What Is an Affidavit of Loss?
An Affidavit of Loss is a sworn declaration that a person has lost a specific item and attests to the circumstances of that loss. It is required by banks, government agencies, land registration authorities, and private institutions as a prerequisite for processing a replacement of the lost item.
In Filipino, this kind of sworn document is called a Sinumpaang Salaysay — for a lost item, a Sinumpaang Salaysay ng Pagkawala. Whether drafted in English or Filipino, the notarized affidavit carries the same legal effect.
Because the affiant swears to the truth of the statements before a notary public, the document carries legal weight — providing evidence that the loss occurred and protecting the institution from liability if the original item resurfaces.
When Do Filipinos Need an Affidavit of Loss?
Common situations where an Affidavit of Loss is required in the Philippines:
- Lost bank passbook or ATM card — banks require this before issuing a replacement
- Lost government-issued IDs — SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, UMID, TIN, driver's license
- Lost land title (TCT/CCT) — Register of Deeds requires it for owner's duplicate replacement
- Lost vehicle OR or CR — LTO requires it for renewal or replacement
- Lost PRC ID or license — PRC requires it for professional license replacement
- Lost company or school ID — institutions require it before issuing a replacement
- Lost checkbook or personal check — banks require stop-payment documentation plus an affidavit
Required Facts in an Affidavit of Loss
A proper Philippine Affidavit of Loss must state the following facts clearly:
- Affiant's identity — full name, age, civil status, citizenship, address
- Specific description of the lost item — include account numbers, ID numbers, plate numbers, or other identifying details
- Date and place of loss — approximate date when the loss was discovered and last known location
- Circumstances of loss — how the item was lost (misplaced, theft, fire, flood)
- Search efforts — state that the affiant diligently searched but could not find the item
- Purpose — state why the affidavit is being executed (e.g., "to support a request for replacement")
- Undertaking — that if found, the affiant will surrender or return the original
Free Affidavit of Loss Template
I, [FULL NAME], [age] years old, [civil status], Filipino, with residence at [complete address], after being duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:
1. I am the lawful owner/holder of [describe item: e.g., "BDO Savings Passbook, Account No. "].
2. On or about [date], I discovered that the said [item] was missing from [last known location: e.g., "my residence at the above address"]. I last used/saw it on or about [date].
3. Upon discovery of the loss, I immediately and diligently searched for the same but all my efforts to locate it proved futile.
4. The loss was due to [circumstances: e.g., "the misplacement of the same during my relocation to a new residence" / "an unknown theft that occurred on "].
5. I am executing this Affidavit of Loss to attest to the truth of the foregoing and to request the issuance of a replacement for the lost [item].
6. Should the original [item] be found, I undertake to surrender or return it to the proper party/institution.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this day of , 20 at , Philippines.
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME, this day of , 20, in , Philippines. Affiant exhibited to me his/her Competent Evidence of Identity: .
PTR No.
IBP No.
Roll No.
MCLE Compliance No.
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- Identify the lost item precisely. Include account numbers, serial numbers, plate numbers, or any unique identifier. Vague descriptions ("I lost my ID") are insufficient.
- State the date and last known location. Approximate dates are acceptable. "On or about August 2025" is fine if you are unsure of the exact date.
- Describe the circumstances honestly. Was it misplaced? Stolen? Destroyed in a flood? State the facts as you know them — do not invent circumstances.
- State your search efforts. The institution wants to know you didn't simply misfile the document and will not later claim the replacement was duplicated fraudulently.
- Include an undertaking. Many institutions require you to commit to surrendering the original if found — include this clause.
- Have it notarized. Bring a government-issued ID with your photo and signature to the notary public. The notary will administer the oath and affix the jurat.
Affidavit of Loss vs. Police Report
Some institutions — particularly banks for lost ATM cards or government offices for lost IDs — require a police blotter entry in addition to the Affidavit of Loss, especially for items likely stolen. Check with the specific institution whether both documents are required. The affidavit and the police blotter serve different purposes: the affidavit is a sworn statement of facts; the blotter is the record of a reported incident.