Apostille (Red Ribbon)
DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) Apostille
Authenticating your documents/certificates from DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is necessary if you plan to use them overseas.
Authentication is a process in which DFA checks and validates the authenticity of your document. Prior to 2019, DFA used to attach an authentication certificate (also known as 'red ribbon') with each validated document. DFA no longer issues 'red ribbon' certificates.
In late 2019 Philippines became a member state of Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, DFA now issues Apostille certificates instead.
Important Note: There is no difference between a Red Ribbon or an Apostille certificate. Both are considered as valid authentication certificates.
DFA Red Ribbon
DFA Apostille
An Apostille Certificate has an added benefit because your authenticated document can be used outside Philippines without requiring an Embassy / Consulate authentication in Philippines. However, this is only applicable if you use the document in a country that is a member state of the Apostille Convention.
Check the link below to find out if you live in a country that is a member state :
There are less than 90 members of Apostille Convention, which means for many countries you will still need to authenticate your document by an Embassy in Philippines first. For example, Taiwan which is not a member, requires Filipino documents used in Taiwan to be authenticated by TECO Manila (Taiwan Embassy) first.
If you are abroad and you can't get do DFA authentication yourself then DAS Philippines can easily do it on your behalf.
We'll only need three things :
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Original Certificate (e.g. Birth, Marriage, Death, CENOMAR etc.)
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Copy of Identification
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Letter of Authorization
Important Note: If you don't have an original certificate, we can get it for you. Learn more about PSA/NBI retrieval service.