The Supreme Court of the Philippines officially launched electronic notarization nationwide on October 19, 2026, allowing qualified Electronic Notaries Public to notarize eligible electronic documents through accredited digital platforms. The development gives Filipino entrepreneurs, corporations, professionals, and individuals another way to complete certain legal transactions without relying exclusively on traditional, paper-based notarization.
The system operates under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC, or the Rules on Electronic Notarization, approved by the Supreme Court En Banc on February 4, 2025. The rules took effect on March 24, 2025, while the application process for lawyers seeking to become Electronic Notaries Public opened on August 10, 2026.
The nationwide launch is significant for business owners who regularly execute affidavits, contracts, corporate documents, and other instruments that require notarization. It also establishes a regulated framework for remote notarization through live videoconferencing, subject to prescribed identity verification, electronic signatures, and other safeguards.
However, electronic notarization is not the same as simply signing a PDF, uploading a document, or using an ordinary video call. The document, notary, facility, and procedure must comply with the Supreme Court’s rules.
This BusinessDiary.com.ph guide explains the launch, legal framework, eligible documents, application requirements, accredited platforms, fees, and practical implications for Philippine businesses.
Official legal references:
- Supreme Court Rules on Electronic Notarization and accreditation guidelines
- Supreme Court eNotarization portal
- Official Supreme Court FAQs
When Did Electronic Notarization Launch in the Philippines?
Electronic notarization has several important dates that business owners should distinguish.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| February 4, 2025 | The Supreme Court En Banc approved A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC and the accompanying accreditation guidelines. |
| March 9, 2025 | The Supreme Court published its announcement and the rules. |
| March 24, 2025 | The rules took effect, 15 days after publication. |
| August 10, 2026 | Applications for commissioning Electronic Notaries Public opened, and the eNotarization portal became available for applications. |
| October 13, 2026 | The Supreme Court signed joint memorandum circulars with the Land Registration Authority and Securities and Exchange Commission concerning electronically notarized documents. |
| October 19, 2026 | The Supreme Court officially launched electronic notarization nationwide. |
Sources: Supreme Court announcement, official eNotarization portal, and October 19 launch report.
Why does the October 19 launch matter?
The approval and effectivity of the rules established the legal framework, but the subsequent commissioning and accreditation processes were necessary to operationalize the system.
The October 19, 2026 launch marked the nationwide rollout of electronic notarization through commissioned Electronic Notaries Public and accredited Electronic Notarization Facilities.
For businesses, the practical development is not simply the existence of a new rule. It is the availability of an authorized electronic process for eligible documents, subject to the rules and the receiving institution’s requirements.
What Is Electronic Notarization?
Electronic notarization, also called eNotarization, is the performance of notarial acts involving electronic documents through an Electronic Notary Public (ENP) using an Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF).
The Supreme Court’s framework allows electronic notarization through two principal methods: In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN) and Remote Electronic Notarization (REN).
The system is intended to improve access to notarial services, reduce geographic barriers, and support the judiciary’s continuing digital transformation.
For example, a business owner in Mindanao who needs a qualifying electronic document notarized may be able to use an accredited facility and a commissioned Electronic Notary Public without traveling to the notary’s location.
The availability of this option does not eliminate the need to verify the document’s legal requirements or the authority of the notary and facility.
Which Electronic Notarization Platforms Are Accredited?
The October 19, 2026 nationwide launch report identified three accredited Electronic Notarization Facility providers:
- NotarizeIT by UNAWA
- TWALA by Ohelio
- QLegal by Quanby Solutions
These platforms provide the technology used for qualifying electronic notarial acts under the Supreme Court framework.
Before choosing a platform, users should verify its current accreditation and the availability of commissioned Electronic Notaries Public through the official Supreme Court eNotarization portal.
Accreditation is important because an ordinary electronic-signature service or videoconferencing application does not automatically qualify as an authorized electronic notarization facility.
What Are the Two Methods of Electronic Notarization?
1. In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN)
In-Person Electronic Notarization requires the principal and any witnesses to appear physically before the Electronic Notary Public.
The notarial act is performed electronically through the accredited facility. This differs from traditional notarization because the transaction involves an electronic document, electronic signatures, and the required digital records.
This option may be useful when the parties can meet physically but prefer an electronic document and digital notarization process.
2. Remote Electronic Notarization (REN)
Remote Electronic Notarization allows the principal and any witnesses to appear before the Electronic Notary Public through live videoconferencing using the same accredited Electronic Notarization Facility.
The facility must support the prescribed audiovisual interaction, identity verification, and security requirements.
REN may be especially useful for business owners, suppliers, corporate representatives, and contracting parties located in different Philippine cities.
An ordinary video call, emailed PDF, or pre-recorded signing video is not a substitute for the prescribed process.
Can the two methods be combined?
Yes. The rules allow IEN and REN to be combined where applicable, subject to the requirements for the electronic notarial act.
What Documents Can Be Electronically Notarized?
The Rules on Electronic Notarization cover electronic documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) or Portable Document Format Archival (PDF/A).
Depending on the applicable law and the purpose of the document, examples may include:
- Business contracts and agreements
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Documents requiring an acknowledgment
- Documents requiring an oath or jurat
- Documents requiring signature witnessing
- Other eligible electronic instruments
These are examples, not a guarantee that every document in a category qualifies. The required notarial act, the document’s legal purpose, and the receiving institution’s rules must be checked.
Which documents are excluded?
The rules expressly exclude notarial wills and depositions.
Paper documents and instruments bearing handwritten signatures or marks continue to be governed by the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice.
A scanned paper document may qualify as an electronic document in the appropriate circumstances, but scanning a document does not automatically make it eligible for electronic notarization.
What Is an Electronic Notary Public?
An Electronic Notary Public is a qualified lawyer who has been separately commissioned under the Supreme Court’s Rules on Electronic Notarization.
A lawyer who holds a traditional notarial commission does not automatically have authority to perform electronic notarization.
Qualifications and application requirements
Rule VI of the Rules on Electronic Notarization establishes eligibility requirements, including:
- Membership in the Philippine Bar in good standing, with the prescribed clearances
- Compliance with Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) and Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) requirements
- At least one year of Philippine residency and a regular place of work or business in the country
- No final conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude
Applicants must also submit the prescribed application form, personal and professional information, supporting documents, and undertakings. The rules provide for review of the application and a virtual summary hearing.
The Supreme Court’s official portal states that applications for commissioning Electronic Notaries Public opened on August 10, 2026.
Lawyers should consult the official application portal for the current documentary checklist, payment instructions, and application status.
Can Filipinos Abroad Use Electronic Notarization?
Yes, but only under the specific conditions prescribed by the rules for limited extraterritorial electronic notarization.
The Electronic Notary Public must be physically located in the Philippines. The principal must be physically present within the premises of a Philippine embassy, Philippine consular office, or Philippine Honorary Consul’s office abroad during the notarial act. A designated officer from the relevant foreign post must confirm the principal’s presence.
A person located overseas cannot assume that joining an ordinary video call with a Philippine notary is sufficient.
How Does Electronic Notarization Protect Documents?
The Supreme Court framework requires safeguards intended to protect the identity of participants, the authenticity of electronic signatures, and the integrity of notarized records.
Identity verification and authentication
Accredited facilities must provide electronic Know-Your-Customer mechanisms and multi-factor authentication consistent with applicable requirements. The rules contemplate tools such as biometrics, facial recognition, and one-time passwords, alongside safeguards against impersonation.
Electronic signatures and seals
The Electronic Notary Public must apply the official electronic signature and electronic notarial seal in accordance with the rules. A pasted image of a signature or notarial seal is not, by itself, proof of a compliant electronic notarial act.
Electronic Notarial Book
The Electronic Notary Public must maintain a chronological record of electronic notarial acts, including the required details about the document, parties, identification, date and time, fees, and circumstances of the transaction.
Data privacy and security
Electronic notarization must comply with Republic Act No. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and the applicable data-sharing guidelines.
The framework includes requirements for secure storage, record retention, and protection against unauthorized alteration or access.
Businesses should still exercise care when uploading confidential contracts, identification documents, and financial records.
What Does the Launch Mean for the LRA and SEC?
On October 13, 2026, the Supreme Court signed joint memorandum circulars with the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The October 19 launch report states that these agreements establish procedures for accepting, verifying, and processing electronically notarized documents in transactions involving the two agencies, including property-related dealings and corporate filings.
This is particularly relevant to businesses that submit corporate documents to the SEC or deal with property-related transactions involving the LRA.
However, electronic notarization does not automatically remove every filing requirement. Businesses should confirm the specific documentary, authentication, and submission requirements of the relevant agency for each transaction.
How to Have a Document Electronically Notarized
The exact steps depend on the facility and the type of notarial act. The general process is as follows.
Step 1: Prepare the document. Ensure the document is in PDF or PDF/A format and determine which notarial act is required.
Step 2: Choose an accredited facility. Verify the facility’s current accreditation using the Supreme Court’s official eNotarization portal.
Step 3: Select a commissioned Electronic Notary Public. Check the notary’s credentials and confirm that the notary can handle the required transaction.
Step 4: Complete registration and identity verification. Follow the facility’s procedures for the principal and any witnesses.
Step 5: Upload the document and supporting information. Provide the document, competent evidence of identity, and any required proof of authority.
Step 6: Complete the required appearance. Attend physically or participate through the facility’s live videoconferencing process, depending on the method selected.
Step 7: Sign or confirm the electronic signature. Follow the Electronic Notary Public’s instructions for the relevant acknowledgment, oath, jurat, or signature-witnessing procedure.
Step 8: Obtain and retain the completed document. The notary completes the Electronic Notarial Certificate and affixes the prescribed electronic signature and seal. Keep the resulting document and related transaction records securely.
For current service information, consult the Supreme Court eNotarization portal.
How Much Does Electronic Notarization Cost?
There is no single universal price for every electronic notarization transaction under the Rules on Electronic Notarization.
Rule XII provides that electronic notarial fees must follow applicable Supreme Court guidance. The rules also permit reasonable or proportionate telecommunications and incidental expenses, subject to the prescribed conditions.
The price for a particular document may depend on the applicable fee guidance, the notarial act, and permitted additional expenses.
What are the official application fees?
The accompanying Guidelines on the Accreditation of Electronic Notarization Facility Providers prescribe a ₱5,000 application fee for facility-provider accreditation and a ₱100,000 performance bond after approval, subject to the conditions in the guidelines.
These are provider-accreditation amounts, not the standard customer price for notarizing an individual document.
Lawyers applying for an Electronic Notary Public commission follow a separate application process and fee requirements. Applicants should verify the current fee and payment instructions on the official Supreme Court portal.
What Should Entrepreneurs Do Before Using Electronic Notarization?
Confirm that the receiving institution accepts the document
A compliant electronic notarial act does not automatically remove additional requirements imposed by a court, bank, government agency, registry, or contracting party.
Confirm the required format and execution process before proceeding.
Distinguish electronic signatures from notarization
An electronic signature and an electronic notarial act serve different legal functions. A digitally signed document is not automatically notarized.
Verify the provider and notary
Use an accredited Electronic Notarization Facility and a duly commissioned Electronic Notary Public. Verify current credentials through the Supreme Court’s official portal.
Keep reliable records
Retain the final notarized document, transaction references, supporting agreements, and other relevant records. This is particularly important for contracts, corporate filings, investments, loans, and property-related matters.
Protect confidential business information
Use secure systems and appropriate access controls when submitting contracts, customer details, identification documents, or other confidential information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did electronic notarization officially launch in the Philippines?
The Supreme Court officially launched electronic notarization nationwide on October 19, 2026.
When were the Supreme Court’s rules approved?
The Supreme Court En Banc approved A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC on February 4, 2025. The rules were published on March 9, 2025, and took effect on March 24, 2025.
When did applications for Electronic Notaries Public open?
Applications opened on August 10, 2026, according to the Supreme Court’s official eNotarization portal.
Which platforms were identified as accredited at the nationwide launch?
The October 19, 2026 launch report identified NotarizeIT by UNAWA, TWALA by Ohelio, and QLegal by Quanby Solutions. Check the Supreme Court’s current official directory before using a provider.
Is electronic notarization legally valid?
Yes. A notarial act performed in compliance with the Rules on Electronic Notarization has the same validity, force, and effect as an act performed under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice.
Can I have an affidavit notarized online?
A qualifying affidavit may be electronically notarized if the document and the required oath or jurat comply with the rules and the process is completed through a commissioned Electronic Notary Public using an accredited facility.
Does electronic notarization replace traditional notarization?
No. It supplements traditional notarization. Paper documents bearing handwritten signatures or marks, notarial wills, and depositions remain subject to the applicable traditional rules.
Can I use an ordinary video call?
No. Remote electronic notarization requires the prescribed process through an accredited facility, including identity verification and the required live appearance.
Where can I check the official requirements?
Visit the Supreme Court eNotarization portal and consult the full Rules on Electronic Notarization and accreditation guidelines.
Conclusion: What Electronic Notarization Means for Philippine Businesses
The nationwide launch of electronic notarization on October 19, 2026, marks an important step in the modernization of legal and business transactions in the Philippines.
Under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC, qualifying electronic documents may be notarized through a regulated process that includes in-person electronic notarization and remote electronic notarization.
For entrepreneurs, the benefits may include greater convenience, fewer geographic barriers, and a more accessible way to complete certain legal documents. The framework also provides safeguards for identity verification, electronic signatures, recordkeeping, and data protection.
The essential requirement remains compliance. Businesses should use a commissioned Electronic Notary Public and an accredited facility, confirm the document’s eligibility, and verify the receiving institution’s requirements before relying on electronic notarization.
Official references
- Supreme Court of the Philippines, A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC, Rules on Electronic Notarization, February 4, 2025.
- Supreme Court of the Philippines, Guidelines on the Accreditation of Electronic Notarization Facility Providers.
- Supreme Court of the Philippines, eNotarization portal.
- Supreme Court of the Philippines, Official FAQs on electronic notarization.
- Republic Act No. 10173, Data Privacy Act of 2012.
- A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice.
- Nationwide launch report, October 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and business education. It is not legal advice. Requirements may depend on the document, the applicable law, and the receiving institution. Consult a qualified Philippine lawyer or the relevant government office for advice about a specific transaction.
