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Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act Processing in the Philippines

Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act Processing in the Philippines

You may find yourself in need of obtaining certain requirements that are required to be submitted in a foreign country for whatever purpose it may serve. However, you may encounter some specific requirements besides the usual list that are needed to be attached along with it, such as the Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act or CANA. Understanding the importance of a CANA is essential for individuals looking to enter the notarial profession or seeking notarization services.

What is the Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA)?

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) defines the Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA) as the certificate evidencing the authenticity of a notary public’s official seal and signature, as issued by the Executive Judge, Vice-Executive Judge, or any office authorized signatories. Together with the apostille, the Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act verifies that the document has been validly signed by those signatories who have it within their scope and power, having the authority to do so.

Processing your Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act in the Philippines can be cumbersome. This is due to the fact that there are several steps involved before you can finally be able to obtain your Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act.

Does the task at hand seem daunting? Not to worry, as FileDocsPhil can most certainly assist you in fulfilling each of the required steps until your CANA is finally obtained and subsequently taken to the DFA.

Where to obtain the CANA?

In obtaining your CANA, you need to be specific as to which court you need to go to. A Philippine court with which the notary public reports to issues the CANA. You will obtain the notary public’s CANA from the court having jurisdiction over the said notary public. To illustrate, if you had your document notarized in Taguig City, you would also have to bring the document over to the Regional Trial Court of Taguig to request a Certificate of Notarial Act. Once you have received your CANA, it will be brought to the DFA.

To ensure that the processing of your transactions will go on smoothly, it is thus best that you use a trusted notary public when securing a CANA. The court will not certify the CANA if the notary public is found out to be not legitimate.

Note, however, that there is no specific price for the CANA, as the price to be paid for the CANA will depend on the trial court issuing the said certificate.

When do you need a CANA?

Individuals can take specific documents to the DFA for apostillization or authentication. However, some documents need intermediate notarization before the DFA apostille or authenticate them.

Notarized documents bear the seal of the notary. In some instances, these notarized documents need to be brought outside the country. Because of this, there is a requirement to secure an apostille. The DFA cannot ascertain if the notary public is legitimate. Thus, it relies on the certification from the courts to verify if the notary public is legitimate. This is where the presentation of a CANA is needed.

The DFA requires a CANA for the apostillization or authentication of the following documents:

  • Notarized Employment certificates (trainings, seminars)
  • Other notarized employment-related documents issued by a private entity
  • Special Power of Attorney (SPA)
  • Memorandum of Agreement, or
  • Memorandum of Understanding
  • Other forms of contracts
  • Affidavit of Consent/Advice
  • Joint Affidavit

To conclude, for as long as the documents you have obtained are needed to be submitted as part of the requirements abroad, aside from the requirement for it to be validly notarized within the proper jurisdiction in the Philippines, it is a must that a CANA is secured.

Sample of CANA document

cana document

Sample of CANA document

What are the requirements that you need in order to obtain a CANA?

There are a number of things that you need to submit for the CANA to be processed.

If you are personally processing the CANA, you will need to present the original copy of your notarized documents and photocopies for it. Bring with you, as well, the required payment for the processing of the CANA.

However, suppose a representative will do the Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act processing in the Philippines on your behalf, on top of the required documents. In that case, the authorized representative will also need to present a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) that proves that he or she is indeed equipped with the authority to act and process your CANA for you. Secure, as well, a copy of the ID of the person being represented. The authorized representative must also present a photocopy of his or her own ID.

FileDocsPhil can help with CANA processing

Need further information and assistance in paying capital gains tax and documentary stamp tax in the Philippines? Talk to our team at FILEDOCSPHIL to know more about the requirements and process. Call us today at (+63) 917 149 2337 or send an email to info@filedocsphil.com for more information.

Caveat emptor

The final price for each CANA assistance order will depend on the number of documents that need to be notarized, the location of the court having jurisdiction over the notary public where to obtain the CANA from, and how quickly you might need it/them. Note that the average CANA processing may take up to 7 business days.

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