In the Philippine legal landscape, the notarization of a Deed of Absolute Sale is not merely a formality; it is a mandatory act that transforms a private document into a public instrument. This transition is crucial for the document to be admissible in court without further proof of its authenticity and for it to be legally binding against third parties through registration with the Registry of Deeds.

The question of how much a Notary Public should charge for this service is governed by a mix of Supreme Court regulations, local integrated bar guidelines, and market practice.

1. The Legal Basis: Rules on Notarial Practice

The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC) issued by the Supreme Court of the Philippines provide the foundational framework for all notarial acts.

While the Rules grant Notaries Public the authority to charge fees, they do not specify a fixed, universal "price list" for every document. Instead, Rule V, Section 1 states:

"A notary public may charge the maximum fees as prescribed by the Supreme Court unless he waives them in whole or in part."

However, because the Supreme Court has not updated a rigid national fee schedule in decades, the practical "ceiling" or "standard" is generally deferred to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

2. The Role of the IBP Fee Schedule

Each local chapter of the IBP (e.g., IBP Makati, IBP Cebu, IBP Davao) issues its own Suggested Minimum Fee Schedule. These schedules are designed to prevent "undercutting" (charging excessively low fees to lure clients away from other lawyers) and to ensure the dignity of the legal profession.

For a Deed of Absolute Sale of Land, the fees are almost always percentage-based rather than a flat rate.

Common Percentage Rates:

Standard Rate: In most urban jurisdictions, the suggested fee is 1% to 1.5% of the Selling Price or the Fair Market Value (whichever is higher).
Minimum Flat Fees: For transactions involving very small amounts, IBP chapters usually set a minimum floor (e.g., "1% but not less than ₱1,000").
High-Value Transactions: For sales involving multi-million peso properties, the percentage may be subject to negotiation, though the 1% benchmark remains the primary reference point.

3. Factors Influencing the Notarial Fee

While the IBP provides a guide, the final fee is often a result of several variables:

Complexity of the Document: If the Notary Public also drafted the document (legal conveyancing) rather than just witnessing the signatures, the fee is typically higher.
Location: Notarial rates in prime business districts (like BGC or Makati) are generally higher than those in provincial municipalities.
Risks Involved: The Notary Public assumes significant legal liability. They must verify the identities of the parties, ensure the voluntariness of the act, and maintain a Notarial Register. The fee compensates for this professional risk.
Administrative Costs: This includes the cost of the Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) for the Notarial Section (usually ₱30.00 per document) and the submission of monthly reports to the Regional Trial Court.

4. The "Discount" and "Gratuitous" Exceptions

Under the law, a Notary Public has the discretion to:

Waive the fee: Often done for indigents or close relatives.
Offer Discounts: Senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) may request discounts, although the mandatory 20% discount under the Senior Citizens Act is technically applicable to "professional fees," and its application to notarial fees is a standard practice among many practitioners.

5. Why You Should Avoid "Curb-side" Notaries

In many Philippine cities, "notary stalls" near government offices offer low, flat rates (e.g., ₱200–₱500) for Deeds of Sale regardless of the property value. Utilizing these services carries high risks:

Invalidity: If the Notary is not actually present or if the person signing the register is not the commissioned lawyer, the notarization is void.
Rejection by the Registry of Deeds: If the Notary's commission is expired or the document lacks the proper "notarial seal" and "security features," the land title transfer will be denied.

6. Summary Table of Typical Costs

Transaction Value	Typical Notarial Fee (Suggested)
Below ₱100,000	₱1,000 - ₱2,000 (Flat minimum)
₱500,000	₱5,000 - ₱7,500 (1% - 1.5%)
₱1,000,000	₱10,000 - ₱15,000 (1% - 1.5%)
₱10,000,000+	Subject to negotiation (often 0.5% to 1%)

Note: These figures exclude other taxes related to land sales such as Capital Gains Tax (6%), Documentary Stamp Tax (1.5%), and Transfer Tax.