Here’s a practical, everything-you-need-to-know legal guide to handling a lost PRC ID in the Philippines—focused on the Affidavit of Loss and the end-to-end replacement (duplicate ID) process. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific facts.
What the PRC ID is (and why the affidavit matters)
The PRC Professional Identification Card (PIC) is an official ID and proof of your professional registration. When it’s lost, PRC will require an Affidavit of Loss before issuing a duplicate (replacement) card. The affidavit is your sworn statement explaining the loss and requesting replacement; it helps deter fraud and identity misuse.
Affidavit of Loss: legal basics (Philippine context)
Nature of the document. An affidavit is a sworn statement signed by you and subscribed and sworn to before a notary public (or a Philippine consular officer abroad). Because it’s sworn, the notary’s jurat is the proper notarial act (not an acknowledgment).
Minimum elements your affidavit should contain.
- Affiant details: Your full name, nationality, civil status, address, and government ID details used for notarization.
- Professional details: Profession, PRC License Number, date of initial registration (if known).
- Description of the lost ID: “PRC Professional Identification Card” for [Profession], License No. [number], issued on/valid until [dates if known].
- Circumstances of loss: Clear, factual narrative (e.g., date, place, how it went missing; theft, misplacement, calamity).
- Efforts to locate / non-recovery: State that despite diligent search/report, it remains lost.
- Non-use / non-transfer: That it hasn’t been used for unlawful purposes and was not pledged/surrendered to anyone.
- Undertaking: You’ll surrender the original to PRC immediately if recovered and recognize PRC’s right to cancel it upon issuance of a duplicate.
- Purpose clause: You’re executing the affidavit to secure a duplicate PRC ID.
- Signature + jurat: Signed before the notary; notary completes the jurat with date, place, and competent evidence of identity.
Notarial requirements (Philippines).
- Present competent evidence of identity: e.g., passport, driver’s license, UMID, PhilID/ePhilID, SSS, GSIS, postal ID. (You can’t use the lost PRC ID.)
- If you lack valid ID, two credible witnesses personally known to the notary (with their IDs) may be used, if the notary allows.
- Keep at least two originals: one for PRC, one for you.
Executed abroad?
- You may execute the affidavit before a Philippine embassy/consulate (consularized), or have it notarized in the foreign country and apostilled under the Apostille Convention. Either route is generally acceptable in PH offices.
Police blotter—required?
- Usually not mandatory for PRC duplicate requests. It can help if the loss involved theft/robbery or if you want a record for identity-misuse concerns. When available, bring a certified copy.
Replacement path overview (Duplicate PRC ID)
You will (a) prepare the affidavit, then (b) apply for a duplicate of your PRC ID. PRC channels may be online appointment/transaction (PRC’s portal) followed by an in-person visit for photo/signature capture or card pickup, or a walk-in at certain offices when allowed. Practices vary by PRC office; the core requirements are consistent.
Typical requirements you should prepare:
- Notarized Affidavit of Loss (original).
- 1–2 valid government IDs (other than the lost PRC ID).
- Recent ID photo if the office asks for one (some sites capture photos onsite; bring a passport-size photo just in case).
- Payment for duplicate card and any printing/service fees (bring cash; e-payment may be available if you transact online).
- If name changed (e.g., marriage): PSA marriage certificate and compliance with PRC name-change procedures (this is separate—don’t combine with duplicate unless instructed).
- If your prior ID expired: You may need renewal instead of (or in addition to) duplication; bring CPD/renewal requirements if applicable to your profession and cycle (rules differ across professions and periods).
High-level steps (typical):
- Draft and notarize your Affidavit of Loss.
- Set an appointment / create a transaction for Duplicate ID (not “renewal,” unless your card is also expired). If online, select the Duplicate service and your PRC office for processing.
- Go to the PRC office on your schedule with your documents.
- Submit your affidavit and IDs, pay fees, and complete any photo/signature capture if required.
- Claim the duplicate PRC ID on the release date given (or wait for notification). Bring the claim stub/receipt and a valid ID.
Tip: If you later find the original card, do not use it. Bring it to PRC for cancellation since a duplicate was issued.
Practical drafting guide (Affidavit of Loss)
One-page template (fill-in-the-blanks)
AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS I, [Full Name], Filipino, [civil status], of legal age, and residing at [complete address], after being duly sworn, depose and state that:
- I am a duly licensed [Profession], with PRC Professional Identification Card (PIC) No. [License No.], issued on [issue date if known] and valid until [expiry if known].
- On or about [date], in [place], I [briefly narrate the loss—e.g., discovered my wallet missing while commuting; I searched my residence and retraced my steps but could not find it].
- Despite diligent efforts to locate the said PRC ID, the same remains lost and beyond recovery. It has not been used by me for any illegal purpose, nor have I given, pledged, or surrendered it to any person or entity.
- I undertake to surrender the original PRC ID to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) immediately if it is found or recovered, and I understand that the PRC may cancel the lost card upon issuance of a duplicate.
- I execute this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and to support my application for a duplicate PRC Professional ID.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] in [city/municipality, province], Philippines.
[Affiant’s Name]
JURAT SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this [date] at [place], affiant exhibiting to me [ID Type & No., date/place of issue] as competent evidence of identity.
[Notary Public] PTR No./IBP No./MCLE Compliance No. [as applicable] Doc. No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. _; Series of 20.
Drafting tips.
- Keep the narrative factual and concise; avoid speculation.
- If the loss involved theft/robbery, state it plainly (and attach police blotter if available).
- Use current address; PRC correspondence may rely on it.
Special situations & edge cases
1) Lost ID + impending renewal If your card is near or past expiry, PRC may route you to renew (which results in a new ID) instead of a duplicate. Bring your affidavit anyway to explain why you cannot surrender the prior card.
2) Lost ID + change of name/status Name change (e.g., marriage/annulment) is a separate administrative action. If you wish to update your name and get a replacement, ask the PRC office which sequence they prefer (often: process the name change, then issue the new card).
3) Lost ID abroad (OFW) You can execute an affidavit before a PH embassy/consulate or a local notary + apostille. Confirm identification options available to you abroad (passport is standard). On return or through an authorized representative (with SPA), file the duplicate request at your chosen PRC office.
4) Identity-misuse concerns If your wallet was stolen, consider:
- Filing a police blotter where it happened.
- Notifying your bank/e-wallet providers.
- Keeping copies of the blotter and affidavit in case third parties question transactions or impersonation.
5) No IDs available for notarization Ask your notary about credible witnesses or use PhilID/ePhilID if you can obtain it quickly. Some notaries are strict; plan ahead.
6) Representative filing If someone else will process at PRC for you, prepare a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), their valid ID, and photocopies of your IDs.
Frequently asked questions (quick answers)
Is a police report mandatory for PRC duplicate? No, generally not. The Affidavit of Loss is the key document. A police report helps when theft/robbery is involved.
How long does replacement take? Release timelines vary by PRC office and printing queues. You’ll be told a claim date or notified when ready.
Do I need CPD units for a duplicate? No—CPD rules apply to renewal, not to a duplicate of a still-valid card.
What if I recover the original after getting a duplicate? Surrender the recovered card to PRC; don’t use two cards.
Can I scan + submit the affidavit online? Bring the original notarized affidavit when you appear or when your representative files; scanned copies are typically not enough for final processing.
Handy checklists
Affidavit + Filing Pack
- ☐ Notarized Affidavit of Loss (original)
- ☐ 1–2 valid IDs (not PRC ID)
- ☐ Passport-size photo (bring, even if not asked online)
- ☐ Payment for duplicate fees
- ☐ (If applicable) Police blotter copy
- ☐ (If represented) SPA + rep’s valid ID
- ☐ (If name change) PSA documents for civil status change
On the day
- ☐ Go to the correct PRC office in your appointment
- ☐ Submit docs → pay fees → capture biometrics/photo (if needed)
- ☐ Keep OR/claim stub and note the release date
Key takeaways
- The Affidavit of Loss is a sworn, notarized statement with a jurat—it’s the cornerstone of a duplicate PRC ID request.
- Include clear facts of the loss, efforts to recover, a non-use statement, and an undertaking to surrender the original if found.
- Police blotter helps in theft scenarios but is not usually required.
- For documents executed abroad, use consularization or apostille.
- Keep your filing neutral, accurate, and complete to avoid delays.
If you want, I can customize the affidavit text to your exact facts (profession, license number, dates, circumstances of loss) and produce a clean, ready-to-print version.