FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

You can register an account on the Philippine Judiciary Platform (PJP) through https://portal.judiciary.gov.ph/Login.

Once on the page, click the tile labeled "Create an account" and provide the required information.

Members of the Philippine Bar intending to register with the PJP should prepare the following for account registration:

• Latest unretouched photo

• Government-issued ID (front and back)

• Company ID or another government-issued ID (front and back).

Please ensure that each file does not exceed 25 MB to allow successful uploading to the PJP.

Yes, registration with the PJP is not exclusive to PJ365 email addresses. Anyone may register using a valid and professional email address.

An email address is considered valid if it follows the [local-part]@[domain] format and can receive emails from other senders, including those outside its own domain.

No, you do not need to create a new account. You can use your existing BARISTA credentials to log in to the PJP and access eNotary.

Ensure that you are using the correct email address and password registered with the PJP. If you still cannot access the system:

• Clear your browser cache and try again.

• Try using a different browser (e.g., Chrome or Edge).

If the issue persists, contact [insert office name] at [insert contact details] to verify your account status or request a password reset.

The PJP is equipped with a “Forgot Password” option that allows users to recover their passwords by answering security questions.

Issues concerning JePS may be reported through its dedicated Helpdesk:

Telephone Nos.: 8525-7164 / 8525-7157

Email Address: jeps.support@judiciary.gov.ph 

Electronic notarization is the performance of notarial acts, such as acknowledgment, affirmations or oath, and jurat, by an Electronic Notary Public using Electronic Notarization Facility and involving electronic documents.   

The Rules on eNotarization cover the following acts: (a) Acknowledgment by Electronic Means (Section 1, Rule IV); (b) Affirmation or Oath by Electronic Means (Section 2, Rule IV); (c) Jurat by Electronic Means (Section 3, Rule IV); and (d) Signature Witnessing by Electronic Means (Section 4, Rule IV). 

Notarial wills and deposition taking are excluded.  

An official designated and authorized by the Supreme Court to issue electronic notarial commissions to qualified applicants for electronic notaries public and to exercise such powers and functions as may be prescribed by the Rules and the Guidelines.

For the initial implementation of the Rules and Guidelines on Electronic Notarization, the Supreme Court has designated the Office of the Bar Confidant to act as the interim Electronic Notary Services (ENS).

The ENS shall be responsible for the following:

1.  Commissioning and Supervision of Electronic Notaries Public (ENPs);

2.  Accreditation of  Electronic Notarization Facilities (ENFs); and

3.  Management of Supreme Court Central Notarial Database (SC Central Database).

Yes. The implementation of electronic notarization provides an alternative method for notarizing documents and does not replace traditional notarization.

Traditional notarization remains in effect and continues to be legally recognized. Notarization of paper documents and instruments with handwritten signature or marks shall continue to be governed by the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice.

The Rules on eNotarization cover electronic documents, which refer to documents or instruments in Portable Document Format (PDF) or Portable Document Archival (PDF/A) format. These may include scanned copies of paper documents or instruments.  

However, notarial wills and depositions, even if in PDF or PDF/A format, are not covered by the Rules on eNotarization and cannot be the subject of electronic notarial acts.  

Notarial wills, depositions, and as well as paper documents and instruments shall continue to be governed by A.M. No. 02-8-13 or the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (2004 Notarial Rules).  

Yes. The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice remain in effect and continue to govern the notarization of paper documents and instruments with wet signatures (signatures made with ink on paper). 

The Rules on eNotarization did not replace or amend, but only supplement, the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. 

If your document is in electronic form and in PDF or PDF/A format, it should be notarized by an ENP.  

If your document is paper-based with wet signatures and markings, it must be notarized by a traditional notary public.  

The Rules on eNotarization allow the performance of In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN), Remote Electronic Notarization (REN), or a combination of both. 

IEN refers to the notarization of electronic documents using the ENF, where the principal and witnesses, if any, physically appear before the ENP. 

REN refers to the notarization of electronic documents using the ENF, where the principal and witnesses, if any, appear before the ENP through videoconferencing.  

REN is used when all parties and witnesses, if any, to an electronic document are located remotely and cannot physically appear before the ENP. In REN, the parties can simultaneously appear before the ENP using the videoconferencing facility of the ENF in a single notarial transaction. Under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, this would have required each of the parties to physically appear before the notary public in their respective location to have the paper document notarized in counterparts.  

IEN is appropriate when all parties and witnesses, if any, to an electronic document can physically appear before the ENP. This is similar to the traditional notarization under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, but it involves the notarization of electronic document, which can only be done using ENF.  

A combination of REN and IEN is appropriate when some parties and witnesses, if any, are not capable of physically appearing before the ENP, while others can.  

An ENF is an application or software that is developed to facilitate the performance of electronic notarial acts. Under the Rules on eNotarization, only ENFs accredited by the Supreme Court may be used for electronic notarization.   

Each party (i.e. both the principals and witnesses, if any) must create their own accounts with their chosen ENF(s). The specific process will depend on how each ENF operates. ENF providers will supply instructional videos and materials for guidance.   

No. Witnesses must also create and use their own ENF accounts because the identity and credentials of each participant are verified by the ENF prior to performing the notarial act. This procedure ensures the integrity of the notarial transaction.   

With respect to choosing ENFs, users may select any Supreme Court-accredited ENF and create accounts with as many as they wish. 

With respect to choosing ENPs, principals can be randomly paired with an available ENP through their chosen ENF, similar to how ride-hailing apps work. 

Alternatively, principals may schedule a session with their preferred ENP and use the ENF where that ENP is available, much like how online health consultation apps operate. 

The detailed process for choosing and scheduling a session with an ENP will be explained in the ENF’s instructional videos and materials. 

No. There is no need to be in the same locality as the ENP, since ENPs are authorized to perform REN for principals located anywhere in the Philippines.   

Yes. ENPs are also authorized to perform REN for principals located outside the Philippines, provided that at the time of the electronic notarial act: (a) the principal is within the premises of a Philippine embassy, consular office, or office of a Philippine Honorary Consul; and (b) a designated officer from these foreign posts confirms the principal’s presence.   

This limited extraterritorial performance of REN may not be available in certain jurisdictions due to physical and legal restrictions abroad.

The ENFs are equipped with geolocation functionality to detect user locations. They also have the capacity to identify and disable the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or other technologies intended to alter the actual location of users. Under the Rules on eNotarization, the use of VPN or similar programs and extensions to change a party's location is a punishable act.  

In addition to these technologies, the ENPs may also require the parties to pan their cameras during the video session to confirm their location. 

As in the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, electronic documents requiring a jurat must be electronically signed in the presence of the ENP. Therefore, such documents should not be signed before uploading to the ENF.  

Meanwhile, electronic documents requiring acknowledgment, affirmation, or oath may be signed before uploading to the ENF. In case of pre-signed documents, the principal must confirm to the ENP that the electronic signature on the electronic document is theirs. 

Yes. Scanned copies of paper documents with wet signatures are considered electronic documents for purposes of the Rules on eNotarization.  

However, pre-signed electronic documents are acceptable only for acknowledgement, affirmation, or oath.

The creation and retention of the audiovisual (AV) recordings are at the discretion of, and for the benefit of, the principals. Therefore, the principal should signify his or her request to create an AV recording before the start of the electronic notarial act.  

The creation and downloading of AV recordings are similar to how a videoconference is recorded and downloaded using videoconferencing apps. 

Yes. Any notarial act performed in accordance with the Rules on eNotarization shall have the same validity, force, and effect, and may be relied upon to the same extent as any other notarial act performed under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice.   

An ENP is a notary public who is commissioned under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC of the “Rules on Electronic Notarization” (Rules on eNotarization) and authorized to perform electronic notarial acts as prescribed under said rules.   

1. Must be a Member of the Philippine Bar in good standing;

2. Must be compliant with the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) and Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS);

3. Must be a resident in the Philippines for at least one (1) year;

4. Must maintain a regular place of work or business anywhere in the Philippines; and 

5. Must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.

1. Passport-sized Photo (must have been taken within 30 days prior to the filing of the application);

2. Proof of Payment of Application Fee (Judiciary ePayment System [JePS] Payment Receipt);

3. Certificate of Good Standing issued by the OBC;

4. Certificate of No Pending Case issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP);

5. Affidavit of Undertaking to Execute Notarial Acts in accordance with eNotarization Rules;

6. Affidavit of Undertaking to comply with the eNotarization Data Sharing Guidelines;

7. Digital copy of Electronic Notarial Seal; and

8. Electronic Facility Provider Certification. 

1. Account Registration with the Philippine Judiciary Platform (PJP);

2. Access the eNotary Portal;

3. Complete the eNotary Application Form and upload the required documents;

4. Submit the eNotary Application;

5. Processing of the eNotary Application;

6. Posting of Notice and conduct of Virtual Summary Hearing; including any opposition;

7. ENA's action on the eNotary Application (approval or denial); and

8. Issuance of the Electronic Notarial Commission (ENC), if approved.

A commissioned ENP is authorized to perform electronic notarial acts: 

1. For principals located anywhere in the Philippines; and

2. For principals located outside the Philippines provided that the following conditions are met: 

a. The ENP is physically located in the Philippines; and

b. The Principal, at the time of the performance of the electronic notarial act, is within the premises of any of the embassies of the Philippines, Philippine consular offices, or offices of Philippine Honorary Consuls abroad. 

Every applicant shall pay the fee prescribed by the Supreme Court. 

Please refer to this [LINK] for the relevant fees relating to the Rules on Electronic Notarization.

The electronic notarial commission shall be valid for a period of two years commencing from the first day of January of the year in which the commissioning was made, unless earlier revoked or the ENP has resigned under the Rules and Rule 139 of the Rules of Court; provided that upon the granting of the ENC, the successful applicant shall be duly authorized to commence and perform acts of an ENP effective from the date of their commission; provided, further, that in the event the ENC is granted at any time after this first day of January of the first year of the commission, the remaining period from the date of commission to the end of such year shall be nevertheless calculated and considered as one full year.

No. A notarial commission under the 2004 Notarial Rules is different from an Electronic Notarial Commission under the Rules on eNotarization. To perform electronic notarial acts, one must apply for, and be issued, an Electronic Notarial Commission by the Electronic Notary Administrator (ENA).

No. Having an existing notarial commission under the 2004 Notarial Rules is not a pre-requisite for the issuance of an Electronic Notarial Commission.

No. All the limitations on jurisdiction under the 2004 Notarial Rules will apply to traditional notarization, or the notarization of paper documents or instruments with wet signatures.

The Rules on eNotarization do not amend the 2004 Notarial Rules.

Applicants may use any type of electronic signature allowed in Section 4(m), Rule I. After they are commissioned as ENPs, however, they will be required to use either a “Digital Signature” or a “Secure Electronic Signature,” as defined in the Rules, in the performance of electronic notarial acts.

Applicants may use any type of electronic signature allowed in Section 4(m), Rule I. After they are commissioned as ENPs, however, they will be required to use either a “Digital Signature” or a “Secure Electronic Signature,” as defined in the Rules, in the performance of electronic notarial acts.

The ENP should ensure that the conditions under Section 5, Rule IV are present. Thus, the ENP should: (a) ask the principal where he or she is located; (b) require the principal to pan the video to confirm the principal’s declared location; and (c) request an officer from the foreign post to confirm principal’s presence within their premises.

If all the requirements under the rules are satisfied, the electronic notarial transaction may proceed as usual. If not, the ENP can refuse to complete the notarial transaction. The refusal to proceed with the electronic notarial act shall be recorded in the Electronic Notarial Book pursuant to Section 2(b), Rule VIII.

Yes. During the Transitional Period, the period from the date of effectivity of the Rules on eNotarization until the date when the Supreme Court Central Notarial Database, is established and becomes operational – the ENP shall forward to the ENA, through its dedicated email address (ENTER EMAIL ADDRESS):

(a)         a certified electronic copy of the Electronic Notarial Book with the month’s entries; and

(b)        copies of the corresponding notarized electronic documents

If there is no entry to certify for the month, the ENP shall email to the ENA a statement to this effect in lieu of the required certified copies .

The ENP should comply with this reportorial requirement within the first 10 days of the month immediately following (e.g., for the month of January, the ENP is required to submit a certified electronic copy of the Electronic Notarial Book and the copies of the documents notarized in January on or before February 10).

This obligation to transmit these files will cease after the Supreme Court Central Notarial Database is established and becomes operational because the transmission of the documents from the ENF to the SC Central Notarial Database will be automatic.

No. The creation and retention of the AV recordings of the electronic notarial act are at the discretion, and for the benefit of, the principals. The ENPs are under no obligation to create and retain AV recordings.

The ENPs are required to retain copies of the electronically notarized documents for the duration of their commission, unless a court of competent jurisdiction orders the retention for a longer period.

The ENPs are also required to store a duplicate copy of the Electronic Notarial Book until the expiration of their commission.

A natural or juridical person that provides any secure digital tool, device, system, application, and technology solution with sufficient capabilities for electronic notarization as specified under the Rules and the Guidelines.

1. Must be duly registered with one of the following (depending on business type):

a. Department of Trade and Industry for sole proprietorship;

b. Cooperative Development Authority for cooperatives; or

c. Securites and Exchange Commission for corporations and partnerships.

2. Must have an ENF that has the General Features as prescribed in the Rules and Guidelines. 

• The accredited ENF Provider must ensure that availing ENPs have access to information on all available functions and features of its ENF and an instructional video(s) on how to use the same.

3. Must execute a Data Outsourcing Agreement with the Supreme Court.

1. Proof of Payment of Application Fee (Judiciary ePayment System [JePS] Payment Receipt);

2. Certificate of Registration from DTI, CDA, or SEC;

3. Data Outsourcing Agreement with SC;

4. Proof of Payment of Performance Bond 

To qualify for accreditation, the ENF should have the following general features:

a. allows the performance of both IEN and/or REN for every notarial act as defined in this Rules;

b. possesses e-KYC mechanisms that are consistent with the pertinent issuances of the BSP;

c. possesses MFA mechanism, such as but not limited to facial recognition, biometrics, OTP, and such other technology or  identity verification mechanism that are consistent with the pertinent issuances of the BSP;

d. possesses liveness detection, anti-spoofing technology, or such other technology capable of detecting a presentation attack and of determining whether the person virtually appearing before the ENP through the ENF is a live person and not a spoof;

e. allows the creation and affixing of (i) electronic signature and Electronic Notarial Seal of the ENPs and (ii) electronic signatures of principals and witnesses;

f. allows secure uploading, downloading, viewing, and transmission of electronic documents - including, but not limited to electronically notarized documents, identification cards, and proof of authority to sign in a representative capacity - before, during, and after the notarial act;

g. allow all parties to view electronic documents simultaneously and affix their electronic signatures and electronic seal in real time;

h. allows the parties, in the performance of REN, to communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound through videoconference with a minimum resolution of 1280x720 pixels (HD) and informs all users that the minimum required internet speed for electronic notarization is 2 mbps per user;

i. possesses geolocation functionality and is capable of identifying and disabling the use of VPNs or other technology calculated to alter the actual location of the users in the performance of REN;

j. prevents the ENP from using the ENF to perform electronic notarial acts outside the Philippines except limited extraterritorial performance thereof under Section 5, Rule IV;

k. allows the principal(s) to create and download the audiovisual recordings of the performance of REN;

l. where applicable, prompt all parties that the performance of REN shall be recorded;

m. prompts all parties that their personal information shall be collected and processed in accordance with Republic Act No.  10173 or the "Data Privacy Act of 2012" and shall be shared with the Supreme Court in accordance with the Electronic Notarization Data Sharing Guidelines;

n. allows the creation and maintenance of an Electronic Notarial Book, which shall be automatically populated in chronological order, properly referenced, and indexed by the ENF upon completion of an electronic notarial act with the required details under Section 2, Rule VIII;

o. possesses storage and retention facilities for electronically notarized documents, Electronic Notarial Books, and the audiovisual recordings of the performance of REN;

p. is capable of integration with the Supreme Court Central Notarial Database for purposes of (i) automatic transmission of electronically notarized documents; (ii) automatic submission or syncing of the Electronic Notarial Book; and (iii) verification of ENPs and ENFs credentials after the Transitional Period as defined in the Rules;

q. is capable of converting or producing electronically notarized documents in PDF/A format or in such format that is compliant with ISO standards and appropriate for long-time archiving;

r. facilitates digital payments and issuance of electronic official receipts for the performance of electronic notarial acts;

 s. adopts technological security measures that are considered tamper-evident, such as but not limited to end-to-end  encryption,  as certified and declared acceptable by the Supreme Court, including digital infrastructure used by the government;

t. possesses a system or mechanism for verifying or validating whether an electronically notarized document is authentic or is otherwise tampered with;

u. restricts access of ENPs with expired, canceled, or revoked commissions and access of principals and witnesses with expired or invalid competent evidence of identity;

v. maintains a back-up of all Electronic Notarial Books in a separate database, which must be updated in real time;

w. complies with Republic Act No. 10173 or the "Data Privacy Act of 2012" and is duly registered with the National Privacy Commission (NPC);

x. provides comprehensive instructional materials on how to navigate and troubleshoot the ENF and certifies whether the individual applying for an electronic notarial commission has studied said instructional materials;

y. guarantees 99.9% uptime except for maintenance operations; provided that advance notice shall be given to all stakeholders prior to the conduct of maintenance operations, including the duration of the same;

z. allows the ENA or any other officer authorized by the Supreme Court to access information relating to the ENP's commission and the electronically notarized documents, subject to the provisions of the Electronic Notarization Data Sharing Guidelines; and

aa. provides such other support facilities and features that may be required by the ENA or the Supreme Court through suppletory issuances.

An ENF Provider shall pay the application fee of PHP 5,000.00 through the Judiciary e-Payment Solution. No application shall be processed without the payment of the required fee. Should the provider subsequently withdraw the application before the same is approved/renewed, the fee shall be deemed forfeited.

Within five day from the notice of approval, the successful ENF Provider shall deposit cash amounting to PHP 100,000.00 with the Supreme Court Cashier under the fiduciary account with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in the name of the ENA. The Certificate shall not be released until the posting of the bond.

The cash deposit shall answer for any monetary penalty that may be imposed by the Court on the Accredited Provider upon due investigation. Should the cash bond be reduced due to the imposition of any penalty, the Accredited Provider shall replenish the same within 15 days from notice.

The Certificate shall be valid for three years from the date of approval of the application or until revoked.

The ENP shall maintain only one account per ENF, but the ENP may utilize as many accredited ENFs as desired.

The qualifications under Section 1, Rule III of the Guidelines shall also be required for the renewal of accreditation of Accredited Providers. The Accredited Providers shall apply for the renewal of accreditation within 30 days prior to the expiration of the existing accreditation.

The Accredited Providers shall also pay a renewal fee of PHP 5,000.00. No application for renewal shall be processed without the payment of the required fee.

If the Accredited Provider chooeses to pre-terminate or choose not to renew their accreditation, they shall first give notice to their enrolled ENPs at least one month prior to filing a letter-request to the ENA.

The Accredited Provider is mandated to ensure the receipt of notice by all their enrolled ENPs and, upon the latter's request, assist in the transition to another Accredited Provider with respect to the migration of electronic documents, Electronic Notarial Books, any video recordings, and other relevant data. In no case shall the terminating or non-renewing ENFP keep, make a copy, transfer, or use in any manner for themselves or any person other than the concerned ENPs or the ENA the electronic documents, Electronic Notarial Books, and video recordings in their possession.

The letter-request to the ENA shall be accompanied by a list of names of all enrolled ENPs and proof of receipt of notice.

Upon submission of the requirements, the ENA shall issue in favor of the Accredited Provider an authority to withdraw their outstanding cash deposit from the Supreme Court Cashier, which, in turn, shall prepare the necessary voucher for the withdrawal of the fund from the LBP.