The Short Answer
For a complete document, with every signer present and carrying a valid ID, notarization is often done the same day, sometimes while you wait. It takes longer if the notary has to write the document for you, if a signer is missing, or if many people must sign. If the document is going abroad, add the time for the court's certificate (CANA) and the DFA apostille.
Example: An Affidavit and a Deed for a Family in Tarlac
Names and details in this example are made up.
Lorna Bautista lives in Barangay Poblacion, Tarlac City. Her brother Ramil works in Nagoya, Japan. Their late father's lot needs to be sold, and Lorna must also send Ramil a notarized Affidavit of Support that he will show to an office there.
Monday morning: the affidavit. Lorna brings the Affidavit of Support already typed, with no blanks, and her Driver's License. There is a short pila at the notary's office. She signs in front of the notary and swears to it. She leaves with it before lunch.
The deed takes longer. For the Deed of Absolute Sale, Lorna asks the notary to write it. The notary needs a copy of the title, the Tax Declaration and the buyers' details first. Ramil cannot fly home, so he signs a Special Power of Attorney at the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, naming Lorna. The deed can be notarized only on the day Lorna, her other siblings and the buyers can all come with their IDs.
The affidavit for abroad. Because it will be used in Japan, Lorna asks the Regional Trial Court in Tarlac for a CANA, the certificate confirming the notary is real, then books a DFA apostille appointment. Those two steps take days, not hours, so she starts as soon as the affidavit is notarized.
When It Can Be Done the Same Day
- The document is complete, with every blank filled in. A notary may not notarize a blank or incomplete document (2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, Rule IV, Sec. 6).
- Every signer is there in person with a valid ID. A notary may not notarize for someone who is not present (Rule IV, Sec. 2(b)).
- You know what kind of notarization you need: swear to it (jurat) for most affidavits, or confirm you signed it (acknowledgment) for deeds and Special Powers of Attorney. See jurat vs acknowledgment.
- You brought enough copies. The notary keeps one for their records.
For the full list of what to bring, see getting a document notarized.
What Makes It Take Longer
- The notary writes it for you. Drafting a deed or contract takes time, and the notary may ask for papers first, like the title, Tax Declaration, IDs of every party, or a Marriage Certificate.
- A signer is missing. Everyone who signs must appear. If one is abroad or sick, they need to sign a Special Power of Attorney first, or the notary may need to go to a hospital, which is allowed (Rule IV, Sec. 2(a)).
- Many signers. An Extrajudicial Settlement or a deed with many heirs can only be finished once all of them have appeared, on one day or over several.
- Queues. Notaries near city halls, courts and the Registry of Deeds are busiest on weekday mornings and at month-end.
- No acceptable ID. If your ID has expired or is not accepted, you may need to come back with another ID or with credible witnesses (people who know you and can vouch for who you are).
If the Document Is Going Abroad
A notarized private document, such as an affidavit, a Special Power of Attorney or a contract, needs two more steps before the DFA will put an apostille (the certificate that lets it be used abroad) on it:
- CANA from the court. Ask the Regional Trial Court that commissioned the notary for a Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act (CANA), signed by the Executive Judge or Vice-Executive Judge. It confirms the notary was licensed. Each CANA covers one document.
- DFA apostille. Bring the notarized document with its CANA to the DFA, by appointment or walk-in where slots allow. Check the release date on your receipt.
Plan for these to take days. See the apostille guide for the current steps.
Deadlines That Start on the Day of Notarization
For some documents, the clock starts when the notary signs. For a Deed of Sale of land, the BIR deadlines for capital gains tax and documentary stamp tax count from the date of notarization. Do not notarize a deed until you are ready to pay the taxes. See transferring a land title.
Common Questions
Pwede bang Iwan Ko na lang at Balikan Bukas?
No, not if it means the notary notarizes it without you there. You must appear in person when it is notarized (Rule IV, Sec. 2(b)). You can leave a document for the notary to prepare, but you come back and sign or confirm your signature in front of them.
Can I Get It Notarized on a Weekend?
Some notaries open on Saturdays, but there is no rule that they must. Call ahead. A notary should notarize at their regular place of work, with only a few exceptions such as hospitals (Rule IV, Sec. 2(a)).
Is Online Notarization Faster?
It can save you a trip, but you still appear before the notary, by video, and the platform has its own steps. See getting a document notarized online.
How Long Does the Apostille Take After Notarization?
You first need a CANA from the Regional Trial Court, then the DFA apostille. The DFA's own pages show different processing times, so check the release date on your receipt. See the apostille guide.
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.
Government fees, rules and requirements change, so always check with the office concerned before you go. This page explains the general rules; it cannot tell you how they apply to your own family or case. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.