassy or Consulate for legalization:
All other countries not mentioned here, you need to go to their foreign embassies or consulate for legalization.
The documents are as stated by the Authentication Form :
1. NBI Clearance /Sundry – An original document issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with dry seal Note: Personal copy is not valid.
2. Birth, Marriage, Death Certificate, or Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR, Advisory on Marriage and/or Negative Records)
3. School Documents
For Elementary and High School Level (Form-137 and Diploma)
For Technical and Vocational Courses (TOR and Diploma/National Certificate)
For State Colleges and Universities (TOR and Diploma)
For Private/Local Colleges and Universities (TOR and Diploma)
4. Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) document/s – Certified True Copies from PRC
5. Medical Certificate/s
6. Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP) issued document/s – Certified by CAAP
7. Driver’s License – Certification from Land Transportation Office (LTO Main Branch only)
8. Certificate of Employment/Invitation Letter/Trainings/ Seminars/ Baptismal Certificates and any other documents issued by a private entity
9. Special Power of Attorney/Memorandum of Agreement/ Memorandum of Understanding/Any other form of Contract/ Affidavit of Consent or Advice/Joint Affidavit/Other Affidavits
10. Court Document/s (Decision, Resolution/Order) – Certified True Copies from the Court
11. Immigration Record/s – Certified by Bureau of Immigration (BI)
12. DSWD Clearance – Original document issued by Department of Social Welfare and Development
13. Police Clearance /Sundry – Original document issued by Philippine National Police (PNP)
14. Business Registration and Other Documents issued by a Government Agency (e.g. SEC, DTI, BIR, SSS, Municipal Business Permit & Licensing Office, etc.)
15. Barangay Clearance/Certificate – Mayor’s certification/clearance which has jurisdiction over the Barangay
16. Export Document/s – Certified by Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA) or by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), depending on the nature of the document
Here are the requirements you need when you go to the DFA Office beside the Document you want to Authenticate or Apostillized
As per DFA Website , you go to the following DFA Offices:
DFA Main Consular Office
Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City
[email protected]
DFA CO-Northeast
Ali Mall Government Center Level 2
Ali Mall Cubao, Quezon City
[email protected]
DFA CO-East
7th Floor, Building C, SM Megamall,
EDSA cor. J Vargas Ave., Mandaluyong City
[email protected]
DFA CO-West
5th Floor, SM City Manila,
Conception St., Manila
[email protected]
DFA CO-South
4th Floor, Metro Alabang Town Center,
Alabang, Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City
[email protected]
DFA CO Pampanga
Robinson’s Place,
San Fernando, Pampanga
[email protected]
DFA CO Davao
3F SM Davao, Davao City
[email protected]
DFA CO Cebu
4th Level, Pacific Mall,
Mandaue City, Cebu
[email protected]
The DFA’s Consular Offices are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
1. Go to either office stated above and get a number from the Window. Remember, this is a government office, so try to dress properly; no slippers, sleeveless or shorts.
3. Get your documents ready (the one you want to get authenticated and your ID)
4. Present your ID (Original and Photocopy) with the documents you want to get verified to the processor for the assessment.
5. Go to the cashier to pay your fee (Php 100 per document for Regular and Php 200 per document for Expedite.)
6. Bring your original ID and the official receipt on set release date and time to claim the document.
Please note again that if you are going to submit it to a country not a member of the Apostille Convention or where Philippine Documents with an Apostille are not yet accepted, you need to go to their Embassy or Consulate for Legalization.
So example, Canada needs yung authentication mo for your Birth Certificate, then after getting an Apostille in the DFA, you need to go to the Canadian embassy for your Birth Certificates’ Legalization.
As per DFA, the public is encouraged to have their documents for authentication be delivered through courier services. With that you can avoid going out. On how to send it as well as the payment, you can communicate with the DFA Offices stated above.
If you want to process it yourself, then please make an appointment. For DFA ASEANA, e-mail, [email protected]. We also have the list for other offices above.
For more info, you can contact Department of Foreign Affair’s Facebook page as they reply.
You can check the authenticity of the document through this website. Alternatively, you can check its features:
1. I am based abroad, I want my documents authenticated or Apostilled, what do I do?
You can get an authorized representative to process the Apostillization for you in case you can’t apply personally.
2. Will an Apostille ruin my document?
No, it would not. An Apostille special certificate that is attached to your document and it isn’t a sticker so no worries.
3. I can’t find a country on the list, what do I do?
You need to present the document with Apostille to the country’s Embassy or Consulate in the Philippines for legalization. If there’s no Embassy in the Philippines, you may contact the nearest one for instructions on what to do.
4. Can I authenticate documents from another country?
No, only Philippine public documents are going to be Apostilled or Authenticated.
5. I already have an Authenticated Document with a “red ribbon,” it is still valid?
If you are passing to a country, not a member of the Apostille Convention, then that is okay. However, if it is for a country that is a member of the Apostille Convention then you may need an Apostille.
6. What is needed in case a representative applies on my behalf?
You representative must have an Authorization Letter (if minor, an Original Power of Attorney from Parents), photocopy of applicant’s valid ID (with signature), and original and photocopy of representative’s valid ID.
I hope that this will help you with your applications or requirements abroad. Indeed, an Apostille is better than the Red Ribbon since you can only go to a single place rather than the DFA Office plus the Foreign Embassy. If you need more help in your documents, feel free to browse our website as we have tourist application guides for Philippine Passport Holders and guides for government agencies like NBI, BIR, SSS, etc. Happy Browsing!
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About the Writer
Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.
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Hi po. Ask ko lang po if yung authorization letter if may representative, pwede po ba galing sa abroad sya then i scan lang? Or need yung original copy ng letter? Thanks. Di naman po minor so this authorization letter is enough po? No need for SPA? Salamat
Mitch Fernandez says:Yes does my apostille certificate does bear any bar code and key code. Only serial number and gold seal.
