Notary Cost in Manila (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Manila, notarial fees are usually charged per document or per signature rather than by the hour. A realistic working estimate is around PHP 100–300 for a simple affidavit or jurat and roughly PHP 200–500+ for documents with several signatories or higher stated values, but many private notaries set their own rates. The clearest official benchmark is that Philippine law fixes a minimum notarial fee of PHP 75 per acknowledgment, oath or jurat unless otherwise provided.
Overview
In Manila, the cost of notarisation is not fully standardised across all private law offices, so what you pay often depends on the type of notarial act, the number of signatories, the number of copies, and whether the document has a declared monetary value. Common walk-in transactions include affidavits, special powers of attorney, deeds of sale, contracts, and certified photocopies attached to an affidavit. For routine documents, notaries typically charge a flat amount per document; for more complex papers, they may charge per signature, per copy, or as a percentage-based legal/documentation fee layered on top of the basic notarisation. A key official reference is the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, which states that the notary public shall charge a fee of not less than PHP 75 for acknowledgments, oaths and jurats, unless otherwise prescribed by law. In practice in Manila, actual market prices are commonly above that minimum, especially in business districts and for documents involving property, corporate acts, or urgent processing. The Supreme Court of the Philippines regulates notarial practice through the Rules on Notarial Practice, while local trial courts commission notaries public. Because pricing is mostly market-based beyond the legal minimum, it is sensible to confirm the fee in advance and ask whether photocopies, documentary stamps, drafting, or witness fees are included.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Legal minimum notarial fee for acknowledgment, oath or jurat(per notarial act) Rule V states the notary public shall charge a fee of not less than PHP 75 for acknowledgments, oaths and jurats, excluding travel fees and subject to any law prescribing otherwise. Estimated range | ~PHP 75 | Estimated range |
| Simple affidavit or jurat in Manila(per document) Estimated range based on the statutory PHP 75 minimum under the Rules on Notarial Practice and typical walk-in market rates commonly charged by private notaries in Metro Manila for basic affidavits. Estimated range | ~PHP 100 – PHP 300 | Estimated range |
| Acknowledgment for SPA, contract or similar private document(per document) Estimated range based on the statutory minimum and common Metro Manila pricing for standard private documents requiring acknowledgment, with variation for page count and signatories. Estimated range | ~PHP 150 – PHP 500 | Estimated range |
| Document with multiple signatories or extra copies(per document set) Estimated range based on common Manila practice of charging more for additional signers, notarised copies, annexes, or longer documents. Estimated range | ~PHP 200 – PHP 800 | Estimated range |
| Mobile / out-of-office notarisation surcharge(per visit) Estimated range; the Rules permit a travel fee when a notarial act is performed away from the regular place of work, but do not fix the amount. Estimated range | ~PHP 500 – PHP 2,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Identity check by the notary public
- Entry in the notarial register
- Notarial seal and signature on the document
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — |
Regulator / licensing: Supreme Court of the Philippines / commissioned by Executive Judges of Regional Trial Courts under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Usually 10-30 minutes for a straightforward walk-in document if IDs and signatories are complete.
How Fees Work
Normally a flat fee per document or per notarial act, with additional charges possible for extra signatories, annexes, copies, drafting, or travel for off-site notarisation.
Factors Affecting Price
- Type of notarial act: jurat, oath, acknowledgment or copy certification linked to an affidavit
- Document complexity, number of pages, annexes and number of signatories
- Whether the document concerns property, corporate authority, or has a declared monetary value
- Location and convenience: central Manila business districts and mobile notarisation usually cost more
- Whether drafting, photocopying, documentary stamps or witness assistance are bundled in
Local Context
In Manila, notarial services are commonly offered by law offices near city halls, business districts, courts and commercial areas. Prices are usually quoted in cash and may or may not include document drafting, photocopies, printing, or documentary stamps. Tipping is not standard for routine notarisation. If the document is for use abroad, ordinary notarisation may not be enough; apostille processing through the Department of Foreign Affairs is a separate service and cost.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
Prices are shown in Philippine pesos (PHP). Small routine notarisation fees are normally quoted as flat peso amounts per document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official minimum notary fee in the Philippines?+
The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice state that a notary public shall charge not less than PHP 75 for acknowledgments, oaths and jurats, unless another law sets a different fee.
Why do Manila notaries often charge more than PHP 75?+
PHP 75 is a legal minimum, not a citywide fixed retail price. Private notaries in Manila often charge more depending on the document type, urgency, business location, number of pages, and number of signers.
Is notary charged per document or per signature?+
Usually per document or per notarial act, but some offices increase the fee for multiple signatories, extra copies, or annexes.
Do property and corporate documents cost more to notarise?+
Often yes. Even if the notarial act itself is simple, firms may charge higher bundled documentation fees for deeds, board resolutions, secretary's certificates, and papers tied to transactions of higher value.
Can a notary charge travel fees in Manila?+
Yes. The Rules on Notarial Practice allow a travel fee when the notarisation is done away from the notary's regular place of work, but the amount is not fixed by the rule.
Related Cost Guides
Personal Injury Cost in Leeds (2026)
Leeds, United Kingdom
Criminal Law Cost in Phoenix (2026)
Phoenix, United States
Wills & Estates Cost in Dallas (2026)
Dallas, United States
Notary Cost in Liverpool (2026)
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Family Law Cost in Leeds (2026)
Leeds, United Kingdom
Criminal Law Cost in Los Angeles (2026)
Los Angeles, United States
Are you a business?
Get your business listed on this page and reach customers actively searching for your services.
List Your BusinessFind Legal Services in Manila
Browse more cost guides for Manila