Manila: Filipino citizens may now obtain digital apostille for electronic certificates and documents issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in a news release Monday night, announced the launch of a fully digital apostille platform on Monday, which reduces authentication time for PSA eCertificates and CHED electronic Certification, Authentication, and Verification (CHED eCAVs) documents and eliminates the need for physical submission of documents. The service may be accessed through the DFA e-Apostille Portal at apostille.gov.ph.
According to Philippines News Agency, since the Philippines' accession to the Apostille Convention, applicants who need to submit Philippine documents abroad only need to apply for an Apostille certificate instead of having the documents authenticated in the foreign embassy or consulate. Once the document is issued an Apostille, the applicant may submit the document directly to the concerned party, phasing out the 'red ribbon' certificate.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro stated during the launch on Monday, "The launch of the Fully Digital Apostille for PSA eCertificates and CHED eCAVs demonstrates our commitment to modernizing public services while strengthening the Philippines' international engagement." She further emphasized that the system enables citizens to access fast, reliable, and secure document authentication anywhere in the world.
The DFA highlighted that the launch aligns with the Marcos administration's broader digitalization agenda and ensures seamless integration of digital document issuance and authentication processes. Beyond PSA and CHED, the DFA is coordinating with other document-issuing government agencies on their possible integration into the eApostille System.
Further information, including the application process for the fully digital eApostille, may be accessed at PSAHelpline.ph for civil registry documents or at CHED One Touch Portal at ecav.ched.gov.ph for academic records.
