SEC Cuts Corporate Data Fees Again: What Businesses Need to Know About Lower Document Request Costs

Executive Summary

The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced another reduction in corporate data fees, making it more affordable for businesses, lawyers, accountants, investors, researchers, and the public to request corporate documents.

Under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2026, effective June 1, the SEC granted an additional 25% discount on corporate document request fees. This new reduction comes after the earlier 50% reduction under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6, Series of 2025.

This means that several commonly requested corporate documents, such as Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, General Information Sheets, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, registration data sheets, and deeds of assignment, may now be requested at lower rates.

The SEC explained that the reduction supports its goal of making corporate information more accessible, lowering the cost of government services, and improving the ease of doing business in the Philippines.

For business owners, corporate officers, accountants, lawyers, investors, and compliance teams, this is a welcome development. Lower corporate data fees can make due diligence, corporate housekeeping, compliance checking, and business verification more affordable and efficient.

SEC Grants Another Cut in Corporate Data Fees

Access to corporate documents is important for business transactions.

Companies often need SEC records when opening bank accounts, applying for loans, joining bids, onboarding investors, reviewing suppliers, conducting due diligence, updating corporate records, or proving corporate authority.

Previously, requesting authenticated or plain copies of company filings from the SEC could be costly, especially for businesses that regularly need multiple records. With the new reduction, the SEC aims to lower the cost of obtaining corporate data and make government services more accessible.

According to the SEC press release, the additional 25% reduction under Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2026 will take effect on June 1. This builds on the earlier 50% reduction implemented in 2025.

In simple terms, corporate documents are now cheaper to request compared to the previous rates.

Step-by-Step Guide: What Changed Under the New SEC Rates?

Step 1: Know which documents are covered

The reduced rates apply to commonly requested company filings, including Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, amended Articles of Incorporation, amended By-Laws, General Information Sheets, documents on increase in capital stock, resolutions, secretary’s certificates, board resolutions, registration data sheets, and deeds of assignment.

These are important documents because they show a company’s legal existence, ownership structure, officers, capital details, corporate acts, and authority to transact.

For example, a bank may ask for Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, General Information Sheet, board resolution, and secretary’s certificate before opening or updating a corporate account. An investor may also request similar records before investing in a company.

Step 2: Check the new fee for physical and authenticated copies

Under the new rates, physical and authenticated copies of covered company filings may be requested for ₱750 each, down from the previous rate of ₱1,000.

Authenticated copies are often required when the document must be officially certified by the SEC. These may be used for bank requirements, government submissions, court-related purposes, due diligence, or corporate transactions.

The reduced cost can help businesses that need multiple authenticated documents for compliance or transaction purposes.

Step 3: Check the new fee for authenticated copies of other documents

For authenticated copies of other documents, the new rate is ₱35 per page, reduced from the previous ₱50 per page.

This is useful when a requested document does not fall under the fixed-fee category and is charged per page.

For businesses and professionals who frequently request corporate records, even per-page reductions can result in meaningful savings over time.

Step 4: Check the new fee for plain copies

Plain copies of the same covered documents will now cost ₱565 each, instead of the previous ₱750.

Plain copies may be useful for internal review, preliminary due diligence, corporate records checking, or documentation where official authentication is not required.

However, businesses should always confirm whether the receiving party requires a plain copy or an authenticated copy. Some banks, government agencies, courts, and counterparties may specifically require authenticated documents.

Step 5: Review digital copy rates through eSEARCH

For digital copies accessible through the Electronic SEC Education, Analysis, and Research Computing Hub, or eSEARCH, the standard rates have also been reduced.

Authenticated digital copies of covered documents are now priced at ₱470 each, while plain digital copies are now priced at ₱280 each. These are also 25% lower than the previous rates of ₱625 and ₱375, respectively.

This supports faster access to corporate records through digital channels and may help reduce the need for physical document requests.

Step 6: Note that SEC API Marketplace rates remain the same

The SEC clarified that the standard rates for SEC API Marketplace services remain unchanged.

The SEC API Marketplace allows corporate data to be sent directly from one application to another. The available packages remain priced at ₱10,000 for 100 API calls and ₱50,000 for 1,000 API calls.

This is more relevant for institutions, technology platforms, compliance providers, financial institutions, and other users that need structured corporate data integration.

Why This SEC Fee Reduction Matters

The lower fees may appear like a simple administrative update, but the practical impact is significant.

Corporate documents are often needed in almost every important stage of business life. A company may need SEC documents when registering with banks, applying for business loans, responding to compliance checks, entering into contracts, undergoing due diligence, preparing for investment, or updating corporate authority.

Lower document request fees can reduce the cost of compliance and make corporate information more accessible to the public.

This also supports transparency. When corporate records are easier and more affordable to access, businesses and stakeholders can verify information more efficiently.

For small and medium enterprises, lower fees can help reduce administrative expenses. For lawyers and accountants, it can make due diligence and corporate housekeeping more cost-efficient. For investors and lenders, it can support better verification before entering transactions.

Risks and Penalties

Although the SEC fee reduction makes document requests more affordable, businesses should not treat corporate records casually.

A company that fails to maintain updated corporate records may still face compliance risks. For example, outdated General Information Sheets, missing board approvals, inconsistent officer details, or incomplete corporate records can create problems in banking, contracting, licensing, investment, or due diligence.

If a company’s SEC records do not match its actual ownership, directors, officers, or authorized signatories, transactions may be delayed or questioned.

There may also be consequences for late or missing SEC reportorial filings. Failure to submit required reports may result in penalties, issues with good standing, or difficulty obtaining SEC certifications and documents.

The lower cost of document requests should encourage businesses to review and organize corporate records, not ignore them.

Common Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid

Mistake 1: Requesting the wrong type of copy

Some transactions require authenticated copies, while others may accept plain copies. Businesses should confirm the requirement before paying for document requests.

Mistake 2: Waiting until the deadline

Corporate documents may be needed for urgent bank, bidding, loan, or transaction deadlines. Businesses should request documents early to avoid delays.

Mistake 3: Not updating corporate records

Lower document request fees will not solve outdated corporate filings. Companies should make sure their General Information Sheets, officer details, and corporate records are current and accurate.

Mistake 4: Ignoring discrepancies

If SEC records show different directors, officers, addresses, or authorized signatories from the company’s current records, the issue should be reviewed and corrected where necessary.

Mistake 5: Treating corporate documents as mere paperwork

Corporate documents establish authority, ownership, governance, and legal identity. They are important in contracts, banking, compliance, and disputes.

FAQ Section

What did the SEC announce?

The SEC announced another 25% reduction in corporate data fees under Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2026, effective June 1.

Is this the first SEC fee reduction?

No. The 2026 reduction comes after an earlier 50% reduction under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6, Series of 2025.

What documents are covered by the reduced rates?

Covered documents include Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, amended Articles of Incorporation, amended By-Laws, General Information Sheets, increase in capital stock documents, resolutions, secretary’s certificates, board resolutions, registration data sheets, and deeds of assignment.

How much is the new rate for physical and authenticated copies of covered company filings?

The new rate is ₱750 each, down from the previous ₱1,000.

How much are plain copies?

Plain copies of covered documents now cost ₱565 each, reduced from ₱750.

How much are digital copies through eSEARCH?

For covered digital documents through eSEARCH, authenticated copies are now ₱470 each, while plain copies are ₱280 each.

Did SEC API Marketplace rates change?

No. The SEC stated that API Marketplace rates remain at ₱10,000 for 100 API calls and ₱50,000 for 1,000 API calls.

Why should businesses care about SEC corporate data fees?

Businesses often need SEC documents for banking, loans, bids, contracts, investment, legal due diligence, compliance, and corporate housekeeping. Lower fees reduce the cost of accessing these important records.

Call-to-Action

Lower SEC corporate data fees are good news for businesses, investors, professionals, and compliance teams. But access to documents is only one part of corporate compliance.

Businesses should also make sure their SEC filings are updated, their corporate records are complete, their officers and authorized signatories are properly documented, and their internal records match official filings.

Aureada CPA Law Firm assists corporations, business owners, investors, accountants, and professionals in SEC registration, corporate housekeeping, due diligence, document requests, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, compliance filings, and corporate record review.

If your company needs to organize its corporate records, verify SEC filings, or prepare documents for banking, investment, contracts, or compliance, proper legal and corporate guidance can help prevent delays and protect your business.