How much should notarization cost you?

For a simple one or two-page affidavit, most people currently pay roughly ₱150 to ₱350 depending on the area, based on current IBP chapter suggested rates. Documents involving money or property — like a deed of sale — cost more, because the fee usually depends on the amount written in the document.

This varies a lot by chapter. One commonly cited structure, reported for Davao City, suggests around ₱3,000 for property valued at ₱100,000 or below, then roughly 1% to 3% above that. Other cities may use a different flat amount or percentage, so it's best to confirm directly with your local notary or IBP chapter before a transaction.

No. Each chapter can publish its own suggested minimum schedule of notarial fees, and these are updated at different times. That's why the same document can cost noticeably more in Metro Manila than in a provincial chapter, even though both are following "suggested" rates.

There's no single fixed national price. Notaries generally follow suggested minimum rates set by their local IBP chapter, and city rates are usually higher than provincial ones. Length, complexity and urgency also matter.

The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC) is the main governing rule. It covers who may notarize, what notarial acts are recognized (like jurats and acknowledgments), and the notary's recordkeeping duties.

Only a lawyer holding an active notarial commission issued by the Executive Judge of the RTC for that specific city or province. The commission is not automatic — not every lawyer is a commissioned notary, and a commission only covers one jurisdiction at a time.

Interim rules have allowed remote notarization by videoconference in limited circumstances. It isn't yet the default way to notarize everyday documents, so in most cases you still need to appear in person. We're preparing an e-notarization booking feature for eNotaries.ph as these rules develop further.

Your unsigned document, at least one valid government ID with your photo and signature, and cash. If someone signs on behalf of a company, bring the board resolution or secretary's certificate authorising them.

Yes. The ranges here are guidelines, not limits. Extra charges are common for long documents, rush jobs, weekends, or when the notary travels to you. You're always free to ask another notary.

No. Capital gains tax, documentary stamp tax, transfer tax and registration fees are paid to the government. The notary fee is only for notarizing the deed. Our calculator separates them clearly.

You can verify a notary's commission with the Office of the Clerk of Court of the RTC that issued it. A valid commission is tied to a specific location and has an expiry date.

It generally won't be treated as a validly notarized public document, which can affect its use as evidence or for registration purposes. The person who notarized it without authority may also face liability.

No. Notarization happens locally in the Philippines. An apostille is issued afterward by the DFA when a document needs to be recognized in another country under the Hague Apostille Convention.

The fee normally covers the set of documents you submit. Extra certified copies are usually charged separately at a smaller amount per copy.

No. We're an independent guide that helps ordinary people understand what notarization should cost and how it legally works. We don't collect fees and we aren't affiliated with any government agency, court, or bar association chapter.