MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) will begin the full implementation of electronic notarization (eNotarization) nationwide on Monday, October 19, allowing eligible documents to be notarized electronically through accredited electronic notaries public, including in certain cases involving parties outside the country.
The new system aims to make notarization more accessible by removing geographical restrictions that previously limited traditional notaries to their assigned jurisdictions.
The SC approved the Rules on Electronic Notarization and the Guidelines on the Accreditation of Electronic Notarization Facility Providers under Administrative Matter No. 24-10-14-SC on February 4, 2025. The rules took effect 15 days after their publication on March 9, 2025.
Ahead of the nationwide launch, the Court will hold a ceremonial signing on Tuesday, October 13, at the SC en banc session hall in Manila to mark preparations for the system’s full operation.
The ceremony will include the signing of a joint memorandum circular between the SC and the Land Registration Authority (LRA), as well as a separate circular with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
According to the SC, the agreements will establish procedures for accepting electronically notarized documents in LRA transactions and provide a framework for incorporating these documents into SEC-related processes.
Accredited Electronic Notarization Facilities will also demonstrate how their respective platforms work during the event.
The Court has previously explained the legal importance of notarization, stating that “notarization converts a private document into a public document, making it admissible in evidence without further proof of its authenticity and due execution.”
Expanded access to notarization
Under the previous system, lawyers commissioned as notaries public were generally restricted to notarizing documents within the city, municipality or province specified in their commissions.
The new rules allow accredited electronic notaries public (ENPs) to provide services across the Philippines and, in certain circumstances, to parties located abroad.
The SC said the broader coverage is expected to improve access to notarization, particularly for people living in remote and underserved communities.
The Office of the Electronic Notary Administrator (ENA) will oversee the system, including the commissioning and supervision of ENPs and the accreditation of Electronic Notarization Facilities (ENFs).
A centralized notarial database has also been established to maintain a nationwide record of electronically notarized documents.
The initiative forms part of the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027, which seeks to modernize court-related processes and expand access to justice.
The Court said “this initiative aligns with the SC’s commitment to innovation and expanded access to justice by allowing notarization for electronic documents, including remote notarization through accredited software applications.”
Two methods of electronic notarization
The updated rules recognize three possible arrangements: In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN), Remote Electronic Notarization (REN), and a combination of both methods.
In IEN, the parties and witnesses must be physically present with the electronic notary public at the same location while using an accredited electronic notarization facility.
REN, meanwhile, allows participants to connect with the ENP remotely through videoconferencing.
To strengthen the system’s security, the rules require multi-factor authentication measures, which may include facial recognition, biometric verification and one-time passwords, in line with applicable regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The electronic notarial register, which records notarial acts in chronological order, will also have safeguards against unauthorized alteration.
The SC further said that data stored in electronic notarization facilities must be protected in accordance with the Data Privacy Act.
The rules apply exclusively to electronic documents saved in Portable Document Format (PDF) or Portable Document Format Archival (PDF/A).
Development of the new system
The SC first introduced remote notarization in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health restrictions limited face-to-face transactions.
The Court subsequently formed a technical working group led by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa as chairperson, with Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando serving as vice chairperson.
According to the SC, the group conducted extensive research, examined practices in other jurisdictions and consulted government agencies, technology specialists and other stakeholders before completing the electronic notarization rules.
With the nationwide rollout scheduled for October 19, the initiative marks another step in the judiciary’s efforts to modernize legal services and make notarization more convenient and accessible through secure digital platforms.