U.S. citizens in the Philippines
Online notary for U.S. citizens in the Philippines
The gap with New Jersey is large, so we schedule around both clocks. You can sign in front of a New Jersey notary over secure video from the Philippines, for the documents the law allows. Sessions start at $40 plus the state notarial fee.
Local facts
The Philippines at a glance
- Capital
- Manila
- Official languages
- Filipino and English
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Time zones
- UTC+8 (PhST), with no daylight saving time stated
- Population
- 114,849,400 (2026 estimate)
- U.S. Embassy
- Manila
- Apostille Convention
- Party since 14 May 2019
- U.S. consulates
- None listed (a consular agency in Cebu City)
Sources: Wikipedia and its list of U.S. diplomatic missions, read October 2026.
Scheduling
New Jersey time and Manila time
| In New Jersey | Manila in winter | Manila in summer |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. | 2:00 a.m. next day | 1:00 a.m. next day |
| 5:00 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. next day | 5:00 a.m. next day |
Winter is a January date and summer a July date, computed from the IANA time zone database for Manila's zone. Clocks change on different weeks in different countries, so we confirm the time in both places when you book.
Documents for use in the Philippines
Apostille or remote notary?
Wikipedia's table of Apostille Convention parties lists the Philippines as a party, with the convention in force there since 14 May 2019. A U.S. public document meant for use in the Philippines is normally authenticated with an apostille rather than by embassy legalization. The receiving office has the last word on what it accepts.
Two different jobs: a remote notary when you sign in the Philippines for use in the U.S., and an apostille when a U.S. document has to be used in the Philippines. See apostille services.
How it works
From Manila to a New Jersey notary
- Start with the document and where you are. We confirm it fits what New Jersey allows for a signer outside the United States.
- Schedule the video session. You need an unexpired government photo ID and a device with working video, audio and a stable internet connection.
- Sign with the notary watching. We check your identity online, you sign electronically, and the notary applies the electronic seal.
- Receive the notarized record. A recording of the session is kept as the law requires.
Embassy option
The U.S. embassy in Manila
The U.S. Embassy is in Manila. Wikipedia's list shows no U.S. consulates in the Philippines, only a consular agency in Cebu City.
The U.S. State Department says embassies and consulates charge $50 for each consular seal, that you must appear in person, that you should not sign before your appointment, and that they do not offer remote or virtual services. Check the embassy's own page for current rules and availability.
Who qualifies
Does this work from the Philippines?
Most of the time, yes, provided the paperwork belongs to a U.S. matter and nothing local forbids it. The requirements do not change by country, so they sit together on one page with the rules and the document list. Tell us what you are signing and where you are, and we answer before you book. This is general information, not legal advice, and we do not know the Philippines's local law, so ask the office that will receive your document what it accepts.
FAQ
The Philippines notary questions
Can I get a document notarized online from the Philippines?
In many cases, yes. The record has to be filed with, or relate to, a U.S. matter or U.S. property, and the act cannot be prohibited where you are. Send us the document and we tell you before you book.
Does the U.S. embassy in Manila notarize documents?
The U.S. Embassy is in Manila. Wikipedia's list shows no U.S. consulates in the Philippines, only a consular agency in Cebu City. The embassy section above covers the State Department's rules, and a video session is the alternative when you cannot get to a post.
What time are sessions for someone in the Philippines?
The Philippines uses UTC+8 (PhST), with no daylight saving time stated. A 9:00 a.m. session in New Jersey is 10:00 p.m. in Manila in winter and 9:00 p.m. in summer. We book by appointment and confirm the time in both zones.
What if my document is in Filipino and English or for use in the Philippines?
Documents in another language may need a translation, and the notary must be able to review the document and the ID. A document meant to be used inside the Philippines usually needs a local notary or the embassy, and often an apostille, instead of a New Jersey remote notarization. The Philippines has been an Apostille Convention party since 14 May 2019. Ask us before booking and we say plainly whether we can help.
What does it cost?
The starting price is $40 plus the fee New Jersey sets for the notarial act, and the complete figure is quoted before we confirm your session.
All countries · Remote online notarization · Apostilles for documents used abroad