Notarizing documents made easy as SC launches e-notarization

National

PHYSICAL distance is set to become less of a barrier to notarizing documents as the Supreme Court launches electronic notarization on Oct. 19.

The new system will allow accredited notaries to provide services remotely, easing access to notarial services beyond the territorial jurisdictions that govern traditional notarization.

The first accredited electronic notary public facility providers are NotarizeIT by Unawa, Twala by Ohelio and QLegal by Quanby Solutions.

The rollout follows the Supreme Court’s approval in February 2025 of the rules governing e-notarization and the guidelines for accrediting electronic notary public facility providers.

According to a report by the Inquirer.net, Supreme Court Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa said the judiciary’s push to digitize notarization was partly prompted by the difficulties people encountered in accessing government services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The adoption of e-notarization is intended to make notarial services more accessible by removing the need for clients to be physically present within a notary’s traditional territorial jurisdiction, subject to applicable rules.

The initiative is part of the judiciary’s broader efforts to use technology to improve access to legal services and make transactions more convenient.

Caguioa also said the Supreme Court had begun discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs on extending e-notarization services to overseas Filipino workers.

The proposed arrangement could allow Filipinos working abroad to access notarial services without returning to the Philippines. Details of the planned implementation, however, have yet to be announced.(MyTVCebu)