Since the Supreme Court launched electronic notarization nationwide on October 19, 2026, Filipinos no longer have to line up at a notary’s office for every affidavit or contract. Eligible electronic documents can now be notarized online.

The process is different from what most people are used to, though. This guide walks you through it step by step under the Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC).

Before you start: what you’ll need

Your document in PDF or PDF/A format. E-notarization applies only to electronic documents. Make sure the document is final and complete.
A valid government-issued ID for identity verification.
A device with a camera, microphone, and stable internet if you will appear remotely.
Your witnesses, if the document requires them. They must also go through the identity verification process.
An Electronic Notary Public (ENP). This is a lawyer authorized to perform electronic notarial acts on a Supreme Court-accredited platform.

Step 1: Confirm that e-notarization will work for your purpose

Before anything else, check with the office or person who will receive the notarized document. That could be a government agency, the Registry of Deeds, a bank, or a foreign authority. Ask whether they accept electronically notarized documents.

Some offices may still require paper originals with wet-ink signatures, and acceptance practices are still developing because the system is new. This one phone call or email can save you time and money.

Step 2: Prepare your electronic document

Convert your final document to PDF or PDF/A. Check that:

all blanks are filled in and the details (names, addresses, amounts, property descriptions) are correct;
the signature blocks are clearly marked;
there are no further edits pending. Changing a document after notarization can affect its validity.

If you’re not sure the document is properly drafted, have a lawyer review it first. Notarization does not fix a defective document.

Step 3: Create an account on the Electronic Notarization Facility

Electronic notarization happens on an Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF), a platform accredited by the Supreme Court. The principal (you) and any witnesses must create an account or log in to the ENF your ENP uses.

Accredited platforms must use multi-factor identity verification. Depending on the platform, this may include facial recognition, biometric checks, and one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to your phone or email.

Step 4: Choose how you’ll appear

The rules allow three modes:

In-person electronic notarization. You and your witnesses physically appear before the ENP, who uses the accredited platform.
Remote electronic notarization. You appear by videoconference from wherever you are in the Philippines.
A combination. For example, you appear in person while a witness joins by video.

Step 5: Attend the notarization session

The ENP logs in to the platform for the session. During the session, the ENP will:

verify your identity and that of your witnesses;
confirm that you are signing voluntarily and understand the document;
watch you sign electronically;
apply their electronic notarial signature and certificate.

Remote sessions are conducted through secure audio-visual communication, and accredited platforms are required to keep tamper-evident records.

Step 6: Receive your notarized document

Once notarized, the electronic document is automatically transmitted to the Supreme Court Central Notarial Database. You will receive the electronically notarized PDF, which you can then submit or share with the receiving party.

Keep the original electronic file. A printout of an e-notarized document is not the same as the electronic original, and the receiving office may want the digital file itself.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using an unaccredited service. A lawyer stamping a PDF after a casual video call is not valid electronic notarization. Make sure the notary is a commissioned ENP using an accredited ENF.
Notarizing an unfinished draft. Finalize the content first.
Assuming every office accepts it. Confirm acceptance with the receiving office before the session.
Forgetting witnesses. If your document requires witnesses, they need to be part of the session and verified too.

Frequently asked questions

Can I e-notarize from anywhere in the Philippines?

Yes. Unlike traditional notaries, who are limited to their commission territory, an ENP may notarize for principals anywhere in the Philippines, subject to the limited extraterritorial authority the rules allow.

What file format is required?

PDF or PDF/A.

Can OFWs use online notarization?

The Supreme Court has said it is in talks with the Department of Foreign Affairs about extending e-notarization to overseas Filipino workers. Details have not yet been announced. For now, Filipinos abroad should check with the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate about consular notarization.

Is my notarized document recorded anywhere?

Yes. Electronically notarized documents are automatically sent to the Supreme Court Central Notarial Database.

Let us help you get it right

Recososa Law Firm can review your document before notarization, check whether e-notarization is suitable for your purpose, and guide you through the process. Contact us to get started.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Procedures may vary by platform and may change; consult a lawyer about your specific situation.

How to Get a Document Notarized Online in the Philippines: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)