Remote Online Notarization: ID Verification in PH
Remote online notarization in the Philippines is governed by the Supreme Court’s Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC), promulgated in February 2025. Signers can appear before a notary by videoconference, but only through an accredited Electronic Notarization Facility, and the notary must confirm each signer’s identity through that platform’s verification tools. In practice, that means checking a government ID, confirming a live person, and matching the face to the ID.
How Remote Online Notarization Works in the Philippines
For decades, notarization meant one thing: the signer stood in front of the notary with an ID. The 2025 rules keep that principle but allow two electronic forms. They cover electronic documents only, including scanned copies saved as PDF or PDF/A, so paper documents still follow the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. In addition, a notary needs a separate commission as an Electronic Notary Public before notarizing electronically.
| Mode | How the signer appears | Document format |
|---|---|---|
| In-person electronic notarization (IEN) | Physically before the notary, signing electronically | Electronic document on an accredited platform |
| Remote electronic notarization (REN) | By live videoconference from another location | Electronic document on an accredited platform |
Both modes run on an Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF), a platform the Supreme Court accredits. So a notary cannot simply use any video app; the session, the signing, and the identity checks all happen inside the ENF. Electronic notarial acts carry the same legal effect as traditional ones, according to legal commentaries on the rules.
For users, the change is large. An OFW in Dubai, for instance, can sign a special power of attorney without flying home or queuing at a consulate. Similarly, a buyer in Davao can close a property deal with a Manila developer without travelling.
Identity Requirements for Notarization
The identity standard did not start in 2025. Under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, a notary needs “competent evidence of identity” before notarizing. That means at least one current ID from an official agency bearing the signer’s photo and signature, or the sworn word of credible witnesses who know the signer.
Remote notarization keeps that duty but moves it online. Commentaries on the rules explain that the notary verifies the principal and any witnesses using the ENF’s identity verification mechanisms, and that ENFs must meet technical standards that include multi-factor identity checks. Therefore, the platform carries much of the weight that a notary’s own eyes used to carry.
- Who must be verified: every principal, and every witness who takes part.
- When: before the notarial act, typically at account creation and again at the session.
- What the notary still does: confirm identity, confirm the signer acts voluntarily, and record the act.
Since the official text sets the exact steps, ENF providers should map each requirement to a control and keep the mapping current as the Supreme Court issues guidance.
Confirming the Signer Over Video
Over video, a notary cannot touch the ID card or judge its weight and feel. So the platform has to do three things a person at a desk used to do by instinct.
- Prove the ID is real. First, the signer photographs a government ID, and the platform looks up its details in official sources. A good-looking fake fails here, because no matching record exists.
- Prove a live person is present. Next, a liveness check shows that a real human sits in front of the lens, rather than a photo, a mask, or a replayed clip.
- Prove the person owns the ID. Then face matching scores how closely the signer resembles the ID portrait.
Only after all three pass should the session move to the notary. The notary then confirms voluntariness on video, which is a human judgment no software should replace.
Verihubs ID Verification performs the first step for Philippine IDs, validating PhilSys, LTO, SSS, and NBI data against official databases. Meanwhile, its biometric checks cover presence and face matching. ENF providers can embed both through an API or SDK, so signers verify once before they join the video session.
Fraud Risks: Impostors, Deepfakes, and Forged IDs
Fake notarization has long fueled land grabs and forged powers of attorney in the Philippines. Remote sessions open new routes for the same crimes, while also giving platforms better tools to stop them.
| Risk | How it shows up remotely | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Impostor signer | Someone signs as the property owner using a stolen ID | Record lookup plus face match to the ID portrait |
| Deepfake video | A synthetic face replaces the real signer on camera | Liveness detection and injection attack checks |
| Forged ID | An edited ID image with altered name or photo | Official database lookup, not visual inspection alone |
| Coerced signer | A real owner signs under pressure off camera | Notary questioning on video and session recording |
Deepfakes deserve particular care, since a videoconference is exactly the channel they target. Our report on deepfake fraud explains how attackers inject fake video into a call. Likewise, our guide to fake ID detection shows why database checks beat visual review.
Record-Keeping for Notarial Acts
A notary’s register has always been the proof that a notarial act took place. In electronic notarization, the ENF holds much of that evidence digitally. That is why good records cover both the act and the identity checks behind it.
- Identity evidence: the ID images, record lookup result, liveness result, and face match result, each with a timestamp.
- Session evidence: the video recording, participants, and the notary’s confirmation of voluntariness.
- Document evidence: the signed electronic document and its integrity record.
- Access control: who on the platform can view each record, and for how long.
Identity data and session recordings are personal information. So ENFs and notaries must also meet the Data Privacy Act’s rules on notice, security, and retention, which our article on privacy duties in KYC covers.
Documents Commonly Notarized Remotely
Remote sessions suit documents where the signer is far away and the stakes justify a formal act. Typically, these include:
- Special powers of attorney, often signed by OFWs so relatives can handle property, bank, or school matters at home.
- Affidavits, such as affidavits of loss, of support, or of undertaking.
- Deeds of sale and lease contracts for property, where buyers or lessors live in another city or abroad.
- Loan and security documents that banks and lenders require in notarized form.
- Corporate documents, for example secretary’s certificates and board resolutions.
High-value property documents carry the greatest fraud risk, because a forged deed can transfer land. So platforms may apply stricter checks to them, for instance a second ID or a fresh selfie at signing, even when the rules set a single minimum.
Choosing an Identity Verification Partner for an ENF
Platforms seeking accreditation need identity checks they can explain to regulators and auditors. Before choosing a provider, ask these questions.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which Philippine IDs can you verify against official records? | Visual checks alone miss well-made fakes |
| How does your liveness check handle injected video? | Videoconferencing is the main deepfake channel |
| What evidence do you return for each check? | The notarial record needs timestamps and results |
| Where is the data processed and stored? | Privacy rules and client contracts depend on it |
| How do you handle a failed or unclear result? | Signers need a fair retry path, and notaries need a clear flag |
Also run a pilot with real signers on ordinary phones and home connections. After all, a check that works in a demo but fails on a weak signal will push users back to paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is remote notarization legal in the Philippines?
Yes. The Supreme Court’s Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC), promulgated in February 2025, allow remote electronic notarization by videoconference through accredited platforms.
What ID is needed for online notarization?
Signers need competent evidence of identity, which traditionally means a current government ID with photo and signature. On remote sessions, the accredited platform verifies that ID before the notarial act.
Can any video call app be used for remote notarization?
No. Remote notarization must take place through an Electronic Notarization Facility accredited by the Supreme Court, which runs the session, signing, and identity checks.
How do platforms stop deepfakes in remote notarization?
They combine liveness detection, which spots photos, masks, and injected video, with face matching against a verified government ID. The notary’s live questioning adds a human layer.
Can OFWs get documents notarized remotely?
Remote electronic notarization lets signers appear by video from another location. Check the platform’s rules and any requirements for documents used abroad before relying on it.
The Notary Still Decides, the Platform Proves Identity
Remote notarization does not remove the notary’s judgment; it gives that judgment better evidence. When the platform confirms the ID with official records, proves the signer is live, and matches the face, the notary can focus on what only a person can assess: whether the signer understands and agrees.
Building or running an electronic notarization platform? Explore signer verification with Verihubs for Philippine IDs.
