Australian Embassy
The Philippines

Notarial Services

Introduction:

Notarial services are legal acts which allow a written record to be used for official or legal purposes. All documents relating to the notarial services you require from the Australian Embassy Manila must be presented in the correct form and you must provide the correct instructions for the notarial service you require.

Please note that we only service documents issued from Australian agencies/authorities or those intended for use in Australia. 

The Australian Embassy in Manila can provide some notarial services,  including:

 



Update on South Australia (SA) Statutory Declarations

  • Interim measures that were in place in South Australia (SA), during the COVID19 pandemic, provided staff overseas to witness SA Statutory Declarations

  • These measures have now been revoked on 01/12/2021 by s19(5) of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020

  • For Australians in the Philippines who require witnessing of a SA Statutory Declaration:

    • You are encouraged to seek alternative authorised officers in their country of residence for further assistance

    • Further information on authorized witnesses may be found on the SA Statutory Declaration Form. 


Update on Completion of Commonwealth Statutory Declarations (as of 1 January 2024)

 

Notarial Disclaimer:
Please ensure that documents relating to the notarial services you require from the Australian Embassy, are presented in the correct form and that you provide the correct instructions for the notarial service you require.  If you are unsure of the legislative requirements relating to the notarial service you require, you should seek independent legal advice. Please note that neither the Australian Government nor the Australian Embassy in the Philippines guarantees the legal effectiveness of the notarised document or the accuracy of its content. Fees paid for notarial services are non-refundable.
 

Making an Appointment:

  • You must have an appointment to visit our office.  If you are unable to attend your interview appointment, please cancel your appointment online or notify us by sending an email to [email protected]
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.  We reserve the right to cancel your appointment if you are late.
  • You may make an appointment through the "Book Appointment" link below: 
    Book an appointment with The Australian Embassy in the Philippines using SetMore
​Personal appearances are required for the following transactions:
  • Witnessing of signatures (e.g. on statutory declarations, driver’s licence renewal applications and Australian property transfers);
  • Administering of affidavits;
  • Certifying photographs, passports, and other identity documents and certificates; and
  • Issuance of Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI).

Services your representative can obtain on your behalf include:

  • ​Certified copies of documents only (note: the certifying of photographs and identity declarations require you to attend the Embassy in person); and
  • Apostilles and Authentication certificates.

You must provide a written authorisation letter or Special Power of Attorney to your representative. Please advise your representative to bring current government-issued photo ID.

Authorized representatives must present instructions from their employer/client or the requesting authority. 

Available Services:

1. Certifying Copies and Witnessing of Signatures 

  • Original documents to be certified must be brought during your appointment. 
    • If your document was obtained through an online portal or through other means from the issuing authority, you are required to demonstrate your access to the document through the online portal or other means how the document was sent to you. 
       
  • We only certify copies and witness signatures on Australian documents or those intended for use in Australia.
     
  • Documents that may be certified as true copies and whose signatures may witnessed by a Philippine notary public include those that are required to support an application for Australian citizenship or visa.
     

  • Under the Consular Fees Act 1955, fees apply to notarial services. Fees are payable by Visa or Mastercard in Philippines Pesos or Australian Dollars and may vary on a monthly basis, depending upon exchange rates. Cash payment is not accepted.

2. Authentication and Apostilles 

  • We only authenticate or apostille original Australian public documents (eg, issued by Australian government agency or official) such as birth, death, and marriage certificates.
    • If you are unsure if your document is an Australian public document, you may email a copy of your document to [email protected] so we may determine the possibility of authenticating or apostilling the document.
    • If your document was obtained through an online portal or through other means from the issuing authority, you are required to demonstrate your access to the document through the online portal or other means how the document was sent to you. 
       

  • Apostilles and Authentication services are provided on Australian documents that have been notarized by an Australian Notary Public. DFAT / The Embassy maintains a database of signatures for Australian Notary Publics.

    • We are unable to legalise documents certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP). 
       

  • Under the Consular Fees Act 1955, fees apply to notarial services. Fees are payable by Visa or Mastercard in Philippines Pesos or Australian Dollars and may vary on a monthly basis, depending upon exchange rates. Cash payment is not accepted.

  • You can verify apostilles issued by the Australian Government after 14 December 2015 online 
     

Authenticating / Apostilling Divorce Orders

  • If you wish to authenticate or apostille a Divorce Order issued by The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, you must either:
    • Bring the original Divorce Order at your appointment or;
    • Access the Commonwealth Courts Portal and download/print the electronic version of the Divorce Order from the Portal. 
    • For Divorces filed in Western Australia, please contact the Family Court of Western Australia directly to obtain proof of your divorce


Authenticating / Apostilling Education Documents

  • If you wish to authenticate or apostille an education document, you must either:
    • Bring the original Education Document at your appointment or; 
    • Demonstrate your access to the document through the online portal or other means how the document was sent to you.
  • You may also check My eQuals Australia to note if your document is available online and share your access with us.
     

An Australian notary public may also verify your education document who must also complete the verification process. Their notarial certificate must include a statement confirming that the original record has been verified with the issuing institution. A statement by an Australian notary public that the document is a 'true copy'  does not satisfy this verification requirement. Once verification is confirmed, we will advise you if you need to send us the original documents.
 

3. Selling or buying land or property in Australia? 

  • You should check with your Australian representative what is required before seeking the services of the Australian Embassy. If you require verification of identity for a property transaction, you must attend the mission with a prepared Client Authorisation or mortgage and Certification, original identification documents and the Subscriber or mortgagee's written instructions. 
     
  • It is a requirement that the instructions from your legal representative in Australia be provided in addition to the documents you need witnessed or certified. Where instructions from your legal representative are not provided, the services will be declined. If the instructions state that a notary public is sufficient to service your requirement/s, you may seek the services of a Philippine notary public, noting that the cost may be lower than the fee we require.
     
  • If a Philippine notary public is confirmed to be sufficient to service your requirement, you do not need to book an appointment with us.
     

Notarial Fees

  • Fees apply and are charged per act.
  • Commencing 1 January 2019, the Australian Embassy in Manila is no longer able to accept cash payment for its Notarial and Passports services.  Please ensure you bring a MasterCard or Visa card (including Visa Debit) or a manager’s cheque made payable to ''Australian Embassy in the Philippines'' for payment.  We do not accept personal cheques. 
  • Payments are charged in either Philippine pesos or Australian dollars and change monthly, therefore be certain of the correct amount to be paid, especially if you intend to pay via manager's cheque.
  • Please click the following link for current fees: Consular and Passport Fees
     

 Processing time for Notarial Services

  • We endeavour the completion of a Notarial Service on the same day of the appointment, should all documentary requirements be met. 
  • Before attending your appointment, make sure that you’ve confirmed requirements with the requesting authority (or sought legal advice) and correctly prepared any/all forms and documents you need. 
 
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PRIVACY POLICY

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) uses third-party software (Setmore) to manage the Australian Embassy's appointments. Your personal information (including your name and contact details) will be collected by DFAT via Setmore to book your appointment and for related purposes. By proceeding with this booking, you are consenting to the collection of this information by Setmore on DFAT’s behalf for these purposes. If this information is not collected, DFAT’s ability to arrange your appointment will be limited. Your personal information will be handled by Setmore in accordance with Setmore’s Privacy Policy, and by DFAT in accordance with DFAT’s Privacy Policy.
 

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Consular Section Contact Details

Consular Section
Australian Embassy
Level 23  Tower 2, RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City 1200, Metro Manila, The Philippines

Telephone: +63 2 7757 8100
Facsimile: +63 2 7757 8344

Email: [email protected]

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