If you're searching for the latest notarial fees in Metro Manila, you probably need to notarize an important document soon—such as a Special Power of Attorney for a property sale or bank transaction, an affidavit for a government agency, or a Deed of Absolute Sale—and want to know exactly what you should pay without the risk of overcharging.

Notarial fees are strictly regulated in the Philippines. They are not set arbitrarily by individual lawyers. Instead, they follow a clear legal framework designed to balance fairness for the public with reasonable compensation for notaries public, who are commissioned lawyers responsible for verifying identities, witnessing signatures, and maintaining official records.

This guide gives you the current practical picture in Metro Manila as of 2026, explains the rules, shows typical fee ranges, and walks you through exactly what to do and watch out for.

What Notarial Fees Actually Cover

A notarial fee is the amount a commissioned notary public may charge for performing a notarial act. This includes:

Verifying the identity of the person signing (using competent evidence of identity such as a passport, driver’s license, or UMID)
Confirming that the signature is voluntary
Completing the notarial certificate (acknowledgment or jurat)
Recording the act in the official Notarial Register
Issuing the document with the notary’s seal and signature

It does not automatically include drafting or preparing the document itself. If the notary (who is also a lawyer) prepares the deed, affidavit, or contract from scratch, that is a separate professional or preparation fee, which is subject to different reasonableness standards under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

Legal Framework Governing Notarial Fees

The primary law is the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC), as amended by the Supreme Court En Banc Resolution dated March 4, 2025 and implemented through OCA Circular No. 197-2025.

Key points:

Executive Judges of the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in each locality, often acting on recommendations from the local Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapter, issue or approve the Schedule of Notarial Fees that applies in their jurisdiction.
These schedules set maximum ceilings. Notaries may charge less but never more.
Overcharging is both an administrative offense (possible suspension or revocation of notarial commission) and can lead to criminal liability or civil claims for refund.
The amendments in 2025 focus heavily on digitalization: notaries cannot charge any extra fee for digitizing documents, transmitting electronic copies, or related processing. They must provide electronic copies to signatories in certain cases at no additional cost.

There is no single nationwide IBP notarial fee table that overrides local schedules. Each IBP chapter (for example, those covering Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Pasig, or other parts of Metro Manila) may submit recommendations, but the binding rates are those approved by the Executive Judge for that area.

Baseline Supreme Court Maximum Fees (Still in Force)

For simple notarial acts, the long-standing national maximums remain:

Acknowledgment (used for deeds, contracts, Special Powers of Attorney): ₱200 for the first principal signatory + ₱50 for each additional principal signatory.
Jurat (used for affidavits and sworn statements where the person swears to the truth of the contents): ₱100 per document.
Oath or affirmation (standalone): ₱100.
Certified true copy: ₱100 for the certificate + ₱5 per page if the notary makes the copy.

These are the strict upper limits for the pure notarial act on already-prepared documents. In practice, especially in Metro Manila, local schedules approved by Executive Judges allow higher but still capped amounts for common high-responsibility documents.

Practical Notarial Fee Schedules in Metro Manila (2025–2026)

In Metro Manila, Executive Judges have approved schedules that reflect higher operating costs and the greater responsibility involved in property and commercial documents. The following consolidated ranges reflect typical maximum fees observed in urban practice (based on prevailing local schedules as of mid-2025 and continuing into 2026). Actual charges in a specific notary’s office may be lower.

Common Document Types – Typical Maximum Fees in Metro Manila

Document Type	Up to ₱500,000	₱500,001 – ₱5,000,000	Over ₱5,000,000	Notes
Deed of Absolute Sale / Donation (real property)	₱1,000	0.2% of value (min ₱2,000 / max ₱10,000)	0.1% of value (min ₱10,001 / max ₱20,000)	Value-based; most common for property transactions
Real Estate Mortgage / Deed of Trust	0.1% (min ₱1,500)	0.15% (cap ₱15,000)	0.1% (cap ₱25,000)	—
Chattel Mortgage or Motor Vehicle Sale	₱800	₱1,500	₱3,000	Flat or low percentage
Loan Agreement / Promissory Note	0.1% (min ₱1,000)	0.15% (cap ₱7,500)	0.1% (cap ₱12,000)	—
Corporate documents (e.g., Secretary’s Certificate involving significant assets)	₱3,000	₱5,000	₱7,500	—
Simple Affidavit or Sworn Statement (jurat)	₱150–₱300	Same	Same	Per document; higher end common in Metro Manila
Special Power of Attorney (SPA)	₱300–₱600	Same	Same	Usually flat; depends on complexity and number of principals

Important notes on these ranges:

These are maximum ceilings for the notarial act on the specific document type. Many notaries charge at or near the upper end in Metro Manila.
Fees are almost always per document, not per page (though multi-page instruments may attract slightly higher flat rates in some schedules).
Preparation or drafting fees are separate. If the notary prepares the document, expect an additional professional fee. Some IBP chapter recommended minimum fee schedules list higher amounts (sometimes percentage-based) for full “preparation and notarization” services—these are guidelines for legal work, not the notarial fee alone.
Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) is not part of the notarial fee. It is a separate tax (often ₱30 fixed for many instruments or a percentage of value for sales/mortgages) that must be paid to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, usually via stamps affixed before notarization.
Travel fees for notarization outside the notary’s office are allowed but capped and must be stated separately on the receipt (e.g., within the same city: maximum ₱300 plus actual fare).

Always ask to see the posted Schedule of Notarial Fees in the notary’s office—this is required.

Step-by-Step: Having a Document Notarized in Metro Manila

Prepare your documents and ID. Bring the document to be notarized (preferably already prepared) and at least one competent evidence of identity per signatory. Original passports work well for foreigners; Filipinos commonly use driver’s licenses, passports, or UMID.
Confirm the notary’s commission. Check that the notary has a valid notarial commission (displayed or verifiable through the RTC). The commission is territorial—usually limited to the city or province where commissioned.
Ask for the current fee schedule. Request to see the posted or printed Schedule of Notarial Fees approved for that locality. Compare the quoted price against it.
Clarify what is included. Ask whether the quoted amount is only for the notarial act or includes document preparation. Get the breakdown in writing if possible.
Pay and get an Official Receipt (OR). The notary must issue a proper OR detailing the notarial fee, any travel fee, DST (if collected), and other charges. Keep this receipt.
Receive your notarized document and e-copy. Under the 2025 amendments, you are entitled to an electronic copy in many cases at no extra charge.
Record-keeping. The notary records the act and submits reports to the Clerk of Court as required.

The whole process for a simple document is usually completed the same day, often within 15–30 minutes once you are at the office.

Common Pitfalls and How to Protect Yourself

Overcharging on value-based documents: Some notaries quote a flat “3% of selling price” or similar. This is usually incorrect for pure notarial fees. Stick to the approved schedule with its caps.
Bundling without transparency: A lawyer-notary may legitimately charge a professional fee for drafting + notarial fee. Insist on a clear breakdown.
No Official Receipt: Never accept a handwritten note or no receipt. This is a red flag.
Travel or “convenience” fees: These must be reasonable and separately stated. You are not required to use a traveling notary.
Different fees for foreigners: The notarial fee itself is the same. However, if your document will be used abroad, you will later need an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)—a separate process and fee.
Old or outdated schedules: Some offices still display older rates. Always ask for the current one approved by the Executive Judge.

If you believe you were overcharged, you can file a complaint with the local IBP chapter or directly with the Executive Judge who has supervision over notaries in that area. Keep your OR and any evidence.

Required Documents and Other Costs

For most notarizations you will need:

The document itself (original or draft)
Competent evidence of identity for every signatory
Payment (cash or as accepted by the notary)
For corporate signatories: board resolution or secretary’s certificate authorizing the signatory, plus ID of the representative

Separate costs to budget:

Documentary Stamp Tax (BIR)
Registration fees if the document will be registered (e.g., with Registry of Deeds for real property deeds)
Apostille (if for use outside the Philippines)
Possible professional/drafting fee if the notary prepares the document

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical notarial fee for a Special Power of Attorney in Metro Manila?
Most notaries charge between ₱300 and ₱600 for a standard SPA under current local schedules. This is higher than the old national ₱200 maximum but within approved local ceilings.

How much should I pay to notarize a Deed of Absolute Sale for a ₱2 million property?
Under typical Metro Manila schedules, expect around 0.2% of the value (minimum ₱2,000, capped at ₱10,000 for that band). For ₱2 million this would be ₱4,000 as the maximum notarial fee. Preparation, if needed, is extra.

Are IBP-recommended fee schedules mandatory?
IBP chapters issue recommended minimum fees for legal services (including preparation). These are guidelines, not binding maximums. The binding maximum notarial fees are those in the schedule approved by the RTC Executive Judge for your locality.

Can the notary charge me a percentage of the property value as a notarial fee?
Yes, but only within the caps set in the approved local schedule (for example, 0.2% with a maximum of ₱10,000 in the mid-range band). A flat uncapped percentage is not allowed.

Do I have to pay Documentary Stamp Tax to the notary?
DST is a tax paid to the BIR. Many notaries will affix the stamps for you and include the cost in your total payment for convenience, but it is not part of the notarial fee.

How do I know if a notary is legitimate and charging correctly?
Ask to see the posted Schedule of Notarial Fees and the notary’s commission details. Demand an Official Receipt. You can verify notarial commissions through the Clerk of Court of the RTC where the notary is commissioned.

Is electronic or e-notarization more expensive?
No. The 2025 amendments prohibit charging extra for digitization or electronic transmission. The notarial fee remains the same as for physical notarization.

What if I need the document notarized outside Metro Manila or by a notary from another city?
The fee schedule that applies is the one where the notarization physically occurs. You can use a notary commissioned in another area only if it falls within their territorial jurisdiction.

Can indigent persons get free notarization?
Yes. Under existing rules and RA 6033, qualified indigent litigants or persons may avail of free notarial services in certain cases, particularly through the Public Attorney’s Office or when required by law.

Key Takeaways

Notarial fees in Metro Manila are regulated by local schedules approved by RTC Executive Judges, often informed by IBP chapter recommendations—not by any single national IBP table.
The old Supreme Court baseline (₱200 acknowledgment / ₱100 jurat) still sets the maximum for simple acts, but practical approved schedules for deeds and commercial documents are higher with value-based caps.
Always request to see the current posted Schedule of Notarial Fees before paying and insist on a detailed Official Receipt.
Separate any preparation or drafting fees from the pure notarial fee and budget separately for DST and registration.
Overcharging is prohibited and actionable. Keep records and complain to the IBP or Executive Judge if needed.
The 2025 amendments improve transparency and digital processes but have not significantly changed the core fee structure.

With this information, you can approach any notary’s office in Metro Manila prepared, ask the right questions, and feel confident that you are paying a fair and legal amount for this essential service. If your situation involves a high-value transaction or complex document, consider consulting a lawyer early so everything—from drafting to notarization to registration—is handled correctly from the start.