What Is A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC? The Supreme Court Rules on Electronic Notarization
A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC is the administrative matter issued by the Supreme Court of the Philippines that established the Rules on Electronic Notarization. Approved in October 2024 and effective March 4, 2025, it is the foundational regulation that makes e-notarization legal and enforceable in the Philippines.
What Is an Administrative Matter (A.M.)?
In the Philippine legal system, an Administrative Matter (A.M.) is an official issuance by the Supreme Court exercising its rule-making power under Article VIII, Section 5(5) of the 1987 Constitution. Unlike laws passed by Congress, A.M. issuances are rules that govern court procedures, the legal profession, and related matters – including notarization.
A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC specifically governs how electronic notarization shall be conducted, who may perform it, and what platforms may be used.
Key Provisions
Scope and Coverage
The Rules apply to all electronic notarial acts performed within the Philippines and, in limited cases, extraterritorially (at Philippine embassies, consulates, or honorary consulates for Filipino citizens abroad).
They cover two types of e-notarization:
- In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN) – Physical presence, electronic document
- Remote Electronic Notarization (REN) – Virtual presence via audiovisual link
Electronic Notary Administrator (ENA)
The Rules create the position of Electronic Notary Administrator (ENA), appointed by the Supreme Court. The ENA is responsible for:
- Commissioning Electronic Notary Publics (ENPs)
- Accrediting Electronic Notarization Facilities (ENFs)
- Maintaining the centralized Supreme Court database of notarial records
- Investigating complaints and revoking commissions when necessary
Electronic Notary Public (ENP) Requirements
To be commissioned as an ENP, a person must:
- Be a member of the Philippine Bar in good standing
- Not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude
- Complete the required training on electronic notarization
- Apply for a commission with the ENA
Document Format Requirements
Electronic notarial acts apply exclusively to:
- PDF (Portable Document Format) documents
- PDF/A (PDF Archival) documents
Paper documents with wet ink signatures remain under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice.
Identity Verification
The Rules mandate multi-factor authentication for identity verification, particularly in REN:
- Government-issued photo identification
- Facial recognition technology
- One-time passwords (OTPs)
- Knowledge-based authentication
Record-Keeping
Every electronic notarial act must be:
- Recorded in the ENP’s electronic notarial book
- Assigned a unique reference number
- Uploaded to the Supreme Court’s centralized database
- Preserved with a tamper-proof audit trail
Extraterritorial Application
Filipino citizens abroad may access e-notarization services if they are on the premises of Philippine embassies, consulates, or honorary consulates. This is particularly significant for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who previously had limited access to notarial services.
Relationship to Other Laws
A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC operates alongside – not replacing – several existing laws:
| Law/Rule | Relationship |
|---|---|
| RA 8792 (Electronic Commerce Act) | Provides the underlying legal validity of electronic signatures and documents |
| Rules on Electronic Evidence | Governs how electronically notarized documents are admitted as evidence in court |
| 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice | Continues to govern paper-based notarization |
| Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232) | Corporate documents (minutes, resolutions) can now be e-notarized under the new Rules |
Impact on Legal Practice
The adoption of A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC marks a fundamental shift in Philippine legal practice:
- For notary publics – A new commission pathway (ENP) and the ability to serve clients remotely
- For law firms – Streamlined notarization workflows without physical document logistics
- For corporate secretaries – Board resolutions and secretary’s certificates can be e-notarized
- For businesses – Faster document execution, lower costs, reduced fraud risk
- For OFWs – Access to notarization from Philippine missions abroad
For the full story behind the Supreme Court’s approval, see our article on the Supreme Court’s approval of e-notarization rules.
Current Status
As of early 2026, the regulatory framework is fully in place. The appointment of the Electronic Notary Administrator and accreditation of ENFs are the next steps before widespread adoption. For the journey behind this reform, read about making e-notarization possible.
Related Terms
- E-Notarization
- Electronic Notary Public (ENP)
- Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF)
- RA 8792 (Electronic Commerce Act)
- Rules on Electronic Evidence
NotarialOS is built specifically to comply with A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC, providing an accredited platform for both In-Person and Remote Electronic Notarization.