How to fill in this special power of attorney
- 1Your full name (principal)
e.g. Rhea Mae C. Fernandez - 2Your civil status
e.g. single - 3Your address
e.g. Flat 1204, Al Barsha Heights, Al Barsha 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 4Attorney-in-fact's full name
e.g. Corazon C. Fernandez - 5Attorney-in-fact's address
e.g. 88 Rizal St., Brgy. Poblacion, Calamba City, Laguna - 6First power
e.g. request, pay for and claim my NBI clearance and my PSA birth and marriage certificates from the offices concerned in the Philippines
Consularized or apostilled
A paper signed abroad is used in the Philippines in one of two ways. Sign it before a consular officer at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate (it is then "consularized" — this version's acknowledgment is theirs). Or, in a country in the Apostille Convention, sign it before a local notary and have it apostilled by that country's authority; then use their acknowledgment instead of this one.
Name every act, plainly
An attorney-in-fact may do only what the SPA spells out. Offices refuse vague powers like "to transact all my affairs", so write each act the office will see — and the property, account or claim it is about.
- Use full names exactly as they appear on IDs.
- Name the property by its title number, the account by its bank and branch, the claim by its type.
- Keep it to the acts needed; a narrower SPA is safer for the principal.
What to bring to the notary
The principal signs before the notary with a valid government ID. Bring two photocopies of the principal's and the attorney-in-fact's IDs, each signed three times — banks and government offices keep one.
Questions people ask
Do I need an appointment at the consulate?
Usually yes. Most Philippine posts book notarial services online and charge a fee per document. Bring your passport and the unsigned SPA; you sign it in front of the consular officer.
Does a special power of attorney need to be notarized?
For almost every use, yes. Banks, the Registry of Deeds, the BIR, SSS and Pag-IBIG accept an SPA only when it is notarized (or consularized or apostilled if signed abroad). The principal signs it in front of the notary with a valid ID.
What is the difference between an SPA and an authorization letter?
An authorization letter is enough for simple errands, like claiming a document. An SPA is a notarized paper for acts the law says need a special power — selling or leasing property, borrowing, settling claims — or whenever the office asks for one.
Can I cancel an SPA?
Yes. The principal may revoke it at any time with a notarized revocation, given to the attorney-in-fact and to every office that holds a copy. It also ends when the principal dies.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is the common Philippine format. For selling land, an estate, or a large amount of money, have a lawyer review it before signing.
This page explains common practice and is not legal advice. Offices set their own rules — when in doubt, call ahead or ask your notary or lawyer.