US Notarial Services and Apostille
Guzman Acain LLP provides notarization of documents intended for use in the United States, along with Apostille processing through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) — as required under the Hague Apostille Convention for Philippine documents used abroad.
Documents we commonly handle: affidavits, powers of attorney, property deeds, waivers, mortgage documents, petitions, and divorce filings for US courts.
We manage the full process — notarization and DFA Apostille — so you don’t have to coordinate between agencies. Note: DS Forms (US Department of State forms) can only be notarized at a US Embassy or Consulate and are outside our scope.
Atty. Alexander Acain Jr. was formerly accredited by the US Embassy Manila as a notary for US-bound documents until 2006, when the Embassy discontinued the program following changes in international authentication protocols.
+ FAQs
In the past, the U.S. Embassy in Manila accredited local notaries to handle documents for the United States. Attorney Alexander Llanes Acain Jr. was one such accredited notary until 2006. However, due to changes in international agreements on document authentication and legalization, the Embassy discontinued this practice in 2006.
Great news! The Philippines’ membership in the Hague Apostille Convention simplifies the process for using your notarized documents in the United States. We can notarize your documents, and once apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), they’ll be valid for use in the U.S. without further embassy approval.
Not anymore. The Hague Apostille Convention streamlines the process for using your notarized documents in the United States. While the U.S. Embassy legalization is no longer needed, an Apostille issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now required for your documents to be accepted in the U.S.
While the U.S. Embassy in Manila remains an option for document notarization, we offer a convenient alternative. Our services are particularly helpful when Embassy appointments are unavailable or if you prefer a more streamlined process.
Scheduling Your Appointment and Document Requirements:
To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend scheduling an appointment for your document notarization. Appointments can be made by emailing us at inquiries@guzmanacain.com or texting us at +639175002878.
What to Bring:
During your appointment, please bring the following:
Original documents to be notarized.
Valid government-issued ID (Passport preferred).
To expedite the process, you can:
Email us PDF copies of your documents and valid ID at least one business day before your appointment. This allows us to review them beforehand.
After Your Appointment:
We will return the original documents to you once the Apostille is obtained.
We also offer the option to send the notarized and apostilled documents directly to your closing agent in the United States via overnight courier (additional charges may apply).
No. You have to provide your own witnesses if your documents require witnesses.
