Cost of Preparing an Affidavit of Support in the Philippines

This guide explains what an Affidavit of Support is, where the costs come from, typical price ranges, and practical ways to save—specifically for documents executed in the Philippines. It’s general information, not legal advice.

TL;DR (What most people actually pay)

For a straightforward Affidavit of Support (AOS) used within the Philippines and drafted by you (or from a template), the typical out-of-pocket cost is around ₱250–₱800 broken down as:

Notarial fee (jurat/acknowledgment): ~₱150–₱600 (varies widely by city, office, and page count)
Documentary Stamp Tax (DST): commonly ₱30 per original document (practice varies)
Printing/photocopying: ₱20–₱100+

If you ask a lawyer to draft/customize the AOS, add roughly ₱1,500–₱5,000+ depending on complexity and turnaround. If the document will be used abroad, add DFA Apostille fees (per document) and any courier charges.

What is an Affidavit of Support (AOS)?

An AOS is a sworn statement where a sponsor promises financial support (and often undertakes certain obligations) for a beneficiary—commonly needed for:

Embassy/consular visa applications (some embassies accept it; others require their own forms)
Travel of minors (often paired with Affidavit of Support and Consent)
School, scholarship, internship, or agency requirements
Government or private transactions where proof of sponsorship is requested

Once notarized, it becomes a public document and carries legal consequences (e.g., perjury if false; possible civil liability if obligations are clear and breached).

Important distinction: Some foreign immigration systems (e.g., the U.S.) use their own sponsorship forms (like I-134 or I-864) with different rules. Those are not Philippine affidavits and may not require Philippine notarization. Always follow the destination authority’s instructions.

The Cost Components (and why they vary)

1) Drafting Fee (optional if you do it yourself)

₱0 if you write it yourself or adapt a reliable template.
₱1,500–₱5,000+ if drafted/reviewed by a lawyer. What drives the price up? Multiple sponsors/beneficiaries, complex undertakings (e.g., housing, medical), bilingual versions, annex management (bank certs, payslips), rush requests, and customized clauses tailored to embassy/agency requirements.

2) Notarial Fee

Range: ~₱150–₱600 for a simple one-to-two-page AOS in many areas; ₱500–₱1,500 is common in larger law firms or for rush/special arrangements.
Why it varies: Location (Metro vs provincial), notary’s practice (solo vs firm), page length and annexes, after-hours/weekend requests, and whether mobile/on-site notarization is needed (often adds a call-out/travel fee).

Jurat vs. Acknowledgment: Most AOS are notarized via a jurat (you swear to the truth before the notary). Some use an acknowledgment (you acknowledge you executed it). Fees are similar in many offices; confirm which form your receiving institution requires.

3) Documentary Stamp Tax (DST)

Common practice: affixing ₱30 per original document (some notaries include this in their fee; others ask you to buy/affix a stamp separately).
Notes: DST practice can vary by office; some agencies are flexible on whether a visible stamp is required versus the notary handling the tax in the background. Ask if the posted fee already includes DST.

4) Printing, Photocopying, and Annex Handling

₱20–₱100+ depending on pages, annexes, and whether you print in color.
Notaries often initial and mark annexes; longer annex sets can modestly increase the fee.

5) IDs and Identity Proof

You must personally appear before the notary with competent evidence of identity (e.g., Passport, PhilID, Driver’s License, UMID, PRC ID, SSS/GSIS, Postal ID). Copies may be attached or scanned; bring originals and clear photocopies.

About the cedula (Community Tax Certificate): Many notaries no longer require it as proof of identity. Some still like to note a CTC number in a jurat. If asked, the cedula cost is typically modest for most individuals but varies by LGU and income.

6) Apostille (if used abroad)

If your AOS executed in the Philippines will be used abroad, the destination country may require a DFA Apostille.
Cost: per-document fee (regular vs expedited) plus any e-payment and courier if you’re not picking up.
Time: add processing and delivery time to your schedule.
Tip: Confirm the destination country’s rules. Apostille is generally accepted among Apostille Convention countries; if the destination is not a party, you may instead need consular legalization at that country’s embassy (fees vary and can be higher).

7) Consular Notarization (if signing abroad)

If the sponsor is outside the Philippines, they can execute the AOS before a Philippine Embassy/Consulate.
Fees: set by each post (usually in USD or local currency). Budget tens of USD per document, plus mailing/courier if required.
Documents notarized by a foreign notary for use in the Philippines typically require apostille/legalization before Philippine acceptance.

8) Courier/Travel/Misc.

₱120–₱400+ domestic courier; international rates are higher.
Travel, parking, and time costs can matter—especially if you need to visit both the notary and DFA.

Typical Price Ranges (Philippine execution)

Scenario	What’s Included	Estimated Out-of-Pocket
Basic, local use	Your own draft, 1–2 pages, simple jurat, DST, basic printing	₱250–₱800
Customized by lawyer	Lawyer draft/review, notarial fee, DST, prints	₱2,000–₱6,500+
For use abroad (apostille)	Notarial fee + DST + DFA Apostille + prints	₱600–₱1,500+ (ex-courier)
Mobile/after-hours	On-site notarization, travel fee	Add ₱500–₱2,000+ to the base
Consular abroad	Philippine consulate/embassy notarization	USD-denominated fee (varies by post)

These are ballpark numbers as of 2025 and will vary by city, office, page count, and urgency.

Step-by-Step: Keeping Costs Predictable

Confirm the receiving authority’s exact requirement. Do they want a jurat or acknowledgment, a specific title (“Affidavit of Support and Undertaking”), annexes (bank certificate, payslips), or apostille?
Draft smart (or use a vetted template). Keep it clear and concise. Include: parties’ full names, government IDs, relationship, scope of support (what/when/how long), limits, and a clause allowing the recipient to verify attached proofs.
Ask the notary up front:
- Total fee and whether it includes DST
- Per-page or per-annex add-ons
- Lead time and cut-off hours for notarization
- Accepted IDs and any photocopy requirement
Bring everything in one trip: Original IDs, printed AOS (leave space for the notarial block), annexes, and extra copies. This avoids return visits and extra printing.
If for overseas use: Book the DFA Apostille step early, factor in courier time, and double-check whether the destination needs apostille or consular legalization.

What drives the price up (and how to control it)

Complexity & length → Keep language tight; move lengthy proofs to annexes.
Rush requests / after-hours → Go during regular hours.
Mobile notarization → Visit the office instead of on-site service.
Unclear requirements → Confirm first to avoid redos (e.g., wrong notarial form or missing apostille).
Multiple originals → Some offices charge per original; plan how many originals you truly need.

Legal & Practical Fine Points (Philippine setting)

Personal appearance is generally required before the notary (bring valid ID).
Competent evidence of identity means government-issued ID with photo/signature or other forms recognized under the notarial rules; if you lack ID, two credible witnesses may be possible (ask the notary—often costlier/slower).
A notarized AOS is a public document and enjoys presumption of regularity—but its legal enforceability (e.g., as a contract) depends on its wording and the circumstances.
Perjury and falsification risks apply if statements are knowingly false.
Some agencies treat AOS as time-sensitive (e.g., “issued within 3 or 6 months”). If so, budget to re-execute if your timeline slips.
Always ask for an official receipt from the notary. If a visible documentary stamp is required, verify it’s affixed or that the DST is otherwise handled.

Sample Costing (illustrative only)

Student sponsorship, local use

Notarial fee (jurat, 2 pages): ₱250
DST: ₱30
Printing (3 sets): ₱60 Total: ~₱340

Tourist visa sponsorship, with annexes

Lawyer draft/review: ₱2,500
Notarial fee (acknowledgment, 3 pages + annex tag): ₱500
DST: ₱30
Printing/copies: ₱100 Total: ~₱3,130

Abroad use (apostille)

Notarial fee (jurat, 2 pages): ₱300
DST: ₱30
DFA Apostille fee (per document): add (regular or expedited)
Courier (two-way): ₱300–₱700+ Total: ~₱660–₱1,260+ (depending on apostille option)

FAQs

Do I really need notarization? If the receiving institution says “Affidavit,” they almost always mean notarized.

How many originals should I make? Prepare one original for the primary recipient and one spare. Photocopies should show the notary page clearly.

Does the sponsor have to be a relative? Not legally—policy varies by embassy/agency. Some prefer immediate family; others accept non-relatives if support is credible.

Is a bank certificate required? Often requested but it’s policy-driven, not statutory. If required, treat it as an annex (its issuance fee is separate from affidavit costs).

How long is an AOS valid? No fixed statutory expiry, but many recipients treat 3–6 months as “fresh.” Always check their rule.

Can I sign abroad? Yes—at a Philippine Embassy/Consulate (consular fee applies), or before a local notary abroad and then apostille/legalize it for use in the Philippines.

Cost-Saving Tips (without risking rejection)

Use a clear template and keep the body to 1–2 pages.
Call 2–3 notaries for quotes; ask if DST is included.
Print in black & white and attach proofs as annexes.
If you’ll sponsor multiple applications, ask whether one AOS with named beneficiaries is acceptable (policy-dependent).
Confirm apostille/legalization needs before notarizing.

Quick Checklist

Correct title (e.g., “Affidavit of Support” or “Affidavit of Support and Undertaking”)
Parties’ full details and valid IDs
Clear promise of support (scope, duration, limits)
Annexes listed and labeled (bank certs, payslips, etc.)
Right notarial form (jurat vs acknowledgment)
DST handled (stamp or included)
If overseas use: Apostille/consular route confirmed
Official receipt kept

Final note

Fees in the Philippines vary by office and locality, and government charges (like apostille/DST) can change. For an exact figure on today’s costs where you’ll file, call the notary/DFA office you plan to use and ask whether their posted rate already includes DST and annex handling.