1) What an Affidavit of Loss is (and why it’s usually notarized)

An Affidavit of Loss is a sworn statement where a person (the affiant) declares that a particular item or document has been lost, explains the circumstances, and often states that the item has not been pledged, sold, or unlawfully transferred. It is commonly required to replace or reissue:

government IDs (SSS/UMID, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, PRC, etc.)
passports (with additional requirements)
driver’s license / vehicle documents (often with additional requirements)
bank passbooks, ATM cards, checkbooks
diplomas, school records
contracts, receipts, ORs
land titles / tax declarations (usually with stricter steps)

Most offices require notarization because notarization converts the affidavit into a public document and confirms that the affiant:

personally appeared,
was identified through competent evidence of identity, and
swore to the truth of the contents before the notary.

2) The notarization “type” matters: Jurat (not acknowledgment)

An affidavit is notarized through a jurat (the notary administers an oath or affirmation and certifies that the affiant signed in the notary’s presence).

That matters because notaries often charge different rates for:

Jurat (affidavits, sworn statements), versus
Acknowledgment (contracts, deeds, SPA, deeds of sale).

For an Affidavit of Loss, the applicable act is typically jurat.

3) Is there a fixed government-prescribed price?

No single uniform nationwide price in everyday practice.

In the Philippines, notarial fees are not practically uniform. The amount you pay can vary widely depending on:

city/municipality (Metro Manila tends to be higher),
the notary’s office (law firms vs. small notarial kiosks),
complexity/length of the affidavit,
whether drafting is included,
whether you need multiple notarized originals,
urgency (“rush”), and
“mobile notary” arrangements (notarization outside the notary’s office).

That said, notarial practice rules generally expect notaries to:

charge reasonable fees,
maintain records of notarizations in a notarial register, and
follow identification and personal appearance requirements.

4) Typical notarization cost ranges (what people usually pay)

Because pricing varies by location and practice, the best way to understand cost is to break it down into common market ranges.

A. Notarization only (you bring a ready affidavit)

Common range:

₱100–₱300 in many provincial areas
₱200–₱800 in many urban/Metro areas

Some offices charge higher (especially in business districts), particularly if:

the affidavit is long (multiple pages),
there are multiple signatories,
you request multiple originals, or
you ask for immediate priority service.

B. Drafting + notarization (you don’t have a prepared affidavit)

Common range:

₱300–₱1,500 depending on complexity and local practice

“Drafting” is often treated as a separate professional service from notarization. If you walk in and ask the notary/law office to prepare the affidavit based on your story, you may be charged a combined fee.

C. Multiple notarized originals (not just photocopies)

Many agencies require you to submit an original notarized affidavit; if you need 2–3 original notarized copies (e.g., one for a bank, one for an employer, one for a government office), expect add-on charges.

Common practice:

base rate for the first original, then additional per extra original (often smaller than the first, but not always).

D. Mobile/out-of-office notarization

If the notary travels (home/hospital/jail/office), cost is typically much higher due to travel time and logistical requirements.

Common range:

₱1,000–₱5,000+, varying by distance, urgency, and time of day

5) Hidden or “extra” costs that are often mistaken as notarization fees

Even if the notary’s jurat fee is modest, total out-of-pocket cost can rise because of add-ons.

A. Photocopying and printing

₱2–₱10 per page typical photocopy cost (varies)
printing fees depend on shop and page count

B. Documentary stamp (often ₱30) — sometimes required by the receiving office

Some offices require a ₱30 documentary stamp attached to affidavits as part of their internal checklist. This is frequently treated as a “required add-on” in practice, even if the legal necessity depends on context.

C. Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)

Some notaries ask for your cedula number and details (place/date issued). Not all will require it for a jurat, but it is still commonly requested.

Cedula cost varies by LGU and your declared situation; it can be minimal for unemployed/low-income individuals and higher if computed with additional community tax based on income/property.

D. ID photocopies / extra documentation

Notaries may require photocopies of IDs for record-keeping, or you may need copies for the agency that will receive the affidavit.

6) What legally affects the cost: factors that justify higher fees

A notary may charge more (and many do) when the affidavit involves:

Multiple pages Longer documents take more time to review, record, and seal.
Multiple affiants/signatories Each person must personally appear and be identified.
Special circumstances Examples: notarization for elderly/sick persons requiring special handling; late-night or weekend requests; notarization in a hospital.
Higher risk/greater consequence documents If the affidavit is linked to high-value items (e.g., land title loss, large bank instruments), notaries may scrutinize more carefully and price accordingly.
Drafting and revisions Where the notary/law office creates the affidavit from scratch, revises it to match the receiving agency’s template, or adds special clauses.

7) What a notary is required to do (and why “cheap notarization” can backfire)

Notarization is not just stamping a document. Proper notarization typically requires:

personal appearance of the affiant
presentation of competent evidence of identity (usually current government-issued ID)
the affiant signs in the notary’s presence
the notary administers the oath/affirmation
entry into the notarial register (date, parties, IDs, document type)
affixing the notarial seal and completing the jurat certificate

If these requirements aren’t followed, the affidavit can be rejected by the receiving agency and can expose parties to legal problems if a dispute arises.

8) Where to get an Affidavit of Loss notarized (and how cost differs)

A. Law offices / commissioned notaries

Usually more reliable compliance
Often higher cost than walk-in notarial kiosks
Drafting services commonly available

B. Notarial kiosks near courts/city halls

Often cheaper and faster
Quality varies; ensure proper personal appearance and ID checks

C. Government offices that can administer oaths (limited cases)

Some government offices have officials authorized to administer oaths for specific transactions (e.g., some sworn statements for internal forms). When allowed, the cost can be free or minimal, but acceptance depends on the receiving agency’s rules.

D. Philippine embassies/consulates (if abroad)

For Filipinos abroad, affidavits may be sworn before a consular officer (often with consular fees). The receiving Philippine agency typically accepts consularized documents.

9) Practical cost guide by common use-case

A. Lost ATM card / passbook / bank document

Often ₱200–₱800 notarization in cities (less in provinces)
Banks sometimes require specific wording; drafting/revisions can increase cost

B. Lost government ID

Similar range, but agencies may have a template
Add-ons: documentary stamp and photocopies

C. Lost school records / diploma

Usually straightforward affidavit
Cost mainly depends on notarization + printing

D. Lost land title / high-value document

Affidavit alone may not be enough; additional steps may include publication, police report, registry procedures
Notarization cost may be higher because of length and scrutiny

10) How to avoid overpaying (without risking rejection)

Bring a prepared affidavit (typed, correct format, complete details).
Bring proper IDs (preferably 1–2 government-issued IDs).
Ask up front whether the quoted fee includes:
- drafting
- notarization
- multiple originals
- documentary stamp
- printing
Confirm the receiving office’s requirements (some require specific statements, reference numbers, or attachments).
Do not sign in advance; sign only in the notary’s presence.

11) What should be inside an Affidavit of Loss (to reduce repeat visits and extra fees)

A basic Affidavit of Loss usually contains:

full name, citizenship, civil status, address of affiant
description of the lost item/document (ID number, account number partially masked if needed, issuing office)
circumstances of loss (when, where, how discovered)
efforts taken to locate it
statement that it has not been sold, pledged, or unlawfully transferred (when relevant)
purpose: replacement/reissuance request
date and place of execution
jurat portion completed by the notary

If the receiving agency requires a “police blotter,” incident report number, or additional statements, include them to avoid re-notarization.

12) Bottom line

In the Philippines, the notarization cost for an Affidavit of Loss is not fixed nationwide and depends on location, document length, signatories, whether drafting is included, and whether the notarization is done in-office or mobile. Common total costs for simple affidavits are often in the few hundred pesos, but can rise to ₱1,000+ when drafting, multiple originals, urgency, or travel is involved.