Losing a company identification card (ID) is common—but because a company ID is an identity document, replacing it responsibly matters. This article explains, end-to-end, how to prepare and notarize an Affidavit of Loss for a company ID in the Philippines, what to include, how to use it, pitfalls to avoid, and a complete template you can copy.
What is an Affidavit of Loss?
An Affidavit of Loss is a sworn written statement by the person who lost the item (here, a company ID), executed under oath before a notary public. It records the circumstances of the loss, shows that the affiant exercised diligence, and is typically required to process a replacement or to inform third parties that the lost ID should be considered void.
For a company ID, the affidavit’s main audiences are your employer’s HR/ID administration unit and any third parties who might otherwise accept the old ID if it resurfaces (e.g., banks, building security).
When is it required?
- Company ID replacement: Most HR policies require an Affidavit of Loss before issuing a replacement card.
- Security & access: To flag the old ID as invalid for building/turnstile access.
- Banking/transactions: Some banks ask for an Affidavit of Loss if the lost company ID was used as secondary identification in prior transactions.
- Incident documentation: If the loss involved theft (e.g., bag snatching), the affidavit plus a police blotter helps establish a record.
Tip: Always check your employer’s specific policy; some require their own form plus a notarized affidavit.
Essential contents of the affidavit
Title: “Affidavit of Loss (Company ID)”
Affiant’s identity: Full name, citizenship, civil status, date of birth, address, position/department, and employer’s full registered name.
Description of the lost ID: Employer name/logo, ID number (if any), card technology (RFID/MIFARE/prox), and any unique features.
Circumstances of loss: Date, time, and place; brief, factual narrative (e.g., misplaced in a taxi; bag theft; left in gym locker).
Diligent search: Steps taken to locate (retrace route, called taxi operator, checked CCTV, asked building security).
Non-possession & non-transfer: Clear statement that the ID is no longer in your possession and not pledged, sold, or assigned to anyone.
Warning & invalidation: Request to consider the lost ID cancelled/invalid.
Purpose: For issuance of a replacement company ID and for any lawful purpose.
Data privacy: Consent to process personal data for verification and replacement under applicable company policy.
Undertakings:
- If the original ID is found, it will be surrendered to the company.
- Agreement to pay applicable replacement fees and comply with company security protocols.
Perjury statement: Acknowledge that false statements expose the affiant to penalties under Philippine law.
Jurat (notarial block): “Subscribed and sworn to before me…” with the notary’s details.
Notarization: what HR and notaries expect
Personal appearance & identity
- Appear in person before a notary public with competent evidence of identity (valid government photo ID, typically current and bearing signature; examples: passport, driver’s license, PhilID, UMID, PRC ID).
- If you lack a valid ID, a notary may accept credible witnesses (subject to strict rules). Expect many notaries to require at least one government ID.
Document format & execution
- Print on clean bond paper (A4 or Letter).
- Sign in front of the notary (don’t pre-sign).
- Affix initials on every page; sign in the signature block.
Fees & turnaround
- Fees vary by city and office; expect roughly ₱150–₱500+ in typical walk-in setups, higher in business districts or for rush service. Notaries in buildings/PEZA parks sometimes bundle HR processing.
Remote/e-notarization?
- As a rule of thumb, in-person notarization is standard. Some jurisdictions experimented with remote procedures, but availability is limited and often requires strict audio-video recording, identity checks, and local practice rules. Most employers prefer physical notarization.
Using the Affidavit after notarization
- Submit to HR with any required internal forms and your fee (if any) for card reprinting.
- Security deactivation: Confirm that the lost card’s access permissions have been disabled.
- Police blotter (if theft): Optional but persuasive for loss due to crime.
- Notify third parties: If you frequently used your company ID for building access or as secondary ID at a bank, share a copy if asked.
- Keep copies: Retain a scanned PDF and at least one photocopy; HR may keep the original.
Data privacy and security hygiene
- Limit circulation: Provide copies only to HR, building admin, or institutions that need it.
- Redact sensitive data if a third party doesn’t need the full narrative (ask HR if a redacted copy is acceptable).
- If your company ID doubles as a cashless wallet or parking/RFID tag, request immediate account/card deactivation to prevent misuse.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Vague details: Include concrete date/time/place of loss and specific search steps.
- Wrong notarial form: Use a jurat (sworn statement), not an acknowledgment (used for deeds).
- Pre-signing: Sign only before the notary.
- No ID: Bring at least one valid government ID; many notaries won’t proceed without it.
- Over-sharing: Don’t include confidential company information unnecessary for replacing the card.
- Forgetting undertakings: Promise to surrender the old ID if found and to pay any replacement fee.
Clean, ready-to-use template
AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS (COMPANY ID)
I, [Full Name], of legal age, [citizenship], [civil status], and residing at [complete address], after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, depose and state:
- I am employed by [Full Registered Name of Employer] as [Position/Department]. I was issued a company identification card (the “ID”) bearing [ID number, if any].
- On or about [date] at around [time], while at/near [place], I discovered that my company ID was [lost/stolen/misplaced].
- I conducted a diligent search for the ID, including [retrace route / checked with building security / contacted taxi or transport provider / reviewed CCTV if available / searched home and office], but despite these efforts, I have been unable to locate it.
- The ID is no longer in my possession and has not been pledged, sold, or transferred to any person.
- I respectfully request that the lost ID be considered cancelled/invalid, and that a replacement ID be issued to me in accordance with company policy.
- If the original ID is later found, I undertake to immediately surrender it to the company. I also agree to pay any applicable replacement fee and comply with all security procedures.
- I execute this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing, to support my request for a replacement ID, and for all other lawful purposes it may serve.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] at [city/province], Philippines.
[Full Name] Affiant
JURAT
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this [date] at [city/province], affiant exhibiting to me [type of government ID] with ID No. [number], issued on [issue date] at [place of issue].
[Name of Notary Public] Notary Public for [City/Province] Commission No.: [_____ ] Until: [_____ ] PTR No.: [_____ ] / [date] / [place] IBP No.: [_____ ] / [date] / [chapter] Roll of Attorneys No.: [_____ ] Doc. No. [__]; Page No. [__]; Book No. [__]; Series of [____].
How to use the template
- Replace bracketed fields with your details.
- Print, bring a valid government ID, and sign the affidavit before a notary.
- Ask the notary to fill in their registry details (Doc/Page/Book/Series).
HR policy alignment (what companies often require)
- Report timeline: Usually within 24–72 hours of discovery, especially if the ID grants access to secure areas.
- Replacement fee: A fixed fee or payroll deduction (e.g., RFID/printing cost).
- Incident ticket: Some firms require a helpdesk/IT or security ticket alongside the affidavit.
- Card technology reset: New UID/serial; old profile permanently disabled.
- Return of found ID: Mandatory surrender; possession of two active company IDs is usually prohibited.
If the loss involved theft or fraud risk
- File a police blotter at the station with jurisdiction over where the loss occurred. Bring your affidavit draft—it helps you state facts consistently.
- Monitor for identity misuse: If your company ID was often paired with other IDs for access (e.g., building or parking RFID), ask those admins to blacklist the old card.
- Notify bank/credit union if your bag also contained bank cards.
Legal cautions
- An affidavit is a sworn statement. Knowingly making false statements can result in penalties under the Revised Penal Code provisions on perjury and related offenses.
- Notaries are required to verify identity and the voluntariness of the oath; they can refuse notarization if requirements aren’t met.
- Using or presenting a found “invalidated” company ID can implicate both company policy violations and potential criminal/administrative liability.
Quick checklist
- Completed affidavit with specific facts of loss
- Government ID to show the notary
- Signature only before notary; initial each page
- Copies (1 original for HR, 1 for you; scan a PDF)
- Company form (if any) + replacement fee
- Security/IT notified to deactivate old card
- Police blotter if theft involved
FAQ
Is a police blotter mandatory? Not for ordinary misplacement. It helps if theft is involved or if a third party requests it.
Do I need two witnesses? Not for the affidavit itself; it’s sufficient that you swear before a notary. “Credible witnesses” are only relevant if you lack standard IDs for the notary’s identity check.
Can I reuse an old affidavit template? Yes, but update dates, places, and factual details, and re-notarize. Affidavits are point-in-time statements.
How long is it valid? There’s no statutory “expiry,” but for replacement purposes, most HR units prefer a recent affidavit (often within 30–90 days of loss).
Final tips for smooth processing
- Keep your narrative simple, factual, and consistent across affidavit, HR form, and any police blotter.
- If your employer has branch-specific notaries or preferred formats, use those to avoid back-and-forth.
- Immediately request deactivation of the lost card before you even finalize the affidavit—security first.
Use the template above, get it notarized, and you’ll have everything you need for a fast, policy-compliant company ID replacement in the Philippines.