Affidavit of Guardianship Template Philippines — Child & Minor

What Is an Affidavit of Guardianship?

An Affidavit of Guardianship is a sworn declaration by an adult (the guardian or parent) assuming or acknowledging responsibility for a minor's welfare for a specific purpose. In Philippine practice, it is most commonly executed for:

Minor children traveling abroad without both parents
School enrollment when neither parent is available as signatory
DSWD travel clearance applications
Medical consent for a minor when parents are unavailable

Parents who know sworn documents by their Tagalog name will recognize this as one kind of Sinumpaang Salaysay — the guardianship affidavit carries the same oath, and the same legal weight, whether it is titled in English or in Filipino. It is also commonly searched for simply as an Affidavit of Guardian; the shorter name refers to exactly the same sworn undertaking.

It is important to distinguish this from court-appointed legal guardianship under the Family Code — an Affidavit of Guardianship is an informal notarized undertaking, not a court order conferring parental authority.

Required Elements of a Philippine Affidavit of Guardianship

Guardian's identity — full name, age, civil status, citizenship, address, relationship to the minor
Minor's identity — full name, date of birth, address, PSA birth certificate reference (optional but recommended)
Nature of guardianship — what the guardian is undertaking (travel, enrollment, care)
Specific details — destination and dates (for travel), school and school year (for enrollment)
Guardian's undertaking — to ensure the minor's safety, welfare, and return (for travel)
Parental authorization — statement that the parent(s) authorize the guardian's care or the minor's travel
Purpose clause — why the affidavit is executed and for what institution

Free Sample — Affidavit of Guardianship

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

QUEZON CITY) S.S.

AFFIDAVIT OF GUARDIANSHIP

I, Juan Dela Cruz, married, Filipino, of legal age, and a resident of 123 Mabuhay Street, Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City, after being duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:

1. That I am the maternal grandfather of Maria Dela Cruz, a minor born on March 8, 2015;

2. That the minor's parents are working abroad and have entrusted the minor to my care;

3. That the said minor has been living with me and is under my actual care and custody since birth;

4. That I have been providing for the food, shelter, education, medical, and other necessities of the said minor;

5. That, as the person exercising actual care and custody over the said minor, I am undertaking to act for and on behalf of the said minor in connection with the minor's enrollment at ABC Elementary School for School Year 2026-2027;

6. That I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and for the purpose of the minor's enrollment at ABC Elementary School for School Year 2026-2027, and for whatever legal purpose it may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this January 15, 2026 at Quezon City, Philippines.

JUAN DELA CRUZ

Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this January 15, 2026 at Quezon City, Philippines. Affiant exhibited to me his/her Driver's License bearing No. N01-23-456789 issued on May 10, 2023 at Quezon City.

Notary Public

Doc. No. ______;

Page No. ______;

Book No. ______;

Series of ______.

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Bureau of Immigration Requirements for Minors Traveling Abroad

When a Filipino minor travels abroad, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has specific requirements depending on who accompanies the minor:

Minor traveling alone or with a non-parent: Both parents must execute an Affidavit of Support and Consent (or Affidavit of Guardianship) plus a DSWD Travel Clearance may be required.
Minor traveling with one parent only: The absent parent must execute a notarized travel consent/affidavit. If one parent has sole custody by court order, bring a certified copy of the court order.
Deceased parent: Present the PSA-issued death certificate of the deceased parent.

Requirements change periodically. Always verify the current BI requirements at the time of travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Affidavit of Guardianship in the Philippines?

An Affidavit of Guardianship is a sworn declaration by an adult (the guardian) assuming responsibility for a minor's care, welfare, and/or travel. It is not a court-appointed guardianship — it is an informal sworn undertaking commonly used for practical purposes like school enrollment or travel.

Is an Affidavit of Guardianship the same as legal guardianship?

No. Legal guardianship is established by court order under the Family Code or Rules of Court. An Affidavit of Guardianship is an informal notarized document accepted for specific practical purposes (travel, school). It does not confer parental authority or the full rights of a court-appointed guardian.

When is an Affidavit of Guardianship required for a minor traveling abroad?

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) requires an Affidavit of Guardianship (sometimes called a Travel Clearance Affidavit) when a minor travels: (1) alone; (2) with only one parent; or (3) with a non-parent adult. The absent parent or both parents must execute the affidavit, and the BI may also require a Board Departure Order exemption.

Who should sign an Affidavit of Guardianship for travel purposes?

If a minor travels with one parent only, the absent parent executes the affidavit authorizing travel. If the minor travels alone or with a non-parent guardian, both parents (or the surviving/sole parent) execute the affidavit. The designated guardian (travel companion) may also need to be identified in the document.

Does an Affidavit of Guardianship need to be notarized?

Yes. The BI, DSWD, schools, and most institutions require a notarized Affidavit of Guardianship. For BI clearance of minors traveling abroad, the affidavit must typically be notarized and, in some cases, submitted with the minor's PSA birth certificate and passport.

What is an Affidavit of Guardianship called in Filipino?

It falls under the general Filipino term Sinumpaang Salaysay, which simply means a statement sworn before a notary public — here, a sworn undertaking to care for a minor. A guardianship affidavit executed in English serves exactly the same purpose. Schools, the DSWD, and the Bureau of Immigration accept either the English or the Filipino version, as long as it is notarized.

Is an "Affidavit of Guardian" the same as an Affidavit of Guardianship?

Yes. "Affidavit of Guardian" is simply a shorter, commonly searched way of referring to the same document — a sworn undertaking by a guardian assuming responsibility for a minor's care, welfare, or travel. Whether an office asks for an Affidavit of Guardian or an Affidavit of Guardianship, the notarized document and its legal effect are identical.

Affidavit of Guardianship Template Philippines: Guide for Minors & Travel