If you are going outside the Philippines you may need to have your documents authenticated before the office of the Foreign Affairs ( DFA-) It used to be DFA and MALACANYANG but now they have consolidated the process and you only have to go to the DFA to get your "RED RIBBON"/or authentication.
NOTE: Only the owner of the document is allowed to process such unless you have an affidavit and or an authorization.
I have a funny story about RED RIBBON, I called LBC years ago because I heard that they also provide such assistance .( Though we also provide RED RIBBON assistance, i just want to compare their services from what we are offering at that time) The lady over the phone was not sure so she put me on hold and after a few minutes , she said that I can only do it online and she gave the website. I have a feeling that she did not understand my question but i went on and listen to her. I went to the website and I was right-the lady was actually referring to the "red ribbon " the cake store :-). But LBC really provides such assistance but it's costly. I have friends who still work in TRAVEL AGENCIES and they provide AUTHENTICATION ASSISTANCE for a minimal cost (around 500/documents)WARNING:NOT ALL TRAVEL AGENCIES ARE ALLOWED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE-They need to be accredited and pay for a BOND to process such. Same thing goes with PASSPORTING. A travel agency maybe accredited to process PASSPORTS only or PASSPORTS and AUTHENTICATION or AUTHENTICATION only.There is a separate bond per procedure in case something goes wrong, a client can complain and the DFA can take agency's bond to pay the complainant and or cancel the agency's accreditation.
FAQS
1. What is RED RIBBON or AUTHENTICATION?
Answer: It a paper literally with a red ribbon on the rigth side attesting that the siganture in your document is genuine (not from RECTO) .Example, in your birth certificate
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.
2. Does it expire?
Answer:YES. The authentication is valid for a year from the date of issuance
NOTE: It is best that you request for a new copy of your birth cert from NSO (SECPA) keep the receipt and then have it authenticated. Some Embassies will not accept your birth certificate if it's more than 6 months old though your reb ribbon is NEW.
3. What are the documents that can be authenticated?
Answer:
* 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)
* Police Clearances
* NBI Clearances
* LTO Certificate
* Driver's License
* Report of Rating
* Certificate of Registration
* Certification of Good Standing
* Professional License
* Report of Rating
* Certificate of Registration
* Certification of Good Standing
* Professional License
* Barangay Certification/Mayor's Certification
* Barangay Clearances
* Voter's ID/Certificate
* Travel Clearance of a Filipino Minor without Accompanying Parents
* Alien Certificate of Registration
* Immigrant/Native-Born Residence Certificate
* PRIVATE DOCUMENTS
* SCHOOL RECORDS
* PERSONAL RECORDS
* AFFIDAVITS
* CERTIFICATES
* COURT DECISIONS etc
source: DFA and my own experiences as a travel agent
