Supreme court rolls out eNotarization nationwide

New system allows qualified documents to be notarized online or in person anywhere in the Philippines.

Getting documents notarized may soon become much more convenient for Filipinos.

The Supreme Court has introduced electronic notarization, or eNotarization, a new system that allows electronic documents to be notarized by accredited Electronic Notary Publics (ENPs) anywhere in the country.

Under the 2025 Rules on Electronic Notarization, documents in PDF or PDF/A format may now be notarized electronically, expanding access to notarial services while maintaining the legal safeguards required for notarized documents.

Unlike traditional notarization, which is governed by the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice and generally limits notaries to clients within their territorial jurisdiction, eNotarization allows accredited ENPs to provide services to principals across the Philippines. The system also permits limited extraterritorial notarization in certain cases provided under the rules.

The Supreme Court said the new framework is designed to make notarization more accessible and flexible by allowing signatories to appear before the ENP in three ways: physically, remotely through videoconferencing, or through a combination of both.

The process begins with the preparation of an electronic document in PDF or PDF/A format. The principal and any required witnesses must then create or log into an accredited Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF), while the ENP logs into the same platform to conduct the notarization session.

During the session, the ENP verifies the identities of the parties and confirms that they are voluntarily signing the document. Once completed, the electronic document is notarized through the ENF and is automatically transmitted to the Supreme Court’s Central Notarial Database.

The judiciary said the initiative aims to modernize the country’s notarial system by reducing geographical barriers and giving the public greater flexibility in securing legally recognized notarized documents.

The Supreme Court has also launched an Electronic Notary Services Microsite containing the full text of the 2025 Rules on Electronic Notarization, user guides, and other updates. An online helpdesk has likewise been set up to receive questions and concerns from the public.

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