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Terms of Service

Effective Date: January 30, 2026

Introduction and Acceptance

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Selyo ("Platform," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of the Selyo electronic notarization platform and all related services.

By accessing, registering for, or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

These Terms are subject to the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, including but not limited to the Rules on Electronic Notarization promulgated by the Supreme Court, the Electronic Commerce Act (Republic Act No. 8792), the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), and all applicable rules and regulations issued by competent Philippine government authorities.

Definitions

For purposes of these Terms, the following definitions shall apply:

  • "User," "you," or "your" refers to any person or entity accessing or using the Platform, whether as a client seeking notarization services or as a notary public using the Platform's infrastructure.
  • "Account" refers to the registered user profile you create to access Platform services.
  • "Services" refers to the electronic notarization infrastructure, tools, and related services provided by the Platform as described in these Terms.
  • "Fees" refers to the charges payable for use of the Platform, including service fees, transaction fees, and any other amounts due under these Terms.

Nature of Platform Services

Selyo provides electronic notarization infrastructure and technology services that enable commissioned notaries public to perform notarial acts using electronic means.

The Platform is a technology service provider and not a law firm, notary commission, or legal services provider. The Platform does not provide legal advice, prepare legal documents, or render opinions on legal matters.

All notarial acts performed through the Platform are performed by independent, commissioned notaries public who bear sole professional responsibility for the proper performance of their notarial duties. The Platform provides infrastructure but does not control, supervise, or guarantee any notarial act.

Users seeking legal advice should consult a licensed attorney. The availability of the Platform does not create an attorney-client relationship between the Platform and any User.

Incorporation of Electronic Notarization Policy

These Terms incorporate by reference the Platform's Electronic Notarization Policy, which governs matters specific to electronic notarial practice through the Platform. The Electronic Notarization Policy defines terms, roles, and procedures related to electronic notarization under Philippine Supreme Court rules. Users who are notaries public must comply with both these Terms and the Electronic Notarization Policy. All users acknowledge that electronic notarization conducted through the Platform is subject to the requirements set forth in the Electronic Notarization Policy.

Eligibility and Account Registration

To use the Platform, you must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and possess legal capacity to enter into binding contracts under Philippine law.

By registering for an account, you represent and warrant that:

  • All registration information you submit is truthful, accurate, current, and complete
  • You will maintain the accuracy of such information and promptly update it as necessary
  • You have the legal capacity and authority to agree to these Terms
  • You are not prohibited from using the Platform under any applicable law
  • Your use of the Platform will comply with all applicable laws and regulations

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You must immediately notify the Platform of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security.

The Platform reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account if any information provided proves to be inaccurate, false, outdated, or incomplete, or if the Platform reasonably believes that your account has been compromised.

Identity Verification Requirements

The Platform implements identity verification mechanisms consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.

You consent to the collection and processing of your identity information, which may include but is not limited to: government-issued identification documents, facial biometric data for liveness detection and anti-spoofing verification, and such other information as may be reasonably required to establish your identity.

You acknowledge that the Platform employs technology designed to detect presentation attacks and to verify that the person appearing before the system is a live person and not a spoofed image, video, or other artifice. You agree to cooperate fully with all identity verification procedures.

The notary public performing any notarial act remains solely responsible for satisfying themselves as to the identity of parties in accordance with applicable law and professional duties.

Notarization Sessions

When using the Platform for notarization services, you will participate in a live, real-time audiovisual session with a notary public conducted through videoconferencing technology.

During such sessions, you may be required to:

  • Present valid identification documents
  • Respond to identity verification questions
  • Take oaths or affirmations
  • Affix your electronic signature to documents
  • Acknowledge documents as your free and voluntary act

All notarization sessions are recorded, and by using the Platform, you expressly consent to such recording. These recordings form part of the notarial record and may be retained, accessed, and disclosed in accordance with applicable law and these Terms.

You acknowledge that any false statement, fraudulent identification, or misrepresentation made during the notarization process may constitute perjury, forgery, or other criminal offenses under Philippine law, and may result in civil and criminal liability.

Electronic Documents and Signatures

Documents notarized through the Platform are electronic documents within the meaning of the Electronic Commerce Act. Such documents bear the electronic signature and seal of the notary public and are assigned unique verification codes enabling third-party verification of authenticity and integrity.

Electronic documents produced through the Platform are intended to have the same legal effect, validity, and enforceability as paper documents, to the extent provided by applicable law.

The Platform employs cryptographic measures and tamper-evident technology designed to detect any alteration to notarized documents after completion. The Platform maintains audit trails recording significant events in the document lifecycle.

Printed copies of notarized documents may include QR codes, barcodes, or other machine-readable identifiers linking to verification services.

Public Verification Services

The Platform provides verification services enabling third parties to confirm the authenticity and integrity of documents purportedly notarized through the Platform.

Verification pages accessible to the public display only limited, non-sensitive metadata sufficient to confirm that a document bearing a particular verification code was processed through the Platform, the date of notarization, and whether the document has been tampered with.

Full documents and detailed transaction information are accessible only to authorized parties, including the Electronic Notary Public of record, principals and affiants, and such other persons as may be authorized by law or court order.

The Platform does not guarantee that third parties will accept documents notarized through the Platform, as acceptance remains within the discretion of the receiving party or institution.

Verification Methods and Legal Effect

Documents may be verified via:

  • QR code embedded in the document
  • NFC sticker on platform-issued printed copies (where applicable)
  • Direct URL access to the Verification Portal

QR codes and NFC stickers are verification aids—technical mechanisms to access the Verification Portal. They are not, in themselves, determinants of a document's legal validity.

The verification method used (QR, NFC, or direct access) does not affect the legal validity of the underlying document or notarial act. A document verified via QR code has the same legal standing as one verified via NFC or direct portal access.

NFC verification is an optional, supplementary feature available on certain platform-issued printed copies. The presence or absence of NFC capability does not affect a document's validity. Documents notarized through the Platform are valid regardless of whether NFC verification is available or used.

Verification confirms that our records indicate a document was notarized through the Platform. It does not constitute:

  • A legal opinion on the document's validity
  • A guarantee of authenticity
  • Certification for any particular purpose
  • A representation that the document will be accepted by any court, agency, or third party

PDF Downloads and Document Distribution

PDF downloads of notarized documents are not automatically available through the public Verification Portal. Access to downloadable copies is controlled and restricted to:

  • Document Owners
  • The notarizing Notary
  • Parties expressly authorized by the Document Owner

The public Verification Portal enables confirmation of notarization status but does not enable document distribution. This protects document confidentiality while permitting verification.

Upon request by authorized parties, the Platform may produce printed copies of electronically notarized documents. These copies are produced under controlled conditions and may include verification features (QR codes, NFC stickers).

NFC Verification Stickers

NFC stickers using NTAG424 DNA technology with Secure Dynamic Messaging may be affixed to platform-issued printed copies. This is an optional feature providing enhanced verification assurance.

NFC stickers are physical objects that may be damaged, removed, or tampered with after issuance. The Platform does not guarantee the physical integrity of NFC stickers after delivery.

The condition, presence, or absence of an NFC sticker does not affect the legal validity of the underlying notarized document. A document remains valid even if its NFC sticker is removed, damaged, or non-functional.

If an NFC sticker is unavailable, the document may still be verified via QR code or direct portal access. The verification method does not affect the verification result.

Verification Event Metadata

Both QR code scans and NFC tag interactions generate limited technical metadata for security and audit purposes. This metadata may include:

  • Timestamp of the verification event
  • Verification method identifier (QR or NFC)
  • General geographic region derived from IP address
  • Device type
  • For NFC interactions: cryptographic counter data for anti-cloning verification

This metadata is collected to maintain platform security, detect potential fraud or tampering, and provide authorized parties with audit trail information.

Detailed audit trails, including verification history distinguishing between QR and NFC verification methods, are visible only to authorized parties including Document Owners and the notarizing Notary. Public verification pages do not display full audit history.

AI-Assisted Review Features

The Platform may offer artificial intelligence-assisted tools designed to assist users in reviewing documents prior to notarization. These tools may identify potential spelling errors, formatting issues, or apparent internal inconsistencies within documents, such as discrepancies in names, dates, or other data fields.

AI-assisted suggestions are provided solely as advisory aids and are never determinative. All suggestions generated by AI tools require human review and acceptance or rejection.

The Electronic Notary Public and the principal or affiant retain full responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted for notarization.

The Platform makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated suggestions. AI features do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal review.

User Obligations and Prohibited Conduct

You agree to:

  • Use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in compliance with these Terms and all applicable laws
  • Provide accurate, truthful, and complete information in connection with all notarial acts
  • Appear personally for identity verification as required
  • Not impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your identity
  • Not submit forged, fraudulent, or materially false documents for notarization
  • Not use virtual private networks (VPNs) or other technology to circumvent geolocation restrictions
  • Not attempt to interfere with, compromise, or disrupt the Platform's security, integrity, or availability
  • Not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any portion of the Platform
  • Not use automated systems to access the Platform without authorization
  • Comply with any minimum technical requirements, including internet bandwidth and device specifications, as may be prescribed

Violation of these obligations may result in immediate suspension or termination of your account, reporting to law enforcement, and civil or criminal liability.

Fees and Payment

Use of certain Platform services requires payment of fees. Applicable fees may be charged on a per-document, per-session, or time-based basis, as indicated at the time of transaction. All fees are quoted in Philippine Pesos unless otherwise specified.

Payment may be made through credit or debit cards, bank transfers, or Philippine electronic wallet services accepted by the Platform. By providing payment information, you represent that you are authorized to use the payment method and authorize the Platform to charge applicable fees.

Fees paid are generally non-refundable except as required by applicable law or as expressly provided in these Terms.

The Platform may adjust fees at any time upon notice, with such changes applying to transactions initiated after the effective date of the change. Notarial fees payable to notaries public are separate from Platform service fees and are subject to applicable fee schedules and regulations.

Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its software, design, text, graphics, interfaces, and all other content and materials (excluding User-submitted documents), is owned by or licensed to Selyo and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws of the Philippines and international treaties.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform solely for its intended purposes in accordance with these Terms. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, lease, or create derivative works based on the Platform or any portion thereof without prior written consent.

"Selyo" and related logos and marks are trademarks of the Platform. You may not use these marks without prior written permission.

User-submitted documents remain the property of the submitting User, subject to the licenses granted herein for processing and storage purposes.

Records Retention and Access

The Platform maintains records of notarial acts, including notarized documents, notarial journals, and audiovisual recordings of notarization sessions, in secure storage facilities meeting the requirements of applicable law.

Records are retained for the periods prescribed by law, which may extend beyond the termination of your account or your relationship with any notary public.

You may request copies of your notarized documents and related records in accordance with the Platform's records request procedures, subject to identity verification and applicable fees.

The Platform may disclose records to courts, government authorities, or law enforcement as required or permitted by law. Upon valid court order or subpoena, the Platform will produce records as directed.

Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PLATFORM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND THOSE ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.

THE PLATFORM DOES NOT WARRANT THAT:

  • The Platform will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
  • The results obtained from use of the Platform will be accurate or reliable
  • Any documents notarized through the Platform will be accepted by any particular third party, court, government agency, or institution
  • Any errors in the Platform will be corrected

THE PLATFORM DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE, CONDUCT, OR PERFORMANCE OF ANY NOTARY PUBLIC. EACH NOTARY PUBLIC IS AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTS AND OMISSIONS.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PLATFORM, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, LICENSORS, OR SERVICE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH:

  • Your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Platform
  • Any conduct or content of any third party, including any notary public
  • Any content obtained from the Platform
  • Unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content
  • Any rejection or non-acceptance of documents notarized through the Platform by third parties

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PLATFORM'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY YOU TO THE PLATFORM IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR ONE THOUSAND PHILIPPINE PESOS (PHP 1,000.00), WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY EVEN IF THE PLATFORM HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Platform and its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and service providers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, and fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or relating to:

  • Your use of the Platform
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
  • Your violation of any rights of any third party
  • Any content or documents you submit to the Platform
  • Any fraudulent, false, or misleading information or documents provided by you
  • Any dispute between you and any notary public

This indemnification obligation shall survive termination of these Terms and your use of the Platform.

Suspension and Termination

The Platform may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Suspected fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
  • Request by law enforcement or government authority
  • Unexpected technical or security issues
  • Extended periods of inactivity
  • Discontinuance or material modification of the Platform or any portion thereof

The Platform will endeavor to provide notice of termination where practicable, but immediate termination without notice may occur where necessary to protect the Platform, other users, or third parties, or as required by law.

You may terminate your account at any time by following the account closure procedures on the Platform.

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately, but provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall continue in effect, including but not limited to ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall, to the extent practicable, first be resolved through good faith negotiation between the parties.

If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation within thirty (30) days, either party may pursue resolution through the appropriate courts or dispute resolution mechanisms available under Philippine law.

You agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts of competent jurisdiction in the Philippines. You consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts and waive any objection based on inconvenient forum.

Nothing in this section shall prevent either party from seeking injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to protect its rights pending resolution of the underlying dispute.

Amendments and Updates

The Platform reserves the right to modify, amend, or update these Terms at any time in its sole discretion.

When material changes are made, the Platform will provide notice through the Platform interface, by email to registered users, or by other reasonable means. The "Effective Date" at the beginning of these Terms indicates when the current version became effective.

Your continued use of the Platform after any modification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to any modification, you must discontinue use of the Platform.

It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically to stay informed of any changes. Material changes will not be applied retroactively to disputes that arose before the effective date of the change.

Consent to Electronic Communications and Records

By using the Platform, you consent to receive communications from the Platform electronically, including but not limited to emails, in-app notifications, and SMS messages.

You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications provided electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

You consent to the creation, storage, and transmission of electronic records in connection with your use of the Platform, including electronically notarized documents, identity verification records, and transaction histories.

You acknowledge that electronic signatures, including click-through acceptances and typed names, are legally binding and equivalent to handwritten signatures for purposes of validity, enforceability, and admissibility.

Consent to Recording

You expressly consent to the audio and video recording of all notarization sessions conducted through the Platform.

You acknowledge that such recordings are required by law and serve as official records of the notarial act. Recordings may be accessed by the notary public of record, authorized Platform personnel, courts, government authorities, law enforcement, and other authorized parties.

You waive any claim against the Platform arising from the recording, storage, or lawful disclosure of session recordings.

You further acknowledge that recordings may be produced as evidence in legal proceedings and that you have no expectation of privacy with respect to statements made or actions taken during recorded sessions.

Severability and Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of these Terms, and these Terms shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein, provided that the remaining provisions continue to reflect the original intent of the parties to the maximum extent practicable.

The failure of the Platform to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms shall be effective only if in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the Platform.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other policies or agreements incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Platform concerning your use of the Platform and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, proposals, and agreements, whether oral or written, between you and the Platform with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Any terms and conditions in any purchase order, acknowledgment, or other document issued by you that differ from or are in addition to these Terms are hereby rejected and shall be of no force or effect.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms or the Platform, please contact us through the contact information provided on the Platform.

Notices to the Platform should be sent to the official contact address or email designated on the Platform website. Notices sent by email shall be deemed received on the date sent if sent during normal business hours, or on the next business day if sent outside normal business hours.