The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs announced that beginning 14 May 2019, the Philippines will affix an Apostille as proof of authentication, on Philippine documents for use abroad.

After the Apostille process, there is no need for Philippine Embassies and Consulates to authenticate the Philippine documents if the country where these documents will be used is a member of the Apostille Convention.

Documents executed and Apostillized in Apostille countries, except for Austria, Finland, Germany and Greece, shall no longer be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

The United States is a member of the Apostille Convention. Thus, documents Apostillized by the Lt. Governor’s office in Hawaii will no longer be authenticated by the Consulate General effective 14 May 2019. More information on the issuance of Apostilles in Hawaii can be found at this link: Office of the Lieutenant Governor, http://ltgov.hawaii.gov/the-office/apostilles-and-certifications/.

Documents Apostillized by the Secretary of American Samoa or its Attorney General will no longer be authenticated by the Consulate General effective 14 May 2019.

Embassies and Consulates are not authorized to issue an Apostille. However, Philippine Embassies and Consulates shall continue to provide acknowledgement and jurat services to walk-in applicants regardless of whether the origin of the document is an Apostille country or not.

Philippine-issued Apostilles may be verified through this link: www.dfa.gov.ph/verify-apostille/.

For inquiries, please contact the Consular Section at (808) 595-6316 ext. 103. END