What Is an Affidavit of Ownership of Motor Vehicle?
An Affidavit of Ownership of Motor Vehicle is a sworn declaration in which the affiant attests that he or she is the true and lawful owner of a specific vehicle, identified by its make, model, year, plate, engine, and chassis numbers. Executed under oath before a notary public, it serves as supporting proof of ownership in dealings with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), insurers, and financing companies.
Some LTO offices and notaries simply call this a Sinumpaang Salaysay, the Filipino term for a sworn statement; whichever name appears on the caption, the notarized affidavit serves the same purpose.
It is most often used when the Certificate of Registration (CR) is still in another person's name, when the Official Receipt (OR) or CR has been lost, or when a newly acquired vehicle must be registered. The affidavit records and swears to facts about ownership and possession — it does not by itself transfer ownership, which is done through a notarized Deed of Sale.
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Common situations in the Philippines where an Affidavit of Ownership of Motor Vehicle is required:
- Transfer of registration with the LTO, as a supporting document to the Deed of Sale
- Replacement of a lost Official Receipt (OR) or Certificate of Registration (CR)
- Registration of a newly acquired vehicle with the LTO
- Change of plate or correction of registration records
- Claim of ownership when the CR is still in the seller's name
- Insurance or financing requirements that call for a sworn declaration of ownership
Required Facts & Documents
A proper Philippine Affidavit of Ownership of Motor Vehicle should state the following clearly:
- Affiant's identity — full name, civil status, citizenship, age, and residence
- Vehicle description — year, make, model, and color
- Plate number, engine number, and chassis number exactly as they appear on the CR
- MV File No. and the OR and CR numbers where available
- Registered owner per the CR — stated if different from the affiant
- Mode of acquisition — by purchase, inheritance, donation, or gift, with the seller and supporting document if available
- Possession-since date — when continuous, open, and peaceful possession began
- Lien / encumbrance disclosure — a "free from lien" clause only if true; disclose any chattel mortgage or financing
- Purpose — why the affidavit is being executed
Free Sample — Affidavit of Ownership of Motor Vehicle
Below is a complete sample for a recently purchased vehicle whose CR is still in the seller's name, rendered exactly as Legalia generates it. Use Legalia to generate a notary-ready version with your vehicle's actual details filled in.
I, Juan Dela Cruz, single, 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 true and lawful owner of a motor vehicle particularly described as follows: 2022 Toyota Vios, color Silver, with Plate No. ABC 1234, Engine No. 2NR-1234567, and Chassis No. PMHKA1234NK000123, covered by Official Receipt (OR) No. 1234567890 and Certificate of Registration (CR) No. 0987654321;
2. That the above-described motor vehicle was acquired by purchase;
3. That the foregoing facts are true and correct to the best of my personal knowledge and belief.
I am executing this affidavit for the purpose of the transfer of registration with the Land Transportation Office, 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, by the above-named affiant, 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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Unlock & Generate — ₱199 or get All-Access — ₱999/30 daysStep-by-Step Guide
- Gather the CR and OR. Copy the make, model, year, color, plate, engine, and chassis numbers exactly as they appear on the Certificate of Registration, along with the MV File No. and the registered owner's name.
- Confirm how you acquired the vehicle. Note the seller, the date of acquisition, and the supporting document — typically the notarized Deed of Absolute Sale of Motor Vehicle.
- Fill in the guided form. Enter the affiant and vehicle details, then toggle on only the optional clauses that are true — registered owner per CR, mode of acquisition, possession since, and free-from-lien.
- Review the live preview. Verify every number against the CR. Do not include the "free from lien or encumbrance" clause if the vehicle is mortgaged, financed, or under a chattel mortgage — disclose it instead.
- Notarize. Print the affidavit and personally appear before a notary public with competent evidence of identity. The notary administers the oath and completes the jurat block.
- Submit to the LTO. File the notarized affidavit with the LTO district office together with the Deed of Sale, original OR/CR, PNP-HPG clearance, valid inspection, and CTPL insurance required for the transaction.
Motor Vehicle vs Real Property vs Other Property
Legalia offers separate Affidavit of Ownership variants because the required facts differ by asset. The Motor Vehicle variant on this page describes a vehicle by make, model, plate, engine, and chassis number for LTO purposes. The Affidavit of Ownership of Real Property instead describes land by title or tax declaration, lot and survey numbers, area, and location. To attest to a lost OR/CR, see the Affidavit of Loss, and to actually transfer ownership of a vehicle, use the Deed of Absolute Sale of Motor Vehicle. Pick the document that matches the asset and the transaction.