Special Power of Attorney
SPAs allow a relative or attorney in the Philippines to sell property, sign for a bank, process inheritance, or appear in court on your behalf. Wording must match what PSA, LRA, or the Philippine bank expects.
Philippines Apostille Service
Apostille Help for Documents Used in the Philippines.
We help Filipino families in Los Angeles get SPAs, deeds of donation, extrajudicial settlements, affidavits of support, and vital records apostilled for use at PSA, LRA, BIR, and Philippine banks and consulates.
Fastest start: text or email a draft of your SPA, extra-judicial settlement, deed of donation, or affidavit — along with the Philippine agency or bank that will use it — so we can confirm the correct notarization wording and apostille path before you sign anything.
- SPA, estate & donation documents for the Philippines
- Accepted at PSA, LRA, BIR & Philippine banks
- Apostille replaces the old red-ribbon since 2019
Document pre-review
We review the certified state copy or notarized internal format first so you do not request or pay for the wrong version.
Multi-state and mail-in routing
We confirm whether your document needs an acknowledgment or jurat, and that the wording matches what PSA, LRA, BIR, or your Philippine bank or lawyer expects.
Mail-in welcome
Filipinos outside California can mail documents in for end-to-end notarization (where applicable), California apostille, and shipment to the Philippines or back to you.
Helping Filipino families in LA
Why Filipinos in Los Angeles Need an Apostille.
Most documents we apostille for the Philippines come from Filipino families in Los Angeles handling property, inheritance, family matters, or sponsorship back home. PSA, LRA, BIR, and Philippine banks each have specific wording requirements — we make sure your document is in the right form before it ever leaves California.
Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate
When a Filipino relative passes away leaving property in the Philippines, heirs in the US often sign extrajudicial settlements that must be notarized and apostilled before LRA and BIR will accept them.
Deed of Donation
Donating land, a house, or money to family in the Philippines requires a properly notarized deed of donation with the correct apostille so BIR can assess donor’s tax and LRA can transfer title.
Affidavit of Support & Vital Records
Affidavits of support for visa petitions, plus apostilled birth, marriage, divorce, and FBI background checks for immigration, school enrollment, or PSA filing in the Philippines.
Process
How Philippines Apostille Service Works.
Four simple steps from your first call to a sealed apostille in your hand — or shipped straight to your family, lawyer, PSA, LRA, BIR, or Philippine bank.
Schedule Your Appointment
Pick a time and place. We come to your home, office, hospital, jail, or anywhere in the LA area, or you can visit our office. Tell us briefly what you are signing for the Philippines (SPA, deed of donation, affidavit of support, vital record) so we bring the right notarial certificate.
We Notarize the Document
We meet you, verify ID, and notarize the SPA, extrajudicial settlement, deed of donation, affidavit of support, or other Philippine document on the spot. Same-day and next-day appointments are available across Los Angeles County.
We Apostille at the CA Secretary of State
We hand-carry the notarized document to the California Secretary of State for the Hague apostille. Since the Philippines joined the Hague Convention in 2019, the apostille replaces the old consulate red-ribbon for almost every use.
Pick Up or We Ship to the Philippines
Once apostilled, the document is sealed. You can pick it up, we can ship it back to you locally, or — if you choose — we ship it directly to your family, lawyer, PSA, LRA, BIR, or Philippine bank.
Documents we apostille for the Philippines
Pick the Philippine Document You Need to Apostille.
These are the four documents we most commonly apostille for the Filipino community in Los Angeles. Each guide explains how the notarization wording must match what PSA, LRA, BIR, or your Philippine lawyer expects after the document arrives.
Special Power of Attorney (SPA) Apostille
Authorize a family member, attorney-in-fact, or representative in the Philippines to sell property, transact with banks, claim benefits, or sign on your behalf — notarized in California and apostilled for PSA, LRA, and Philippine banks.
Extra-Judicial Settlement of Estate Apostille
When heirs settle an estate in the Philippines without going to court, each heir signs an extra-judicial settlement — notarized in California and apostilled for filing with BIR (estate tax) and the Registry of Deeds.
Deed of Donation Apostille
Donate real property, shares, or other assets to a family member in the Philippines — the deed of donation is notarized in California and apostilled for BIR donor’s tax filing and Registry of Deeds title transfer.
Affidavit of Support & Consent Apostille
Sworn statements supporting a relative’s visa, sponsorship, marriage application, or a minor’s travel to or from the Philippines — notarized in California and apostilled for embassies, PSA, and immigration use.
Translations we can coordinate.
Many destination countries require the apostilled document to be accompanied by a certified translation into the local language. We coordinate ATA-certified and sworn translations through a translation partner — English to Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Tagalog, Thai, and more. Ask us when you book the apostille and we will bundle both into a single delivery. Translation timing is quoted per document; simple vital records are usually returned in 2–3 business days.
Philippines apostille FAQ
Questions About Apostilling Documents for the Philippines.
Does the Philippines accept apostilles instead of consulate authentication?
Yes. The Philippines acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention in May 2019. As of then, properly notarized U.S. documents bearing a California Secretary of State apostille are accepted by Philippine government agencies, banks, and registries without separate consulate (red ribbon) authentication. Some private entities still ask for consularization out of habit — we can confirm what your specific recipient in the Philippines requires.
What is the difference between an apostille and the old red ribbon?
Before 2019, U.S. documents needed authentication by the Philippine Consulate — a stamp and red ribbon often called “redribboned.” After the Philippines joined the Hague Convention, the apostille (a single page issued by the California Secretary of State) replaced the red ribbon for most uses. The apostille is faster, cheaper, and accepted by PSA, LRA, DFA, BIR, courts, and Philippine banks.
Can you use my SPA template from my lawyer in the Philippines?
Yes. You can bring the Special Power of Attorney template provided by your attorney, family, or barangay in the Philippines. We review the notary section to make sure it meets California acknowledgment requirements and suggest adjustments before your appointment so the document is accepted at both the California apostille office and the receiving Philippine agency.
Which Philippine agencies most commonly require an apostille?
Most apostilled documents we handle are filed with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for civil records, the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and Registry of Deeds for property transfers, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for estate tax and donor’s tax, and Philippine banks for account and inheritance matters. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs is the issuing apostille authority on the Philippine side, not a receiving one.
Can multiple signers (spouse, siblings, heirs) sign in one visit?
Yes. We frequently handle Filipino families where a spouse, siblings, or heirs sign an SPA, extra-judicial settlement, or deed of donation together. Each signer presents valid ID, signs in front of the notary, and the document is then routed to the California Secretary of State for apostille. If signers cannot meet at once, we can do separate visits as long as the document allows.