What Is an Affidavit?
An affidavit is a written declaration of facts made voluntarily under oath. In the Philippines, it becomes a legally effective sworn statement only when subscribed and sworn to before a notary public. The notary's act of administering the oath and affixing the jurat transforms the document from a mere written statement into competent evidence.
Affidavits are among the most common legal documents in Philippine practice. They appear in litigation, administrative proceedings, notarial transactions, government agencies, banks, and immigration offices. Knowing the correct format is essential for every practicing lawyer and notary public.
Required Elements of a Philippine Affidavit
Every valid Philippine affidavit must contain the following elements:
- Republic of the Philippines heading — identifies jurisdiction
- City/Province and SS. block — establishes venue for notarization
- Affiant's full name, age, civil status, citizenship, and address
- Statement of capacity — "being duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:"
- Numbered paragraphs of facts — clear, specific, first-person statements
- Closing clause — "IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] at [place]."
- Signature line with printed name — affiant's wet signature
- Jurat block — administered oath, notary's signature, commission details
The Jurat: What It Must Contain
Under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC), a Philippine jurat must state:
- That the affiant appeared before the notary
- That the notary verified the affiant's identity through competent evidence of identity
- That the affiant subscribed and swore to the affidavit before the notary
- The date and place of notarization
- The notary's full name, signature, and official seal
- The notary's IBP Membership No., PTR No., Roll of Attorneys No., and commission expiry date
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this day of , 20, at , Philippines.
Affiant exhibited to me their [Community Tax Certificate No. / Passport No. / Driver's License No.] issued at on .
Notary Public
Until December 31, 20
Commission No.
Common Types of Philippine Affidavits
Below are the affidavit types most frequently used in Philippine notarial practice:
Affidavit of Loss
Used when a person loses an important document (ID, passbook, title, vehicle OR) and needs to formally report the loss. Required elements include: the specific item lost, the circumstances of loss, and an attestation that the affiant searched for the item but could not find it. See our full Affidavit of Loss guide →
Affidavit of Support
Executes a financial undertaking by a sponsor — commonly required for a dependent's immigration application, school enrollment, or government benefit processing. Must specify the supported person, the nature of support, and the duration. See our Affidavit of Support guide →
Affidavit of Guardianship
Executed by an adult taking responsibility for a minor's care, welfare, or travel. Common for minors traveling abroad unaccompanied or with only one parent. Must include the minor's details, the guardian's relationship, and the specific responsibilities assumed. See our Affidavit of Guardianship guide →
Affidavit of Residency / Affidavit of Residence
Attests to a person's place of residence — required for voter registration, school enrollment, and various government transactions. Should state the complete address, duration of residence, and basis for the claim (ownership, rent, family member's household).
Affidavit of Ownership
Asserts that the affiant is the owner of a specific item — frequently used for motor vehicles, livestock, land, or personal property when documentary title is unavailable or in dispute.
Affidavit of Income
Declares the affiant's income or financial status, typically required for senior citizen IDs, indigency applications, government financial assistance, or school fee discount applications.
Free Affidavit Template Sample
The following is a generic Philippine affidavit format for reference. Replace the bracketed fields with actual data before swearing to it:
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. [State fact no. 1 clearly and specifically];
2. [State fact no. 2];
3. [Additional facts as needed];
4. I am executing this affidavit to [state purpose, e.g., "attest to the truth of the foregoing"] and for whatever legal purpose it may serve.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this day of , 20 at , Philippines.
Generate a Philippine Affidavit Online — Free
Legalia fills in the correct format for you. Choose the affidavit type, enter the facts, and get a print-ready draft with proper jurat block in minutes.
Generate Free with LegaliaCommon Mistakes in Philippine Affidavits
- Vague or conclusory statements — Facts must be specific. "I am the owner" is conclusory; "I purchased the vehicle from X on Y date under Deed of Sale no. Z" is factual.
- Incomplete jurat — Missing IBP/PTR/Roll numbers render the notarization defective.
- Wrong competent evidence of identity — Notaries must use government-issued IDs with photo and signature, not just any ID card.
- False statements — Swearing to facts you know are false is perjury under Art. 183, Revised Penal Code.
- No venue indicated — The city/municipality and province must appear before the jurat for proper notarization.