Title
Philippines joins the Apostille Convention, removing the embassy authentication step Documents can now be filed with an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone, without the embassy authentication known as the red ribbon.
- Связанные страны
- 필리핀, 한국
Content
Apostille Korea said the Philippines is recognised as a party to the Apostille Convention from the 14th, simplifying document procedures. Until now, submitting a Korean document in the Philippines required English translation, notarisation, consular legalisation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then embassy authentication. From now on the process stops at the apostille stage.
- From the 14th the Philippines is recognised as the only party to the Apostille Convention in Southeast Asia.
- Previously the process required English translation, notarisation, consular legalisation and embassy authentication, known as the red ribbon.
- The procedure is now simplified to end with the apostille issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Detailed document procedures have not yet been clarified since the announcement, so advance confirmation is needed.
What changes
An apostille allows a public document issued in one country to be used in another on the strength of foreign ministry authentication alone, without further confirmation by that country's embassy. The treaty behind it is the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. The Philippines falls under the convention from the 14th. Until now, filing a Korean document with an institution in the Philippines meant four stages: English translation, notarisation, consular legalisation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and embassy authentication. Dropping the embassy stage reduces both the time required and the procedural burden. Even so, the specific handling procedure has not been clarified since the announcement of the change.
Who is affected
According to the Philippine Department of Tourism, Koreans made up the largest group of visitors to the country last year, at about 470,000. The simplification matters most where many documents are involved, such as study abroad and emigration. Language courses, employment and marriage documents follow the same route. Apostille Korea advised anyone preparing for travel, study or emigration to the Philippines before the summer break to check the required documents and procedures in advance. Legal documents used internationally follow different requirements in each destination country, so confirming them beforehand is necessary.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Philippine apostille take effect?
The Philippines is recognised as a party to the Apostille Convention from the 14th.
Is embassy authentication no longer needed?
With accession to the convention, the process is simplified to end at the apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Detailed procedures have not yet been clarified, so the receiving institution should be consulted.
Are translation and notarisation still required?
Yes. Translating the document into the language the receiving institution requires and having that translation notarised remain necessary.
Source: 투어타임즈 · 2019-05-14