A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC - 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice

Key provisions

• Amendment date and authority. The amendment was approved by the Supreme Court En Banc on February 19, 2008, based on a recommendation from the Sub Committee on the Revision of the Rules Governing Notaries Public. [A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, preamble]
• Rule II – Definitions. Rule II of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice contains the definitions used throughout the rules, including the definition of "competent evidence of identity". [A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, Rule II]
• Competent evidence of identity – basic requirement. A "competent evidence of identity" means the identification of a person based on at least one current identification document that shows the person's photograph and signature. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]
• Acceptable IDs – examples. Acceptable IDs include passport, driver’s license, PRC ID, NBI clearance, police clearance, postal ID, voter’s ID, barangay certification, GSIS e‑card, SSS card, PhilHealth card, senior citizen card, OWWA ID, OFW ID, seaman’s book, alien/immigrant certificate, government office ID, NCWDP certification, and DSWD certification. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]
• Scope of the amendment. The amendment only changes the wording of subsection (a) of Section 12; subsection (b) remains unchanged and is not specified in the amendment. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]
• Effect on notarial practice. Notaries must now ensure that the signer presents at least one of the listed current IDs with a photo and signature before notarizing a document. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]

Common questions

What does "competent evidence of identity" mean for a notary?

It means the notary must identify the signer using at least one current ID that shows the signer’s photo and signature. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]

Which identification documents are considered acceptable?

Acceptable documents include passport, driver’s license, PRC ID, NBI clearance, police clearance, postal ID, voter’s ID, barangay certification, GSIS e‑card, SSS card, PhilHealth card, senior citizen card, OWWA ID, OFW ID, seaman’s book, alien or immigrant certificate, government office ID, NCWDP certification, and DSWD certification. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]

Do I need more than one ID to satisfy the requirement?

No. The rule requires at least one current ID with photo and signature; additional IDs are not required. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]

When was this amendment to the Notarial Practice Rules adopted?

The amendment was adopted on February 19, 2008, by the Supreme Court En Banc. [A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, preamble]

Who recommended the amendment to Section 12(a)?

The Sub Committee on the Revision of the Rules Governing Notaries Public recommended the amendment. [A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, preamble]

Does this amendment apply to all notaries public in the Philippines?

Yes. The amendment to Section 12(a) of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice applies to every notary public who follows those rules. [A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, preamble]

What part of the Rules on Notarial Practice contains the definition of competent evidence of identity?

The definition is found in Rule II, Section 12(a) of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. [Sec. 12(a), A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC]