Quick answer

To replace a lost motorcycle Certificate of Registration (CR), prepare an original notarized Affidavit of Loss, obtain a Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR), and submit the requirements to an LTO District Office or Extension Office that handles motor-vehicle registration. The affidavit should identify you, the motorcycle, the missing document, and the truthful circumstances of the loss. It must be sworn before a duly commissioned notary public.

The current LTO checklist expressly requires an Affidavit of Lost Certificate of Registration for a duplicate CR. When the motorcycle is encumbered or still under financing, the affidavit must be executed by the financing institution.

If the Official Receipt (OR) was also lost, state that fact in the affidavit and ask the handling LTO office to process a duplicate OR as well. The LTO fee schedule lists a base duplicate fee of ₱30 for a CR and ₱30 for an OR, exclusive of other applicable charges, such as inspection, computer, legal research, or related transaction fees. Notarial fees are separate.

An affidavit of loss is not itself a replacement OR/CR. It records the loss under oath and supports your application for a duplicate. Do not assume that carrying the affidavit alone authorizes you to ride the motorcycle on public roads while the registration documents are missing. LTO rules require a motor vehicle operated on public roads to have its current registration documents.

First determine what was actually lost

Before drafting the affidavit, confirm whether you lost:

The CR only;
The OR only;
Both the OR and CR;
A photocopy rather than the original;
A temporary CR or another LTO-issued document;
Documents held by a bank or financing company;
Documents that were confiscated, surrendered, or deposited with an authority; or
The motorcycle itself together with the documents.

This distinction matters. An affidavit of loss must describe what truly happened. A document that was confiscated, surrendered, pledged, or retained by a financing institution is not “lost” merely because it is no longer in your possession.

If the motorcycle itself was stolen, report the theft promptly to the police and coordinate with the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group and the LTO. An ordinary duplicate-document application should not replace the steps needed for a stolen vehicle.

Who should execute the affidavit?

Ordinarily, the affidavit should be executed by the registered owner named in the CR.

Different rules or additional documents may apply in the following situations:

The motorcycle is financed or encumbered

If the CR is encumbered, the current LTO Citizen’s Charter states that the Affidavit of Lost CR must be executed by the financing institution. Contact the bank, lending company, dealer-financier, or other institution shown in the records before preparing your own affidavit.

Do not assume that an affidavit signed only by the borrower will be accepted for an encumbered CR.

A representative will file the application

A representative may need a Special Power of Attorney for an individual owner. For a corporation or another juridical entity, the LTO checklist may require a Secretary’s Certificate or equivalent proof of authority.

The person making the affidavit must still personally appear before the notary. A representative cannot swear to facts that only the owner or another person actually knows.

The motorcycle remains registered in the seller’s name

An affidavit of loss does not transfer ownership and should not be used to bypass the proper transfer process. The registered owner, or a properly authorized representative, may need to participate in the duplicate-document transaction.

Bring the deed of sale and other ownership papers when consulting the LTO. If the registered owner cannot be located, has died, disputes the sale, or refuses to cooperate, obtain legal advice before signing or submitting anything.

The registered owner has died

The heir or person handling the estate should not simply sign as though they were the registered owner. Estate, succession, authorization, and transfer requirements may apply. Ask the LTO what estate documents are required and consult a lawyer when ownership is disputed or the estate has not been settled.

What the affidavit should contain

There is no benefit in making the affidavit longer than necessary. It should, however, contain enough specific information to identify the motorcycle and explain the loss.

Include the following:

Your complete legal name, age, citizenship, civil status, and address.
Your capacity, such as registered owner, authorized officer of the financing institution, or another accurately described role.
The motorcycle’s identifying details, to the extent available:
- Plate number;
- MV file number;
- Make and model;
- Year model;
- Color;
- Engine number; and
- Chassis number.
The missing documents, identifying whether the CR, OR, or both were lost.
Document details, if known, such as the OR number, transaction date, CR number, or place of registration.
The last known possession of the documents.
When, where, and how the loss was discovered.
The steps taken to search for the documents.
A statement that the documents remain missing.
The purpose of the affidavit, such as supporting an application for duplicate LTO registration documents.
A jurat, which the notary public will complete after administering the oath.

Use approximate language when necessary. For example, write “on or about 15 July 2026” if that is the most accurate statement you can make. Do not invent an exact date, location, OR number, or account of events merely to make the affidavit appear complete.

Sample Affidavit of Loss

The following is a working template, not a mandatory LTO form. A notary, financing institution, or handling LTO office may require adjustments based on the documents and circumstances.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ______ ) S.S.

AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS

I, [COMPLETE NAME], of legal age, [civil status], Filipino, and residing at
[complete address], after having been duly sworn in accordance with law,
state:

1. I am the registered owner of a motorcycle with the following details:

   Make/Model: [__________]
   Year Model: [__________]
   Color: [__________]
   Plate Number: [__________]
   MV File Number: [__________]
   Engine Number: [__________]
   Chassis Number: [__________]

2. The Land Transportation Office issued the following registration
   document or documents for the motorcycle:

   [ ] Certificate of Registration
   [ ] Official Receipt
   [ ] Both Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt

   The document numbers and dates, if known, are:
   [insert accurate details or state that the information is unavailable].

3. On or about [date or approximate date], at [place, if known], I discovered
   that the document or documents were missing. The circumstances were as
   follows:

   [Give a brief, truthful account of where the documents were last kept,
   what occurred, and when the loss was discovered.]

4. I made diligent efforts to locate the document or documents, including
   [briefly describe the search], but they could no longer be found.

5. To the best of my knowledge, the document or documents remain lost.

6. [Include only if true:] The document or documents were not confiscated,
   surrendered, pledged, transferred, or placed in the custody of another
   person or government authority.

7. I am executing this affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and
   to support my application with the Land Transportation Office for the
   issuance of the appropriate duplicate or replacement document or documents.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this affidavit on [date] at [city or
municipality], Philippines.

[Signature of Affiant]
[Printed Name]

Leave space for the notary’s jurat. Bring the final document to the notary and sign it only when instructed.

For an encumbered CR, do not use this owner-signed template without first consulting the financing institution. The current LTO requirement calls for the financing institution to execute the affidavit.

How to have the affidavit notarized

The affiant must personally appear before a duly commissioned notary public, take an oath, and present competent evidence of identity unless personally known to the notary. A qualifying government-issued identification document should bear both the holder’s photograph and signature.

Bring:

The unsigned or not-yet-notarized affidavit;
At least one current government-issued ID bearing your photograph and signature;
A photocopy of the ID if requested;
Available copies or photographs of the OR/CR;
The deed of sale, financing papers, or authority documents when relevant; and
Any records containing the motorcycle’s engine, chassis, plate, or MV file numbers.

Read every paragraph before taking the oath. Correct inaccurate information before signing.

A knowingly false statement about a material fact in a sworn affidavit may result in liability for perjury. Republic Act No. 11594 amended Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code and increased the penalties for perjury.

Step-by-step filing process

1. Gather the motorcycle and registration details

Collect every reliable record that may contain the information needed for the affidavit and LTO application, including:

Photographs or scans of the lost OR/CR;
Previous renewal receipts;
Dealer-issued documents;
Deed of sale;
Insurance or comprehensive motor vehicle insurance records;
Financing or loan documents;
LTMS account information;
Repair, service, or warranty records containing engine or chassis numbers; and
Clear photographs of the motorcycle’s plate, engine number, and chassis number.

Copy the numbers carefully. A single wrong digit can delay evaluation or create a mismatch with the LTO database.

2. Contact the financing institution when the CR is encumbered

Do this before paying a notary to prepare an owner-signed affidavit. Ask the institution:

Whether it holds the original CR;
Whether its records show the CR as lost;
Which office or employee will execute the affidavit;
What authorization documents it will issue; and
Whether it will file the application or require you to appear.

If the institution still has the document, there is no truthful basis for declaring it lost.

3. Prepare and notarize the affidavit

Use only facts you personally know or can reliably verify. Identify both the OR and CR when both were lost.

The current LTO duplicate-CR checklist refers to an original Affidavit of Lost CR, so preserve the notarized original for submission and keep scanned and photocopied versions for your records.

4. Confirm the handling LTO office

Contact an LTO District Office or Extension Office that processes motor-vehicle registration transactions. It is prudent to contact the office where the motorcycle is registered or another office identified by the LTO before travelling.

Ask the office to confirm:

Whether it can process the duplicate CR or OR;
Where the motorcycle inspection must be completed;
Whether the motorcycle must be brought to that office;
What supporting documents are required for your particular case;
Whether the registered owner must appear;
What authority is required for a representative; and
Whether there are unresolved alarms, encumbrances, penalties, or record discrepancies.

Use the official LTO Office Directory or LTO Contact page rather than relying only on social-media posts or unofficial fixers.

5. Obtain the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report

The current duplicate-CR requirements include a duly accomplished Motor Vehicle Inspection Report. Follow the handling LTO office’s directions on where and how the motorcycle must be inspected.

Before inspection:

Clean the areas where the engine and chassis numbers appear;
Make sure the numbers are visible and have not been altered;
Bring the motorcycle and available supporting records;
Do not attempt to retrace, restamp, modify, or “improve” unreadable numbers yourself; and
Disclose any legitimate engine or chassis replacement documents.

Stop and obtain legal or official guidance if the identifying numbers do not match your records or appear tampered with.

6. Submit the application and supporting documents

Depending on the facts, the file may include:

Original notarized Affidavit of Lost CR;
Duly accomplished MVIR;
Valid government-issued ID;
Photocopies requested by the office;
Available copy or photograph of the lost OR/CR;
Deed of sale or ownership papers;
Financing-institution affidavit or authorization;
Special Power of Attorney for an individual representative;
Secretary’s Certificate for a corporation or other entity;
Police report when the documents were stolen or the circumstances require law-enforcement documentation; and
Other records required to resolve discrepancies in the LTO database.

The LTO evaluator will determine whether the documents are complete and whether additional verification is necessary.

7. Pay only against an official assessment

The LTO fee schedule lists the following base duplicate-document fees:

Document	Listed base fee
Duplicate Certificate of Registration	₱30
Duplicate Official Receipt	₱30

These amounts do not necessarily represent the entire cost of the transaction. Other lawful charges may apply, and notarial expenses are separate. Pay only through authorized channels and obtain an official receipt.

Do not give money to a fixer or pay an employee personally to “speed up” the transaction.

8. Check the replacement before leaving

When the duplicate is released, verify:

Registered owner’s name;
Plate number;
MV file number;
Make and model;
Engine number;
Chassis number;
Encumbrance notation, when applicable; and
Other identifying information.

Report an error immediately. Do not alter the document yourself.

Scan or photograph the replacement and store the copy securely. Keep the official payment receipt, inspection report, affidavit copy, and release documents together.

Is there a deadline for filing?

The current LTO duplicate-CR checklist does not state a single fixed number of days after the loss within which every applicant must file. Nevertheless, act promptly.

Delay can create practical problems, particularly when:

Registration renewal is approaching;
The motorcycle must be sold or transferred;
The documents may have been stolen;
Someone may misuse the lost papers;
The vehicle is under financing;
The motorcycle is involved in an accident or insurance claim; or
The LTO record contains an error that takes time to resolve.

Do not ride merely because you plan to replace the documents later. Confirm with the LTO what documentation is acceptable while the replacement is pending.

Is a police blotter required?

A police blotter or police report is not listed as a standard requirement in the current LTO duplicate-CR checklist. The expressly identified items include the Affidavit of Lost CR and the MVIR.

A police report is nevertheless advisable when:

The documents were stolen rather than misplaced;
A bag, wallet, compartment, or motorcycle was forcibly taken;
You suspect identity or document misuse;
Someone is attempting to sell or encumber the motorcycle;
The documents disappeared during a break-in;
A criminal complaint or insurance claim may follow; or
The LTO or financing institution requests it because of the circumstances.

Make the police report promptly and give a factual account. The affidavit and police report should not contradict each other.

Evidence to preserve

Keep originals, copies, photographs, and electronic records that may establish ownership, registration, and the circumstances of the loss:

Prior OR/CR scans or photographs;
Dealer invoices and release documents;
Deed of sale;
Prior LTO transaction receipts;
Insurance records;
Financing agreements and payment records;
Messages with the seller, dealer, lender, or person who last handled the papers;
Police report or incident report;
CCTV footage or photographs connected with a theft;
Courier records if the documents were mailed;
A written timeline of when the documents were last seen and when the loss was discovered; and
Receipts and documents from the replacement transaction.

Preserve the original files rather than only screenshots. Do not edit photographs or messages in a way that obscures their source or date.

Common mistakes to avoid

Declaring a document lost when another person holds it

Check with the bank, financing company, dealer, prior owner, family member, mechanic, insurer, or office that last handled the papers.

Using inaccurate motorcycle details

Compare engine and chassis numbers against reliable records and the motorcycle itself. Do not guess unreadable characters.

Signing for the registered owner without authority

Being the buyer, regular rider, spouse, child, or person paying the loan does not automatically make you the registered owner or authorize you to swear to the owner’s facts.

Ignoring an encumbrance

When the CR is encumbered, contact the financing institution first. The current LTO checklist assigns execution of the lost-CR affidavit to that institution.

Saying the document was not confiscated when it was

A document held by the police, LTO, court, lender, or another authority must be recovered through the correct release or compliance process.

Inventing a precise date or story

Use “on or about” or explain that the exact date is unknown. A truthful approximate account is better than a false precise one.

Treating the affidavit as permission to drive

The affidavit supports the duplicate-document application. It does not become the replacement CR or OR.

Paying a fixer

Use official LTO channels, request an official assessment, and keep every receipt. Suspicious payment requests may be reported through official LTO contact channels.

Discarding the transaction records

Retain copies of the affidavit, MVIR, assessment, official receipts, correspondence, and released duplicates. These records can be important if the original documents later reappear or are misused.

When legal or official help is urgent

Seek immediate assistance from the LTO, police, financing institution, or a Philippine lawyer when:

The motorcycle itself was stolen;
Someone is using the lost documents to sell, mortgage, or claim the motorcycle;
The engine, chassis, plate, or MV file numbers do not match;
The identifying numbers appear altered, tampered with, or unreadable;
The original was confiscated and someone is asking you to declare it lost;
The registered owner has died or cannot be found;
The seller disputes the sale or refuses to transfer ownership;
The CR shows an encumbrance that should already have been cancelled;
The financing institution denies having the CR but refuses to execute the required affidavit;
The LTO record has an alarm, adverse annotation, or ownership conflict;
You previously submitted an inaccurate affidavit;
A police, court, insurance, or administrative investigation is pending; or
A fixer or supposed official asks for an unofficial payment.

Do not submit a new affidavit intended to conceal or “correct” an earlier false statement. Obtain legal advice on the proper corrective action.

Frequently asked questions

Can one affidavit cover both the lost OR and CR?

It may truthfully state that both documents were lost. However, the current LTO checklist expressly identifies an Affidavit of Lost CR. Ask the handling office whether it requires any additional OR-specific document or separate application when both are missing.

What if only the OR was lost?

Ask the LTO to process a duplicate OR. The published fee schedule lists a ₱30 base fee for a duplicate OR. Confirm the current documentary requirements with the handling office before appearing.

Do I need to bring the motorcycle?

A duly accomplished MVIR is part of the duplicate-CR requirements, so inspection of the motorcycle should be expected. Follow the LTO office’s instructions on where and when to present it.

Can I file the entire application online?

The current LTO Citizen’s Charter describes an office-based duplicate-CR transaction involving document evaluation and an MVIR. Do not rely on an online-only filing unless the LTO officially confirms that the complete transaction is available for your case. You may use the LTMS Portal for services it officially supports, but confirm the duplicate-document process with the handling office.

Can another person process the replacement for me?

A properly authorized representative may be allowed to transact, subject to documents such as a Special Power of Attorney or Secretary’s Certificate. The affiant must still personally appear before the notary to swear to the affidavit.

What if the motorcycle is still under financing?

Contact the financing institution. Under the current LTO checklist, the financing institution must execute the Affidavit of Lost CR for an encumbered registration.

Is a photocopy of the OR/CR enough for the application?

A copy is useful evidence and may help the LTO locate the record, but it does not replace the required affidavit, MVIR, or official duplicate-processing requirements. Bring any copy you have and let the evaluator determine what else is needed.

Can I continue riding with only the affidavit of loss?

Do not treat the affidavit as a substitute for the current OR/CR. Confirm with the LTO whether it has issued any temporary or official proof acceptable for road use while the replacement is pending.

What should I do if the original OR/CR later turns up?

Do not use two versions interchangeably or give the recovered document to another person. Inform the LTO office that issued the duplicate and ask what must be surrendered, cancelled, or annotated.

Official sources

Disclaimer

This article provides general Philippine legal information and is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer who has reviewed the documents and facts of a particular case. LTO offices may require additional verification based on registration status, encumbrances, representation, ownership history, record discrepancies, or the circumstances of the loss. Confirm the current requirements with the LTO office handling the transaction, the financing institution when applicable, and the notary public. Official sources last checked 23 July 2026.