Authentication of Documents
General Information
Applicants must submit the following:
Authentication is the process by which the Philippine Embassy certifies the genuineness of the signature and the official capacity of a foreign public officer who has signed a document. It does not validate the content of the document but confirms that the signature appearing on it is authentic.
Authentication is also commonly referred to as “consularization” or “red ribbon” (a legacy term previously used before the adoption of the Apostille system).
Once authenticated, the document is attached to an Authentication Certificate (cover page) issued by the Embassy. This certificate bears:
- The signature of the authorized Consular Officer; and
- The official dry seal of the Embassy
This process allows foreign-issued documents to be recognized for legal use in the Philippines.
RequirementsApplicants must submit the following:
- Original document to be authenticated
- One (1) photocopy of the document (for Embassy records)
- Payment of Authentication Fee: PKR 10,500
- The Embassy authenticates only the signature of the authorized Pakistani signatory. Applicants may be required to have their documents first certified by the appropriate Pakistani authorities prior to submission.
- The release of authenticated documents is subject to the availability of the authorized signing officer who will verify and authenticate the signature appearing on the document.
- The Philippines and Pakistan are both Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention. In line with this development, the Embassy will eventually discontinue the authentication (consularization) of documents issued in Pakistan.
- Once implemented (date to be announced), documents issued in Pakistan and intended for use in the Philippines should instead be authenticated through an Apostille Certificate issued by the competent authority in Pakistan.
- An Apostille will be sufficient for the document to be recognized in the Philippines.
