The entry into force of the Apostille Convention in the Philippines was on 14 May 2019.
In lieu of Authentication certificates, the Government of the Philippines will start issuing Apostilles on Philippine documents that need to be presented abroad. Apostillization of Philippine documents can only be issued by the DFA-Office of Consular Affairs in Manila.

Since Australia is also a signatory to the Apostille Convention, all Philippine documents intended for Australia with an affixed Apostille shall no longer be authenticated by the Australian Embassy. In the same manner, all Australian documents intended for the Philippines with an Apostille affixed shall no longer be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulates in Australia.

Philippine Government-issued Apostilles may be verified through the following link:

www.dfa.gov.ph/verify-apostille

Click here for FAQs on the S.P.A., Red Ribbon, Apostille 

Any private document (i.e. Special Power of Attorney, Affidavits, Affidavit of Support and Guarantee, Contract to Buy and Sell, Deeds, Authorization Letters, etc.) that needs to be signed and submitted to any Offices in the Philippines in order to have legal effect must either bear:

Option 1: A Consular Notarization or Legalized (Consularized) by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate

Option 2: An Apostille Certificate from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Please see link below:
Notarial services in Australia | Smartraveller 

PRIVATE DOCUMENT such as Affidavits, Affidavits of Support and Guarantee, Special Powers of Attorney, Deeds, Sworn Statements, etc. may be notarized or legalized (Consularized), executed and signed in the presence of a Consular Official/Representative by the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne.

• The legal document will have a notarial covering page such as an ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or JURAT with an official seal of the Philippine Embassy/Consulate.
• The Philippine Consulate only notarizes the document and assumes no liability of the contents thereof.
• Applicant may use their own form or use a downloadable template by using this link: https://melbournepcg.org/download 

REQUIREMENTS AT THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

1. APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED (Please see below for Appointment Link)
2. PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF THE SIGNATORY OR SIGNATORIES IS MANDATORY FOR NOTARIZATION.
   • If personal appearance is not possible at the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, applicants may proceed to OPTION 2.
3. Original copy/copies of the document/s to be notarized or legalized and an EXTRA COPY for the Consulate’s record
4. Original and Photocopies of valid identification with photograph and signature of the holder (kindly provide photocopies of identification for each document to be notarized)
   • Passport, Driver’s License or any other government-issued identification card.
   • The identification must bear the name that appears on the document to be acknowledged.
5. Two (2) Witnesses – For the documents that requires witnesses, you may bring your own two (2) witnesses when necessary
6. Self-addressed “Express Post” large (A4) envelope for local/domestic use only, for the return/delivery of your documents. This can be obtained/purchased at any Australia Post Office. Sizes of the envelopes depend on the volume of documents.
7. Processing Fee: A$45.00 (Cash and Debit Card only, please bring the physical card) per document and FEE is non-refundable

Q: HOW MANY ORIGINAL COPIES DO YOU NEED?

Kindly clarify the required number of ORIGINAL COPIES with the applicant’s recipient in the Philippines before the appointment date.

• A: If you need only one (1) original copy.
  Kindly prepare two (2) original copies of the document
  Plus two (2) photocopies of the passport or driver’s license;
  Fee: AUD45.00
• A: If you need two (2) original copies
  Kindly prepare three (3) original copies of the document
  Plus three (3) photocopies of the passport or driver’s license;
  Fee: AUD90.00

RELEASING OF DOCUMENTS

• Notarized document/s will be sent by mail using the required “Express Post” envelope to an Australian address of the applicant for at least three (3) business days upon receipt of complete requirements.
• The Philippine Consulate assumes no responsibility for any delay, loss or damage in the mail or while the documents are in custody of the courier service.
• Applicants should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted before submission of documents.

PRIVATE DOCUMENTS such as Affidavits, Special Powers of Attorney, Deeds, Sworn Statements, etc., for use in the Philippines that cannot be executed and signed in the presence of a consular official at the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne:

Step 1. The original document should be notarized by an Australian Notary Public.

• List of Notary Publics can be found on Supreme Court or Law Society listings for each state or territory.
• The list can also be searched in telephone directories using the applicant’s postcode.
• Please note that a notary public lawyer is not the same as a Justice of the Peace (JP). Only documents notarized by a notary public will be accepted by DFAT for issuance of an Apostille Certificate.

Step 2. The duly notarized document should then be submitted to the Australian Passport Office, for issuance of an Apostille Certificate.

Refer to Notarial services in Australia | Smartraveller  for further information

Step 3. After the document has been “Apostilled” by the DFAT, it may be sent to the Philippines directly. There is no need for the document/s to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulates. This equates to less processing time and less cost.

AUSTRALIAN BIRTH CERTIFICATES, MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES, DEATH CERTIFICATES, SCHOOL RECORDS, ETC.)

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS issued in Australia, or documents issued by Australian government agencies (i.e. Australian birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, school records, etc.) for use abroad or in the Philippines require an Apostille Certificate from the Australian Passport Office to be recognized in the Philippines. This process attests and certifies the genuinity and authenticity of the public document and DOES NOT NEED to be legalized at the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne.

Refer to Notarial services in Australia | Smartraveller  for further information

Step 1. The original document should be submitted to the Australian Passport Office for issuance of an Apostille Certificate.

Step 2. Once the document has been “Apostilled” by the Australian Passport Office, it can be sent to the Philippines directly. There is no need for the document/s to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulates. This equates to less processing time and less cost.