Notary of documents
Guzman Acain LLP offers notary services for various documents intended for use within the United States. These commonly include affidavits, powers of attorney, property deeds (grant, quitclaim, and warranty), waivers, mortgage documents, petitions, and divorce filings for U.S. courts. Following the Hague Apostille Convention, all document executed and notarized in the Philippines for use in the US require an Apostille for official recognition. We can also notarize other documents upon request.
Streamlined Process: We can handle the entire process for you, including notarization and Apostille issuance through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). This saves you time and ensures a smooth experience.
Please note: We are unable to notarize Department of State forms (DS Forms) as these can only be notarized by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Contact Us:
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We are happy to assist you.
+ 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.
