City asks for Apostille services at DFA-Baguio
The city council adopted resolution no. 299, series of 2022, requesting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to authorize DFA-Baguio consular office to render Apostille services.
Authored by councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, the measure states that an Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document issued by a country that is party to the Apostille Convention to be used in another country which is also a party to the Convention.
The certificate is being issued by the authenticating units of the DFA-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) and signifies the legitimacy and authenticity of the document.
The Philippines officially became a party to the Apostille Convention on May 14, 2019 and that the DFA no longer issues Authentication Certificates (red ribbon) but instead affixes an Apostille to documents executed in the Philippines for use abroad when presented to an Apostille Convention member country.
A public document executed in Apostille contracting parties and territories that is to be used in the Philippines no longer has to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General once it is apostilled.
“However, if the country of destination of the document is not an Apostille-contracting party, documents still have to be authenticated by the concerned Foreign Embassy or Consulate General. Apostilles are strictly for the use of public documents abroad,” the resolution states.
It states that at present, the DFA Main Consular Office at ASEANA and its Consular Offices (CO) in various locations accept applications for apostilles or authentication by appointment only and that oftentimes, the slots are all taken.
“Residents of Baguio city and the Cordillera region come to DFA-Baguio CO for passporting and other consular services. They also cater to residents from neighboring municipalities and local government units. Thus, the benefits and accessibility of having apostille services available at the DFA-Baguio CO provides convenience, less cost and time,” the measure states. – Gaby B. Keith
