For a simple Affidavit of Support and Guarantee in the Philippines, the notary fee is usually modest, but the total cost can become confusing because people often mix up notarization, drafting, DFA Apostille/authentication, and consular notarization abroad. The amount you pay depends on where the sponsor signs the affidavit, whether the document is only notarized in the Philippines, whether it must be apostilled or authenticated, and whether a lawyer also prepares the document for you.

What is an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee?

An Affidavit of Support and Guarantee, often shortened to AOSG, is a sworn written statement where a sponsor says that they will financially support a traveler, visitor, family member, or visa applicant.

In practice, Filipinos commonly use it for:

sponsored tourist travel abroad;
visa applications;
invitations by relatives, partners, friends, or employers abroad;
proof that the traveler has a person who will cover food, accommodation, transportation, or emergency expenses;
immigration screening at Philippine airports when the traveler’s trip is sponsored by someone else.

An affidavit is not just an ordinary letter. It is a sworn statement. When it is notarized, the sponsor appears before a notary public, proves their identity, signs the affidavit, and swears that the statements are true.

For Philippine outbound travel, the Bureau of Immigration inspects international-bound Filipino passengers as part of anti-trafficking and illegal recruitment controls under the IACAT framework, which is based on Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by Republic Act No. 10364 and Republic Act No. 11862. The 2023 Revised IACAT Guidelines require all international-bound Filipino passengers to undergo immigration inspection and list an original AOSG for certain sponsored-travel situations. (Philippine Embassy)

How much is the notary fee for an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee?

For a straightforward AOSG signed before a Philippine notary public, many law offices charge around ₱100 to ₱500 for notarization of a simple affidavit. Some charge more if the document is lengthy, has several signatories, requires multiple original copies, or includes legal drafting.

The important point is this: the notary fee is different from the lawyer’s drafting fee.

Item	Usual practical range	What it covers
Notarization of a simple AOSG in the Philippines	Often around ₱100–₱500	The notarial act, usually a jurat, where the sponsor swears to the affidavit
Drafting or preparation of the AOSG	₱500–₱2,500 or more, depending on complexity	Lawyer or legal staff prepares the affidavit text
Extra original copies	Often charged per notarized original	Each original signed and notarized copy may be treated as a separate notarial act
Out-of-office notarization	Varies	Travel may be charged separately if allowed and agreed before travel
DFA Apostille for a Philippine notarized document	₱100 regular / ₱200 expedited	DFA authentication for use abroad, when required
Consular notarization abroad	Often around US$25 or local-currency equivalent per document	Notarial service at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad

The Philippine notary public must follow the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC. Rule V provides that a notary may charge the maximum fee prescribed by the Supreme Court, may waive the fee in whole or in part, may charge agreed travel fees separately when traveling to perform a notarial act, and must issue a BIR-registered receipt and post a complete schedule of chargeable notarial fees in a conspicuous place in the notarial office.

Why an AOSG is usually notarized as a jurat

A notarial act is not always the same for every document. For an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee, the usual notarial form is a jurat.

A jurat means the affiant personally appears before the notary, signs the affidavit, and swears or affirms that the contents are true. This fits an AOSG because the sponsor is making sworn factual statements about identity, relationship, financial capacity, address, immigration status, and undertaking to support the traveler.

This is different from an acknowledgment, which is commonly used for deeds, contracts, and powers of attorney where a person acknowledges that they signed the document as their free and voluntary act.

In Philippine practice, an affidavit should normally end with wording similar to:

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me...

That wording signals a jurat. If the AOSG only says “acknowledged before me,” some receiving offices may still accept it, but it can create avoidable questions because an affidavit is supposed to be sworn.

Legal basis for notarization in the Philippines

The legal backbone is the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, issued by the Supreme Court. Under these rules, a notary public is not just stamping paper. The notary must verify identity, require personal appearance, complete the notarial certificate, record the act in the notarial register, and use the official notarial seal properly.

For ordinary paper notarization, the signatory must personally appear before the notary public. The notary public must not perform a notarial act if the person is not in the notary’s presence or is not identified through competent evidence of identity. The notary must also refuse notarization if the document is blank, incomplete, unlawful, immoral, or if the notary has reason to doubt the person’s understanding or free will.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly treated notarization as a matter of public trust. A notarized document is generally entitled to evidentiary weight because notarization converts a private document into a public document. This is why “drive-by notarization,” notarization without personal appearance, or notarization based only on a scanned signature can create serious problems.

What you are really paying for

When you pay for an AOSG, ask what the quoted amount includes. Many misunderstandings happen because the office gives one “package price” without explaining the components.

1. Notarial fee

This is the fee for the notarial act itself. For a simple AOSG, this is usually the smallest part of the cost.

The notary must:

check the sponsor’s valid ID;
confirm that the sponsor personally appeared;
make sure the affidavit is complete;
administer the oath;
enter the act in the notarial register;
affix the notarial seal;
indicate the Doc. No., Page No., Book No., and Series.

Under the amended 2004 Notarial Rules, no extra fee may be collected for digitization, transmittal, storage, disposal, or processing connected with digitized notarial copies.

2. Drafting fee

If the lawyer or law office prepares the AOSG for you, that is a separate service. A well-drafted AOSG should not be a generic one-page template if the facts are sensitive.

It should clearly state:

the sponsor’s full name, citizenship, address, and contact details;
the traveler’s full name, passport details, and relationship to the sponsor;
the purpose and duration of travel;
who will pay for airfare, food, accommodation, insurance, and emergency expenses;
the sponsor’s undertaking that the traveler will return if required by the visa or travel purpose;
the sponsor’s financial capacity;
supporting documents attached or available for inspection.

3. Apostille or authentication fee

A Philippine notarized AOSG is sometimes used abroad, or submitted to a foreign embassy, school, employer, or government office. In that case, notarization may not be enough. The receiving office may require a DFA Apostille.

The DFA’s Apostille fee is ₱100 for regular processing released after five working days and ₱200 for expedited processing released after two working days. The DFA also lists e-Apostille processing after one working day at ₱200. (Apostille Philippines)

The Philippines became a party to the Apostille Convention on May 14, 2019, so for Apostille countries, the old “red ribbon” process has generally been replaced by Apostille. (Apostille Philippines)

4. Consular notarization fee abroad

If the sponsor is outside the Philippines, the AOSG is usually signed before a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or before a foreign notary followed by the required apostille or authentication depending on the country.

For example, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles lists a notarial processing fee of US$25 per document, with an additional expedite fee if applicable. (Philippine Consulate LA) The Philippine Embassy in Berlin lists AOSG requirements and a fee of €25 per document for mailed submissions. (Philippine Embassy Berlin)

Consular fees vary by post and currency, so the correct amount should be checked with the specific Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over the sponsor’s location.

Step-by-step guide: how to notarize an AOSG in the Philippines

1. Prepare the affidavit

Use the correct facts. Do not copy a template blindly.

At minimum, the AOSG should include:

sponsor’s complete name;
sponsor’s address and contact details;
sponsor’s government-issued ID details;
traveler’s full name and passport number;
relationship between sponsor and traveler;
destination country;
travel dates or expected travel period;
purpose of travel;
specific undertaking to shoulder expenses;
statement of financial capacity;
list of supporting documents, if attached.

2. Prepare supporting documents

For a sponsored traveler, the receiving authority may ask for more than the affidavit.

Common supporting documents include:

Document	Why it matters
Sponsor’s valid ID or passport	Proves identity of the person signing
Traveler’s passport copy	Identifies the person being sponsored
Proof of relationship	PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other records
Proof of financial capacity	Bank certificate, payslips, ITR, certificate of employment, business registration
Invitation letter	Explains the reason for the trip
Sponsor’s immigration status abroad	Visa, residence card, work permit, citizenship document, if sponsor is abroad
Return or roundtrip ticket	Often reviewed in outbound travel screening
Accommodation details	Shows where the traveler will stay

For sponsored outbound travel, the 2023 IACAT Guidelines refer to an original AOSG showing information in Annex “B” and, for sponsors abroad, notarization by a Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate or local notarization in the destination country followed by authentication or apostille, depending on whether the country is an Apostille country. (Philippine Embassy)

3. Go to a commissioned notary public

Not all lawyers are automatically notaries public. A lawyer must have a valid notarial commission for the city or province where the notarial act is performed.

Bring:

the unsigned or ready-to-sign affidavit;
original valid ID;
photocopy of valid ID;
supporting documents;
cash for the notarial fee and drafting fee, if any.

The sponsor should personally appear. The notary should not notarize merely because someone else brought the signed document.

4. Sign before the notary

For a proper jurat, sign in the presence of the notary and take the oath. If the document was already signed, the notary may ask the sponsor to sign again or execute a fresh copy.

5. Check the notarial details before leaving

Before leaving the office, check that the notarized AOSG has:

notary’s signature;
notarial seal on the proper pages;
complete notarial certificate;
Doc. No.;
Page No.;
Book No.;
Series of the year;
notary’s commission details;
notary’s PTR, IBP, and roll information;
correct names and dates.

A missing notarial seal, blank notarial details, or wrong venue can cause rejection.

6. Ask for an official receipt

If a notarial fee is charged, the notary public must issue a BIR-registered receipt and keep a journal of notarial fees. The notary must also post the schedule of chargeable notarial fees in the office.

If the sponsor is abroad

If the sponsor is outside the Philippines, the process is different. A Philippine notary public in Manila, Cebu, Davao, or another Philippine city generally cannot notarize a document signed abroad by someone who did not personally appear.

The usual options are:

Option 1: Sign before a Philippine Embassy or Consulate

This is often the cleanest option for Philippine immigration or Philippine use. The sponsor appears before the consular officer, signs the AOSG, and pays the consular notarial fee.

The Philippine Embassy in Berlin explains that its role is to authenticate the AOSG upon submission of requirements, while the decision to allow a Filipino tourist to depart remains with Bureau of Immigration officers at the port of exit. (Philippine Embassy Berlin)

Option 2: Local notary abroad plus Apostille

If the country is a party to the Apostille Convention, the sponsor may sign before a local notary, then secure an apostille from the competent authority in that foreign country.

Option 3: Local notary abroad plus consular authentication

If the country is not an Apostille country, the locally notarized document may need authentication by the proper foreign authority and then legalization or authentication by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

Does a notarized AOSG guarantee that immigration will allow departure?

No. A notarized AOSG is only one supporting document.

The Bureau of Immigration still assesses the traveler’s purpose, documents, answers, financial capacity, relationship with the sponsor, risk indicators, and consistency of information. A notarized affidavit does not automatically override immigration inspection.

In a 2024 FOI response, the Bureau of Immigration explained that current IACAT Guidelines do not provide specific policies for Filipino passengers traveling with or without a local sponsor, and that presenting a notarized AOSG or simple letter does not substantially determine the departure decision by itself. (www.foi.gov.ph)

This is why the AOSG should match the rest of the traveler’s documents. If the affidavit says the sponsor will pay for everything, but the traveler tells immigration that they paid for the trip personally, that inconsistency can create suspicion.

Common fee-related problems

“The notary is charging ₱1,500. Is that legal?”

It depends on what the ₱1,500 covers.

If it includes drafting, printing, consultation, multiple copies, or document review, the office should explain that. If it is only for the notarial act on a simple one-page affidavit, ask for the posted notarial fee schedule and an official receipt.

“Can I pay someone to notarize without appearing?”

No. Personal appearance is a core requirement for ordinary notarization. A notarized AOSG signed without personal appearance can be challenged, rejected, or treated as irregular.

“Can a notary notarize a scanned signature?”

For ordinary paper notarization, no. The sponsor must personally appear and sign before the notary. Electronic notarization is now recognized under Supreme Court rules, but it follows a separate regulated process using an Electronic Notarization Facility and an Electronic Notary Public, not an informal Zoom call or email exchange. The Supreme Court’s Rules on Electronic Notarization recognize in-person and remote electronic notarization and give valid electronic notarial acts the same force and effect as notarial acts under the 2004 Notarial Rules, subject to the rule requirements. (Supreme Court E-Library)

“Can a barangay notarize an AOSG?”

No. A barangay certification is not the same as notarization. Barangay officials may issue barangay certificates or administer certain oaths in limited circumstances, but an AOSG that requires notarization should be signed before a duly commissioned notary public or, abroad, before the proper consular officer or foreign notary with apostille/authentication.

“Can a foreigner sponsor a Filipino traveler?”

Yes, a foreigner may sponsor a Filipino traveler, but the supporting documents are usually scrutinized more carefully. The affidavit should clearly show the foreign sponsor’s identity, address, legal status, relationship with the traveler, financial capacity, and reason for sponsorship.

If the foreign sponsor signs abroad, the document should follow the consular, apostille, or authentication route required by the receiving authority.

Practical fee checklist before you pay

Before paying for an AOSG, ask these questions:

Is the quoted amount only for notarization, or does it include drafting?
How many original notarized copies are included?
Will I receive an official receipt?
Is the notary commissioned in this city or province?
Do I need DFA Apostille after notarization?
Will the document be used for Philippine immigration, a visa application, or a foreign government office?
If the sponsor is abroad, should the document be consularized or apostilled instead of notarized in the Philippines?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the notary fee for an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee in the Philippines?

For a simple AOSG, many notarial offices charge around ₱100 to ₱500 for notarization. The total can be higher if the lawyer drafts the affidavit, reviews documents, prepares multiple originals, or provides other legal services.

Is the drafting fee included in the notary fee?

Not always. Drafting is a separate legal service. A law office may charge one package price, but you should ask for a breakdown so you know what you are paying for.

Do I need to notarize an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee?

Usually, yes, if the receiving office requires a sworn affidavit. For sponsored outbound travel, visa use, or formal immigration purposes, an unsigned or unnotarized letter may carry less weight than a properly notarized affidavit.

Does a notarized AOSG need DFA Apostille?

Only if the receiving office requires it. If the AOSG is notarized in the Philippines and will be used abroad, DFA Apostille or authentication may be required. If it will be presented only to Philippine immigration as a supporting document, DFA Apostille is not always required, but the traveler should check the specific purpose and receiving authority.

Can I notarize an AOSG in the Philippines if the sponsor is abroad?

No, not in the usual way. The sponsor must personally appear before the notary. If the sponsor is abroad, they should usually sign before a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or use a local notary abroad followed by apostille or authentication.

Can I use one notarized AOSG for both visa application and airport immigration?

Sometimes, yes, if the wording covers both purposes. But if the affidavit says it is only for a visa application, an immigration officer may ask why it does not clearly support the actual trip. A better AOSG states the specific travel purpose, destination, duration, support undertaking, and return arrangement.

How many copies should I notarize?

Prepare at least one original for the receiving authority and keep one copy for your records. If the AOSG will be used for both visa filing and travel, ask whether each office requires an original. Each notarized original may involve a separate charge.

What IDs are accepted for notarization?

A current government-issued ID with photograph and signature is commonly used, such as a passport, driver’s license, UMID, SSS, GSIS, PRC ID, or national ID where accepted. The notary may refuse if the ID is expired, unclear, inconsistent, or does not properly identify the sponsor.

What happens if the AOSG contains false information?

False statements in a sworn affidavit can expose the affiant to legal consequences, including possible perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 11594. Perjury involves making a willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood under oath on a material matter. (Lawphil)

Is an AOSG legally binding on the sponsor?

It can be treated as a serious sworn undertaking. Depending on the wording and surrounding facts, it may create obligations under civil law principles. Under Article 1159 of the Civil Code, obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between the parties and must be complied with in good faith. (Lawphil)

Key Takeaways

A simple AOSG notarized in the Philippines commonly costs around ₱100 to ₱500, but drafting, extra copies, travel, apostille, and consular services can increase the total cost.
An AOSG is usually notarized through a jurat, meaning the sponsor personally appears, signs, and swears to the truth of the affidavit.
The notary must require personal appearance, verify identity, complete the notarial certificate, record the act, and issue a BIR-registered receipt if a fee is charged.
A sponsor abroad should usually sign before a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or use a foreign notary with apostille or authentication as required.
DFA Apostille is separate from notarization and costs ₱100 regular or ₱200 expedited, based on DFA’s published schedule.
A notarized AOSG helps support a sponsored trip, but it does not guarantee airport clearance or visa approval.
The safest approach is to make the affidavit specific, truthful, consistent with the traveler’s documents, and supported by proof of relationship and financial capacity.