Electronic Notarization in the Philippines: The 2025 Rules in Practice

Electronic notarization in the Philippines requires the proper legal framework, not merely a video call and a signed PDF. A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC governs electronic notarization through an Electronic Notary Public (ENP) and an accredited Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF). For a firm, the practical task is to match the document, participants, notary, and facility before the appointment.

Separate electronic notarization from electronic filing. One concerns a notarial act; the other concerns submission to a court. Completing one does not establish compliance with the other.

• Rules on Electronic Notarization

Check the document and the notary

The SC’s FAQs describe PDF or PDF/A electronic documents, in-person electronic notarization, remote electronic notarization, and mixed arrangements. Notarial wills and depositions are excluded. Traditional notarization continues under the applicable traditional rules.

An ordinary notarial commission does not automatically authorize electronic acts. Check the ENP’s commission and the facility’s accreditation rather than accepting a vendor logo as proof.

• Supreme Court eNotarization FAQs

Prepare a pre-appointment checklist

Do not have office staff coach a participant through factual statements or sign on someone else’s behalf. Refer identity discrepancies, authority-to-sign questions, and uncertainty about understanding the document to the notary and handling lawyer.

• •Identify the required notarial act and confirm document eligibility.
• •Verify the notary’s electronic commission and the facility to be used.
• •Confirm each principal’s and witness’s location and required appearance arrangements.
• •Give participants an identity-document checklist using the current official requirements.
• •Confirm that the document is final and that annexes are complete.
• •Test device access, connectivity, and accessibility needs before the scheduled act.

What changes for remote participants?

Remote appearance is subject to the rules and the facility’s required verification procedures. For principals abroad, the SC FAQs state specific Philippine foreign-post presence and confirmation conditions. Do not advertise an unrestricted “notarize from anywhere” service.

• Official FAQs: remote appearance and overseas principals

Create an office record without over-collecting

Keep the completed document, evidence identifying the ENP and facility, the transaction reference, and the matter’s release instructions. Record where the authoritative electronic file is stored. A printout may help a working file, but staff should know where the original electronic package can be retrieved.

The rules govern electronic notarial books, recordings, security, confidentiality, and record preservation. Confirm the specific retention and access duties with the ENP and facility rather than inventing a single office-wide retention period. Limit internal copies of identity records to what the firm actually needs.

• Official rules: records, confidentiality, and preservation

Connect the notarized document to the filing workflow

Use the current official application guidance

The SC eNotarization page carries the application pathway and current documentary requirements. Use it when preparing an ENP application, since an older social-media checklist may predate the live portal or a later requirement.

For staff training, run a mock handover from appointment booking to document release. The test is whether another staff member can identify the final file, authorized recipient, and next court or agency step without opening private messages.

• Supreme Court eNotarization portal and application guidance

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