How much does a notary charge in Guatemala? It depends on the type of document, the value of the transaction (for acts with economic value), and whether the notary follows the official tariff in the Código de Notariado (Decreto 314) or charges what they consider reasonable within market range. In practice, almost all charge above the official tariff — which has not been meaningfully updated in decades.
This guide gives you two things: the official notary fees per the Código de Notariado, and the real 2026 market fees based on surveys of practicing notaries in Guatemala City, Antigua, and the interior.
Quick summary: A simple power of attorney costs Q300-800. A real estate deed costs 1-3% of the property value. A testament costs Q800-2,500. Notaries in commercial zones (zones 9, 10, 14, 15 of the capital) charge more than those in the interior.
Official Fees vs. Market Fees
The Código de Notariado (Decreto 314) establishes minimum and maximum fees for certain acts. In practice:
- Official minimum fees are highly outdated — they date from the 1970s-80s and are absurdly low today (Q5-50 for acts that now cost Q500-5,000)
- Notaries charge “reasonable fees” within market range, justified by the principle of contract freedom
- The Colegio de Abogados y Notarios occasionally issues recommendations or guides — but they are not binding
- Fees can be negotiable — especially for repeat clients or packages of multiple acts
Most Common Notarial Documents and Their Costs
Power of Attorney (Poder)
| Type | 2026 Market Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General broad power | Q800-2,500 | More expensive because it grants wide authority |
| Special power (single act) | Q300-800 | For example, power to sell a specific property |
| Power with complex clauses | Q1,500-4,000 | Includes detailed instructions, limits, revocation |
| Revocation of power | Q300-700 | Simple act |
| Substitution of power | Q500-1,200 | Transferring an existing power |
Additional cost if granted abroad (via Guatemalan consulate): the consular fee ranges from $25-$75 USD and is paid directly to the consulate, separate from the fees of the Guatemalan notary who receives the power for use.
Real Estate Deed of Sale (Escritura de Compraventa)
This is the most expensive notarial operation in absolute terms. The notary fees are separate from the Impuesto Único Sobre Inmuebles (IUSI), the timbre forense, and other transfer costs.
| Property Value | Notary Fees (range) | % of Value |
|---|---|---|
| Up to Q200,000 | Q3,000-6,000 | 1.5-3.0% |
| Q200,000 - Q500,000 | Q5,000-12,000 | 1.0-2.4% |
| Q500,000 - Q1,000,000 | Q10,000-20,000 | 1.0-2.0% |
| Q1,000,000 - Q3,000,000 | Q15,000-45,000 | 1.0-1.5% |
| Over Q3,000,000 | Negotiable, typically 0.8-1.2% |
Additional costs in a real estate sale (NOT notary fees):
- IUSI transfer tax — 3% of registered value
- Timbres fiscales (fiscal stamps) — Q50-1,000 depending on value
- Registration at General Property Registry — Q200-2,000
- Registry certificate — Q50-200
- Registry management fees — Q500-2,000 (optional, some notaries include it)
Testament (Testamento)
| Type | Market Range |
|---|---|
| Open testament (traditional) | Q800-2,500 |
| Closed testament | Q1,200-3,500 |
| Holographic testament (validation) | Q600-1,500 |
A testament is usually written in a single session. The notary retains the original document and files it in their protocol. A copy can be requested when needed.
Notarial Act (Acta Notarial)
A notarial act documents facts that the notary witnesses or receives sworn statements about.
| Type | Market Range |
|---|---|
| Sworn statement (declaración jurada) | Q300-800 |
| Proof of life act (for pensions) | Q300-600 |
| Notification act | Q400-1,000 |
| Inventory of goods act | Q500-1,500 |
| Corporate meeting act | Q800-2,000 |
Signature Authentication
| Service | Range |
|---|---|
| Simple signature authentication | Q50-200 per signature |
| Authentication with consular legalization | Q150-400 |
| Multiple signature authentication (single document) | Q150-400 total |
Document Legalization
| Service | Range |
|---|---|
| Legalization of notarial signature | Q100-300 |
| Legalization for foreign use (pre-apostille) | Q150-400 |
| Apostille at Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Q75-150 (official fee) |
Other Frequent Acts
| Act | Market Range |
|---|---|
| Sociedad Anónima incorporation deed | Q2,000-5,000 (plus capital and stamps) |
| SRL incorporation deed | Q1,500-3,500 |
| Note: Sociedad Emergente (Decreto 20-2018) | DOES NOT require a notary — see our guide |
| Corporate deed modification | Q1,500-4,000 |
| Company dissolution | Q2,000-5,000 |
| Matrimonial property separation | Q1,500-4,000 |
| Prenuptial agreements (capitulaciones) | Q1,000-3,000 |
| Adoption (notarial phase) | Q2,500-8,000 |
How to Compare Notaries
- Ask for a written quote. A serious notary will send you a breakdown of fees before you sign anything.
- Quote with 2-3 notaries for significant acts (real estate, incorporations, testaments).
- Ask whether additional costs (stamps, registries, IUSI) are included or separate. Many notaries give “all-inclusive” prices that are higher but avoid surprises.
- Ask for references for large operations. A notary with 15+ years of experience in real estate justifies a premium price.
- Confirm the notary is active in the Colegio de Abogados y Notarios. Any lawyer can technically call themselves a notary, but only those active in the college can practice.
Notary Price Differences by City
Notaries in Guatemala City (especially zones 9, 10, 14, 15) typically charge 20-50% more than notaries in the interior. Reasons:
- Higher demand and transaction volume
- Corporate clients with larger budgets
- Offices in expensive commercial locations
- Reputation and professional network
You can hire a notary in the interior for acts that do not require physical presence in the capital. A real estate deed must be registered where the property is located, but the notary can be from any Guatemalan municipality. Typical savings: 20-40%.
When Paying More Is Worth It
For high-value or complex transactions:
- Real estate purchases over Q1,000,000 — worth paying for a notary with specific real estate experience. A 1% fee difference can cost you Q20,000+, but an error in the deed can cost much more.
- Multi-partner company incorporations — a notary with corporate experience prevents future governance problems.
- Adoptions, divorces, separations — family matters where errors have severe emotional and legal consequences.
For simple, recurring acts (powers of attorney, sworn statements, authentications), the cheapest notary does the same work as the most expensive.
Sources
- Código de Notariado — Decreto 314, Congress of the Republic of Guatemala
- Colegio de Abogados y Notarios de Guatemala — internal tariff recommendations
- Organismo Judicial (OJ) — Archivo General de Protocolos
- Surveys of practicing notaries — Guatemala City, Antigua, Quetzaltenango, Cobán, Huehuetenango (April 2026)
Related Guides
- Service Prices Hub — All services with price ranges
- Business Formation — Incorporation of companies
- Sociedad Emergente (no notary required) — The alternative without notary fees
- Foreigner’s Guide to Business Formation — Powers of attorney from abroad
- Apostille from USA — For documents from foreigners
- Spanish version: Honorarios Notario — Full Spanish-language page
Information verified April 2026. Notary fees change with inflation and local practice. Always confirm with the specific notary before signing.