Losing your Philippine driver’s license is stressful, especially if you need to drive, renew, or prove your identity soon. For most LTO replacement transactions, the key first document is a notarized Affidavit of Loss: a sworn written statement explaining what was lost, how it was lost, and why you are asking the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to issue a duplicate or replacement license. This guide explains what the affidavit should contain, how notarization works in the Philippines, what to bring to the notary, what the LTO usually requires next, and what to do if you are abroad or your license was stolen.

What Is an Affidavit of Loss for a Driver’s License?

An Affidavit of Loss is a written statement made under oath. For a lost driver’s license, it tells the LTO that:

You are the holder of a Philippine driver’s license.
The license was lost, misplaced, stolen, destroyed, or is now beyond recovery.
You made efforts to find it.
It has not been confiscated, suspended, revoked, or surrendered because of a violation.
You are executing the affidavit to support your application for a duplicate or replacement license.

The affidavit becomes stronger legally once it is notarized because notarization is not just a stamp. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that notarization converts a private document into a public document and gives it evidentiary weight on its face. (Supreme Court E-Library)

For LTO purposes, this matters because the agency needs a sworn document before replacing a lost government-issued license. The LTO Citizen’s Charter materials specifically refer to the original Affidavit of Loss for lost driver’s license transactions, while the IRR of Republic Act No. 10930 states that a lost, stolen, or mutilated driver’s license must be applied for replacement. (LTO)

Legal Basis: Why the LTO Requires a Notarized Affidavit

The legal foundation comes from three main sources: the LTO’s authority over driver’s licenses, the Supreme Court’s rules on notarization, and criminal laws on truthful sworn statements.

LTO authority over licenses

Republic Act No. 4136, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, gives the land transportation authorities power to regulate driver licensing and replacement of lost licenses, permits, certificates, badges, and plates. It also states that a valid and effective driver’s license authorizes the holder to operate the motor vehicles described in the license. (Lawphil)

Republic Act No. 10930, enacted in 2017, amended the driver’s license validity rules. Except for student permits, driver’s licenses are generally valid for five years unless sooner revoked or suspended; qualified professional and non-professional license holders without traffic violations during the relevant period may be entitled to a ten-year renewal, subject to LTO restrictions. (Lawphil)

The important point is this: an Affidavit of Loss does not create a new license by itself. It is only the sworn supporting document that helps the LTO process the duplicate or replacement.

Notarial rules in the Philippines

The controlling rules are the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, issued by the Supreme Court in A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC. For an affidavit, the usual notarial act is a jurat, meaning you personally appear before the notary, sign the document in the notary’s presence, and swear or affirm that the contents are true.

A notary public must identify you through competent evidence of identity, generally at least one current official identification document bearing your photograph and signature, or through credible witnesses under the rules.

The notary also cannot notarize if you are not personally present, if you cannot be properly identified, if the document is blank or incomplete, or if the notary has reason to believe the transaction is unlawful or that you are not acting freely.

False statements can lead to perjury

Because an affidavit is made under oath, do not say your license was lost if it was actually confiscated by the LTO, MMDA, PNP, HPG, LGU traffic office, or another deputized enforcer. Under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 11594, a person who knowingly makes an untruthful statement in an affidavit on a material matter before an officer authorized to administer oaths may be liable for perjury. (Lawphil)

The Supreme Court has described the elements of perjury as including a sworn statement or affidavit on a material matter, made before a competent officer, containing a willful and deliberate falsehood, where the statement is required by law or made for a legal purpose. (Supreme Court E-Library)

What Your Affidavit of Loss Should Contain

A good Affidavit of Loss for a driver’s license should be specific enough for the LTO evaluator to understand what happened, but simple enough to avoid unnecessary inconsistencies.

Include the following details:

Information	What to Write
Your personal details	Full name, age, civil status, nationality, and complete address
License type	Student permit, non-professional driver’s license, professional driver’s license, or conductor’s license
License number	Include it if you know it or can retrieve it from LTMS, an old photocopy, OR, email, or photo
Date and place issued	If known; otherwise say you cannot recall the exact date
Circumstances of loss	Where, when, and how you discovered the license was missing
Efforts to locate it	Example: searched your wallet, bag, vehicle, home, office, or reported the theft
Non-confiscation statement	State that it was not confiscated, surrendered, suspended, or revoked due to any violation, if true
Purpose	To support your application for duplicate or replacement driver’s license with the LTO

Sample wording for the key facts

You do not need complicated legal language. A simple statement like this is usually enough:

I am the holder of a Philippine Non-Professional Driver’s License bearing License No. __________. Sometime on or about __________ at __________, I discovered that my driver’s license was missing from my wallet. Despite diligent efforts to locate the same, it could no longer be found and is now beyond recovery. The said license was not confiscated, surrendered, suspended, or revoked due to any traffic violation. I am executing this Affidavit of Loss to attest to the truth of the foregoing and to support my application for a duplicate or replacement driver’s license with the Land Transportation Office.

Adjust the facts to your actual situation. If your wallet was stolen, say so. If you lost the card while commuting, say that. If you lost a temporary paper license or official receipt serving as temporary license, describe the exact document.

How to Notarize the Affidavit of Loss in the Philippines

Step 1: Prepare a complete draft

Before going to the notary, prepare a complete unsigned affidavit. Many notarial offices near LTO branches have templates, but you should still check that the facts are accurate.

Do not sign the affidavit before the notary tells you to sign. For a jurat, the notary should see you sign and should administer the oath or affirmation.

Step 2: Bring valid identification

Bring at least one current government-issued ID with your photo and signature. In practice, bring two IDs if you have them because some notarial offices are stricter, especially when your driver’s license itself is the lost ID.

Commonly accepted IDs include:

Philippine passport
PhilID or ePhilID, if accepted by the office
UMID or SSS ID
GSIS ID
PRC ID
Voter’s ID or voter certification
Postal ID, if still valid
ACR I-Card for foreigners
Company or government office ID, when accepted by the notary

Under the Notarial Rules, competent evidence of identity generally means a current official ID bearing the person’s photograph and signature.

Step 3: Personally appear before the notary public

You must appear in person. Sending someone else with your affidavit is not proper notarization. A notary public is prohibited from notarizing if the signatory is not personally present at the time of notarization.

The notary will usually:

Review the affidavit for completeness.
Ask for your valid ID.
Compare your identity details with the document.
Ask you to sign in the notary’s presence.
Administer the oath.
Enter the notarization in the notarial register.
Affix the notarial certificate, signature, seal, and notarial details.

Step 4: Check the notarized document before leaving

Before you leave, check that the affidavit has:

Your correct full name.
Correct license type and license number, if known.
Correct date and place of notarization.
The notary’s signature.
The notarial seal.
Doc. No., Page No., Book No., and Series No.
The notary’s commission details and PTR/IBP information, where indicated.

A notarized document with missing notarial details may be questioned by the LTO or another receiving office. The Notarial Rules also prohibit a notary from affixing an official signature or seal on an incomplete notarial certificate.

What to Bring to the Notary

Requirement	Practical Notes
Unsigned Affidavit of Loss	Bring a printed copy; some notarial offices can draft one for a fee
Valid government-issued ID	Bring at least one with photo and signature; two is safer
License details	License number, expiration date, license type, or LTMS screenshot for reference
Police blotter, if stolen	Not always required for simple loss, but useful if wallet theft or robbery occurred
Cash for notarial fee	Fees vary by location and office; ask before proceeding
Photocopies	Some notaries keep ID copies for their records

In 2025, the Supreme Court amended parts of the Notarial Rules to support digitized duplicate originals and records, and it expressly prohibited notaries from collecting a separate fee for digitization, transmittal, storage, disposal, or similar processing of notarized instruments.

After Notarization: How to Use the Affidavit at the LTO

Once the affidavit is notarized, you can use it to support your application for a duplicate or replacement license.

The LTO’s downloadable forms page includes the Application for Student Driver’s Permit / Driver’s License / Conductor’s License (APL), and LTO Citizen’s Charter materials identify miscellaneous license transactions such as applications for duplicate student permit, conductor’s license, and driver’s license. (LTO)

Typical steps are:

Check your LTMS account, if you have one. Confirm your license details, status, and whether you have pending transactions or violations.
Prepare the APL form or accomplish it at the LTO office.
Bring the original notarized Affidavit of Loss. LTO materials refer to the original affidavit in lost license situations. (LTO)
Go to an LTO office that processes licensing transactions. Not all small offices handle every license transaction, so check the branch before lining up.
Submit your documents for evaluation.
Pay the required fees. Fees can change and may differ depending on whether the transaction is a duplicate, renewal, revision of records, or combined transaction.
Proceed to biometrics, photo, or signature capture if required.
Claim the duplicate card, official receipt, or temporary document, depending on card availability and the LTO system status.

If your license is already expired or about to expire, the LTO may treat the matter as a renewal rather than a simple duplicate replacement. This can require additional steps such as medical certificate transmission from an LTO-accredited clinic, Comprehensive Driver’s Education requirements, or settlement of pending violations, depending on your record.

Common Situations and What to Do

You lost your wallet with several IDs

If your wallet contained your driver’s license, ATM cards, company ID, and other government IDs, you may execute one Affidavit of Loss listing all lost items. For LTO purposes, make sure the driver’s license is clearly identified.

Some agencies require the original notarized affidavit, so consider preparing several notarized originals if you will replace multiple IDs. Do not rely on photocopies unless the receiving office accepts them.

Your driver’s license was stolen

If theft, robbery, or snatching was involved, secure a police blotter or incident report from the police station with jurisdiction over the place of incident. The LTO may still require the notarized Affidavit of Loss, but a police report helps establish that the loss was not merely careless misplacement and may protect you if someone later misuses your ID.

Your license was confiscated by an enforcer

Do not file an Affidavit of Loss. A confiscated license is not lost. Check the citation ticket, temporary operator’s permit, or violation record and settle the violation through the proper office. Falsely stating that a confiscated license was lost can expose you to perjury or administrative problems.

You have an e-driver’s license in LTMS

The LTMS portal includes digital license functionality, and LTO public notices in 2026 stated that an e-driver’s license from LTMS may be presented during traffic inspections or violations, with the official digital version accessed through the driver’s LTMS account rather than a mere screenshot or photocopy. (LTMS Online Portal)

Still, if your physical card is lost, you should process the replacement if you need the card for private transactions, identification, employment, travel-related requirements, or offices that still ask for a physical ID.

You are a Filipino abroad

If you are abroad and need an affidavit for use in the Philippines, you generally have two practical options:

Option	How It Works	When Useful
Philippine Embassy or Consulate notarization	You sign before a consular officer; personal appearance is required	Often preferred for documents to be used in the Philippines
Foreign notary plus apostille	You sign before a local notary, then secure an apostille from the competent authority in that country	Useful where consular notarization is inconvenient or unavailable

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. explains that private documents such as affidavits for use in the Philippines may be notarized by the Embassy if the signatories personally appear, and also describes apostille as an alternative where applicable. (Philippine Embassy)

If you need a representative in the Philippines to handle related LTO transactions, ask the LTO office in advance whether it will accept a representative and what form of authorization, ID copies, passport pages, or special power of attorney it requires.

You are a foreigner with a Philippine driver’s license

Foreigners who hold Philippine driver’s licenses follow the same basic Affidavit of Loss process, but the ID presented to the notary may be different. Bring your passport, ACR I-Card if applicable, and any other government-issued ID with photo and signature.

If the affidavit is executed abroad, use consular notarization or apostille, depending on the country and the receiving LTO office’s requirements. DFA’s Apostille Appointment System accepts applications by the document owner or an authorized representative and notes special handling for certain certifications issued by Philippine Embassies or Consulates abroad. (DFA Appointment System)

Common Mistakes That Delay LTO Replacement

Avoid these problems:

Signing the affidavit before going to the notary. For a jurat, sign before the notary.
Using vague facts. “I lost my license somewhere” is weaker than giving an approximate date, place, and circumstances.
Forgetting the non-confiscation statement. This is important because LTO needs to know the license was not taken due to a violation.
Using an expired or unclear ID. Bring a current ID with photo and signature.
Submitting only a photocopy. LTO commonly requires the original notarized affidavit for lost license transactions.
Going to the wrong LTO office. Some offices have limited licensing services or appointment systems.
Not checking pending violations. Unsettled violations or alarms can delay release.
Assuming duplicate means renewed. A duplicate usually replaces the lost license and follows the existing license record; renewal is a separate transaction.
Using a fake notarization. A suspicious notarial stamp, missing notarial register details, or notarization without personal appearance can cause rejection and legal issues.

Estimated Timeline

Step	Usual Time
Drafting the affidavit	10–30 minutes if details are ready
Notarization	15–45 minutes, depending on queue
LTO evaluation and payment	30 minutes to several hours
Release of duplicate license or temporary document	Same day in many offices, but may vary depending on system status and card availability

Timelines are affected by LTO system downtime, card supply, branch workload, missing documents, unresolved violations, or mismatched LTMS records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Affidavit of Loss required for a lost driver’s license in the Philippines?

Yes. For a lost driver’s license, LTO materials refer to the original Affidavit of Loss as a requirement, and the IRR of RA 10930 states that lost, stolen, or mutilated driver’s licenses must be applied for replacement. (LTO)

Does the Affidavit of Loss need to be notarized?

Yes, in practice, the LTO expects a notarized affidavit. Notarization confirms that you personally appeared before the notary, were identified, signed the affidavit, and swore to the truth of its contents under the Notarial Rules.

Can I notarize an Affidavit of Loss online?

Ordinary Philippine notarization still requires personal appearance before the notary, unless a specific authorized remote notarization framework applies. For routine LTO affidavits, expect to appear personally before a commissioned notary public or, if abroad, before a Philippine consular officer or a foreign notary followed by apostille where appropriate.

What ID can I use if my driver’s license was my only ID?

Bring any other official ID with photo and signature, such as a passport, PhilID, UMID, SSS ID, GSIS ID, PRC ID, voter certification, or ACR I-Card. If you truly have no acceptable ID, ask the notarial office whether identification through credible witnesses under the Notarial Rules is possible.

Do I need a police report for a lost driver’s license?

For ordinary misplacement, a police report is usually not the main requirement. For theft, robbery, snatching, or suspected misuse, a police blotter is strongly recommended and may be requested by some offices.

Can I drive after losing my physical license?

You should make sure you can present valid proof of your license if stopped. The LTO has recognized the official e-driver’s license accessible through LTMS for traffic inspections, but screenshots or photocopies may not be accepted. Processing the physical replacement remains the safer course, especially for private and government transactions. (GMA Network)

What if I later find my lost driver’s license?

Do not use two licenses interchangeably. Once the LTO issues a duplicate or replacement, keep your records consistent and ask the LTO how to handle or surrender the recovered old card if necessary.

Can someone else process my duplicate license for me?

Some LTO-related transactions may allow representatives with proper authorization, IDs, and supporting documents, but licensing transactions often involve identity verification, biometrics, photo, or signature capture. Check the specific LTO office before sending a representative.

Is an Affidavit of Loss the same as a renewal?

No. An Affidavit of Loss supports replacement of a lost license. Renewal extends or updates an expiring or expired license and may require additional requirements such as medical certificate transmission, CDE compliance, or settlement of violations.

What happens if I lie in the Affidavit of Loss?

A false sworn statement on a material matter may expose you to perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by RA 11594. It can also cause LTO rejection, revocation issues, or further investigation if the license was actually confiscated, suspended, or involved in a pending violation. (Lawphil)

Key Takeaways

A lost Philippine driver’s license is usually replaced through the LTO using an original notarized Affidavit of Loss.
The affidavit should clearly state your license details, how it was lost, your efforts to find it, and that it was not confiscated, suspended, revoked, or surrendered due to a violation.
For proper notarization, you must personally appear before the notary, present competent identification, sign in the notary’s presence, and swear to the truth of the affidavit.
Do not use an Affidavit of Loss if your license was actually confiscated by an enforcer; settle the violation through the proper office.
If you are abroad, use Philippine consular notarization or a foreign notarization with apostille, depending on the country and the LTO office’s requirements.
The affidavit does not replace the license by itself; it is only the supporting sworn document for the LTO duplicate or replacement process.