DSAJ expands range of online public services

[Photo: Renato Marques]

The Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) has introduced several new online services to expand access to public services for both Macao One Account users and non-users, including those living outside the territory.

According to the DSAJ, the new measures aim to further advance e-governance and overcome geographical barriers.

The latest improvements, introduced in the fourth quarter, cover electronic certificates and written information, civil registration and apostille services.

The measures broaden the range of people eligible to use electronic certificate and written information services, while the launch of electronic apostilles is expected to provide residents and businesses engaged in cross-border trade with more efficient, secure and convenient public services.

Last year, the DSAJ enabled non-users of the Macao One Account to request electronic information from the property, commercial and vehicle registries, facilitating access for residents, government departments and private entities in mainland China and Hong Kong.

Starting Monday, the service was expanded to include users in Portugal, allowing them to access relevant information online and facilitating more secure transactions and closer commercial cooperation.

The service now also covers commercial vessel registrations, further broadening its scope.

The DSAJ is also introducing a service that allows non-users of the Macao One Account to request electronic certificates from the land, commercial, vehicle and vessel registries, as well as electronic copies of public deeds.

In addition to local residents, users from mainland China, Hong Kong and Portugal can obtain legally valid electronic certificates anytime and from anywhere to complete various formalities.

They can also apply for renewals of electronic certificates online.

Regarding civil registration, following the recent launch of an online service to cancel divorce applications, the DSAJ will introduce a similar service for marriage applications at the end of this month.

Applicants will be able to complete the cancellation procedure through the Macao One Account without visiting the Civil Registry Office to submit a written declaration.

To further improve convenience, the DSAJ will launch its electronic apostille service on Dec. 1, allowing users to obtain apostilles for electronic public documents issued by the Macao SAR. Applicants can upload documents requiring an apostille, such as electronic certificates and electronically certified copies, through a dedicated online page.

After reviewing an application, the DSAJ will notify the applicant of the result by email or SMS. Approved applications will receive an electronic apostille within two working days.