Typically, documents issued in Taiwan need to be notarized or authenticated before they can be used in the Philippines. These include work-related documents, affidavits, and Special Powers of Attorney (SPAs). For this purpose, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) provides notarial and authentication services.
Aside from these services, MECO also facilitates visa services, passport services, and assistance to nationals (ATN) for Filipinos in Taiwan, through its offices in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
Guide to MECO’s Notarial and Authentication Services
Here is an overview of the requirements and steps involved in availing of MECO’s notarial and authentication services:
General Notarial Services
In cases where a document issued or executed in Taiwan will be used in the Philippines, it needs to be notarized by authorized officers of MECO. These documents include affidavits, SPAs, certifications, and even authorization letters.
Requirements Per Document
The following requirements must be prepared for each document to be notarized:
- Document to be Notarized;
- Valid Philippine Passport — original and three (3) photocopies of the data page; and
- Valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) of Taiwan Passport (if dual citizen).
- For Regular Transactions, prepare original and one (1) photocopy of the ARC or Taiwan Passport data page.
- For SPA for Claiming of Death Benefits from Taiwan Labor Insurance, prepare original and three (3) photocopies of the ARC.
NOTES: The front and back sides of the ARC must be printed on a single page. Additionally, depending on each case, MECO may require additional documents to determine the applicant’s citizenship, identity, and other details.
Procedure
The signing of documents will be done before the notarial officer at MECO. Notably, MECO may also assist in the preparation of simple documents, with templates already available in the office.
The templates available at MECO office include affidavits, such as: Affidavit for Delayed Registration of Birth, Affidavit of Admission or Acknowledgement of Paternity (AAP), Affidavit for Delayed Renewal of Passport (for adults and minors), Affidavit of Loss of Passport, Affidavit of Mutilation of Philippine Passport, Affidavit of Invitation and Support, Affidavit of Loss of UMID, Affidavit for Philippine Driver’s License, Affidavit of Non-Submission of Documents, Affidavit of Quitclaim, Affidavit of Support and Consent (for single affiants and both parents), and Affidavit of Support and Guaranty.
Likewise, the office also has templates for SPA for Housing Loan (Pag-IBIG), SPA for Housing Loan (non-Pag-IBIG), SPA for I-Card Extension or Renewal, SPA for Labor Insurance Claim, SPA to Process NBI Clearance, SPA for POEA Filing, SPA for the Processing of Driver’s License, Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG), and other documents.
Fees
Based on MECO official website, here are the fees for notarization of the following documents:
- Certificate of Residency — TWD 500
- Work Related Documents of OFWs — TWD 500
- Private Transactions of OFWs — TWD 700
- Certification — TWD 700
- Documentation — TWD 1,000
- Report of Birth — TWD 1,000
- Report of Marriage — TWD 1,000
- Report of Death — TWD 1,000
- Report of Divorce — TWD 1,000
- Declaration of Renunciation — TWD 1,000
- Mortuary Certificate — TWD 1,500
- Petition for Reacquisition — TWD 2,050
- Petition for Reacquisition (Dependent) — TWD 1,025
- Oath of Allegiance — TWD 2,050
- Expedite Fee for Notarial Services — TWD 200
- Seen and Noted/Verified — TWD 600
- Expedited Fee for Seen and Noted/Verified — TWD 200
Authentication Services
Usually, Philippine government authorities, business firms, groups, or individuals require authentication of documents that have been issued or executed abroad. For documents issued or executed in Taiwan, MECO provides authentication services.
At this point, it must be clarified that the act of authentication simply certifies that an official’s signature is genuine. It does not focus on the contents of the document itself. For instance, when MECO authenticates a document issued by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), it is simply certifying that the signature of the MOFA official in the document is genuine.
Requirements
Before presenting a document at MECO for authentication, make sure that it:
- Is issued in, written in, or translated to English;
- Is issued in or executed in Taiwan, or authenticated by a foreign representative of Taiwan duly authorized and capable of authentication by MOFA;
- Will be used in the Philippines;
- Has already been notarized by the District Court or by a duly authorized Notary Public, and authenticated by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) of MOFA;
- Has been prepared in a complete set (i.e. a maximum of 4 copies of the same kind of document, including one copy for MECO); and
- Bears the actual (not photocopy) BOCA-MOFA authentication, which provides information about the notary public/district court officer.
NOTE: For the last requirement, ALL copies of the document must bear the actual BOCA-MOFA authentication.
Procedure
Authentication services are carried out at the MECO office. Regular processing takes two (2) working days. On the other hand, expedited processing is completed by the next working day.
Fees
With regard to payment, the authentication fee is TWD 1,000 per set of documents. An additional TWD 200 may be paid by those who want to expedite authentication services.
Additional Reminders
Before applying for notarial or authentication services at MECO, please take note of the following reminders:
- For documents that will be notarized in Taiwan, the applicant or signatory’s address in Taiwan must be reflected.
- Always ask the relevant agency or office in the Philippines about their requirements (e.g. up-to-date SPAs) before applying.
Contact Information: MECO Taipei
For Filipinos based in Taipei who would like to inquire about notarial and authentication services, you can contact the MECO Head Office through the details given below:
Address: 2F, Chang Hong New Era Building, 55 & 57 Zhouzi St., Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan
Telephone: +886 2 2658 8825
Website: https://www.meco.org.tw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MECO.official/
Google Map:
In order to ensure the smooth facilitation of official documents and services between Taiwan and the Philippines, notarial and authentication services are necessary. Fortunately, these services can easily be availed of at the MECO offices in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, in case your passport has been lost or damaged, and you need a travel document for emergency travel to the Philippines (e.g. medical emergency), visit this guide on how to apply for a travel document at MECO.