Certified True Copy: How Much Does a Notary Charge? (2026)

Certified True Copy

A lawyer or notary certifying a copy of an existing document as a true copy. Some price lists charge per page, with a minimum.

Prices by Area

Area	What You Get	Price
BatangasLocal lawyers' price list, 2024. Listed as: Authentication and certification of documents or statements		₱200
CebuLocal lawyers' price list, 2022. Listed as: Authentication and certification of documents or statements		₱100 per page, at least ₱500
Cebu CityLocal lawyers' price list, 2023. Listed as: Authentication and certification of documents or statements		₱100 per page, at least ₱500
Davao CityLocal lawyers' price list, 2023. Listed as: Certified true copies of documents on file with the lawyer's office		₱500
Iloilo CityLocal lawyers' price list, 2019. Listed as: Authentication of documents		₱100 per page, at least ₱500
LeyteLocal lawyers' price list, 2024. Listed as: Authentication or Certified True Copy of documents		₱100 per page, at least ₱500
Northern SamarLocal lawyers' price list, 2023. Listed as: Authentication or certification		₱50 per page, at least ₱200
Occidental MindoroLocal lawyers' price list, 2024. Listed as: Authentication and certification of documents or statements		₱100 per page, at least ₱500
PampangaLocal lawyers' price list, 2022. Listed as: Authentication of documents or statements	Notary only	₱100 per page, at least ₱300
SorsogonLocal lawyers' price list, 2026. Listed as: Certified true copies of documents on file with the lawyer's office		₱1,000

These are the lowest or suggested prices the local lawyers' groups set, not quotes. Bring a valid ID, do not sign beforehand, and ask the price before the notary starts.

Prices last checked October 9, 2026. Fees can change, so always ask the notary first.

Documents Priced This Way

Notaries usually charge the same for each of these.

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What to Bring to the Notary

Tick each one as you pack, or print the list. See what to bring to the notary for why each one matters.

The complete document, with every blank filled in. A notary may not notarize a blank or incomplete document.
Signed, or ready to sign there. You may have signed already, but many notaries prefer you sign in front of them.
Enough copies: what the receiving office needs, plus one for the notary and one for you.
A valid government ID for each person who signs, with their photo and signature. Bring the original.
Every person who signs, in person.
Witnesses, if the document has lines for them, each with an ID.
Proof you can sign for someone else, if you sign for another person or a company: the notarized SPA, or a Secretary's Certificate or board resolution.
A Community Tax Certificate (cedula), if your notary asks for one. It does not replace a photo ID.
Cash for the fee. Ask the price first, and ask for an Official Receipt.

Your ticks stay on this device only.

Common Questions

Can a Notary Certify a True Copy of My PSA Birth Certificate?

No. A notary can certify copies only of documents that are not civil registry records (vital records), public records, or documents meant to be recorded in a public office (2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, Rule II Sec. 4). Get certified copies of birth, marriage and death records from the PSA or the Local Civil Registrar, and of land titles from the Registry of Deeds.

Do I Need to Bring the Original?

Yes. To certify a copy, the notary must compare it with the original document and confirm that the copy is accurate and complete (Rule II Sec. 4).

Is a Certified True Copy the Same as an Apostille?

No. A Certified True Copy confirms that a copy matches its original. An apostille from the DFA confirms a Philippine public document for use abroad. For a notarized private document, the DFA also asks for a Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act from the Regional Trial Court. See the apostille guide.

Can a Notary Here Authenticate a Document Issued Abroad?

No. A foreign public document is authenticated in the country that issued it, by an apostille or by consularization at the Philippine embassy or consulate there. See consularization vs apostille.

Not legal advice. This is general information. For advice on your own situation, consult a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or an IBP legal aid office may help for free.