What Is an Affidavit of Indigency?
An Affidavit of Indigency is a sworn statement in which the affiant declares that they have no regular source of income — or only a low and irregular income — and no sufficient means of livelihood to support themselves and their family. It is used to ask an office, court, or agency to waive a fee or grant assistance on the ground of financial incapacity.
It is also commonly searched for as an Affidavit of No Income, an Affidavit of Low Income, or an Affidavit of Financial Incapacity — all the same sworn statement under different names — and Filipinos who know sworn documents by their Tagalog name will recognise it as one kind of Sinumpaang Salaysay — the same oath and the same legal weight, whether titled in English or in Filipino.
Do not confuse it with a Barangay Certificate of Indigency: the affidavit is your own statement under oath, while the certificate is issued by your barangay. Many offices ask for both.
When Do You Need an Affidavit of Indigency?
- Court fee waivers — to litigate as an indigent party and be exempt from filing and docket fees (Rules of Court)
- PAO / free legal aid — to qualify for representation by the Public Attorney's Office or other legal-aid programs
- Scholarships and educational assistance — school and government scholarship requirements
- DSWD / AICS assistance — financial, medical, or burial assistance
- Reduced or waived government fees — and similar applications that consider financial capacity
Required Elements of a Philippine Affidavit of Indigency
- Affiant's identity — full name, civil status / description, citizenship, and address
- Income declaration — that the affiant has no regular income, or only a low and irregular income, insufficient to meet basic needs
- Supporting facts (as applicable) — source of income (if any), approximate monthly income, dependents, and that the affiant owns no real property
- Indigent-litigant clause (for fee waivers) — that neither the affiant nor their immediate family earns more than the income fixed by the Rules of Court
- Purpose clause — why the affidavit is executed and, where relevant, the office or agency it is for
- Jurat — the "SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN" block completed by the notary public, plus the notarial register entries
State only what is true. An affidavit is a sworn statement, and a false declaration of financial condition can expose the affiant to liability for perjury.
Free Sample — Affidavit of Indigency
I, Juan Dela Cruz, of legal age, married, Filipino, and a resident of 24 Mabini Street, Barangay Malaya, Quezon City, after being duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:
1. That my only source of income is occasional laundry and sari-sari store work, from which I earn approximately ₱4,000 a month, which is insufficient to meet my basic needs;
2. That I have three (3) minor children dependent upon me for support;
3. That I do not own any real property;
4. That neither I nor any member of my immediate family earns a gross income exceeding the amount fixed by the Rules of Court for indigent litigants;
5. That I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and for the purpose of exemption from the payment of court filing and docket fees as an indigent litigant, particularly for submission to the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, 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.
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.
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Generate FreeAffidavit of Indigency vs. Barangay Certificate of Indigency
These two documents are often requested together but are produced by different people:
- Affidavit of Indigency — you write it and swear to it before a notary public. It is your own sworn statement of financial condition.
- Barangay Certificate of Indigency — your barangay issues it, certifying that you are a resident with no or low income. You request it from the barangay hall.
For a court fee waiver, the PAO, or DSWD assistance, an office may ask for the affidavit, the certificate, or both. Confirm the exact requirement with the receiving office before filing.
Using an Affidavit of Indigency for a Court Fee Waiver
To litigate as an indigent party and be exempt from filing and docket fees, the Rules of Court (Rule 3, Section 21 and Rule 141, Section 19) require that your gross income — and that of your immediate family — does not exceed the amount fixed by the Rules, and that you do not own real property above the value fixed by the Rules. The figures may be revised by the Supreme Court, so verify the current thresholds with the court.
The affidavit supports your application, but the court still decides. Courts commonly also require a Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons and a Barangay Certificate of Indigency — so prepare those as well if you are applying for indigent-litigant status.