International Matters (US-Philippines)
7 Docs
Special Power of Attorney (SPA)
Last Updated: August 9, 2026What it is: a legal document that lets you choose someone to act on your behalf for specific tasks — often tasks that must be done in a foreign country. It is commonly used when you cannot be physically present to sign documents or transact with certain government institutions. Why the word “special”? Because the...
Principal
Last Updated: August 9, 2026What it is: the person who gives the power. If you sign a Special Power of Attorney, you are the principal — and the document works in your name. Why it matters: the principal’s signature, notarization, and (for Philippine use) apostille are the chain of validity. If you change your mind, only the principal (in...
Notarization vs. Apostille
Last Updated: August 9, 2026Notarization Apostille What it does Verifies the signature (that you really signed, with ID) Verifies the document/notary is authentic for use abroad Where Any notary public Secretary of State (after notarization) Purpose Needed for a document to be valid Needed for the document to be recognized in another Hague country In short: notarize first, apostille...
Hague Apostille Convention
Last Updated: August 9, 2026What it is: an international treaty that simplifies how documents are accepted between member countries. Instead of a long chain of “legalizations,” one apostille certificate is enough. Why you should know this: since 2019, the Philippines is a member of the Hague Convention — so an apostilled US document is recognized in the Philippines without...
Consular Notarization (alternative path)
Last Updated: August 9, 2026What it is: the older way to make a US document usable in the Philippines: notarizing the document at the Philippine Consulate in the US. Why we mention it: for many documents the apostille path works — but certain matters (land/property transactions being a common example) may still want the consular route, or specific institutions...
Apostille
Last Updated: August 9, 2026What it is: a certificate attached to a public document by a government authority to verify its authenticity for use in another country. It is the simplified way to “legalize” a document between countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. What this means for you: with an apostille, a US document can be...
Agent / Attorney-in-Fact
Last Updated: August 9, 2026What it is: the person you name in a special power of attorney to perform the acts described in the document — on your behalf, in your name. Plain English: the friend or family member in the Philippines who can sign for you, but only what the document says they can sign for. Like all...