I. Introduction

A driver’s license is an official government-issued document that authorizes a person to operate a motor vehicle in the Philippines. It also commonly functions as a valid identification card in public and private transactions. Because of its legal and practical importance, the loss of a driver’s license should be addressed promptly.

When a Philippine driver’s license is lost, misplaced, stolen, destroyed, or rendered unavailable, the usual documentary requirement for replacement is an Affidavit of Loss. This affidavit serves as a sworn written declaration explaining the circumstances of the loss and confirming that the license is no longer in the holder’s possession.

In the Philippine setting, the Affidavit of Loss is commonly required by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) when applying for a replacement or duplicate driver’s license.

II. What Is an Affidavit of Loss?

An Affidavit of Loss is a notarized written statement made under oath by a person who lost a document, item, or property. For a driver’s license, it usually states that:

The affiant is the lawful holder of a Philippine driver’s license;
The license was lost, misplaced, stolen, destroyed, or can no longer be found;
The affiant made diligent efforts to locate it;
The license has not been confiscated, surrendered, cancelled, or intentionally withheld;
The affidavit is executed to request the issuance of a replacement license.

Because it is notarized, the affidavit becomes a public document. The affiant must personally appear before a notary public, present competent proof of identity, and swear to the truth of the statements in the affidavit.

III. Legal Purpose of the Affidavit of Loss

The Affidavit of Loss has several legal and administrative purposes.

First, it creates a formal record that the license holder claims the license is no longer in their possession. This helps prevent confusion in case the lost license is later found or used by another person.

Second, it protects the issuing agency, such as the LTO, by providing a sworn basis for issuing a duplicate or replacement license.

Third, it imposes legal responsibility on the affiant. Since the affidavit is made under oath, any false statement may expose the affiant to possible liability for perjury or other applicable offenses.

Fourth, it helps distinguish a genuinely lost license from one that was confiscated, suspended, cancelled, or surrendered. A person should not use an Affidavit of Loss to falsely claim that a license was lost if it was actually taken by an enforcement officer or affected by an administrative penalty.

IV. When Is an Affidavit of Loss Needed for a Driver’s License?

An Affidavit of Loss is generally needed when a driver’s license is:

Lost through ordinary misplacement;
Lost together with a wallet, bag, or personal belongings;
Stolen;
Destroyed by fire, flood, accident, or other event;
Damaged beyond practical use, depending on the circumstances;
Unavailable despite reasonable efforts to locate it.

It is most commonly submitted when the license holder applies for a duplicate or replacement driver’s license with the LTO.

V. Essential Contents of an Affidavit of Loss for Driver’s License

A proper Affidavit of Loss should contain the following details:

1. Personal Information of the Affiant

The affidavit should state the full name, age, citizenship, civil status if required, and complete address of the person making the affidavit.

2. Driver’s License Information

The affidavit should identify the lost license as clearly as possible. If known, it may include:

Driver’s license number;
Type or classification of license;
Date of issuance;
Expiration date;
Issuing LTO office;
Name appearing on the license.

Not all of these details are always available to the affiant, especially if the license number was not memorized. However, the affidavit should provide enough information to identify the document.

3. Circumstances of Loss

The affidavit should explain how, when, and where the license was lost. The facts should be clear but concise.

For example:

“I discovered that my driver’s license was missing on or about 10 May 2026 after checking my wallet upon arriving at my residence in Quezon City.”

If the exact time, date, or place is unknown, the affidavit may state that the loss was discovered on a particular date and that the precise circumstances could no longer be determined.

4. Efforts to Find the License

The affidavit should state that the affiant exerted reasonable efforts to locate the license but was unable to find it.

This statement is important because it shows that the affiant is not casually requesting replacement without attempting to recover the lost document.

5. Declaration That the License Was Not Confiscated or Surrendered

For driver’s licenses, it is prudent to include a statement that the license was not confiscated by traffic authorities, surrendered to the LTO, used as security, or intentionally withheld.

This protects against misuse of the affidavit in situations involving traffic violations, license suspension, or enforcement proceedings.

6. Purpose of the Affidavit

The affidavit should state that it is being executed to support an application for replacement or duplicate driver’s license before the LTO and for whatever lawful purpose it may serve.

7. Signature and Notarization

The affidavit must be signed by the affiant and notarized by a duly commissioned notary public. Without notarization, it may not be accepted as a formal affidavit.

VI. Usual Requirements for Replacement of Lost Driver’s License

Although specific requirements may vary depending on LTO procedures and the applicant’s situation, the usual requirements for replacing a lost Philippine driver’s license include:

Duly notarized Affidavit of Loss;
Valid identification document, if available;
Personal appearance before the LTO;
Completed application form or electronic application process, if required;
Payment of applicable fees;
Biometrics, photo, or signature capture, if required;
Other documents that the LTO may require depending on the record and circumstances.

The applicant should ensure that the information in the affidavit matches the information in the LTO record.

VII. Is a Police Report Required?

A police report is not always required for an ordinary lost driver’s license. However, it may be advisable or required in certain cases, especially when:

The license was stolen;
The loss involved theft, robbery, snatching, burglary, or similar incident;
The lost wallet or bag contained other sensitive documents;
There is a risk of identity theft;
The applicant wants an additional official record of the incident.

Even when not strictly required, a police report can help protect the license holder if the lost license is later misused.

VIII. Notarization Requirements

For the Affidavit of Loss to be valid as a notarized document, the affiant must personally appear before the notary public. The notary will usually require the affiant to present competent proof of identity.

The notary public should not notarize an affidavit if the affiant is not personally present, cannot be properly identified, or does not understand the contents of the affidavit.

The affidavit should also include a notarial acknowledgment or jurat, depending on the form used, and must be entered in the notary’s register.

IX. Sample Clauses Commonly Found in an Affidavit of Loss

An Affidavit of Loss for a driver’s license commonly includes wording similar to the following:

“I am the holder of a Philippine driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office.”

“On or about [date], I discovered that my driver’s license was missing and could no longer be found despite diligent efforts to locate the same.”

“Said driver’s license was not confiscated, surrendered, cancelled, or intentionally withheld from me.”

“I am executing this Affidavit of Loss to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and to support my application for the issuance of a replacement or duplicate driver’s license before the Land Transportation Office.”

These clauses should be adjusted depending on the actual facts.

X. False Affidavit and Legal Consequences

An Affidavit of Loss must be truthful. A person should not execute one if the license was not truly lost.

False statements in an affidavit may expose the affiant to legal consequences, including possible criminal liability for perjury, falsification, or other applicable offenses. For example, it may be improper to execute an Affidavit of Loss if the license was actually confiscated by an officer due to a traffic violation.

The affidavit should never be used to evade penalties, avoid surrender requirements, or obtain a duplicate license for unlawful purposes.

XI. What to Do If the Lost License Is Later Found

If the original license is later found after a replacement has already been issued, the license holder should avoid using both licenses interchangeably. The prudent course is to use the latest valid license issued by the LTO and, if necessary, inquire with the LTO regarding proper handling of the recovered old license.

Keeping multiple copies of a government-issued license may create confusion, especially if one has been reported lost and replaced.

XII. Practical Tips for License Holders

A license holder who loses a driver’s license should take the following practical steps:

Search personal belongings, vehicle compartments, bags, and recent locations visited;
Check whether the license was left at an establishment, office, or security desk;
If theft is suspected, consider reporting the incident to the police;
Prepare a notarized Affidavit of Loss;
Bring valid identification and other available supporting documents;
Proceed to the LTO for replacement;
Keep a photocopy or digital record of the new license for reference;
Avoid driving without a valid license in possession, subject to applicable traffic rules.

XIII. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

Using an unsigned or unnotarized affidavit;
Providing vague or inconsistent details;
Claiming the license was lost when it was actually confiscated;
Forgetting to bring valid identification to the notary;
Submitting an affidavit with incorrect name, address, or license details;
Using a generic Affidavit of Loss that does not identify the driver’s license;
Assuming that an affidavit alone is enough without complying with LTO replacement procedures.

XIV. Suggested Form of Affidavit of Loss for Driver’s License

AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS

I, [Full Name], of legal age, Filipino, and residing at [Complete Address], after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state:

That I am the lawful holder of a Philippine driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office;
That my driver’s license bears License No. [License Number, if known], issued on [Date of Issuance, if known], and valid until [Expiration Date, if known];
That on or about [Date], at or near [Place], I discovered that my said driver’s license was missing;
That despite diligent efforts to locate and recover the same, I could no longer find it;
That to the best of my knowledge, the said driver’s license was lost and was not confiscated, surrendered, cancelled, pledged, used as security, or intentionally withheld from me;
That I am executing this Affidavit of Loss to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and to support my application for the issuance of a replacement or duplicate driver’s license before the Land Transportation Office, and for whatever lawful purpose this affidavit may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of __________ 20___ at ____________________, Philippines.

[Signature of Affiant] [Full Name of Affiant]

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of __________ 20___ at ____________________, Philippines, affiant exhibiting to me competent proof of identity, namely [ID details].

Notary Public

Doc. No. ____; Page No. ____; Book No. _; Series of 20.

XV. Conclusion

The Affidavit of Loss is a key document in replacing a lost Philippine driver’s license. It is not merely a formality; it is a sworn legal statement that explains the loss, identifies the missing license, and supports the request for a replacement before the LTO.

To avoid delay, the affidavit should be complete, truthful, notarized, and consistent with the applicant’s LTO records. If the license was stolen or may be misused, the license holder should also consider obtaining a police report and monitoring possible identity-related risks.

A properly prepared Affidavit of Loss helps protect both the license holder and the issuing authority while ensuring that the replacement process proceeds in an orderly and lawful manner.