General Philippine practice notes for passport applicants with inconsistent names across records. For case-specific advice, coordinate with the DFA passport processing site and your local civil registry or counsel.

What the affidavit is—and what it is NOT

An Affidavit of One and the Same Person (sometimes called an Affidavit of Discrepancy) is a sworn statement declaring that two or more name variants refer to one and the same person.
It is used as a supporting document when your IDs/records are inconsistent—e.g., “Ma. Ana D. Santos” vs “Maria Ana Dela Cruz-Santos,” “Núñez” vs “Nunez,” “JR” vs “Jr.”
It does not “fix” civil registry errors. The DFA’s primary basis for your passport name is your PSA birth certificate (or PSA Report of Birth if born abroad). If that PSA record is wrong (misspelling, wrong surname, missing suffix), you generally must correct/annotate the PSA record first (R.A. 9048/10172, R.A. 9255, Rule 103/108), then present the annotated PSA. The affidavit can bridge minor inconsistencies in other supporting documents; it cannot override the PSA.

When the affidavit helps (typical DFA scenarios)

Minor, explainable discrepancies in secondary IDs or historical records:
- Spacing/diacritic issues (Dela Cruz vs Delacruz; Ñuñez vs Nunez).
- Hyphenation or married-name format: “Dela Cruz, Maria Ana” vs “Maria Ana Dela Cruz-Santos.”
- Middle name format errors in IDs (mother’s maiden name mis-entered, transpositions).
- Suffix formatting (JR/II/III punctuations).
- Abbreviation of “Maria” to “Ma.” or “Jr.” to “JR”.
Record transition events already documented in the PSA:
- PSA-annotated marriage/annulment/nullity/legal separation with consequent name use; affidavit helps align legacy IDs.
- PSA-annotated R.A. 9255 AUSF (illegitimate child using father’s surname) where older school/health records retained the mother’s surname.
Foreign-issued documents transliterated differently (e.g., no diacritics), where your PSA entry is correct.

Red flag (affidavit usually insufficient): wrong person’s surname, wrong sex/date of birth, switched first/middle names in PSA, missing/incorrect parentage, or any substantive civil status issue. Those require civil registry correction first.

DFA evidence hierarchy (practical)

PSA civil registry: Birth Certificate / Report of Birth (+ annotations) = name authority.
Civil status instruments: PSA Marriage Certificate/annotated MC, Decree & Entry of Judgment (annulment/nullity), Death Certificate (widowed).
Government IDs: PhilID, UMID, PRC, LTO, etc.
Affidavits: One and the Same Person; when needed, Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons corroborating long-time use.
Historical records: school, baptismal, employment, SSS/GSIS, NBI Clearance (consider including AKA entries to mirror variants).

The affidavit supports items 1–3; it doesn’t replace them.

Preparing the affidavit

Who executes

You, the passport applicant. If a minor, the parent/legal guardian executes, attaching proof of authority.
If abroad, execute before a Philippine Embassy/Consulate (consular notarization), or before a local notary with apostille and English translation if needed.

Where to notarize

Philippines: any Notary Public (bring IDs).
Abroad:
- Philippine Consulate notarization; or
- Local notary + apostille (Hague Convention) so DFA can rely on it.

What to attach

Photocopy of PSA record(s) (the correct name).
Photocopies of documents showing the variants (IDs, school/employment records, NBI, bank docs).
Valid ID(s) of affiant; if a representative signs, include SPA and IDs.
If DFA asks, a Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons (neighbors/relatives by affinity not in direct line) attesting you’ve continuously used the correct name.

Style & content tips

List every variant as it appears (spelling, punctuation, hyphenation, suffix).
Provide a clear, non-speculative reason (e.g., clerical error, system limitation on special characters).
Cross-reference document numbers and issuance dates.
Affirm no intent to defraud; that all variants refer to one person—you.
Use consistent signature matching your IDs.

Sample template (adapt as needed)

AFFIDAVIT OF ONE AND THE SAME PERSON

I, [Full Correct Name], of legal age, [civil status], Filipino, with address at [address], after being duly sworn, depose and state:

1. I am the same person referred to in various records under the following name variants:

   a) [Full Correct Name] – as appearing in my PSA Birth Certificate (Copy attached as Annex “A”);
   b) [Variant 1 exactly as written] – as appearing in [ID/document, number, date] (Annex “B”);
   c) [Variant 2] – as appearing in [document] (Annex “C”);
   [add as needed]

2. The differences arose due to [clerical/typographical error; system limitation on ñ/diacritics; abbreviation; hyphenation/married-name formatting], and not from any intent to misrepresent my identity.

3. I declare that all the above names refer to one and the same person — myself, [Full Correct Name].

4. I execute this affidavit to attest to the foregoing facts and to support applications requiring proof of identity, including my DFA passport application/renewal.

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

[Signature over Printed Name]
Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this [date] by [Affiant], who exhibited [ID type, number, date/place issued].
Notary Public
Doc. No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. ___; Series of ___.

(For minors: replace affiant with parent/guardian and add a paragraph on legal authority.)

How this fits the DFA passport process

Set appointment and personally appear (passports require personal appearance; minors appear with parent/guardian).
Bring the core set:
- PSA birth certificate (or PSA Report of Birth if born abroad).
- PSA marriage certificate (if using married name) or annotated PSA/court decree if returning to maiden name after annulment/nullity.
- Government ID(s) matching the PSA record.
If IDs/records show variants, add:
- Affidavit of One and the Same Person (original notarized/consularized).
- Variant-bearing documents (photocopies) and, if requested, Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons.
Evaluation at DFA site: Screener checks if the discrepancy is minor and the PSA record is clear.
- If minor and supported → usually accepted.
- If substantive or PSA itself is wrong/unclear → you’ll be advised to correct PSA first and return with the annotated PSA.
Data capture & release: DFA prints the name as shown in PSA (plus authorized status-based changes), not the variant(s) in your IDs.

Special name situations (quick guidance)

Married name use (women): Philippine practice allows use of the husband’s surname; many retain their maiden middle name. DFA will require PSA Marriage Certificate; an affidavit only supports legacy IDs that still bear the maiden name.
Annulment/nullity/legal separation: Present the PSA-annotated record and final decree; affidavit bridges old IDs but does not authorize a name format inconsistent with the PSA annotation.
Illegitimate children / R.A. 9255: If using the father’s surname, present the PSA birth certificate with AUSF annotation; affidavit alone is not enough to adopt the father’s surname.
Diacritics & special characters (Ñ, Ü): Expect printing without diacritics in some systems; affidavit explains the equivalence but PSA remains controlling.
Suffixes (Jr., II, III): Ensure the PSA reflects the suffix; affidavit can explain variations in punctuation/casing in IDs.
Transposed given/middle names: Usually substantive—correct PSA first.

Good practices to avoid issues

Standardize your signature to the PSA-based full name you will use.
Obtain a current NBI Clearance listing AKA variants if your history of records is mixed.
After you receive your passport, update other IDs (PhilID, SSS/GSIS, PRC, LTO, bank) to match the PSA-based name, reducing future affidavit needs.
Keep digital scans of your affidavit and supporting documents.

FAQs

Is the affidavit mandatory for every discrepancy? No. It’s only needed when the screener sees inconsistencies that require explanation. If all documents already match your PSA, you won’t need it.

Will DFA print my married name if my IDs still show my maiden name? Yes, if you submit a PSA Marriage Certificate and choose to use your married surname. The affidavit merely explains mismatches in legacy IDs.

My PSA birth certificate has a misspelled surname. Can the affidavit fix it for passport purposes? Generally no. You must correct/annotate the PSA record first. The affidavit cannot substitute for civil registry correction.

I live abroad. Will a locally notarized affidavit be honored? Yes, if it’s apostilled (and translated to English if needed) or if it’s executed at a Philippine Embassy/Consulate.

Does DFA require a joint affidavit from two disinterested persons? Not always. Some sites request it when the discrepancy is older/wider or the proof trail is thin. Bring two disinterested witnesses’ IDs if you plan to execute one.

Quick checklist

✅ PSA Birth Certificate / Report of Birth (with any annotations)
✅ PSA Marriage Certificate / court decrees (if applicable)
✅ Government ID(s)
✅ Affidavit of One and the Same Person (original notarized/consularized)
✅ Copies of documents showing the name variants
✅ (If asked) Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons
✅ NBI Clearance with AKA (recommended where records are mixed)

Bottom line

Use the Affidavit of One and the Same Person to explain minor, non-substantive name inconsistencies across your supporting documents. Your PSA civil registry record remains the controlling reference for the name that will appear on your passport; fix substantive PSA errors first, then use the affidavit to tie up loose ends in secondary records.