The practical guide
Your first e-notarization: the complete walkthrough
Every step, in order, from turning your document into a PDF to downloading the sealed file — including the mistakes that get sessions cancelled.
Last reviewed
Quick answer
Prepare a PDF (unsigned if it needs a jurat), get a valid unexpired government ID, create your own account on a platform, pass the identity check, join the session, sign on camera, and download the sealed document. Allow about an hour end to end.
Before you start
- A valid, unexpired government ID with your photo and signature
- The document as a PDF
- A device with a working camera and microphone
- Internet fast enough for HD video — at least 2 Mbps
- A quiet, private room
- A digital payment method
Want this as a tickable list tailored to your situation? Use the readiness checklist.
Phase A — Prepare
- Turn the document into a PDF. PDF or PDF/A. If your only copy is paper, a good scan counts as an electronic document.
- Work out which act you need. Acknowledgment ("I signed this") or jurat ("I swear the contents are true")? The eligibility checker will tell you.
- Do not pre-sign a jurat document. For a jurat you must sign live, in view of the e-notary. If you are unsure, leave it unsigned — you can always sign during the session.
Phase B — Book
- Create your own account on a platform. Every participant needs their own. Not one account for the family, not one for the office. Each person is separately identity-verified, and that is the whole point.
- Pass identity verification. You will photograph your ID and then your own face. The app will ask you to turn your head or blink — that is liveness detection, checking a real person is present rather than a photo. It feels strange the first time. It is normal.
- Choose your mode. In-person (IEN) or by video (REN).
- Get matched with an e-notary. The Supreme Court's own FAQ describes something close to ride-hailing: you can be matched with an available Electronic Notary Public, or schedule a particular one.
- Check what you will pay before you upload anything — including VAT and any per-signatory charge.
Phase C — The session
- Everyone joins on camera and stays there. The whole session. Pre-recorded video is strictly prohibited.
- The e-notary verifies your identity against the ID you submitted.
- They confirm you are in the Philippines. Turn any VPN off — it will be detected and blocked, and using one to fake location is a punishable act.
- They check you are acting voluntarily, and that you understand the document. Answer honestly. If someone is pressuring you, say so.
- They confirm it is the same document you uploaded.
- You sign in full view of the camera if the act requires it.
- Decide about the recording. It is optional and exists for your benefit. Ask before the session if you want a copy.
Phase D — After
- The electronic notarial certificate is attached, stating whether it was IEN or REN and carrying the e-notary's full credentials.
- The electronic seal is applied — name, roll number, "Electronic Notary Public", and a QR or bar code that allows verification.
- The entry appears in the Electronic Notarial Book automatically: parties, IDs used, fee, mode, timestamps.
- A PDF/A copy goes to the Supreme Court's Central Notarial Database. (Not yet confirmed operational — during the transitional period e-notaries file monthly reports instead.)
- Download your document and verify it. See verify a document.
- Keep the file and the e-receipt together. Do not rely on the platform keeping it for you.
What can go wrong
| What happens | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Your ID is rejected | It is expired, or has no signature | Use a current ID with photo and signature |
| The session will not start | Someone is abroad, at home | See the OFW guide |
| You are blocked at the location check | A VPN is running | Turn it off. Faking location is punishable |
| A jurat is refused | The document was pre-signed | Re-do it unsigned and sign live |
| Two people share one login | Each participant needs their own account | Everyone registers separately |
| The e-notary declines | They may refuse when something does not add up | That is their duty, not rudeness. Ask what is missing |
Time and cost
Allow about an hour: 15–30 minutes for the account and identity check the first time, then 15–30 minutes for the session itself.
On price: there is no official Supreme Court fee schedule for e-notarization services yet. E-notaries may charge, may waive fees, and may pass on reasonable telecommunication or incidental costs. For reference, a walk-in affidavit is commonly ₱100–₱500 depending on the city, and one online platform publishes ₱488 per document including VAT. Compare properly with the cost estimator.
Where to go next
- Readiness checklist — printable, tailored to your session
- IDs and requirements — which IDs count
- Verify a document — check the seal
- Platforms — the maintained list, with verification status
Common questions
Answered in the language they are asked in.
Kailangan ko pa bang lumabas ng bahay?Filipino
Kung REN, hindi — video call lang, basta nasa Pilipinas ka. Kung IEN, oo, pero ang dokumento ay PDF pa rin.
Pwede bang isang account lang kaming mag-asawa?Filipino
Hindi. Bawat tao, sariling account. Bawat isa ay hiwalay na ineberipika ang identity — iyon ang buong punto ng sistema.
What if my internet cuts out mid-session?
The session pauses. The Rules require continuous synchronous video, so it cannot simply carry on without you. Reconnect, or reschedule. Use the most stable connection you have.
Can the e-notary refuse me?
Yes, and sometimes they must — if identity cannot be established, if you seem to be acting under pressure, or if the document appears irregular. That protection is the reason notarization is worth anything.
Tatanggapin ba ito ng bangko o ng LTO?Filipino
Legally, pareho ang bigat nito sa traditional notarization. Sa praktika, wala pang opisyal na anunsyo ang karamihan ng ahensya. Tingnan ang rollout tracker, at tanungin muna ang tanggapan bago ka umasa.
Sources
We are not a provider. This is an independent educational website. We do not notarize documents, we are not an accredited Electronic Notarization Facility, and we are not affiliated with the Supreme Court or with any platform listed here. We cannot notarize, process or verify anything for you.
Not legal advice. General legal information only — not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a Philippine lawyer or notary public.