This article explains the going rates, legal context, and practical considerations for notarizing a corporation’s General Information Sheet (GIS) and Secretary’s Certificate in the Philippines. It is informational only and not a substitute for advice from your own counsel or notary.

I. Why these documents are commonly notarized

General Information Sheet (GIS). Corporations file a GIS with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) annually (and upon changes). The signatory (often the Corporate Secretary or an authorized officer) executes a sworn certification; hence, the GIS (or its verification page) is typically notarized by jurat (affiant swears to the truth).
Secretary’s Certificate. This certifies board/shareholder actions (e.g., approvals, authorized signatories, bank resolutions) and is ordinarily notarized by acknowledgment (the officer acknowledges execution of the instrument as the act of the corporation).

The notarization form (jurat vs. acknowledgment) affects what the notary checks, how many signatures are sworn or acknowledged, and often the pricing.

II. Legal framework—what actually governs fees

2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (RNP) (as amended) regulate the how of notarization—identity, venue, journals, forms—not hard price caps.
Judicial supervision. Notaries are commissioned by the Executive Judge of an RTC and must keep fees reasonable. Local IBP chapters and courts sometimes issue indicative schedules, but they are not universally uniform.
Tax rules. Law firms and solo practitioners may be VAT-registered (12% VAT applies) or non-VAT (percentage tax). Corporate payors may need to withhold tax on professional fees.
Venue and authority. A notary generally notarizes within the city/province of commission; mobile or out-of-office work is permissible but still subject to venue and identification requirements—and often priced higher.
Remote notarization. Availability, scope, and procedural details depend on Supreme Court issuances and local implementation. Where available, expect technology and scheduling premiums.

III. What drives the price

Type of notarial act: jurat (GIS) vs. acknowledgment (Secretary’s Certificate).
Number of signatories and whether the notary must personally verify each affiant.
Page count and annexes (e.g., board resolutions, IDs, exhibits).
Drafting vs. “notarize-only”: drafting a Secretary’s Certificate or cleaning up corporate formalities costs extra.
Location and timing: business districts, mobile visits, after-hours, rush jobs.
Administrative extras: printing, photocopying, certified true copies, scanning and e-delivery, courier.
Taxes and receipts: VAT, expanded withholding tax (EWT), official receipt (OR) issuance.

IV. Typical price ranges in practice

Ranges below reflect common market experience in Metro Manila and many urban areas. Smaller cities may be on the lower end; premium business districts and mobile or after-hours work trend higher.

A. “Notarize-only” (document already prepared)

Secretary’s Certificate (1–3 pages, acknowledgment): ₱300 – ₱1,000 for a straightforward certificate with one corporate officer signing. Add ₱50 – ₱200 per additional page/annex (e.g., board resolution attached). Add ₱100 – ₱300 per additional signatory presented before the notary.
GIS (verification/jurat; often 8–12 pages with annexes): ₱800 – ₱2,500 depending on page count, annexes, stamping, and the number of signatories sworn. If multiple officers must appear for jurats, expect ₱100 – ₱300 per extra affiant.

B. With drafting or cleanup by counsel

Secretary’s Certificate (draft + notarize): ₱1,500 – ₱5,000 for standard templates tailored to your facts (bank authorization, specimen signatures, etc.). Complex, bespoke, or multi-resolution certificates may run ₱5,000 – ₱15,000+.
GIS assistance (form review, completeness check, notarize): ₱2,000 – ₱6,000 depending on complexity, number of officers, and annex vetting.

C. Premiums and add-ons

Mobile/on-site notarization (within Metro Manila CBDs): ₱1,000 – ₱3,500 on top of base fees, plus parking/transport if applicable.
After-hours/weekend/holiday: ₱500 – ₱1,000 surcharge.
Certified true copy stamping/seals: ₱50 – ₱150 per copy.
Printing/scanning/e-delivery: ₱5 – ₱15 per page or a flat ₱100 – ₱300 admin fee.
Courier/messenger to SEC or bank: per actual cost plus service fee (often ₱200 – ₱500).

Taxes: If the provider is VAT-registered, add 12% VAT to professional and administrative fees. If your company withholds on professional fees, factor in EWT (commonly 10% or 15% depending on status). Always ask for an official receipt (OR).

V. Practical checklist to avoid re-work (and extra fees)

Confirm the correct notarial form.
- GIS: usually a jurat on the verification page.
- Secretary’s Certificate: typically an acknowledgment.
Line up signatories and IDs.
- Each signing officer must appear (physically or per valid remote rules) with competent evidence of identity (e.g., passport, driver’s license, UMID, PhilID). Bring photocopies of IDs.
Corporate authority is clear.
- Ensure the board resolution or by-law provision authorizing the officer exists and, if needed, attach it.
Use the correct venue and date.
- Notarize within the commission area and ensure dates match the board action and SEC timelines.
Name consistency.
- Company name, SEC registration number, officers’ names and titles, and specimen signatures should be consistent across the document, annexes, and IDs.
Pagination and annex labeling.
- Mark annexes (Annex “A”, “B”, etc.), number pages, and sign/seal where needed to prevent return trips.
Tax and receipt handling.
- Ask for a BIR-registered OR. If you will withhold, provide the notary your BIR details and issue the 2307 certificate in due course.
Foreign use? Apostille early.
- If the Secretary’s Certificate or GIS certifications will be used abroad (e.g., a foreign bank), budget time and costs for apostille after notarization.

VI. Sample fee matrix (illustrative)

Scenario	Likely Notarial Act	Base Notarial Fee	Typical Add-ons	Estimated Total*
Secretary’s Certificate (2 pages), one signatory, walk-in	Acknowledgment	₱500	None	₱500
Secretary’s Certificate + 3-page board resolution annex	Acknowledgment	₱500	₱150–₱600 (pages)	₱650–₱1,100
GIS (10 pages, one affiant), walk-in	Jurat	₱1,200	₱100–₱300 (admin)	₱1,300–₱1,500
GIS (10 pages, two affiants), mobile visit	Jurat	₱1,200	₱100–₱300 (extra affiant) + ₱1,500–₱3,000 (mobile)	₱2,800–₱4,500

VAT, withholding, and courier costs are separate and may apply.

VII. Secretary’s Certificate drafting pointers (to keep fees predictable)

Use the exact corporate name and SEC registration number.
Cite the board/stockholder meeting date, quorum, and resolution text verbatim or attach the resolution.
Identify authorized signatories, their specimen signatures, and transaction limits (if any).
State the purpose (e.g., bank account opening, authority to sign contracts).
Indicate that the certificate is issued by the Corporate Secretary (or Assistant Corporate Secretary if authorized) and is in full force and effect.
Keep it to 1–2 pages where possible; annex the full resolution rather than inflating the certificate’s body.

VIII. Common pitfalls that increase cost

Missing or expired IDs of signatories.
Wrong notarial form (jurat vs. acknowledgment) requiring re-issuance.
Out-of-city notarization contrary to the notary’s commission area.
Inconsistent names/titles across the SEC records, board resolution, and IDs.
Last-minute scheduling leading to after-hours or rush surcharges.
No clarity on tax treatment (VAT/EWT) before billing and OR issuance.

IX. Budgeting tips for companies and startups

Batch documents in one visit (e.g., several certificates + GIS).
Request a quote in writing that breaks down base notarial fee, per-page charges, extra signatories, mobile/out-of-hours premiums, and taxes.
Keep templates vetted by counsel to minimize drafting charges.
Maintain a signatories’ ID file and specimen signatures to reduce back-and-forth.

X. Quick reference: what to ask your notary

Is this a jurat or acknowledgment?
How much for the base fee, extra pages, and extra signatories?
Do you charge mobile or after-hours premiums?
Are your fees VAT-inclusive? Do we need to withhold?
Can you provide scanned copies and certified true copies?
What IDs do you require, and can we pre-clear the names/titles?
How soon can you schedule the appearance(s)?

Bottom line

For most corporations in Philippine urban centers, expect ₱300–₱1,000 to notarize a standard Secretary’s Certificate, and ₱800–₱2,500 to notarize a typical GIS (jurat), with predictable add-ons for pages, signatories, mobile service, and taxes. Obtain a written quote, bring proper IDs, and verify the correct notarial form to keep both costs and compliance on track.