Cost and Notarization Requirements for Affidavit of Loss of Expired Passport in the Philippines

Cost and Notarization Requirements for an Affidavit of Loss of Expired Passport (Philippines)

This guide explains what an Affidavit of Loss is, when you need it for an expired Philippine passport, how to have it notarized, and what it typically costs in the Philippines. It’s written for practical use—bring it to the notary if you like. Fees and office practices vary by city and over time, so verify locally before you go.


Quick answers

  • Do I need it? Yes—if your expired passport was lost (or stolen) and you will apply for a new passport without presenting the old one, the DFA generally asks for a notarized Affidavit of Loss.

  • What kind of notarization? A jurat (you swear to the truth before the notary and sign in their presence), not an acknowledgment.

  • What to bring to the notary? 1 government-issued photo ID (preferably two), your drafted affidavit (or ask the notary to draft), and cash for fees.

  • Typical local cost (Philippines):

    • Notarial fee (jurat for 1–2 pages): ₱150–₱600 in kiosks/malls; ₱500–₱1,500 in law offices (often includes drafting).
    • Documentary stamp (if affixed): usually ₱30–₱40 (sometimes bundled in the fee).
    • Printing/photocopy (if needed): ₱5–₱20 per page.
    • Total usual outlay: ₱200–₱800 if you bring your own draft; more if the lawyer drafts it from scratch.
  • Abroad? Philippine embassies/consulates can notarize (or take oaths/consularize) affidavits; consular fees vary by post and are typically a modest fixed USD/EUR amount.


What the DFA looks for (context)

  • A sworn statement explaining how and when the expired passport was lost (or stolen), and what you did to search for it.
  • Identity details that tie the affidavit to you and to the passport (even if you don’t remember the passport number).
  • Notarization—proof you took an oath (jurat) before a duly commissioned notary (or a Philippine consular officer if abroad).

Note: DFA processes and penalties for lost passports (clearing periods, replacement penalties, appointment rules) are separate from notarization and can change. Treat those as extra to the notary costs described here.


Notarization essentials (Philippine rules, plain-English)

  1. Personal appearance is required. You must appear before a Philippine lawyer who is a commissioned notary public in the same city/province where they are authorized. (If abroad, appear before a Philippine consular officer.)

  2. Correct act = Jurat. For affidavits, the notary uses a jurat—you sign in front of the notary, swear (or affirm) the contents are true, and the jurat is stamped/sealed.

  3. Bring competent evidence of identity.

    • Preferably a UMID, driver’s license, PhilID, PRC ID, passport (if you still have another one), or other government ID with photo and signature.
    • The notary records the ID type and number in the jurat.
  4. Affidavits should be in a language you understand. If you don’t read English/Filipino well, the notary can note that the contents were read/explained to you and that you understood before signing.

  5. Minors / special cases.

    • A parent or legal guardian usually executes the affidavit on behalf of a minor; attach proof of relationship/authority (birth certificate, guardianship papers).
    • If someone signs for you, that person must have personal knowledge of the facts or proper authority (and some notaries will decline if they believe the affiant lacks personal knowledge).
  6. Where to notarize. Law offices, city-hall notarial booths, mall kiosks, or the Philippine embassy/consulate if you’re abroad.

  7. Formality cues to check before you leave: Notary’s name, Roll No., IBP No., PTR No., MCLE compliance, commission number/venue/expiry, notarial seal, and notarial register number/entry—all commonly appear on or near the jurat.


Typical costs in the Philippines (breakdown)

Item What it covers Typical range
Notarial fee (jurat) Administering the oath, verifying ID, stamping/sealing, journal entry ₱150–₱600 (kiosk/mall); ₱500–₱1,500 (law office; often includes drafting)
Drafting fee (if you have no draft) Lawyer prepares a tailored affidavit Included in higher notary fees or ₱300–₱1,500 standalone
Documentary stamp Revenue stamp sometimes affixed to affidavits ₱30–₱40 (often included)
Printing/photocopy If the notary prints your file or makes copies ₱5–₱20/page

Expect the all-in walk-in cost to land around ₱200–₱800 if you bring a clean 1-page draft and a valid ID. Complex situations, translations, or special certifications can cost more.


Should you get a police report?

  • Loss/misplacement: Many notaries will notarize without a police blotter.
  • Theft/robbery: A police report helps document the incident and may be requested by agencies. If it was clearly stolen, consider filing a blotter and referencing it in your affidavit.

Timing and validity

  • Affidavits don’t “expire,” but agencies sometimes ask for a recent one (commonly issued within 3 months of filing your application) to reflect diligent, current efforts to locate the lost passport.
  • Notarization itself is immediate—10–20 minutes if your ID and draft are in order.

What to include in your Affidavit of Loss (expired passport)

  1. Affiant’s details: full name, civil status, nationality, birthday, address, and ID details.
  2. Passport details (as remembered or from records): passport number, date/place of issuance, expiry date (state “expired on [date]” if known).
  3. Facts of loss: when/where/how it was lost (or stolen).
  4. Diligent search: steps you took to look for it (retrace route, contact establishments, check home/office).
  5. Status: that despite efforts, the passport remains lost.
  6. Purpose: for submission to DFA in support of your application for a new passport and related government processes.
  7. Undertaking: to surrender the passport to DFA or proper authorities if found later.
  8. Perjury warning: that statements are true and you understand legal consequences for false declarations.
  9. Jurats: space for notary’s jurat with date, city/province, ID details, seal, and register entry.

Step-by-step: Getting it done (Philippines)

  1. Draft your affidavit (use the template below).
  2. Print one original; bring 1–2 photocopies of the affidavit and your ID.
  3. Visit a commissioned notary in your city/province (or the Philippine embassy/consulate if abroad).
  4. Sign only in front of the notary. Present your ID; take the oath; pay fees and, if needed, the documentary stamp.
  5. Receive the notarized original with the embossed/ink seal and jurat.
  6. Keep the original for DFA; keep a photocopy for your records.

Template: Affidavit of Loss (Expired Philippine Passport)

You may copy-paste this and fill in the blanks. Bring a printed copy and your ID to the notary. Replace bracketed text with your details.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
____________________________ ) S.S.

                         AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS
                      (Expired Philippine Passport)

I, [FULL NAME], of legal age, [single/married/widowed], Filipino,
with residence at [FULL ADDRESS], holder of [ID TYPE & NO.], after being
duly sworn in accordance with law, depose and state:

1. That I was the holder of Philippine Passport No. [PASSPORT NO., if known],
   issued on [DATE OF ISSUANCE, if known] at [PLACE OF ISSUANCE, if known],
   which passport expired on [EXPIRY DATE, if known] (“Expired Passport”).

2. That on or about [DATE], at [PLACE], I discovered that the Expired Passport
   had been [lost/misplaced/stolen]. The circumstances are as follows:
   [BRIEFLY DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED].

3. That upon discovery, I exerted diligent efforts to locate the Expired
   Passport by [describe efforts: retracing my route; contacting [establishment];
   searching my residence/office], but the same remains missing as of this date.

4. That I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the loss and to support my
   application with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the issuance
   of a new passport in lieu of the lost expired passport, and for such other
   lawful purposes as may be required.

5. That should I later find or recover the said passport, I undertake to
   surrender it immediately to the DFA or other proper authorities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of
________, 20___, at [CITY/PROVINCE], Philippines.

                                      ______________________________
                                      [FULL NAME], Affiant
                                      [ID TYPE & NO.; Date/Place Issued]

JURAT

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of __________, 20___ at
[CITY/PROVINCE], Philippines. Affiant exhibited to me [ID TYPE & NO.],
issued on [DATE] at [PLACE], as competent evidence of identity.

Doc. No. _____;
Page No. _____;                      ______________________________
Book No. _____;                      [NAME OF NOTARY PUBLIC]
Series of 20___                      Notary Public for [City/Province]
                                     Commission No. ______; Until: ______
                                     PTR No. _____; IBP No. _____; Roll No. _____
                                     MCLE Compliance No. _____

Tips to avoid re-printing: Keep it to one page if possible, keep margins reasonable, and leave enough space for the jurat and notary seal.


Common pitfalls (and fixes)

  • Signing before you arrive. Don’t. Sign in front of the notary.
  • Missing ID details in the jurat. Ask the notary to include the specific ID type and number you presented.
  • Wrong notarial act. Affidavits use a jurat—not an acknowledgment.
  • Too little detail. Include basic facts (date/place/circumstances of loss and search efforts).
  • Name discrepancies. Ensure your affidavit name matches your IDs and DFA forms. Attach proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate) if applicable.
  • Old affidavit. If your affidavit is several months old, consider executing a fresh one before your DFA appointment.

If you’re outside the Philippines

  • Go to the Philippine Embassy/Consulate. They can notarize/take your oath or consularize your affidavit.
  • Fees are posted by each post; bring a valid government ID, printed affidavit, and appointment if required.
  • Some posts offer templates—ask in advance.

Final notes

  • Notarial pricing is market-based, so shop around locally if cost matters.
  • Some notaries sell or include the documentary stamp; others ask you to buy it—both are normal practices.
  • Keep your receipt and one photocopy of the notarized affidavit with your records.

If you want, I can adapt the template to your exact facts (names, dates, locations) so it’s ready for printing.

Disclaimer: This content is not legal advice and may involve AI assistance. Information may be inaccurate.