The Supreme Court of the Philippines has officially operationalized nationwide electronic notarization in the country.
Under the leadership of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and the judiciary’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), the high court is rolling out the full implementation of the Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC).
This is not just a digital band-aid. This permanent framework formally repeals the pandemic-era 2020 interim rules and establishes a legally binding electronic notarization system nationwide.
Supreme Court E-Notarization Philippines Removes Territorial Limits
Under traditional notarial practice, lawyers are strictly confined to their territorial commission, meaning a Makati notary public cannot notarize a document executed in Quezon City.
With this nationwide rollout, that geographic restriction is gone. Commissioned Electronic Notaries Public (ENPs) can now perform electronic notarial acts for principals located anywhere in the Philippines.
Filipinos residing abroad can also benefit from remote electronic notarization. As long as the signatory is physically present inside a Philippine Embassy, Consular Office, or Office of a Philippine Honorary Consul, an electronic notary in the Philippines can notarize their documents.
Two Approved Modes: In-Person and Remote Electronic Notarization
The high court has authorized two distinct digital methods to accommodate different legal requirements.
The first mode is In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN), where the signatory physically appears before the notary public while handling all documents and signatures electronically.
The second mode is Remote Electronic Notarization (REN), which allows the entire transaction to happen virtually over a live audio-video conference. Pre-recorded videos are strictly forbidden under the rules.
Both methods enforce digital identity checks, biometric verification, and tamper-evident cryptographic digital signatures.
Supreme Court-Accredited Electronic Notarization Facility Providers
Electronic notarizations cannot be done over generic platforms like Zoom or Google Meet alone. All transactions must run through an accredited Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF).
The initial batch of accredited platforms includes NotarizeIT by UNAWA, Twala by Ohelio, and QLegal by Quanby Solutions (NotarioPH).
These facilities handle end-to-end e-KYC compliance, digital certificate signing, and automated logging into the notary’s Electronic Notarial Book.
Direct Integration with Land Registration Authority and SEC
To ensure practical adoption, the Supreme Court entered into joint memorandum circulars with key government agencies, including the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This coordination guarantees that electronically notarized property deeds, corporate filings, board resolutions, and commercial agreements will be recognized without physical wet-ink dry seals.
However, traditional paper notarization remains available for physical documents with wet signatures, while notarial wills and court depositions remain excluded from e-notarization.
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