Robinsons Ilocos Opens First DFA Apostille Receiving Center (ARC) in Ilocos Norte

Kablaaw, Ilocos! Here’s some exciting news for mall-goers in the north: The Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Office in Ilocos Norte is expanding its list of services with the launch of the Apostille Reception Center (ARC) at Robinsons Ilocos.

Now open to the public, it is first ARC branch in Ilocos Norte and only the country’s second Apostille Receiving Center. The newest DFA ARC can, of course, only be found at Robinsons Ilocos’ Lingkod Pinoy Center.

Opening of the DFA Apostille Receiving Center in Robinsons Ilocos.
Photos L-R Helen Grace Vallo, Regional Operations Manager- Robinsons Ilocos; Hon. Angel Miguel Hernando, Mayor- Municipality of San Nicolas; Hon. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Vice Governor-Province of Ilocos Norte); ASec. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Assistant Secretary-Office of the Consular Affairs, DFA; Atty. Manuel Ayap, (Authentication Director- Office of the Consular Affairs) and Maribel G. Baladjay-Borg, Acting Head, Consular Office, San Nicolas)

Offering public services in Robinsons Malls since 2011, Lingkod Pinoy Center is a one-stop-shop that provides government services to the public in a convenient and accessible setting. There is one in almost every Robinsons Mall nationwide!

There are several government agencies operating in each Lingkod Pinoy Center, allowing Filipinos to process documents, pay bills, and access other essential services without having to visit multiple locations. Imagine being able to get your business done in the blink of an eye, and then enjoy spending the rest of the day shopping, dining, or watching a movie with friends or family, staying true to Robinsons Malls’ promise to make life easier and more convenient for every Filipino.

What is an apostille?

Apostille is an internationally accepted form of verification of public documents. In the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs is the authorized issuer of apostilles, which have replaced the traditional “Red Ribbon” certification method.

When an apostille is attached to documents such as birth certificates, professional licenses, and school reports, it means that they are authentic and were issued legally. They are legally valid in any other country that is a member of the Hague Convention (also known as the Apostille Convention), without the need for further certification or legal processes. As a result, an apostille is more convenient, more affordable, and processed much faster than document verification systems used in the past.

How can you get it?

At Robinsons Ilocos, getting a DFA Apostille is easy! Starting September 2, anyone can simply walk into the DFA Apostille Receiving Center on Level 2 of the Main Mall with their documents to be processed and pay a flat rate of PHP 200 per document.

More services are now offered at DFA-San Nicolas in Robinsons Ilocos. In addition to applying for and renewing passports, citizens can now have their documents authenticated at the Apostille Reception Centre.

Currently, DFA ARC certifies five types of documents: NBI certificates, certificates issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and certificates of non-marriage), licenses and other documents from the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC), licenses and registration documents from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and official school documents such as diplomas and transcripts. (including TESDA certificates). Like many government offices, DFA ARC is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

With the opening of the DFA Apostille Reception Center in Robinsons Ilocos, Filipinos in the north no longer have to travel far or make online appointments months in advance to have important documents verified. What’s more, this is not limited to Ilocos residents, you can apply for your apostille here even if you live elsewhere in the Philippines. Of course, if it is more convenient, you can also apply for your apostille at the three other DFA consular offices located in Robinsons malls, more specifically in Robinsons Iloilo, Robinsons Starmills (Pampanga) and Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

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This article is sponsored by Robinsons Malls.