Common reasons you need documents for Philippines
Marriage in the Philippines, dual citizenship, visas and work permits, property transactions, and family records.
Documents and who authenticates them
U.S. birth, marriage, and divorce records apostilled by the issuing state, notarized affidavits such as an Affidavit of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage or a special power of attorney, and FBI results apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
Step by step from Oregon
- Ask the Philippine office, the local civil registrar, or your employer exactly which documents they need.
- Sign affidavits and powers of attorney in front of a notary, and order certified copies of vital records.
- Have state documents apostilled by the issuing state, and FBI results apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
- Send the apostilled documents to the Philippine agency, registrar, or employer handling your case.
Translation
English is widely used in Philippine government offices, so U.S. documents usually don't need translation. Confirm with the receiving office.
Good to know
- Philippine consulates in the U.S. stopped authenticating documents when the Convention took effect, so an apostille from the correct U.S. office is the right step.
- Special powers of attorney used in Philippine property sales often have wording the receiving party requires. Get the wording from them before signing.
Moving to Philippines: which route, and what it needs
Requirements differ by route and change without notice, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the consulate or your immigration attorney.
- Work and employment. A job offer usually drives the paperwork. Employers and immigration offices commonly ask for a criminal background check, degrees, and sometimes birth or marriage records, all authenticated.
- Business, investor, and self-employment. Company formation, investor permits, and self-employment routes typically need authenticated corporate documents, powers of attorney so someone can act for you locally, and a background check.
- Remote work and digital nomad routes. Where a remote-work route exists, applications usually require proof of foreign income, health insurance, and an authenticated background check. Confirm whether the route is currently open before you build a document pack around it.
- Retirement and passive income. Retirement routes generally require an authenticated background check, proof of pension or investment income, health insurance, and often apostilled birth and marriage certificates.
- Family, marriage, and children. Marriage abroad, family reunification, and registering a child usually need apostilled birth and marriage certificates, and sometimes a single-status or no-impediment document.
- Study. Universities and student permits typically ask for apostilled diplomas and transcripts, and a background check for longer programs.
Document timeline
These are our turnaround times for the steps we handle. Government processing and consulate appointments are set by those offices.
- Fingerprinting and FBI background check — Submitted within 30 minutes of
your appointment
We capture your prints and submit the request through our channeler partners. The FBI controls how quickly results come back. - Notarization, if your documents need it — Same day
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and copies that need a notary before authentication are handled at your appointment, in our office or at your location. - Apostille or authentication courier service — 10 to 15 business
days
We prepare and courier the request to the right office: the U.S. Department of State for FBI results, or a state Secretary of State for state-issued documents. - Certified translation — 2 to 3 business days
Ordered after the apostille when the receiving country wants the apostille page translated too. Some countries require their own sworn translator, and we tell you when that applies. - Your consulate appointment — Set by the consulate
Book early. Appointment backlogs, not document preparation, are usually what delays a move.
Finding the Philippines consulate that covers Oregon
Each Philippines consulate in the United States covers specific states, and you generally have to file with the one that covers Oregon. Check the consulate's own website for its jurisdiction, appointment system, and current document checklist, because those differ by post and change without notice.
The U.S. State Department publishes the official directory of foreign consular offices in the United States, which is the reliable place to find current addresses and contact details rather than a third-party list.
U.S. State Department: Foreign Consular Offices in the United States
We don't book consulate appointments or file applications. We prepare, notarize, translate, and courier the documents you take to that appointment.
How we help with your move to Philippines
One team handles the document chain, so you make one call instead of coordinating four businesses against one deadline.
- Fingerprinting and FBI background checks
Captured at our Beaverton office or at your location, submitted within 30 minutes. $135, or $350 with the federal apostille package.
- Notary and witnesses
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and consent letters notarized before they go for authentication. $10 per signature at our office.
- Apostille courier service
Prepared and couriered to the Oregon Secretary of State, another state, or the U.S. Department of State. $125 to $195 per Oregon document.
- Certified translation
$65 per document, $75 with a notarized certificate, in 2 to 3 business days. We tell you when the destination requires its own sworn translator instead.
- Passport photos and shipping
Photos sized for the country you're applying to, and tracked international shipping for the finished documents.
We are notaries and a private document facilitator, not attorneys or immigration consultants. We can't choose a visa route, complete application forms, or advise on eligibility. For that, talk to an immigration attorney or the consulate.
Our prices for documents going to Philippines
- Oregon apostille courier serviceNotary fee is separate. Documents not in English need a certified translation before we can notarize them.$125–$195per document
- Birth certificate apostille courier serviceNeeds a certified copy from the issuing vital records office.$125–$195
- Power of attorney apostille courier serviceNotary fee is separate.$125–$195
- Notary feeCharged per notarial act. This is Oregon's maximum notary fee.$10per signature and stamp
Our fees are for our document authentication facilitator and courier service. See all prices.
Questions about documents for Philippines
Does the Philippines accept apostilles?
Yes. The Philippines joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2019, so U.S. documents need an apostille rather than consular authentication.
How do I apostille a special power of attorney for the Philippines?
Sign it in front of a notary, then have it apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state where it was notarized.
Do I need a translation for the Philippines?
Usually not for English documents. Confirm with the office receiving them.
Related country guides
Where we serve Philippines clients
Documents for Philippines are handled at our Beaverton office or by mobile appointment across the Portland metro area.
Last updated 2026-09-10. Requirements change, so confirm with the office receiving your documents.