Affidavit of Loss — SIM Card (Philippines) (Comprehensive legal-practice guide, updated to 16 June 2025)
1. Why you may need one
| Scenario | Why an affidavit is asked for |
|---|---|
| Requesting a replacement SIM (pre-paid or post-paid) | Telcos require a sworn statement of factual loss before they (a) permanently deactivate the missing SIM and (b) transfer your number, load credits, and registration data to a new SIM. |
| Compliance with the SIM Registration Act (Republic Act 11934, 2022) | §4(e) of RA 11934 obliges the subscriber to report a lost SIM within 24 hours and allows the Public Telecommunications Entity (PTE) to “require a notarised Affidavit of Loss or police blotter” before re-issuance. Failing to report may expose a subscriber to administrative penalties and does not stop criminal or fraudulent use of the lost SIM. |
| Device-theft or cybercrime investigations | A notarised affidavit helps establish a paper trail for insurance claims, police reports and court proceedings. |
2. Governing rules and references
- RA 11934 (SIM Registration Act, 2022) — duties on reporting and replacement
- 2019 Revised Rules on Notarial Practice — form, competence and fees of notaries
- Civil Code Art. 416(3), 434 & 435 — movable property and possession disputes
- Revised Penal Code Arts. 171–172 — liability for false statements (perjury & use of falsified documents)
- Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) + NPC Advisory Opinion 2023-041 — secure handling of subscribers’ personal data during re-issuance
(There is no special “SIM-loss affidavit act.” Instead, general notarial and sworn-statement rules apply.)
3. Minimum contents of the affidavit
| Section | What to include | Drafting tips |
|---|---|---|
| Caption / Title | “AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS (SIM CARD)” | Add brand, e.g., “Globe LTE Prepaid SIM” if helpful. |
| Affiant Details | Name, nationality, civil status, age, occupation, address, government-ID details | Use full address as in the SIM registration database to avoid mismatches. |
| SIM & Device Information | Mobile number, SIM serial (if known), PUK code (optional), handset model & IMEI (if stolen together) | Serial & PUK are printed on the original SIM card casing. |
| Narration of Loss | Date, time, place, manner (e.g., “snatched while commuting”), last known possession, efforts to locate | Keep it concise but factual; avoid speculation. |
| Statement of Non-Use & Undertaking | Declare that the SIM is beyond retrieval, has not been recovered, and that the affiant will be liable for any falsehood or future recovery | Telcos add a “hold-harmless” clause. |
| Request for Action | Ask the PTE to permanently deactivate the lost SIM and issue a replacement tied to the same mobile number, credits and registration record | If within a promo-lock-in (post-paid), mention the plan name/account number. |
| Signature & Jurat | Signed in front of a notary; jurat must specify location and date; notarial seal and roll number | Thumb-mark if the affiant cannot sign; provide two competent witnesses if illiterate. |
4. Documentary requirements at the telco shop / service center
| Required by all major PTEs (Globe, Smart, DITO) | Typical additional or situational items |
|---|---|
| • Original notarised Affidavit of Loss (1 copy for PTE, 1-2 for affiant) | • Police or barangay blotter — mandatory if SIM loss involves robbery/theft reports or if the telco’s fraud-team flags the account |
| • One (occasionally two) valid government IDs matching SIM registration data | • Letter of Authorisation + IDs of both parties if a representative files the request |
| • PTE account details: account number (post-paid) or SIM pack (pre-paid) | • Copy of the lost SIM’s original card or PUK slip |
| • Replacement fee (₱30-₱50, often waived for post-paid loyalty cases) | • Proof of purchase or latest Statement of Account for corporate-billed lines |
Good practice: Bring extra photocopies; most branches charge ₱3-₱5 per page for copying.
5. Step-by-step process
Draft the affidavit (DIY using template or have a lawyer draft one).
Appear before a notary
- Bring the unsigned draft + original IDs.
- Sign only in the notary’s presence.
- Pay the notarial fee (common range ₱150–₱300; outside Metro Manila can be lower).
Report the loss to your PTE within 24 hours (hotline, app or walk-in).
Visit a service center with the notarised affidavit + IDs.
Fill out the telco’s request form for SIM replacement.
Pay any fees and wait for the new SIM (usually on-the-spot; some provincial hubs take 1–3 business days).
Activate the new SIM following SMS prompts or app instructions.
Keep a copy of the affidavit and receipt together with the new SIM’s card for future reference.
6. Special notes & edge cases
- Forgot serial/PUK? The affidavit alone should still be accepted; PTE staff can trace the record via your mobile number and ID.
- SIM linked to e-wallets (GCash, Maya, etc.) – Re-sync the accounts immediately after activation to avoid frozen funds.
- Minor subscribers – A parent/guardian must execute the affidavit and present the minor’s birth certificate.
- Corporate or bulk-registered SIMs – The authorised company signatory executes the affidavit and attaches a Secretary’s Certificate or Board Resolution.
- eSIM – Loss of the device triggers the same requirement; PTEs issue a fresh QR code after affidavit submission.
7. Validity, replacements and potential liabilities
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| Validity period | Indefinite, but PTEs treat affidavits as “fresh” if dated ≤ 30 days before filing. |
| Multiple losses | Each separate loss normally needs its own affidavit. Repeated losses in a short span can trigger enhanced due-diligence or denial. |
| False statements | Perjury (Art. 183 RPC) is punishable by imprisonment ~6 months–2 years plus fines; civil liability for fraudulently incurred charges also applies. |
| Recovery of old SIM | You must surrender it to the PTE. Reactivation is not permitted once replacement is issued under the SIM Registration Act. |
8. Template (boiler-plate) — for guidance only
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
_________________ CITY ) S.S.
AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS (SIM CARD)
I, JUAN D. DELA CRUZ, Filipino, of legal age, single, employed as
Software Engineer, and residing at 123 Maginhawa St., Quezon City,
after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, depose and say:
1. That I am the legitimate owner and registered subscriber of
Globe Pre-paid SIM No. 0917-123-4567, SIM Serial No. 013411000123456;
2. That on or about 10 June 2025, at around 7:30 p.m. while riding
a public jeepney along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, my mobile
phone (Samsung Galaxy A54, IMEI 358510990123456) containing the
above SIM was snatched by an unidentified male;
3. That despite diligent efforts, I have been unable to recover said
SIM and it is now beyond my control and possession;
4. That I am executing this Affidavit to request GLOBE TELECOM, INC.
to permanently deactivate the aforementioned lost SIM and to issue
me a replacement SIM bearing the same mobile number, and for any
and all other legal purposes it may serve;
5. That I undertake to hold GLOBE TELECOM, INC. free and harmless
from any liability arising from the unauthorized use of the lost
SIM and I likewise bind myself to report immediately should the
lost SIM be recovered.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of June
2025 in Quezon City, Philippines.
(sgd.) __________________________
JUAN D. DELA CRUZ
Affiant
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me ...9. Estimated costs & timelines (Metro Manila benchmark)
| Item | Typical cost | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Notarial fee | ₱150–₱300 | 10–20 minutes |
| Telco replacement fee | ₱30–₱40 (pre-paid); often waived for post-paid | Same day |
| Opportunity cost (SIM downtime) | — | 2–24 hours if reported promptly |
10. Practical tips
- Draft digitally so you can tweak typos before printing; use black ink for signatures.
- Bring at least two IDs; if the address on the ID differs from your registration, carry proof of address (utility bill, barangay certificate).
- Photograph the notarised affidavit for cloud backup.
- File within 24 hours to comply with RA 11934 and minimize financial exposure.
- Watch for scams: real PTE staff will never ask you to read your OTP codes aloud during the replacement process.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on Philippine laws and standard telco practices as of 16 June 2025. It does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, particularly if criminal, corporate, or cross-border issues are involved, consult a Philippine lawyer or your telco’s legal liaison.