Press Release
PR-039-2016

Advisory
Reminders on the Authentication of Philippine
Documents to be used Abroad

(Riyadh, 15 March 2016) – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reminds the Filipino community and other concerned clients in Saudi Arabia on some of the important rules for the authentication of documents by the Embassy (Consular Section), as follows:

1. Authentication of Documents:

All documents issued in and duly certified by competent Philippine government agencies which are to be used in Saudi Arabia and any country outside of the Philippines shall be authenticated first by the Office of Consular Affairs Authentication Division and its extension units in select Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Field Offices (Satellite Offices and Regional Consular Offices) before it is authenticated by the Embassy.

Documents issued in Saudi Arabia and by foreign Embassies, Consulates, and Missions in Saudi Arabia which will be used in the Philippines, must be authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy.

2. Filing of Applications:

A duly accomplished application form must be filed personally by the applicant, who must present at least one valid identification card (e.g. Philippine Passport) or other document of identification or through an authorized representative.

Documents of minors can be filed by immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives bearing a Special Power of Attorney issued by either of the minor’s parents and a copy of their valid identification card (e.g. Philippine Passport).

Applications may be filed on behalf of the applicant only by an authorized representative, provided that the said representative must present:

1. His/her own government issued identification card and a photocopy thereof;
2. A Special Power of Attorney; and
3. A copy of the applicant’s passport bearing the signature of the applicant.


3. Verification:

The issuance of all documents presented for authentication or for verification by the Embassy are subject to further verification from the Department of Foreign Affairs (OCA-Authentication Division), other Philippine Embassies/Consulates General/Honorary Consulates, and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs before a Certificate of Authentication is issued.

4. Certificate of Authentication:

Upon undergoing verification procedures, a Certificate of Authentication shall be issued and signed by the Consular/Signing Officer.

A Certificate of Authentication however, does not, per se, authenticate the validity/efficacy/ enforceability of the underlying documents itself.

5. Validity of the Certificate of Authentication:

The validity of a Certificate of Authentication shall follow that of the underlying document it covers. If an authenticated document has no validity date indicated, the Authentication Certificate shall be valid for only five (5) years from its date of issuance.

6. Unclaimed Authenticated Documents:

All unclaimed documents shall be disposed of after a period of three (3) months from date of release.

7. Grounds for Refusing Authentication of Documents:

The authentication of a document maybe refused for the following reasons:

1. The documents presented appears to be fake, spurious, or tampered;
2. The applicant has failed to comply with any of the requirements stated in these Rules; and,
3. There is reason to believe that the document/certificate will be used for illegal purposes and/or the use of the document/certificate will be prejudicial to the Philippine government and its interests. Such documents must first be elevated to appropriate authorities for clearance and approval prior to authentication.

Please be guided accordingly.

(END)