How to Apply for CAV (Certification, Authentication, and Verification)
CAV (Certification, Authentication, and Verification) is the process by which the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) certifies, authenticates, and verifies academic documents issued by higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines. CAV is required for various purposes, including working abroad, pursuing further studies in foreign countries, professional licensing in other countries, and immigration. The authentication chain for documents intended for international use follows this sequence: your school issues the documents, CHED authenticates them through the CAV process, and then the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) applies the Apostille or red ribbon for final authentication.
CAV at a Glance
Estimated Cost
P100 per document for local use. P200 per document for abroad (international use). Additional fees may apply for rush processing.
Timeline
3 to 7 working days for regular processing. 1 to 2 working days for rush processing (subject to availability and additional fees).
Key Fact
CHED handles authentication of college-level (tertiary) documents only. For K-12 documents, go to DepEd. For vocational or technical certificates, go to TESDA.
Types of CAV
CHED offers different types of CAV depending on the purpose of the authentication. The type you apply for determines the processing fee and any additional steps needed after CHED authentication.
CAV for Local Use
P100 per document
For domestic purposes such as PRC board exams, local employment verification, government transactions, and other requirements within the Philippines.
- PRC board exam registration
- Local employment verification
- Government agency requirements
- No DFA Apostille needed
CAV for Abroad
P200 per document
For international purposes such as overseas employment, further studies abroad, immigration, or professional licensing in a foreign country. Requires DFA Apostille after CHED CAV.
- Employment abroad (OFW)
- Further studies overseas
- Immigration applications
- Must get DFA Apostille after
CAV for Board/Licensure Exam
P100 per document
Specifically for PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) board exam registration. PRC requires CHED-authenticated documents before allowing exam registration.
- Required for PRC registration
- Validates academic credentials
- Confirms school recognition
- Processed as local CAV
Documents That Can Be Authenticated
CHED can authenticate and verify the following academic documents from CHED-recognized higher education institutions in the Philippines:
- Transcript of Records (TOR) -- the official record of all subjects taken and grades earned during college
- Diploma -- the official certificate of graduation issued by the school
- Certificate of Graduation -- a certification confirming that the student has completed all requirements for graduation
- Special Order (SO) -- the CHED-issued order authorizing the conferment of a degree, especially for graduates of private HEIs
- Transfer Credentials -- documents certifying academic credits for students transferring between schools
- Certification of Units Earned -- a certification of the number of academic units completed, often needed for employment or further studies
Requirements for CAV Application
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Accomplished CAV Application Form | The official CHED CAV application form, available at the CHED Regional Office or downloadable from the CHED website. Must be filled out completely and accurately. |
| Original Transcript of Records (TOR) | The original copy of the Transcript of Records issued by the school (not a photocopy). Must bear the school registrar's signature and the school's dry seal. |
| Original Diploma | The original diploma issued upon graduation. CHED will authenticate the diploma and return it to you after processing. |
| Special Order Number (if applicable) | The CHED Special Order number assigned to your graduation. This is usually indicated on your Transcript of Records or diploma. Required for graduates of private higher education institutions. |
| PSA Birth Certificate | A certified copy of your PSA-issued birth certificate for identity verification. Must be an original PSA copy (not a photocopy). Cost: P155 from PSA Serbilis or PSAHelpline.ph. |
| 2x2 ID Photos | Recent 2x2 ID photographs (usually 2 to 4 copies). Must have a white background and be taken within the last 6 months. Check with the specific CHED Regional Office for the exact number required. |
| Valid Government-Issued ID | At least one valid government-issued ID with photo and signature (e.g., passport, driver's license, PhilSys/National ID, UMID, SSS ID, PRC ID, postal ID). Bring the original and a photocopy. |
| Official Receipt of Payment | Proof of payment of the CAV processing fee. Payment is usually made at the CHED Regional Office cashier. P100 per document for local use; P200 per document for abroad. |
| Authorization Letter (if representative) | If you cannot personally file the application, an authorized representative may file on your behalf with a notarized authorization letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA), plus a photocopy of both your valid ID and the representative's valid ID. |
Step-by-Step Process for CAV Application
The following steps outline the complete process for applying for CHED CAV. If your CAV is for international use (abroad), there is an additional step at the end to get the DFA Apostille.
Secure Your Documents from Your School
Request the original copies of your academic documents from the school where you graduated. You will typically need your Transcript of Records (TOR) and Diploma. Make sure the documents bear the school registrar's original signature and the school's dry seal. If your school has closed, you may need to coordinate with CHED first to obtain your records.
Tip: Request your documents well in advance, as some schools may take several days to weeks to process transcript and diploma requests. If you need multiple copies authenticated, request multiple original copies from your school.
Go to the CHED Regional Office with Jurisdiction Over Your School
Visit the CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) that has jurisdiction over the school where you graduated. This is determined by the location of the school, not your current address. For example, if you graduated from a school in Cebu, you must go to CHED Region 7, regardless of where you currently live. CHED has 16 regional offices plus the National Capital Region office.
Important: You cannot apply for CAV at just any CHED office. The application must be filed at the CHEDRO that has jurisdiction over your school. Check the CHED website or call the CHED hotline to confirm which regional office handles your school.
Submit the Application and Requirements
Fill out the official CAV application form and submit it together with all the required documents to the CHED Regional Office. The receiving staff will review your documents for completeness. Make sure you indicate whether the CAV is for local use or for abroad, as this determines the fee and the type of authentication stamp.
The CHEDRO will verify your documents against their records and may contact your school to confirm the authenticity of the documents you submitted.
Pay the Processing Fee
Pay the corresponding CAV processing fee at the CHED Regional Office cashier. The fee is P100 per document for local use or P200 per document for abroad. You will receive an official receipt as proof of payment. Keep this receipt, as you will need to present it when claiming your authenticated documents.
Note: If you are authenticating multiple documents (e.g., both TOR and Diploma), you will pay the fee per document. For example, authenticating a TOR and a Diploma for abroad would cost P200 + P200 = P400 total.
Wait for Processing
Regular processing takes 3 to 7 working days. During this period, CHED will verify your documents with the school and cross-reference their records. Rush processing (1 to 2 working days) may be available at some CHED Regional Offices for an additional fee, subject to availability.
You will be given a claim stub or reference number with the date you can return to pick up your authenticated documents.
Claim Your Authenticated Documents
Return to the CHED Regional Office on the designated claim date. Present your claim stub and official receipt to receive your authenticated documents. CHED will affix their authentication stamp or seal on your documents, certifying that they are genuine and issued by a CHED-recognized institution.
For CAV Abroad: After receiving your CHED-authenticated documents, you must proceed to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to apply for an Apostille. The DFA Apostille is the final step that makes your documents valid for international use. The DFA Apostille fee is P100 per document and processing takes 1 to 4 working days.
Complete Example: Ana Gets CAV for Working Abroad
Ana is a registered nurse who has been offered a position at a hospital in the United Kingdom. Her UK employer requires authenticated copies of her college academic records. Ana graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a private university in Manila. Here is how Ana obtained her CHED CAV and DFA Apostille:
Requested Documents from School
Ana visited her university's registrar office and requested original copies of her Transcript of Records (TOR) and Diploma. She paid the school's processing fee (P300 for TOR, P200 for Diploma). The registrar told her the documents would be ready in 5 working days. She also secured a PSA copy of her birth certificate online via PSAHelpline.ph (P155 + P150 delivery fee) and had her 2x2 ID photos taken.
Filed CAV Application at CHED-NCR
After picking up her documents from school, Ana went to the CHED National Capital Region (CHED-NCR) office since her school is located in Manila. She filled out the CAV application form, indicated that her CAV was "for abroad," and submitted all her requirements: original TOR, original Diploma, PSA birth certificate, 2x2 photos, and a valid ID. She paid P200 per document (P400 total) for the TOR and Diploma. She received a claim stub with a return date of 5 working days later.
Claimed CHED-Authenticated Documents
Ana returned to the CHED-NCR office on the claim date and presented her claim stub and official receipt. She received her TOR and Diploma with the official CHED CAV authentication stamp, confirming that her documents are genuine and issued by a CHED-recognized institution.
Applied for DFA Apostille
With her CHED-authenticated documents in hand, Ana proceeded to the DFA Office of Consular Affairs in Manila. She applied for an Apostille for both her TOR and Diploma. She paid P100 per document (P200 total) for the Apostille. Processing took 3 working days. She then claimed her documents with the DFA Apostille certification, making them valid for use in the UK.
Cost Summary for Ana's CAV + DFA Apostille
Total timeline: approximately 3 to 4 weeks from requesting school documents to receiving DFA Apostille. Actual costs and timelines may vary depending on the school and CHED Regional Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CHED office should I go to?
You must go to the CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) that has jurisdiction over the school where you graduated. This is based on the location of the school, not your current residence. For example, if you graduated from a university in Davao City, you must file your CAV application at CHED Region 11 (Davao), even if you currently live in Manila. If you are unsure which regional office handles your school, you can call the CHED hotline at (02) 8441-1177 or visit the CHED website at ched.gov.ph for the complete list of regional offices and their jurisdictions.
Can I apply for CAV online?
Some CHED Regional Offices have started accepting online or email-based CAV applications, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the availability of online processing varies by region. Most applications still require personal appearance or submission of original documents at the CHEDRO. Check with your specific CHED Regional Office for their current procedures. Some offices allow you to email the application form and scanned documents for initial processing, then submit originals for verification when claiming.
What if my school is closed?
If your school has permanently closed, your academic records may have been turned over to CHED. Contact the CHED Regional Office that had jurisdiction over the school to inquire about the status of your records. You may need to apply for a Special Order (SO) first before you can get a CAV. CHED maintains records of closed schools and can assist in retrieving your academic documents. The process may take longer than usual due to the additional verification needed.
Do I need CAV for PRC board exam?
Yes. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) requires CHED-authenticated academic documents as part of the requirements for board/licensure exam registration. Specifically, PRC requires a CHED-authenticated Transcript of Records. This is classified as a "CAV for Local Use" and costs P100 per document. Without the CHED CAV, PRC will not process your board exam application. Make sure to apply for CAV well before the PRC filing deadline.
How long is CAV valid?
The CHED CAV authentication itself does not have a specific expiration date. However, some receiving institutions or employers abroad may require that the authentication was done within a certain period (e.g., within the last 6 months or 1 year). The DFA Apostille also does not expire, but receiving countries may have their own requirements on recency. It is best to check with the receiving institution or embassy for their specific requirements on document recency.
Can I get rush processing?
Rush processing is available at some CHED Regional Offices, typically completing in 1 to 2 working days instead of the regular 3 to 7 working days. Rush processing usually requires an additional fee on top of the regular CAV fee. However, not all CHED Regional Offices offer rush processing, and availability may depend on the volume of applications at the time. Contact your CHED Regional Office in advance to ask about rush processing availability and fees.
Important Reminders
- CHED handles college-level documents only: If you need authentication for K-12 documents (elementary or high school), go to DepEd. For TESDA/vocational certificates, go to TESDA.
- File at the correct CHED Regional Office: Your CAV application must be filed at the CHEDRO with jurisdiction over your school, not the CHEDRO nearest to your current residence.
- Bring original documents: CHED requires original copies of your academic documents (TOR, Diploma) for authentication. Photocopies will not be accepted. Your originals will be returned after processing.
- For abroad: get DFA Apostille after CHED CAV: If your CAV is for international use, you must still get a DFA Apostille after the CHED authentication. The authentication chain is: School → CHED CAV → DFA Apostille.
- Check your Special Order (SO) number: For graduates of private HEIs, make sure your Special Order number is indicated on your TOR or Diploma. If it is missing, you may need to secure it from CHED first before applying for CAV.
- Keep your official receipt: You will need the official receipt of payment when claiming your authenticated documents. Do not lose it.
- Apply early if you have a deadline: Processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications. Apply well in advance of any deadline for employment, board exams, or visa applications.
- Verify your school's CHED recognition status: CHED can only authenticate documents from CHED-recognized higher education institutions. If your school or program does not have CHED recognition, the CAV application may be denied.
Need Help?
Contact CHED
- CHED Central Office: HEDC Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
- Trunkline: (02) 8441-1177 / 8441-1169
- Email: info@ched.gov.ph
- Website: ched.gov.ph
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the CHED you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest CHED first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.