here’s a practical, everything-you-need legal guide (Philippine context) on drafting and notarizing an Affidavit of Support—what it is, when it’s asked for, how to write one that actually works, and how to get it notarized correctly in the Philippines (and for use abroad).

1) What an “Affidavit of Support” is (and isn’t)

Affidavit of Support (AoS) is a sworn statement where a person (“sponsor/affiant”) promises to financially support another person (“beneficiary”) for a specific purpose (travel, study, visa, medical care, etc.).
It is not a court judgment or a guarantee of visa issuance. It’s supporting evidence that an agency, school, bank, embassy, or court may consider together with proof of ability (income, savings) and proof of relationship.
Because it’s an affidavit, it is executed under oath—lying can expose the affiant to perjury and other penalties.

2) Typical use-cases in the Philippines

Visa/immigration packs (tourist, student, family): embassy or consulate asks for a notarized AoS and financial proofs from a Philippine sponsor. Some countries have their own forms (fill those first, then support with an AoS if helpful).
Local administrative needs: school enrollment, hospital admission, bank/loan requirements, community/barangay social services.
Minors’ travel: often paired with an Affidavit of Support and Consent (from a parent/guardian) plus the agency’s specific forms/clearances.
Litigation or agency proceedings: to show capacity to shoulder fees or living expenses (e.g., guardianship, adoption, custody).

Always check the specific office’s checklist. If they provide their own template/form, use it and attach a Philippine AoS only if asked or if it adds clarity.

3) Core legal/formatting concepts you must get right

Affidavits use a JURAT, not an acknowledgment. The notary certifies that the affiant personally appeared, was identified, and swore/affirmed the truth of the contents.
Personal appearance is the default rule. Remote/e-notarization is limited to circumstances allowed by Supreme Court and notary guidelines; confirm first with the notary.
Competent Evidence of Identity (CEI): present valid government ID (with photo and signature). Bring two IDs to be safe. A community tax certificate alone isn’t CEI.
Venue/jurisdiction: the notary must notarize within the city/province of their commission.
Language: use English or Filipino; for use abroad, the receiving office may require a translation (have a translator’s sworn affidavit and, if abroad, an apostille—see §10).

4) What to include in a strong Affidavit of Support

Title: “Affidavit of Support” (or “Affidavit of Support and Guarantee/Consent” if applicable).
Affiant’s identity & capacity: full name, age, civil status, nationality, exact residential address, government ID (type & number), occupation/employer/business, and TIN if you will attach ITRs.
Beneficiary’s identity & relationship: full name, date of birth, passport (if any), address, and how you’re related (spouse/child/sibling/friend).
Purpose & scope: why support is needed (tourism, studies, medical treatment), where (country/city), when (dates/duration), and what costs you will cover (airfare, tuition, living expenses, insurance).
Amount/means: either a specific amount (e.g., “up to ₱___ / US$___ per month”) or all necessary and reasonable expenses, plus how you’ll pay (bank transfer, cards).
Undertakings: keep beneficiary housed/maintained, repatriation if relevant, ensure compliance with host-country laws, and no public charge (if the destination country uses that concept).
Annexes list: enumerate attachments: bank statements, certificate of employment (COE), payslips, business permits/ITR, property docs, relationship proof (birth/marriage cert), beneficiary’s passport/itinerary/acceptance letter, insurance.
Truth clause & consent to verification: authorize the agency/embassy to verify your documents with your employer/bank.
Signature block for the affiant and jurat (notary section).
Data privacy note (optional but useful): you consent to the use of your data for the stated purpose.

5) Evidence that usually makes (or breaks) your AoS

Attach clear, recent copies (ideally within the last 3 months):

Income capacity: COE with salary; last 3–6 months’ payslips; ITR/BIR Form 2316 or 1701/1701A; business permits, latest Mayor’s permit/BIR COR for self-employed.
Liquid assets: bank statements/certificates (average daily balance helps more than a one-day “dump”), time deposit certificates, proof of remittances.
Relationship proof: PSA marriage/birth certificates; annotated if applicable.
Purpose proof: school LOA/acceptance, itinerary, hotel bookings, insurance, medical recommendations.
For minors: birth certificate, parents’ valid IDs, custody/authority papers if parents are separated or deceased.

6) “Support” vs “Support & Guarantee” vs “Support & Consent”

Affidavit of Support: promise to shoulder expenses.
Affidavit of Support and Guarantee: adds an undertaking to reimburse the government/sponsor for any costs (e.g., repatriation). Some agencies ask for this stronger form.
Affidavit of Support and Consent: for minors, combines the financial undertaking with parental consent to travel/study/stay.

Pick the exact title/wording the requesting office requires.

7) How to get it notarized in the Philippines (step-by-step)

Draft the affidavit (see templates in §12). Print single-sided; leave no blanks. Initial every page if long.
Bring originals: your valid IDs, and the originals of key annexes (banks/employer letters) if the notary wants to inspect.
Appear personally before a commissioned notary in your city/province.
Sign in front of the notary. You’ll take an oath/affirmation.
The notary completes the jurat, signs, affixes seal, and records it in the Notarial Register (with Doc. No., Page No., Book No., Series of [year]).
Pay the notarial fee. (Some documents carry documentary stamps; many notaries affix them as a matter of practice.)
Request extra originals if needed; notarization is per original copy.

If overseas: execute the AoS before a Philippine Embassy/Consulate (consular notarization) or a local notary in that country and then apostille/legalize (see §10).

8) Common drafting and notarization pitfalls (avoid these)

Using an acknowledgment block instead of a jurat (affidavits need jurats).
No CEI: presenting only company ID or expired government ID.
Blank spaces/alterations after notarization—voids the document.
Vague promises (e.g., “I’ll help if I can”). Be specific on scope/duration.
“Show money” statements: a one-day bank certificate with huge balance and no history invites skepticism. Provide transaction history.
Wrong jurisdiction: notarized outside the notary’s commissioned area.
Missing annexes listed in the affidavit. If you list them, attach them.
Relying on AoS alone for visas where the destination country requires their own statutory sponsorship form—always use the host country’s form first.

9) Liability & legal effect

A properly notarized affidavit is a public document with presumptive regularity; it can be relied upon by agencies and courts.
False statements can lead to perjury and related crimes, civil liability (e.g., damages), and sanctions for falsification if forged IDs or papers are used.
Some undertakings (e.g., “repatriation at my expense”) can be enforced if the agency or beneficiary relies on them and suffers loss.

10) Using your AoS abroad: Apostille & legalization

For use outside the Philippines, your notarized AoS usually needs a DFA Apostille (the Philippines and most countries are party to the Apostille Convention).
If the destination country is not an Apostille Party, the document must be consularized/legalized by that country’s embassy/consulate after DFA authentication.
If the destination requires a local-language version, have a sworn translation (translator executes a notarized Translator’s Affidavit). Apostille the packet as needed.

11) Privacy & data handling

Limit the affidavit to data necessary for the purpose; mask account numbers except the last 4 digits.
Keep digital copies secure; share only with the requesting office.
When consenting to verification, specify the entities (employer/bank/school) and purpose.

12) Ready-to-use templates

Note: Replace bracketed items; do not leave blanks. Print on A4 or Letter as the receiving office requires.

A. Affidavit of Support (General)

AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT

I, [Full Name of Affiant], [age], [civil status], [nationality], residing at [complete address], presently employed as [position] at [employer/business], with government ID [type & number], after having been duly sworn, depose and state:

That I am the [relationship, e.g., father/ spouse/ sibling/ friend] of [Full Name of Beneficiary], born on [DOB], with address at [address] and passport/ID no. [number];
That [Beneficiary] intends to [purpose—e.g., travel to ___ from ___ to ___ / pursue studies at ___ starting ___];
That I commit to provide financial support to cover [airfare/tuition/living expenses/insurance/others] for the duration [dates / number of months] or until [event—e.g., completion of program/return to the Philippines];
That I am financially capable of providing said support, as evidenced by the attached [COE/payslips/bank statements/ITR/property documents] marked as Annexes “A” to “__”;
That I authorize [embassy/agency/school/bank] to verify the authenticity of the foregoing documents with [employer/bank]; and
That I execute this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and in support of [Beneficiary]’s application with [office].

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] at [city/province], Philippines.

Affiant: __________________________ [Printed Name] ID presented: [Type/No./Date/Issuer]

J U R A T SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this [date] at [city/province], affiant personally appeared and presented [ID type & number], known to me and to me known to be the same person who executed the foregoing Affidavit, which he/she affirmed to be true and correct.

Notary Public Doc. No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. _; Series of 20.

B. Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (add this paragraph)

Add after item 3:

3-A. That I further guarantee that no public funds will be used for [Beneficiary]’s stay, and I undertake to reimburse any government or private entity for repatriation or emergency expenses incurred by reason of this sponsorship, if required.

C. Affidavit of Support and Consent (for minors)

Add:

3-A. I am the [father/mother/legal guardian] of [Minor’s Name]; I give my full consent for his/her [travel/studies/placement] in [country/city] from [dates] under the supervision of [accompanying adult/school/address].

Attach the minor’s PSA birth certificate, parents’ IDs, and any custody/authority papers.

13) Quick checklist (print this)

Drafted AoS with clear purpose, duration, and scope of support
Affiant’s details (IDs, employment/business info) inserted
Beneficiary’s details and relationship stated
Annexes prepared (COE, payslips, bank statements, ITR, relationship proof, purpose docs)
Personal appearance before notary; jurat used; notarial register entries present
For overseas use: apostille/consularization plan confirmed; translations if required
Keep originals + 2 photocopies; scan a PDF for e-submissions

Bottom line

A solid Affidavit of Support is specific, documented, and properly notarized (jurat).
It’s supporting evidence, not a magic pass—pair it with proof of means and proof of relationship/purpose.
For foreign use, plan for apostille/consularization and translations early.
When in doubt, mirror the exact wording demanded by the receiving office and attach clear, recent financial documents.

This is general information, not legal advice. For unusual fact patterns (multiple sponsors, trust funds, corporate sponsorship, or cross-border notarization), consult counsel or the requesting office before filing.