1) What it is (and what it is not)

A. “Affidavit of Support and Guarantee” (ASG) as commonly used in the Philippines

In Philippine practice, an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee is a sworn statement where a person (the sponsor/affiant) declares that they will financially support another person (the beneficiary) for a stated purpose (commonly: travel, visa application, school enrollment, medical expenses, temporary stay, or similar), and sometimes adds language that they “guarantee” certain outcomes (e.g., payment of expenses, compliance with conditions, or return to the Philippines).

It is usually requested by third parties (consulates, schools, landlords, hospitals, employers, government offices, or private institutions) as supporting evidence of financial capacity and responsibility.

B. Affidavit vs. contract

An affidavit is primarily an evidentiary document—a sworn narration of facts and commitments. It is not automatically the same as a contract with a third party, because many legal obligations (especially “guaranty” for someone else’s debt) depend on acceptance, clear terms, and the existence of a principal obligation.

Practical takeaway:

If a school/consulate only needs a sworn statement, an ASG is typically sufficient.
If a creditor/landlord/institution needs enforceable payment security, they may require a separate contract (e.g., Deed of Guaranty, Surety Agreement, Undertaking, or Co-maker arrangement).

2) Legal concepts behind it (Philippine context)

A. “Support” under Philippine family law

Philippine law recognizes support as a legal obligation in certain family relationships. Under the Family Code, support generally includes what is necessary for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education, and transportation, in keeping with the family’s financial capacity.

Important: Legal “support” in the Family Code sense applies to specific relationships (e.g., spouses; parents and children; certain relatives). Many ASGs, however, are voluntary undertakings (e.g., aunt sponsoring niece), not necessarily a Family Code enforceable support obligation.

B. “Guaranty” and “suretyship” under the Civil Code

If an ASG uses “guarantee” language to answer for another person’s debt or obligation, Civil Code rules on guaranty/suretyship become relevant.

Key ideas:

Guaranty is not presumed; it must be express and cannot extend beyond what is stated.
A guarantor is generally subsidiarily liable (the creditor must usually proceed against the principal debtor first, subject to exceptions).
A surety is generally solidarily liable with the principal (more immediate exposure).
Promises “to answer for the debt/default of another” are typically required to be in writing to be enforceable (Statute of Frauds principles).

Practical takeaway: Avoid casually using “surety” or “solidary” language unless genuinely intended.

C. Affidavits, notarization, and perjury

An affidavit becomes a sworn statement through notarization (a jurat). Submitting a false affidavit can trigger criminal exposure for perjury under the Revised Penal Code, aside from administrative or civil consequences.

D. Notarial requirements (2004 Rules on Notarial Practice)

Philippine notarization rules generally require:

Personal appearance of the signatory before the notary;
Proper identification through competent evidence of identity (government-issued ID, or credible witnesses in limited cases);
Notary’s completion of the notarial act (including entry in the notarial register).

3) Common situations where ASGs are used

Visa/travel sponsorship (showing who will pay for airfare, accommodation, daily expenses).
School admission/enrollment (sponsor undertakes tuition/living costs).
Hospital/medical assistance (sponsor undertakes to shoulder bills).
Temporary housing/lease (sponsor undertakes rent or obligations).
Financial or institutional requirements (bank/agency asks for sworn undertaking).
Government processes where an “undertaking” is required (varies by office and program).

Note: Many consulates have country-specific documentary preferences. An ASG is often only one piece of a packet (proof of relationship, proof of funds, itinerary, etc.).

4) Who can sign (and capacity issues)

A. Typical sponsor/affiant

Must be of legal age and capable of contracting.
Must have credible financial capacity consistent with the stated commitment.

B. Overseas sponsors

If the sponsor is abroad, the affidavit is usually executed:

Before a Philippine Embassy/Consulate (consular notarization), or
Before a foreign notary (then processed for cross-border recognition depending on where it will be used).

C. Sponsors acting through an attorney-in-fact

Some notarial acts and institutional requirements insist on the sponsor personally signing the ASG. If using a representative (SPA), the receiving institution must accept it; many will not for sponsorship affidavits.

5) Core requirements (what institutions usually ask for)

There is no single universal checklist, but an ASG packet in the Philippines commonly includes:

A. For the affidavit itself

Full legal name of sponsor and beneficiary
Nationality, civil status, and address
Relationship (and how it is established)
Purpose of support (travel, study, etc.)
Scope of support (what expenses will be covered)
Duration/period (dates or timeframe)
Statement of financial capacity (employment/business, income, assets)
Statement of undertaking/guarantee (clear and limited, if possible)
Sponsor’s signature with notarized jurat
Beneficiary signature (optional; sometimes required by the receiving office)

B. Identification requirements for notarization

At least one valid government-issued ID with photo and signature is the baseline; many notaries ask for two IDs in practice.
Examples often used: passport, driver’s license, UMID (legacy), postal ID (where accepted), PRC ID, etc.

C. Supporting documents (commonly attached)

These are chosen to match the narrative and convince the requesting entity:

Proof of income / capacity

Certificate of employment (COE) and compensation
Payslips
ITR / BIR documents (or business registration and financials for self-employed)
Bank certificate and/or bank statements (mindful of privacy and consistency)
Proof of assets (land titles, lease contracts, etc.) when relevant

Proof of relationship

PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate
Photos, correspondence, family tree explanation (sometimes used informally)
For non-relatives: explanation of relationship and history (school, work, sponsorship rationale)

Purpose documents

For travel: itinerary, booking details (or planned itinerary), invitation letter, accommodation details
For study: acceptance letter, tuition assessment, school details
For medical: hospital estimate, diagnosis summaries (as appropriate)

6) Drafting essentials (what a well-written ASG should contain)

A strong ASG is specific, internally consistent, and bounded. Common best practices:

Define the transaction clearly
- “Support for [Beneficiary] for [purpose] from [date] to [date].”
List what is covered
- Airfare, lodging, food, tuition, insurance, local transport, incidental expenses (as applicable).
Avoid overbroad “guarantee” language unless required
- If the institution only wants financial sponsorship, state that.
- If a “guarantee” is needed, limit it to specific obligations and specific amounts or time periods.
State the source of funds
- Employment income, business income, savings—briefly and truthfully.
Maintain consistency with attachments
- If you claim employment and salary, attachments should match.
Use correct notarial form
- Most ASGs are notarized via jurat (“subscribed and sworn”).
Mind data privacy
- Attach only what is required. Redact sensitive details when acceptable to the requesting entity (some entities refuse redaction).

7) Notarization process in the Philippines (step-by-step)

Prepare the final text (names and details must match IDs and supporting documents).
Print (often on A4 or letter; follow receiving party’s preference).
Appear personally before the notary public with valid ID(s).
Sign in the notary’s presence (do not pre-sign unless the notary explicitly allows it under lawful procedures).
Notary completes the jurat and notarial seal, records entry in the notarial register.
Receive notarized original; keep photocopies/scans for records.

Common pitfalls

Mismatched names (middle name, suffix, spelling) vs. passport/PSA documents
Using outdated or unacceptable IDs
Incomplete dates/locations
Overpromising (“guarantee return,” “ensure visa approval,” etc.), which is not realistically controllable

8) Apostille / authentication (when the affidavit will be used abroad)

A. When you may need it

If the ASG is executed in the Philippines but will be submitted to an institution abroad, it may need Apostille (or other legalization depending on the destination country’s rules and the receiving institution’s policy).

B. Typical Philippine workflow

Notarize the affidavit in the Philippines.
Submit to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for Apostille (if the destination recognizes Apostilles for Philippine public documents and the receiving institution requires it).
Use the apostilled document abroad.

Important: Some foreign institutions accept notarized affidavits without Apostille; others require Apostille strictly. Requirements vary by country and by receiving office.

9) Cost in the Philippines (what you usually pay for)

A. Notarization fee (typical market practice)

There is no single fixed nationwide price uniformly charged in practice. Costs vary by:

City/municipality and office location
Complexity/length (number of pages)
Number of signatories
Urgency / after-hours requests
Whether the notary also drafted the document

Common real-world range: around ₱200 to ₱1,000+ for notarization of a simple affidavit, with higher amounts in major business districts or for multi-page/special handling documents.

B. Drafting fee (if a lawyer prepares it)

If the sponsor asks a lawyer to draft (not just notarize), professional fees can be separate and depend on:

Complexity and risk allocation (guaranty/surety-like terms)
Attachments review (income docs, relationship proof)
Multiple revisions or specialized addressees (consulate/school templates)

C. Apostille fee (DFA) and incidental costs

If Apostille is required, total cost typically includes:

DFA processing fee (varies by processing speed and policy)
Photocopying/printing
Courier or travel costs to the DFA site

Because government fees and processing options can change, confirm current DFA charges at the time of filing through official channels.

D. Consular notarization fee (if executed abroad)

If signed before a Philippine Embassy/Consulate, fees vary by post and service type (notarial, acknowledgment, jurat, etc.), plus possible mailing costs.

10) Legal effect and enforceability: what the sponsor is actually risking

A. As evidence

An ASG is strong documentary evidence that the sponsor made sworn representations and undertakings. It can be used against the sponsor if disputes arise, subject to rules of evidence and the need for testimony in certain proceedings.

B. As a financial obligation

Whether the sponsor can be compelled to pay depends on:

The wording (clear promise to pay? limit? conditions?)
The existence of an underlying obligation (tuition contract, hospital bill, lease)
Whether the institution/creditor relied on and accepted the undertaking
Whether the undertaking functions as guaranty or suretyship
Applicable defenses (e.g., extent of liability, benefit of excussion for guarantors, invalid principal obligation, fraud, etc.)

C. Overbroad promises can backfire

Statements like:

“I guarantee he will return to the Philippines”
“I guarantee visa approval”
“I will answer for any and all obligations anywhere”

…create unnecessary exposure and are often unrealistic. Most legitimate purposes only require: “I will shoulder the stated expenses for the stated period.”

11) Practical checklist (Philippine-ready)

Before signing

Correct names exactly as in passports/PSA records
Clear purpose and dates
Itemized expenses covered
Defined limit (amount or scope) where possible
Consistent attachments (COE/ITR/bank documents)
Relationship proof ready
Addressee correct (consulate/school/company name if required)
ID(s) ready for notarization

At notarization

Personal appearance
Sign in front of notary
Ensure notarial jurat is complete (date/place; notary details; seal)
Obtain original and at least one duplicate copy

If used abroad

Confirm whether Apostille/authentication is required by the receiving office
Apostille the notarized affidavit if needed

12) Sample structure (illustrative only)

Title: AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND GUARANTEE Affiant’s details: name, age, civil status, nationality, address Beneficiary’s details: name, passport/ID (optional), address Relationship: explain and cite basis (e.g., “I am her father,” “I am his sister,” etc.) Purpose: “for [travel/study/medical] in [place] from [date] to [date]” Undertaking: “I undertake to shoulder the expenses for [airfare/lodging/tuition/etc.] during the stated period.” Financial capacity: employment/business and income statement Guarantee clause (bounded): “I guarantee payment of the above-stated expenses up to [amount] for the stated period.” Truthfulness clause: “I execute this affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing…” Signature block Jurat (notarial)

13) Frequently asked questions

1) Is an ASG always required for travel or a visa? No. It is often optional supporting evidence and depends on the destination country’s requirements and the applicant’s own financial profile.

2) Does an ASG replace bank statements or proof of funds? Usually not. Many institutions treat it as supplementary to objective proof (income, bank documents, ITR, etc.).

3) Can the beneficiary sign instead of the sponsor? If the document is a sponsor’s undertaking, the sponsor typically must sign. Some templates allow both to sign.

4) Can a notary notarize without the sponsor appearing? As a rule, notarization requires personal appearance. Notarizing without proper appearance and identification can expose the notary to administrative liability and can undermine the document’s reliability.

5) Can the sponsor be sued based on an ASG? Potentially, yes—especially if the affidavit contains clear payment undertakings tied to an obligation, and the receiving party relied on it. Liability depends heavily on the exact wording and the surrounding transaction.

Key takeaways

In the Philippines, an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee is primarily a sworn evidence document used to show sponsorship and capacity.
The words “guarantee,” “surety,” and “solidary” can materially change risk—use precise, limited language.
Notarization requires personal appearance and valid identification.
Costs commonly include notarization (often a few hundred pesos to about a thousand or more), plus possible drafting, Apostille, and incidental expenses depending on use case and destination requirements.