Helping Hands: Red Ribbon Processing for Dummies

Hello, dear reader. If you want to go abroad (for greener pastures, better life, to be away from people who hate your guts, or for whatever reason) this might help. READ ON…

I just copy-pasted this article from a link I found on the internet (see below). It’s about documents authentication, or what we commonly call RED RIBBON. They call it “red ribbon” because they will really put a RED RIBBON in your document. Like this for example:

Sample of a "Red-Ribboned" document

Why do you need to have your documents authenticated? (Bakit nga ba?)

Authentication Functions
link: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/authentication-functions

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) performs its authentication function/services in the context of 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Given the existence of a multi-state system, aforesaid Convention stipulates that, among other things, the various kind of documents sourced from particular sovereign states (e.g. public documents, private documents, and commercial documents) shall have validity or operative effect in another sovereign state’s legal jurisdiction after subjected to an agreed upon authentication procedure.

The DFA through the Authentication Division-Office of Consular Affairs may authenticate an act, deed documents etc. executed or sourced within Philippine legal jurisdiction by way of certifying said act, as follows: a) executed before a local notary public officer authorized to execute such functions, b) testified to by a public seal, c) rendered public by the authority of a competent magistrate, d) certified as being a copy of a public register. When these acts, deeds or documents have been duly authenticated by the Department, the receiving embassies or consulates or any other foreign legal entities are, in effect assured that aforesaid documents are in order or have been legalized in accordance with proper procedure. Foreign Embassies, Consulates and foreign legal entities may or may not require the authentication of documents sourced from the Philippines for use within their respective jurisdictions. However, under rules of reciprocity in international relations, sovereign states normally require authentication of foreign documents to be used.

The DFA authentication attest to the genuineness of the signature appearing on the attached certification for the purpose of identifying a specific document and giving credence to the official acts of the notary public or certifying officer thereon for use, if and when required, as instrument of evidence in foreign countries. As such, the DFA certification/authentication does not, per se, authenticate the validity/efficacy/enforceability of the basic document itself. However, the Authentication Officer is impressed with duties calling for carefulness and faithfulness whereby he must inform himself of the facts to which he intends to certify and avoid participation in illegal enterprises.

Funny pic from DFA Office ^^

Authentication Procedures (Paano nga ba?!?)
link: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/procedures

1. PUBLIC/OFFICIALS DOCUMENTS
Public / Official Documents

* Birth Certificate/Death Certificate, Marriage Contract {Local Civil Registry copy (for not readable, BC, MC, DC)}
* Certification of Non-Marriage Record (from NSO – Valid only for six months upon issue of document)