A.M. No.

02-8-13-SC RESOLUTION Acting on the compliance dated 05 July 2004 and on the proposed Rules on Notarial Practice of 2004 submitted by the Sub-Committee for the Study, Drafting and ormulation of the !ules "o#erning the Appointment of $otaries %ublic and the %erformance and &'ercise of (heir )fficial unctions, of the Committees on !e#ision of the !ules of Court and on *egal &ducation and +ar ,atters, the Court !esol#ed to A%%!)-& the proposed Rules on Notarial Practice of 2004, .ith modifications, thus/ 2004 Rules on Notarial ra!ti!e RULE I - IM LEMENTATION SECTION 1. Title. - (hese !ules shall be 0no.n as the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. SEC. 2. Purposes. - (hese !ules shall be applied and construed to ad#ance the follo.ing purposes/ 1a2 to promote, ser#e, and protect public interest3 1b2 to simplify, clarify, and moderni4e the rules go#erning notaries public3 and 1c2 to foster ethical conduct among notaries public5 SEC. 3. Interpretation. - 6nless the conte't of these !ules other.ise indicates, .ords in the singular include the plural, and .ords in the plural include the singular5

instrument or document, declares that he has e'ecuted the instrument or document as his free and #oluntary act and deed, and, if he acts in a particular representati#e capacity, that he has the authority to sign in that capacity5 SEC. 2. Affirmation or Oath. - (he term 7Affirmation7 or 7)ath7 refers to an act in .hich an indi#idual on a single occasion/ 1a2 appears in person before the notary public3 1b2 is personally 0no.n to the notary public or identified by the notary public through competent e#idence of identity as defined by these !ules3 and 1c2 a#o.s under penalty of la. to the .hole truth of the contents of the instrument or document5 SEC. 3. Commission. - 7Commission7 refers to the grant of authority to perform notarial acts and to the .ritten e#idence of the authority5 SEC. 4. Co$% Certification. - 7Copy Certification7 refers to a notarial act in .hich a notary public/ 1a2 is presented .ith an instrument or document that is neither a #ital record, a public record, nor publicly recordable3 1b2 copies or super#ises the copying of the instrument or document3 1c2 compares the instrument or document .ith the copy3 and 1d2 determines that the copy is accurate and complete5 SEC. &. Notarial Register. - 7$otarial !egister7 refers to a permanently bound boo0 .ith numbered pages containing a chronological record of notarial acts performed by a notary public5 SEC. '. Jurat. - 7Jurat7 refers to an act in .hich an indi#idual on a single occasion/ 1a2 appears in person before the notary public and presents an instrument or document3 1b2 is personally 0no.n to the notary public or identified by the notary public through competent e#idence of identity as defined by these !ules3 1c2 signs the instrument or document in the presence of the notary3 and

RULE II - "E#INITIONS SECTION 1. Acknowledgment. - 7Ac0no.ledgment7 refers to an act in .hich an indi#idual on a single occasion/ 1a2 appears in person before the notary public and presents an integrally complete instrument or document3 1b2 is attested to be personally 0no.n to the notary public or identified by the notary public through competent e#idence of identity as defined by these !ules3 and 1c2 represents to the notary public that the signature on the instrument or document .as #oluntarily affi'ed by him for the purposes stated in the

1d2 ta0es an oath or affirmation before the notary public as to such instrument or document5 SEC. (. Notarial Act and Notarization. - 7$otarial Act7 and 7$otari4ation7 refer to any act that a notary public is empo.ered to perform under these !ules5 SEC. 8. Notarial Certificate. - 7$otarial Certificate7 refers to the part of, or attachment to, a notari4ed instrument or document that is completed by the notary public, bears the notary8s signature and seal, and states the facts attested to by the notary public in a particular notari4ation as pro#ided for by these !ules5 SEC. ). Notar Pu!lic and Notat . - 7$otary %ublic7 and 7$otary7 refer to any person commissioned to perform official acts under these !ules5 SEC. 10. Principal. - 7%rincipal7 refers to a person appearing before the notary public .hose act is the sub9ect of notari4ation5 SEC. 11. Regular Place of "ork or #usiness. - (he term 7regular place of .or0 or business7 refers to a stationary office in the city or pro#ince .herein the notary public renders legal and notarial ser#ices5 SEC. 12. Competent $%idence of Identit . - (he phrase 7competent e#idence of identity7 refers to the identification of an indi#idual based on/ 1a2 at least one current identification document issued by an official agency bearing the photograph and signature of the indi#idual3 or 1b2 the oath or affirmation of one credible .itness not pri#y to the instrument, document or transaction .ho is personally 0no.n to the notary public and .ho personally 0no.s the indi#idual, or of t.o credible .itnesses neither of .hom is pri#y to the instrument, document or transaction .ho each personally 0no.s the indi#idual and sho.s to the notary public documentary identification5 SEC. 13. Official &eal or &eal. - 7)fficial seal7 or 7Seal7 refers to a de#ice for affi'ing a mar0, image or impression on all papers officially signed by the notary public conforming the re:uisites prescribed by these !ules5 SEC. 14. &ignature "itnessing. -(he term 7signature .itnessing7 refers to a notarial act in .hich an indi#idual on a single occasion/ 1a2 appears in person before the notary public and presents an instrument or document3

1b2 is personally 0no.n to the notary public or identified by the notary public through competent e#idence of identity as defined by these !ules3 and 1c2 signs the instrument or document in the presence of the notary public5 SEC. 1&. Court. - 7Court7 refers to the Supreme Court of the %hilippines5 SEC. 1'. Petitioner. - 7%etitioner7 refers to a person .ho applies for a notarial commission5 SEC. 1(. Office of the Court Administrator. - 7)ffice of the Court Administrator7 refers to the )ffice of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court5 SEC. 18. $'ecuti%e Judge. - 7&'ecuti#e Judge7 refers to the &'ecuti#e Judge of the !egional (rial Court of a city or pro#ince .ho issues a notarial commission5 SEC. 1). *en+or - 7-endor7 under these !ules refers to a seller of a notarial seal and shall include a .holesaler or retailer5 SEC. 20. (anufacturer. - 7,anufacturer7 under these !ules refers to one .ho produces a notarial seal and shall include an engra#er and seal ma0er5 RULE III - COMMISSIONIN, O# NOTAR- U.LIC SECTION 1. )ualifications. - A notarial commission may be issued by an &'ecuti#e Judge to any :ualified person .ho submits a petition in accordance .ith these !ules5 (o be eligible for commissioning as notary public, the petitioner/ 1;2 must be a citi4en of the %hilippines3 122 must be o#er t.enty-one 12;2 years of age3 1<2 must be a resident in the %hilippines for at least one 1;2 year and maintains a regular place of .or0 or business in the city or pro#ince .here the commission is to be issued3 142 must be a member of the %hilippine +ar in good standing .ith clearances from the )ffice of the +ar Confidant of the Supreme Court and the =ntegrated +ar of the %hilippines3 and 152 must not ha#e been con#icted in the first instance of any crime in#ol#ing moral turpitude5 SEC. 2. *orm of the Petition and &upporting "o!u/ents5 - &#ery petition for a notarial commission shall be in .riting, #erified, and shall include the follo.ing/

1a2 a statement containing the petitioner8s personal :ualifications, including the petitioner8s date of birth, residence, telephone number, professional ta' receipt, roll of attorney8s number and =+% membership number3 , 1b2 certification of good moral character of the petitioner by at least t.o 122 e'ecuti#e officers of the local chapter of the =ntegrated +ar of the %hilippines .here he is applying for commission3 1c2 proof of payment for the filing of the petition as re:uired by these !ules3 and 1d2 three 1<2 passport-si4e color photographs .ith light bac0ground ta0en .ithin thirty 1<02 days of the application5 (he photograph should not be retouched5 (he petitioner shall sign his name at the bottom part of the photographs5 SEC. 3. Application *ee. - &#ery petitioner for a notarial commission shall pay the application fee as prescribed in the !ules of Court5 SEC. 4. Su//ar% +earing on the Petition. - (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall conduct a summary hearing on the petition and shall grant the same if/ 1a2 the petition is sufficient in form and substance3 1b2 the petitioner pro#es the allegations contained in the petition3 and 1c2 the petitioner establishes to the satisfaction of the &'ecuti#e Judge that he has read and fully understood these !ules5 (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall forth.ith issue a commission and a Certificate of Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal in fa#or of the petitioner5 SEC. &. Notice of &ummar +earing. - 1a2 (he notice of summary hearing shall be published in a ne.spaper of general circulation in the city or pro#ince .here the hearing shall be conducted and posted in a conspicuous place in the offices of the &'ecuti#e Judge and of the Cler0 of Court5 (he cost of the publication shall be borne by the petitioner5 (he notice may include more than one petitioner5 1b2 (he notice shall be substantially in the follo.ing form3 $)(=C& ) >&A!=$" $otice is hereby gi#en that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of 1name of petitioner2 shall be held on 1date2 at 1place2 at 1time25 Any person .ho has any cause or reason to ob9ect to the grant of the petition may file a #erified .ritten opposition thereto, recei#ed by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing5

?????????????? &'ecuti#e Judge SEC. '. Opposition to Petition. - Any person .ho has any cause or reason to ob9ect to the grant of the petition may file a #erified .ritten opposition thereto5 (he opposition must be recei#ed by the &'ecuti#e Judge before the date of the summary hearing5 SEC. (. #or/ of Notarial Commission. - (he commissioning of a notary public shall be in a formal order signed by the &'ecuti#e Judge substantially in the follo.ing form/ !&%6+*=C ) (>& %>=*=%%=$&S !&"=)$A* (!=A* C)6!( ) ?????????????? (his is to certify that 1name of notary public2 of 1regular place of .or0 or business2 in 1city or pro#ince2 .as on this 1date2 day of 1month2 t.o thousand and 1year2 commissioned by the undersigned as a notary public, .ithin and for the said 9urisdiction, for a term ending the thirty-first day of December 1year2 ??????????????? &'ecuti#e Judge SEC. 8. Period Of ,alidit of Certificate of Authorization to Purchase a Notarial &eal. - (he Certificate of Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal shall be #alid for a period of three 1<2 months from date of issue, unless e'tended by the &'ecuti#e Judge5 A mar0, image or impression of the seal that may be purchased by the notary public pursuant to the Certificate shall be presented to the &'ecuti#e Judge for appro#al prior to use5 SEC. ). #or/ of Certificate of Authorization to Purchase a Notarial &eal. -(he Certificate of Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal shall substantially be in the follo.ing form/ !&%6+*=C ) (>& %>=*=%%=$&S !&"=)$A* (!=A* C)6!( ) ????????????? C&!(= =CA(& ) A6(>)!=@A(=)$ () %6!C>AS& A $)(A!=A* S&A* (his is to authori4e 1name of notary public2 of 1city or pro#ince2 .ho .as commissioned by the undersigned as a notary public, .ithin and for the said 9urisdiction, for a term ending, the thirty-first of December 1year2 to purchase a notarial seal5

=ssued this 1day2 of 1month2 1year25 ??????????????? &'ecuti#e Judge SEC. 10. Official &eal of Notar Pu!lic. - &#ery person commissioned as notary public shall ha#e only one official seal of office in accordance .ith these !ules5 SEC. 11. Jurisdiction and Term. - A person commissioned as notary public may perform notarial acts in any place .ithin the territorial 9urisdiction of the commissioning court for a period of t.o 122 years commencing the first day of January of the year in .hich the commissioning is made, unless earlier re#o0ed or the notary public has resigned under these !ules and the !ules of Court5 SEC. 12. Register of Notaries Pu!lic. - (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall 0eep and maintain a !egister of $otaries %ublic in his 9urisdiction .hich shall contain, among others, the dates of issuance or re#ocation or suspension of notarial commissions, and the resignation or death of notaries public5 (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall furnish the )ffice of the Court Administrator information and data recorded in the register of notaries public5 (he )ffice of the Court Administrator shall 0eep a permanent, complete and updated database of such records5 SEC. 13. Renewal of Commission. - A notary public may file a .ritten application .ith the &'ecuti#e Judge for the rene.al of his commission .ithin forty-fi#e 1452 days before the e'piration thereof5 A mar0, image or impression of the seal of the notary public shall be attached to the application5 ailure to file said application .ill result in the deletion of the name of the notary public in the register of notaries public5 (he notary public thus remo#ed from the !egister of $otaries %ublic may only be reinstated therein after he is issued a ne. commission in accordance .ith these !ules5 SEC. 14. Action on Application for Renewal of Commission. - (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall, upon payment of the application fee mentioned in Section < abo#e of this !ule, act on an application for the rene.al of a commission .ithin thirty 1<02 days from receipt thereof5 =f the application is denied, the &'ecuti#e Judge shall state the reasons therefor5 RULE I* - O0ERS AN" LIMITATIONS O# NOTARIES U.LIC SECTION 1. o1ers 5 - 1a2 A notary public is empo.ered to perform the follo.ing notarial acts/ 1;2 ac0no.ledgments3

122 oaths and affirmations3 1<2 9urats3 142 signature .itnessings3 152 copy certifications3 and 1A2 any other act authori4ed by these !ules5 1b2 A notary public is authori4ed to certify the affi'ing of a signature by thumb or other mar0 on an instrument or document presented for notari4ation if/ 1;2the thumb or other mar0 is affi'ed in the presence of the notary public and of t.o 122 disinterested and unaffected .itnesses to the instrument or document3 122 both .itnesses sign their o.n names in addition to the thumb or other mar03 1<2 the notary public .rites belo. the thumb or other mar0/ 7(humb or )ther ,ar0 affi'ed by 1name of signatory by mar02 in the presence of1names and addresses of .itnesses2 and undersigned notary public73 and 142 the notary public notari4es the signature by thumb or other mar0 through an ac0no.ledgment, 9urat, or signature .itnessing5 1c2 A notary public is authori4ed to sign on behalf of a person .ho is physically unable to sign or ma0e a mar0 on an instrument or document if/ 1;2 the notary public is directed by the person unable to sign or ma0e a mar0 to sign on his behalf3 122 the signature of the notary public is affi'ed in the presence of t.o disinterested and unaffected .itnesses to the instrument or document3 1<2 both .itnesses sign their o.n names 3 142 the notary public .rites belo. his signature/ 7Signature affi'ed by notary in presence of 1names and addresses of person and t.o \2] .itnesses273 and

152 the notary public notari4es his signature by ac0no.ledgment or 9urat5 SEC. 2. Prohi!itions. - 1a2 A notary public shall not perform a notarial act outside his regular place of .or0 or business3 pro#ided, ho.e#er, that on certain e'ceptional occasions or situations, a notarial act may be performed at the re:uest of the parties in the follo.ing sites located .ithin his territorial 9urisdiction/ 1;2 public offices, con#ention halls, and similar places .here oaths of office may be administered3 122 public function areas in hotels and similar places for the signing of instruments or documents re:uiring notari4ation3 1<2 hospitals and other medical institutions .here a party to an instrument or document is confined for treatment3 and 142 any place .here a party to an instrument or document re:uiring notari4ation is under detention5 1b2 A person shall not perform a notarial act if the person in#ol#ed as signatory to the instrument or document 1;2 is not in the notary8s presence personally at the time of the notari4ation3 and 122 is not personally 0no.n to the notary public or other.ise identified by the notary public through competent e#idence of identity as defined by these !ules5 SEC. 3. -is.ualifications. - A notary public is dis:ualified from performing a notarial act if he/ 1a2 is a party to the instrument or document that is to be notari4ed3 1b2 .ill recei#e, as a direct or indirect result, any commission, fee, ad#antage, right, title, interest, cash, property, or other consideration, e'cept as pro#ided by these !ules and by la.3 or 1c2 is a spouse, common-la. partner, ancestor, descendant, or relati#e by affinity or consanguinity of the principal .ithin the fourth ci#il degree5 SEC. 4. Refusal to Notarize. - A notary public shall not perform any notarial act described in these !ules for any person re:uesting such an act e#en if he tenders the appropriate fee specified by these !ules if/

1a2 the notary 0no.s or has good reason to belie#e that the notarial act or transaction is unla.ful or immoral3 1b2 the signatory sho.s a demeanor .hich engenders in the mind of the notary public reasonable doubt as to the former8s 0no.ledge of the conse:uences of the transaction re:uiring a notarial act3 and 1c2 in the notary8s 9udgment, the signatory is not acting of his or her o.n free .ill5 SEC. &. #alse or In!o/$lete Certi2i!ate5 - A notary public shall not/ 1a2 e'ecute a certificate containing information 0no.n or belie#ed by the notary to be false5 1b2 affi' an official signature or seal on a notarial certificate that is incomplete5 SEC. '. Improper Instruments or -ocuments. - A notary public shall not notari4e/ 1a2 a blan0 or incomplete instrument or document3 or 1b2 an instrument or document .ithout appropriate notarial certification5 RULE * - #EES O# NOTAR- U.LIC SECTION 1. Imposition and "ai%er of *ees. - or performing a notarial act, a notary public may charge the ma'imum fee as prescribed by the Supreme Court unless he .ai#es the fee in .hole or in part5 SEC. 2. Tra%el *ees and $'penses . - A notary public may charge tra#el fees and e'penses separate and apart from the notarial fees prescribed in the preceding section .hen tra#eling to perform a notarial act if the notary public and the person re:uesting the notarial act agree prior to the tra#el5 SEC. 3. Prohi!ited *ees. - $o fee or compensation of any 0ind, e'cept those e'pressly prescribed and allo.ed herein, shall be collected or recei#ed for any notarial ser#ice5 SEC. 4. Pa ment or Refund of *ees . - A notary public shall not re:uire payment of any fees specified herein prior to the performance of a notarial act unless other.ise agreed upon5 Any tra#el fees and e'penses paid to a notary public prior to the performance of a notarial act are not sub9ect to refund if the notary public had already tra#eled but failed to complete in .hole or in part the notarial act for reasons beyond his control and .ithout negligence on his part5

SEC. &. Notice of *ees. - A notary public .ho charges a fee for notarial ser#ices shall issue a receipt registered .ith the +ureau of =nternal !e#enue and 0eep a 9ournal of notarial fees5 >e shall enter in the 9ournal all fees charged for ser#ices rendered5 A notary public shall post in a conspicuous place in his office a complete schedule of chargeable notarial fees5 RULE *I - NOTARIAL RE,ISTER SECTION 1. *orm of Notarial Register. - 1a2 A notary public shall 0eep, maintain, protect and pro#ide for la.ful inspection as pro#ided in these !ules, a chronological official notarial register of notarial acts consisting of a permanently bound boo0 .ith numbered pages5 (he register shall be 0ept in boo0s to be furnished by the Solicitor "eneral to any notary public upon re:uest and upon payment of the cost thereof5 (he register shall be duly paged, and on the first page, the Solicitor "eneral shall certify the number of pages of .hich the boo0 consists5 or purposes of this pro#ision, a ,emorandum of Agreement or 6nderstanding may be entered into by the )ffice of the Solicitor "eneral and the )ffice of the Court Administrator5 1b2 A notaryB public shall 0eep only one acti#e notarial register at any gi#en time5 SEC. 2. $ntries in the Notarial Register. - 1a2 or e#ery notarial act, the notary shall record in the notarial register at the time of notari4ation the follo.ing/ 1;2 the entry number and page number3 122 the date and time of day of the notarial act3 1<2 the type of notarial act3 142 the title or description of the instrument, document or proceeding3 152 the name and address of each principal3 1A2 the competent e#idence of identity as defined by these !ules if the signatory is not personally 0no.n to the notary3

1C2 the name and address of each credible .itness s.earing to or affirming the person8s identity3 1D2 the fee charged for the notarial act3 1E2 the address .here the notari4ation .as performed if not in the notary8s regular place of .or0 or business3 and 1;02 any other circumstance the notary public may deem of significance or rele#ance5 1b2 A notary public shall record in the notarial register the reasons and circumstances for not completing a notarial act5 1c2 A notary public shall record in the notarial register the circumstances of any re:uest to inspect or copy an entry in the notarial register, including the re:uester8s name, address, signature, thumbmar0 or other recogni4ed identifier, and e#idence of identity5 (he reasons for refusal to allo. inspection or copying of a 9ournal entry shall also be recorded5 1d2 Fhen the instrument or document is a contract, the notary public shall 0eep an original copy thereof as part of his records and enter in said records a brief description of the substance thereof and shall gi#e to each entry a consecuti#e number, beginning .ith number one in each calendar year5 >e shall also retain a duplicate original copy for the Cler0 of Court5 1e2 (he notary public shall gi#e to each instrument or document e'ecuted, s.orn to, or ac0no.ledged before him a number corresponding to the one in his register, and shall also state on the instrument or document the pageBs of his register on .hich the same is recorded5 $o blan0 line shall be left bet.een entries5 1f2 =n case of a protest of any draft, bill of e'change or promissory note, the notary public shall ma0e a full and true record of all proceedings in relation thereto and shall note therein .hether the demand for the sum of money .as made, by .hom, .hen, and .here3 .hether he presented such draft, bill or note3 .hether notices .ere gi#en, to .hom and in .hat manner3 .here the same .as made, .hen and to .hom and .here directed3 and of e#ery other fact touching the same5

1g2 At the end of each .ee0, the notary public shall certify in his notarial register the number of instruments or documents e'ecuted, s.orn to, ac0no.ledged, or protested before him3 or if none, this certificate shall sho. this fact5 1h2 A certified copy of each month8s entries and a duplicate original copy of any instrument ac0no.ledged before the notary public shall, .ithin the first ten 1;02 days of the month follo.ing, be for.arded to the Cler0 of Court and shall be under the responsibility of such officer5 =f there is no entry to certify for the month, the notary shall for.ard a statement to this effect in lieu of certified copies herein re:uired5 SEC. 3. &ignatures and Thum!marks. - At the time of notari4ation, the notary8s notarial register shall be signed or a thumb or other mar0 affi'ed by each/ 1a2 principal3 1b2 credible .itness s.earing or affirming to the identity of a principal3 and 1c2 .itness to a signature by thumb or other mar0, or to a signing by the notary public on behalf of a person physically unable to sign5 SEC. 4. Inspection/ Cop ing and -isposal. - 1a2 =n the notary8s presence, any person may inspect an entry in the notarial register, during regular business hours, pro#ided3 1;2 the person8s identity is personally 0no.n to the notary public or pro#en through competent e#idence of identity as defined in these !ules3 122 the person affi'es a signature and thumb or other mar0 or other recogni4ed identifier, in the notarial 5register in a separate, dated entry3 1<2 the person specifies the month, year, type of instrument or document, and name of the principal in the notarial act or acts sought3 and 142 the person is sho.n only the entry or entries specified by him5 1b2 (he notarial register may be e'amined by a la. enforcement officer in the course of an official in#estigation or by #irtue of a court order5 1c2 =f the notary public has a reasonable ground to belie#e that a person has a criminal intent or .rongful moti#e in re:uesting information from the notarial register, the notary shall deny access to any entry or entries therein5 SEC. &. Loss3 -estruction or -amage of Notarial Register . - 1a2 =n case the notarial register is stolen, lost, destroyed, damaged, or other.ise rendered unusable or illegible as a record of notarial acts, the notary public shall, .ithin ten 1;02 days after informing the

appropriate la. enforcement agency in the case of theft or #andalism, notify the &'ecuti#e Judge by any means pro#iding a proper receipt or ac0no.ledgment, including registered mail and also pro#ide a copy or number of any pertinent police report5 1b2 6pon re#ocation or e'piration of a notarial commission, or death of the notary public, the notarial register and notarial records shall immediately be deli#ered to the office of the &'ecuti#e Judge5 SEC. '. Issuance of Certified True Copies . - (he notary public shall supply a certified true copy of the notarial record, or any part thereof, to any person applying for such copy upon payment of the legal fees5 RULE *II - SI,NATURE AN" SEAL O# NOTAR- U.LIC SECTION 1. Official &ignature. - =n notari4ing a paper instrument or document, a notary public shall/ 1a2 sign by hand on the notarial certificate only the name indicated and as appearing on the notary8s commission3 1b2 not sign using a facsimile stamp or printing de#ice3 and 1c2 affi' his official signature only at the time the notarial act is performed5 SEC. 2. Official &eal. - 1a2 &#ery person commissioned as notary public shall ha#e a seal of office, to be procured at his o.n e'pense, .hich shall not be possessed or o.ned by any other person5 =t shall be of metal, circular in shape, t.o inches in diameter, and shall ha#e the name of the city or pro#ince and the .ord 7%hilippines7 and his o.n name on the margin and the roll of attorney8s number on the face thereof, .ith the .ords 7notary public7 across the center5 A mar0, image or impression of such seal shall be made directly on the paper or parchment on .hich the .riting appears5 1b2 (he official seal shall be affi'ed only at the time the notarial act is performed and shall be clearly impressed by the notary public on e#ery page of the instrument or document notari4ed5 1c2 Fhen not in use, the official seal shall be 0ept safe and secure and shall be accessible only to the notary public or the person duly authori4ed by him5 1d2 Fithin fi#e 152 days after the official seal of a notary public is stolen, lost, damaged or other other.ise rendered unser#iceable in affi'ing a legible image, the notary public, after informing the appropriate la. enforcement agency,

shall notify the &'ecuti#e Judge in .riting, pro#iding proper receipt or ac0no.ledgment, including registered mail, and in the e#ent of a crime committed, pro#ide a copy or entry number of the appropriate police record5 6pon receipt of such notice, if found in order by the &'ecuti#e Judge, the latter shall order the notary public to cause notice of such loss or damage to be published, once a .ee0 for three 1<2 consecuti#e .ee0s, in a ne.spaper of general circulation in the city or pro#ince .here the notary public is commissioned5 (hereafter, the &'ecuti#e Judge shall issue to the notary public a ne. Certificate of Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal5 1e2 Fithin fi#e 152 days after the death or resignation of the notary public, or the re#ocation or e'piration of a notarial commission, the official seal shall be surrendered to the &'ecuti#e Judge and shall be destroyed or defaced in public during office hours5 =n the e#ent that the missing, lost or damaged seal is later found or surrendered, it shall be deli#ered by the notary public to the &'ecuti#e Judge to be disposed of in accordance .ith this section5 ailure to effect such surrender shall constitute contempt of court5 =n the e#ent of death of the notary public, the person in possession of the official seal shall ha#e the duty to surrender it to the &'ecuti#e Judge5 SEC. 3. &eal Image. - (he notary public shall affi' a single, clear, legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible mar0, image or impression of the official seal beside his signature on the notarial certificate of a paper instrument or document5 SEC. 4. O!taining and Pro%iding &eal. - 1a2 A #endor or manufacturer of notarial seals may not sell said product .ithout a .ritten authori4ation from the &'ecuti#e Judge5 1b2 6pon .ritten application and after payment of the application fee, the &'ecuti#e Judge may issue an authori4ation to sell to a #endor or manufacturer of notarial seals after #erification and in#estigation of the latter8s :ualifications5 (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall charge an authori4ation fee in the amount of %hp 4,000 for the #endor and %hp D,000 for the manufacturer5 =f a manufacturer is also a #endor, he shall only pay the manufacturer8s authori4ation fee5 1c2 (he authori4ation shall be in effect for a period of four 142 years from the date of its issuance and may be rene.ed by the &'ecuti#e Judge for a similar period upon payment of the authori4ation fee mentioned in the preceding paragraph5 5 1d2 A #endor or manufacturer shall not sell a seal to a buyer e'cept upon submission of a certified copy of the commission and the Certificate of

Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal issued by the &'ecuti#e Judge5 A notary public obtaining a ne. seal as a result of change of name shall present to the #endor or manufacturer a certified copy of the Confirmation of the Change of $ame issued by the &'ecuti#e Judge5 1e2 )nly one seal may be sold by a #endor or manufacturer for each Certificate of Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal, 1f2 After the sale, the #endor or manufacturer shall affi' a mar0, image or impression of the seal to the Certificate of Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal and submit the completed Certificate to the &'ecuti#e Judge5 Copies of the Certificate of Authori4ation to %urchase a $otarial Seal and the buyer8s commission shall be 0ept in the files of the #endor or manufacturer for four 142 years after the sale5 1g2 A notary public obtaining a ne. seal as a result of change of name shall present to the #endor a certified copy of the order confirming the change of name issued by the &'ecuti#e Judge5 RULE *III - NOTARIAL CERTI#ICATES SECTION 1. #or/ of Notarial Certificate. - (he notarial form used for any notarial instrument or document shall conform to all the re:uisites prescribed herein, the !ules of Court and all other pro#isions of issuances by the Supreme Court and in applicable la.s5 SEC. 2. Contents of the Concluding Part of the Notarial Certificate . - (he notarial certificate shall include the follo.ing/ 1a2 the name of the notary public as e'actly indicated in the commission3 1b2 the serial number of the commission of the notary public3 1c2 the .ords 7$otary %ublic7 and the pro#ince or city .here the notary public is commissioned, the e'piration date of the commission, the office address of the notary public3 and 1d2 the roll of attorney8s number, the professional ta' receipt number and the place and date of issuance thereof, and the =+% membership number5 RULE I4 - CERTI#ICATE O# AUT5ORIT- O# NOTARIES U.LIC SECTION 1. Certificate of Authorit for a Notarial Act. - A certificate of authority e#idencing the authenticity of the official seal and signature of a notary public shall be issued by the &'ecuti#e Judge upon re:uest in substantially the follo.ing form/

C&!(= =CA(& ) A6(>)!=(G )! A $)(A!=A* AC( =, 1name, title, 9urisdiction of the &'ecuti#e Judge2, certify that 1name of notary public2, the person named in the seal and signature on the attached document, is a $otary %ublic in and for the 1CityB,unicipalityB%ro#ince2 of the !epublic of the %hilippines and authori4ed to act as such at the time of the document8s notari4ation5 =$ F=($&SS F>&!&) , = ha#e affi'ed belo. my signature and seal of this office this 1date2 day of 1month2 1year25 ????????????????? 1official signature2 1seal of &'ecuti#e Judge2 RULE 4 - C5AN,ES O# STATUS O# NOTAR- U.LIC SECTION 1. C6an7e o2 Na/e an+ A++ress5 Fithin ten 1;02 days after the change of name of the notary public by court order or by marriage, or after ceasing to maintain the regular place of .or0 or business, the notary public shall submit a signed and dated notice of such fact to the &'ecuti#e Judge5 (he notary public shall not notari4e until/ 1a2 he recei#es from the &'ecuti#e Judge a confirmation of the ne. name of the notary public andBor change of regular place of .or0 or business3 and 1b2 a ne. seal bearing the ne. name has been obtained5 (he foregoing not.ithstanding, until the aforementioned steps ha#e been completed, the notary public may continue to use the former name or regular place of .or0 or business in performing notarial acts for three 1<2 months from the date of the change, .hich may be e'tended once for #alid and 9ust cause by the &'ecuti#e Judge for another period not e'ceeding three 1<2 months5 SEC. 2. Resignation. - A notary public may resign his commission by personally submitting a .ritten, dated and signed formal notice to the &'ecuti#e Judge together .ith his notarial seal, notarial register and records5 &ffecti#e from the date indicated in the notice, he shall immediately cease to perform notarial acts5 =n the e#ent of his incapacity to personally appear, the submission of the notice may be performed by his duly authori4ed representati#e5

SEC. 3. Pu!lication of Resignation. - (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall immediately order the Cler0 of Court to post in a conspicuous place in the offices of the &'ecuti#e Judge and of the Cler0 of Court the names of notaries public .ho ha#e resigned their notarial commissions and the effecti#e dates of their resignation5 RULE 4I - RE*OCATION O# COMMISSION AN" "ISCI LINAR- SANCTIONS SECTION 1. Re%ocation and Administrati%e &anctions. - 1a2 (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall re#o0e a notarial commission for any ground on .hich an application for a commission may be denied5 1b2 =n addition, the &'ecuti#e Judge may re#o0e the commission of, or impose appropriate administrati#e sanctions upon, any notary public .ho/ 1;2 fails to 0eep a notarial register3 122 fails to ma0e the proper entry or entries in his notarial register concerning his notarial acts3 1<2 fails to send the copy of the entries to the &'ecuti#e Judge .ithin the first ten 1;02 days of the month follo.ing3 142 fails to affi' to ac0no.ledgments the date of e'piration of his commission3 152 fails to submit his notarial register, .hen filled, to the &'ecuti#e Judge3 1A2 fails to ma0e his report, .ithin a reasonable time, to the &'ecuti#e Judge concerning the performance of his duties, as may be re:uired by the 9udge3 1C2 fails to re:uire the presence of a principal at the time of the notarial act3 1D2 fails to identify a principal on the basis of personal 0no.ledge or competent e#idence3 1E2 e'ecutes a false or incomplete certificate under Section 5, !ule =-3 1;02 0no.ingly performs or fails to perform any other act prohibited or mandated by these !ules3 and 1;;2 commits any other dereliction or act .hich in the 9udgment of the &'ecuti#e Judge constitutes good cause for re#ocation of commission or imposition of administrati#e sanction5

1c2 6pon #erified complaint by an interested, affected or aggrie#ed person, the notary public shall be re:uired to file a #erified ans.er to the complaint5 =f the ans.er of the notary public is not satisfactory, the &'ecuti#e Judge shall conduct a summary hearing5 =f the allegations of the complaint are not pro#en, the complaint shall be dismissed5 =f the charges are duly established, the &'ecuti#e Judge shall impose the appropriate administrati#e sanctions5 =n either case, the aggrie#ed party may appeal the decision to the Supreme Court for re#ie.5 %ending the appeal, an order imposing disciplinary sanctions shall be immediately e'ecutory, unless other.ise ordered by the Supreme Court5 1d2 (he &'ecuti#e Judge may motu proprio initiate administrati#e proceedings against a notary public, sub9ect to the procedures prescribed in paragraph 1c2 abo#e and impose the appropriate administrati#e sanctions on the grounds mentioned in the preceding paragraphs 1a2 and 1b25 SEC. 2. &uper%ision and (onitoring of Notaries Pu!lic. - (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall at all times e'ercise super#ision o#er notaries public and shall closely monitor their acti#ities5 SEC. 3. Pu!lication of Re%ocations and Administrati%e &anctions . - (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall immediately order the Cler0 of Court to post in a conspicuous place in the offices of the &'ecuti#e Judge and of the Cler0 of Court the names of notaries public .ho ha#e been administrati#ely sanctioned or .hose notarial commissions ha#e been re#o0ed5 SEC. 4. -eath of Notar Pu!lic. - =f a notary public dies before fulfilling the obligations in Section 41e2, !ule -= and Section 21e2, !ule -==, the &'ecuti#e Judge, upon being notified of such death, shall forth.ith cause compliance .ith the pro#isions of these sections5 RULE 4II - S ECIAL RO*ISIONS SECTION 1. Punisha!le Acts. - (he &'ecuti#e Judge shall cause the prosecution of any person .ho/ 1a2 0no.ingly acts or other.ise impersonates a notary public3 1b2 0no.ingly obtains, conceals, defaces, or destroys the seal, notarial register, or official records of a notary public3 and 1c2 0no.ingly solicits, coerces, or in any .ay influences a notary public to commit official misconduct5

SEC 2. Re$orts to the &upreme Court. - (he &'ecuti#e Judge concerned shall submit semestral reports to the Supreme Court on discipline and prosecution of notaries public5 RULE 4III - RE EALIN, AN" E##ECTI*IT- RO*ISIONS SECTION 1. Repeal. - All rules and parts of rules, including issuances of the Supreme Court inconsistent here.ith, are hereby repealed or accordingly modified5 SEC. 2. $ffecti%e -ate. - (hese !ules shall ta0e effect on the first day of August 2004, and shall be published in a ne.spaper of general circulation in the %hilippines .hich pro#ides sufficiently .ide circulation5 %romulgated this Ath day of July, 20045 1Sgd52 Davide, Jr. C.J., Puno, itu!, Pan!ani"an, #uisum"in!, $nare%-&antia!o, &andoval-'utierre%, Carpio, (ustria-)artine%, Corona, Carpio-)orales, Calle*o, &r., (%cuna and +in!a, JJ5