CONSULARIZED VS. APOSTILLED

Problem: Signing Documents Abroad

Let’s say a seller—who's living overseas—needs to sign a document like an SPA. Normally, PH agencies like the BIR require that the signature be authenticated. The traditional method? Have it signed in person at the nearest PH Embassy.

But...that's tedious and time-consuming.

1.⁠ ⁠Embassies are often far from where signatories live.

2.⁠ ⁠Appointments are hard to book.

3.⁠ ⁠You sign once, then return days later to pick up the document.

Enter the Apostille Convention—an international agreement among many countries to make cross-border authentication easier.

Instead of making the signatory go to the PH Embassy, the document can be notarized by a local notary public in that foreign country and then “apostilled” by their government. This skips the embassy entirely.

How to Apostille a Document

1.⁠ ⁠Check Eligibility

Make sure the country where the person is located is part of the Apostille Convention (a quick Google search will tell you).

2.⁠ ⁠Find a Local Notary

Look for a notary public in that country who can notarize/apostille your document.

3.⁠ ⁠Book an Appointment

Set a schedule for the signing.

4.⁠ ⁠Sign in Front of the Notary

The notary confirms your identity, watches you sign, and applies their seal.

5.⁠ ⁠Get the Apostille

After notarization, the document must be taken to the official agency in that country that issues Apostilles—e.g., the Secretary of State in the US or the Singapore Academy of Law. Some notaries offer to handle this for an extra fee.

Done

Once the Apostille is affixed, PH offices like the BIR or Registry of Deeds will usually accept it—no consulate visit required.

Important Caveats

The notary and the apostille authority are not vouching for the truth of what’s written in your document. They're only certifying that you personally signed it in front of a licensed official.

For example, if you submit an Affidavit of One and the Same Person, they don’t confirm if that’s true—they just confirm you signed it yourself.

The Apostille process is a godsend for signatories abroad who can’t easily access a PH consulate. It’s faster and more convenient, though admittedly more expensive.