A Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons is usually a simple document, but the notary fee can feel confusing because people are often charged for more than just “notarization.” In the Philippines, the usual cost depends on whether the affidavit is already prepared, how many original copies you need, whether the notary drafts the document, whether documentary stamps are required, and whether the signing happens in-office, remotely, abroad, or through a Philippine consulate. This guide explains what you are really paying for, what a fair fee usually looks like, what documents the two affiants must bring, and how to avoid problems when submitting the affidavit to the PSA, Local Civil Registrar, court, school, bank, or another Philippine office.

What Is a Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons?

A Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons is a sworn written statement made by two people who personally know certain facts but do not have a direct personal, financial, or legal interest in the outcome.

In plain English, the two affiants are saying:

“We personally know these facts. We are not the main beneficiaries of this document. We are swearing under oath that what we say is true.”

This affidavit is commonly used in the Philippines for:

Delayed registration of birth with the Local Civil Registry Office and PSA
Civil registry issues involving missing, unclear, or inconsistent facts
Supporting documents for school, employment, immigration, pension, or benefits claims
Estate, insurance, or banking requirements where no primary record is available
Explaining facts known by neighbors, midwives, relatives by affinity, family friends, former teachers, barangay officials, or long-time community members

For delayed birth registration, PSA guidance specifically lists an “affidavit of two disinterested persons who might have witnessed or known the birth of the child” among the requirements. For a person 18 years old or above, PSA states that the adult applicant generally submits the requirements for minors plus a marriage certificate if married; for delayed registration of an alien, travel documents showing the origin and nationality of the parents are also required. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

How Much Is the Notary Fee for a Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons?

For a simple, already prepared Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons, the practical range in many Philippine cities is often around ₱100 to ₱500 per original notarized affidavit. In some areas, especially where the affidavit is drafted by the lawyer-notary, where there are multiple original copies, or where the document is more detailed, the total can be higher.

A realistic breakdown is usually:

Situation	Usual practical cost range	What you are paying for
One simple affidavit, already prepared, signed by two affiants in the notary’s office	₱100–₱500	Jurat/notarial act, notarial register entry, seal
Notary or lawyer drafts the affidavit	₱500–₱1,500+	Legal drafting plus notarization
Extra original notarized copies	Often charged per original	Each original signed and notarized copy may be treated as a separate notarial act
Loose documentary stamp, if required	Usually ₱30 per taxable document	Documentary stamp tax, separate from professional fee
Mobile notarization, hospital, detention facility, or out-of-office signing	Varies	Travel and waiting time, if agreed before travel
Consular notarization abroad	Depends on the Philippine Embassy or Consulate	Consular notarial service, usually with appointment and personal appearance

The important point: the notary fee is not always the whole amount you are asked to pay. The total may include drafting, printing, photocopying, documentary stamp, and extra originals.

Under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, a notary may charge the maximum fee prescribed by the Supreme Court unless the notary waives the fee, may charge agreed travel fees when traveling to perform a notarial act, must issue a BIR-registered receipt when charging fees, must enter fees in the notarial fee journal, and must post a complete schedule of chargeable notarial fees in a conspicuous place in the office.

A 2025 Supreme Court amendment also makes one thing very clear: a notary public may not collect a separate fee for the digitization, transmittal, storage, disposal, or other processing of notarized instruments or documents connected with the new digitized reporting system.

Why a Joint Affidavit Uses a Jurat, Not a Regular Acknowledgment

Most affidavits are notarized through a jurat. A jurat is the part of the document where the notary certifies that the affiants personally appeared, were identified, signed the affidavit, and swore or affirmed that the statements are true.

This is different from an acknowledgment, which is usually used for deeds, contracts, powers of attorney, and similar documents where the signer acknowledges that the document is their free and voluntary act.

For a joint affidavit, the notary should normally require:

Both affiants to personally appear before the notary.
Both affiants to present competent proof of identity.
Both affiants to sign in the notary’s presence.
Both affiants to take an oath or affirmation.
The notary to complete the notarial certificate with the notarial details.

The 2004 Rules define a jurat as a notarial act where the person appears in person before the notary, presents the document, is personally known or identified through competent evidence of identity, signs in the notary’s presence, and takes an oath or affirmation as to the document.

Legal Basis for Notarizing a Joint Affidavit in the Philippines

1. The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice

Notaries in the Philippines are governed mainly by the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, as amended.

A notary public may perform acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, jurats, signature witnessings, copy certifications, and other authorized notarial acts.

The same Rules require competent evidence of identity, usually a current identification document issued by an official agency with the person’s photograph and signature. The Rules also allow identification through credible witnesses in specific situations.

2. Supreme Court doctrine on notarized documents

The Supreme Court has repeatedly said that notarization is not a mere routine act. It is “invested with substantive public interest” because notarization converts a private document into a public document and makes it admissible in evidence without further proof of authenticity. (Lawphil)

This is why a notary should not notarize a joint affidavit if:

One of the two affiants is not physically or validly present.
The affiants have no proper IDs.
The document is blank or incomplete.
The affiants do not understand what they are signing.
The notary has reason to believe the affidavit is false, unlawful, or being signed under pressure.

3. Civil Code provisions on civil registry documents

Civil registry matters are serious because civil status affects identity, citizenship, filiation, marriage, inheritance, school records, employment, immigration, and benefits.

The Civil Code says that acts, events, and judicial decrees concerning civil status are recorded in the civil register; births, marriages, deaths, legitimations, adoptions, acknowledgments, naturalization, loss or recovery of citizenship, and changes of name are among the entries recorded. Civil registry books and related documents are public documents and are prima facie evidence of the facts they contain. (Lawphil)

4. PSA and Local Civil Registrar rules

For delayed birth registration, PSA states that a birth should be registered within 30 days from the time of birth at the Local Civil Registry Office of the city or municipality where the birth occurred. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

If registration is delayed, PSA guidance says a notice of the pending application must be posted for at least 10 days, and if no opposition is filed, the civil registrar evaluates the documents and may register the delayed report if satisfied that the event occurred and was not previously registered. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

5. Criminal consequences for false affidavits

A notarized joint affidavit is a sworn statement. A person who knowingly makes untruthful statements in an affidavit on a material matter before a person authorized to administer an oath may face perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 11594. (Lawphil)

False entries, fake signatures, altered documents, and use of falsified documents may also raise issues under the Revised Penal Code provisions on falsification. (Lawphil)

What the Notary Should Check Before Notarizing

A careful notary will normally check the following:

Requirement	What it means in practice
Personal appearance	Both affiants must appear before the notary for a jurat.
Identity	Each affiant must show valid government-issued ID with photo and signature.
Capacity	The affiants must understand the affidavit and voluntarily sign it.
Completeness	The affidavit must not have blanks in material portions.
Truthfulness	The notary may refuse if the transaction appears unlawful, false, or suspicious.
Notarial register	The notary records the notarial act, including the title, date, IDs, names, addresses, and fee.
Official receipt	If a fee is charged, the notary should issue a BIR-registered receipt.

For ordinary affidavits, both affiants should not sign before going to the notary unless the notary specifically instructs otherwise. Since a jurat requires signing and oath before the notary, signing in advance can create problems.

IDs Commonly Accepted for Notarization

The 2004 Rules require competent evidence of identity. In practice, notaries commonly accept:

Philippine passport
Driver’s license
UMID or SSS ID
GSIS eCard
PRC ID
Voter’s ID or voter certification
PhilHealth ID, if accepted by the notary
Senior citizen ID
Postal ID, where still accepted
National ID / PhilID or ePhilID, if accepted by the notary
NBI clearance or police clearance with photo and signature
OFW ID, OWWA ID, seaman’s book
Alien Certificate of Registration or passport for foreigners

The notary may ask for additional ID if the presented card lacks a clear signature, photo, or current validity.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Joint Affidavit Notarized

Confirm the exact purpose of the affidavit. Ask the receiving office what facts the affidavit must state. A PSA delayed birth registration affidavit is different from an affidavit for bank, school, insurance, or immigration use.
Choose the right two disinterested persons. Pick people who personally know the facts and are not the main beneficiaries. For delayed birth registration, examples may include a midwife, neighbor, long-time family friend, barangay official, older relative not directly benefiting, former teacher, or someone who knew the mother and child at the relevant time.
Prepare the affidavit carefully. The affidavit should state:
- Full names, ages, civil status, citizenship, and addresses of the two affiants
- Their relationship to the person concerned
- Why they are “disinterested”
- The facts they personally know
- How they came to know those facts
- The purpose of the affidavit
- A statement that they are swearing voluntarily and truthfully
Attach or bring supporting documents. Bring the birth certificate, negative PSA certification, baptismal certificate, school records, medical records, barangay certification, old IDs, marriage certificate, or other documents relevant to the facts being sworn to.
Bring both affiants to the notary. For a jurat, both must normally appear together before the notary. If they are in different places, ask the receiving office whether separate affidavits or separately notarized counterparts are acceptable.
Present valid IDs. Each affiant should bring original IDs and photocopies. The names in the affidavit should match the IDs, or the discrepancy should be explained.
Sign only when instructed. The notary should witness the signing and administer the oath.
Check the notarial details before leaving. The document should have the notary’s signature, seal, commission details, roll number, PTR/IBP details if applicable, and notarial register information such as Doc. No., Page No., Book No., and Series.
Ask for the receipt. If you paid a fee, ask for the official receipt and keep it with your copies.
Submit the affidavit to the correct office. For delayed birth registration, submit it to the Local Civil Registry Office of the place of birth, together with the other required documents. PSA states that delayed registration of birth is filed at the civil registrar of the place where the birth occurred. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

Required Documents for Delayed Birth Registration

If the Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons is for late registration of birth, prepare more than just the affidavit.

Based on PSA guidance, delayed registration for a person below 18 generally requires:

Requirement	Practical note
Four copies of the Certificate of Live Birth	Must be completely and correctly filled out and signed by the proper parties.
Affidavit for Delayed Registration	Usually found at the back of the Certificate of Live Birth.
Reason for delay	Explain why the birth was not registered within 30 days.
At least two supporting documents	Examples include baptismal certificate, school records, medical records, insurance policy, parent’s income tax return, or barangay certification.
Affidavit of two disinterested persons	Must be sworn and notarized.
Marriage certificate, if applicant is 18 or older and married	Required for adult applicants who are married.
Travel documents, if the delayed registration involves an alien	PSA guidance requires travel documents showing origin and nationality of the parents.

PSA lists examples of supporting documents for delayed birth registration, including baptismal certificate, school records, income tax return of parents, insurance policy, medical records, and barangay captain’s certification. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

Documentary Stamp Tax: Why You May Be Asked to Pay an Extra ₱30

Some notarized documents require a loose documentary stamp. This is separate from the notary’s professional fee.

In 2025, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 56-2025 stating that a notary public shall only add a jurat or acknowledgment to a document subject to documentary stamp tax when the required documentary stamps have been affixed and cancelled.

In practice, if you are quoted ₱230, ₱330, or ₱530, ask whether the amount already includes:

Notarial fee
Documentary stamp
Printing or photocopying
Drafting or typing
Extra original copies

A clear quote avoids misunderstanding.

Can the Notary Charge Per Person?

For a joint affidavit, two people sign the same affidavit. Some notaries charge per document; others quote based on the number of affiants, pages, original copies, and drafting work.

What matters is transparency. The notary should be able to explain the fee, issue a receipt, and follow the posted schedule of notarial fees. The notarial register must also record the fee charged for the notarial act.

A fair way to look at it:

One affidavit, one original, two affiants, already drafted: usually low-cost.
Three original notarized affidavits: likely charged more because each original is separately sealed and recorded.
Lawyer drafts the facts and corrects legal wording: drafting fee may be separate.
Affiants cannot go to the office and request travel notarization: travel and waiting charges may apply if agreed beforehand.

Common Problems That Cause Rejection

The affiants are not truly disinterested

A parent, spouse, child, claimant, heir, or person who directly benefits from the affidavit may be rejected as “disinterested.” Even if a receiving office accepts relatives in some situations, it may require a clear explanation of why the witnesses are still credible and not directly interested.

The affidavit contains conclusions, not facts

Weak affidavits say:

“We know that Juan is the legitimate child of Pedro.”

Better affidavits explain:

“We personally knew Pedro and Maria as husband and wife in Barangay X. We were present in the community when Maria gave birth to Juan on this date. We regularly saw Juan being raised by Pedro and Maria.”

Facts are stronger than labels.

The notary notarized without both affiants present

This is one of the most serious defects. For a jurat, each affiant should personally appear, sign, and swear before the notary.

The affidavit uses inconsistent names

If the person is “Ma. Cristina,” “Maria Cristina,” “Cristina M. Santos,” and “Cristina Santos-Reyes” in different records, the affidavit should explain the identity clearly and attach supporting documents.

The affidavit tries to fix a problem that requires a court case

A joint affidavit can support facts, but it cannot replace a court order when the correction is substantial. Under the Civil Code, no civil register entry may be changed or corrected without judicial order, subject to statutory exceptions. (Lawphil)

Republic Act No. 9048 allows administrative correction of clerical or typographical errors and change of first name or nickname in proper cases, while Republic Act No. 10172 expanded administrative correction to certain errors involving the day and month of birth and sex where the error is clerical or typographical. (Lawphil)

If the issue involves nationality, legitimacy, filiation, substantial change of date of birth, or competing claims, the Local Civil Registrar may require a court proceeding instead of relying only on affidavits.

Special Situations for Filipinos Abroad and Foreigners

If the affiants are abroad

If the two disinterested persons are outside the Philippines, they generally have two practical options:

Consular notarization before the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, if available; or
Local notarization abroad plus Apostille, if the country is part of the Apostille Convention and the receiving Philippine office accepts that route.

Philippine consular posts state that personal appearance of signatories is required for consular notarization, and affidavits are among the documents commonly notarized for use in the Philippines. (losangelespcg.org)

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. explains that documents for use in the Philippines may be handled either through Philippine Embassy notarization or through the Apostille process, depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction. (philippineembassy-dc.org)

If a foreigner signs the affidavit in the Philippines

A foreign affiant should usually bring:

Passport
ACR I-Card, if applicable
Address in the Philippines
Contact details
Any document showing personal knowledge of the facts

The affidavit should state the foreigner’s citizenship and basis of personal knowledge. If the affidavit will be used for civil registry, immigration, or court purposes, the receiving office may scrutinize the foreign affiant’s credibility and connection to the facts.

If using electronic notarization

Electronic notarization now exists as an alternative method, but it does not replace traditional notarization. The Supreme Court explains that traditional notarization remains legally recognized for paper documents with wet signatures, while electronic notarization covers electronic documents and may include acknowledgment, oath or affirmation, jurat, and signature witnessing by electronic means. (Supreme Court of the Philippines)

For a jurat through electronic notarization, the Supreme Court FAQ states that the electronic document requiring a jurat must be electronically signed in the presence of the Electronic Notary Public. (Supreme Court of the Philippines)

For principals located abroad, the Supreme Court says remote electronic notarization may be allowed only under specific conditions, including that the principal is within the premises of a Philippine embassy, consular office, or office of a Philippine Honorary Consul, and a designated officer confirms the principal’s presence. (Supreme Court of the Philippines)

Practical Fee Checklist Before You Pay

Before signing and paying, ask these questions:

Is this amount for notarization only, or does it include drafting?
Is the fee per affidavit, per affiant, or per original copy?
Is the ₱30 documentary stamp included?
Will I receive an official receipt?
How many notarized originals will I get?
Will the affidavit be accepted by the specific office requiring it?
Are both affiants required to sign in person today?
Are the IDs sufficient?
Are there blank portions that must be completed before notarization?

A legitimate notary office should not be offended by these questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the notary fee for a Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons in the Philippines?

For a simple affidavit that is already prepared, many people pay around ₱100 to ₱500 per notarized original. If the notary or lawyer drafts the affidavit, the total may be higher because drafting is separate from notarization.

Is the fee charged per person or per affidavit?

It depends on the notary’s posted fee schedule and how many originals are notarized. Since a joint affidavit has two affiants in one document, many offices quote per document, but some consider the number of affiants, pages, and original copies. Ask before signing.

Do both disinterested persons need to appear before the notary?

Yes, for an ordinary jurat, both affiants should personally appear before the notary, present IDs, sign in the notary’s presence, and swear to the truth of the affidavit.

Can relatives be the two disinterested persons?

Sometimes relatives are rejected because they may have an interest in the outcome. A safer choice is someone who personally knows the facts but is not a parent, child, spouse, claimant, heir, or direct beneficiary. For delayed birth registration, ask the Local Civil Registrar what level of relationship they will accept.

Can a barangay captain notarize a joint affidavit?

A barangay captain is not automatically a notary public. Some documents may be supported by barangay certification, but a notarized affidavit must be notarized by a duly commissioned notary public or by another officer legally authorized to administer oaths for that specific purpose.

Is a notarized Joint Affidavit enough for late registration of birth?

No. It is only one supporting document. PSA guidance for delayed birth registration also includes the Certificate of Live Birth, Affidavit for Delayed Registration, supporting documents such as baptismal, school, medical, insurance, tax, or barangay records, and other requirements depending on age, marriage status, or alien status. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

Can the Joint Affidavit be used to correct a wrong birth date or name?

It may support the facts, but it may not be enough by itself. Minor clerical errors may fall under RA 9048 or RA 10172. Substantial changes may require a court order.

Do I need a documentary stamp for the affidavit?

You may be asked to pay for a loose documentary stamp if the document is subject to documentary stamp tax. BIR RMC No. 56-2025 requires notaries to add a jurat or acknowledgment to taxable documents only when the required documentary stamps have been affixed and cancelled.

Can I notarize the affidavit online?

Electronic notarization is possible only through the proper electronic notarization system and a commissioned Electronic Notary Public. Traditional paper affidavits with wet signatures are still governed by the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. (Supreme Court of the Philippines)

What if the notary fee seems too expensive?

Ask for a breakdown: notarization, drafting, documentary stamp, printing, extra originals, and travel. Also ask for the posted schedule of notarial fees and an official receipt. The notary rules require transparency through fee recording, receipts, and a posted schedule.

Key Takeaways

A Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons is a sworn statement by two people who personally know relevant facts and do not directly benefit from the outcome.
For a simple, already prepared affidavit, the practical notary cost is commonly around ₱100 to ₱500 per notarized original, but drafting, extra copies, documentary stamps, and travel can increase the total.
A joint affidavit is usually notarized through a jurat, meaning both affiants must appear, present IDs, sign, and swear before the notary.
The notary should issue a receipt, record the notarial act, and follow the posted schedule of fees.
For delayed birth registration, the affidavit is only one requirement; the Local Civil Registrar will still require the Certificate of Live Birth, delayed registration affidavit, supporting documents, posting period, and evaluation.
A notarized affidavit can support facts, but it cannot replace a court order when the civil registry issue involves a substantial correction.
False statements in a notarized affidavit may expose the affiants to perjury or falsification issues.
Filipinos abroad may need consular notarization or local notarization with Apostille, depending on where the document is signed and where it will be used.