The Supreme Court of the Philippines has taken a groundbreaking step toward modernizing legal services by approving the Rules on Electronic Notarization (E-Notarization Rules). This reform, which aims to enhance accessibility and efficiency in notarial services nationwide, is a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation efforts.

Under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC, the Supreme Court En Banc has approved both the E-Notarization Rules and the Guidelines on the Accreditation of Electronic Notarization Facility Providers (Accreditation Guidelines). A key feature of these new rules is the introduction of Electronic Notaries Public (ENPs), who are now authorized to perform notarial acts for individuals across the Philippines and, in certain cases, even those abroad.

This reform addresses the limitations of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, which restricted notaries public to performing notarizations only within their respective territorial jurisdictions. By expanding the jurisdiction of ENPs, the Supreme Court ensures that individuals, particularly those in remote and underserved areas, have better access to notarial services.

The updated framework introduces three forms of electronic notarization:

• In-Person Electronic Notarization, where both principals and witnesses must be physically present.
• Remote Electronic Notarization, which allows principals and witnesses to connect virtually to an ENP via videoconferencing.
• Mixed In-Person and Remote Notarization, which accommodates a combination of physical and virtual presence.

To ensure security and compliance, the new rules implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), incorporating facial recognition, biometrics, and one-time passwords. These measures align with regulations set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Additionally, the integrity of the electronic notarial book is safeguarded against tampering, and all data stored within Electronic Notarization Facilities (ENFs) are protected under the Data Privacy Act.

The E-Notarization Rules apply exclusively to electronic documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) or Portable Document Format Archival (PDF/A). Traditional paper documents, including those with handwritten signatures, notarial wills, and depositions, will continue to follow the 2004 Notarial Rules.

Twala’s Role in Shaping the Future of E-Notarization

Twala, a leading innovator in secure digital transactions, is proud to have been part of this transformative process. Since 2020, Twala has worked closely with the Supreme Court’s Technical Working Group^[1], providing insights and technical expertise in the development of the E-Notarization Rules. Twala has consistently advocated for the integration of advanced cryptographic technology into legal processes. The platform’s tamper-proof digital signature solutions ensure document authenticity and integrity, reinforcing trust in electronic notarization.

About twenty-five years ago, the Philippine Congress empowered the Supreme Court (SC) to issue rules to allow for electronic notarization in the country. There is reason to be optimistic that the time for e-notarization has finally come.^[2]

“Electronic notarization, when allowed, will complete the legal framework for digitalization of documents in the country.” ^[2] Atty. Third Bago, a lawyer and Twala’s Co-Founder & General Counsel said in an article. According to him, this long-awaited development is a testament to the Supreme Court’s commitment to digitalization and efficiency in legal processes.

The collaboration between the Supreme Court and technology providers like Twala marks a significant step forward in the country’s legal digital transformation. By leveraging modern technology, including advanced cryptographic technology, electronic notarization is set to unlock billions in value for both the private and public sectors, offering a more efficient, accessible, and secure way of verifying and authenticating documents.

As the E-Notarization Rules take effect 15 days after their publication on March 9, 2025, Twala remains committed to supporting the Supreme Court and other stakeholders in ensuring a seamless transition to a more digital and secure notarization system in the Philippines.

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^[1]Twala. (2023, May 10).Supreme Court Collaborate to Establish Legal Framework for Electronic Notarization. https://www.twala.io/blogs/twala-and-philippine-supreme-court-collaborate-to-establish-legal-framework-for-electronic-notarization

^[2]Bagro, Herminio III. (2024, March 21). Making E-Notarization Possible. Twala. https://www.twala.io/blogs/making-e-notarization-possible