Affidavit of Support for Overseas Travel: Philippine Legal Guide

1. What Is an Affidavit of Support?

An Affidavit of Support (AOS) is a sworn, written declaration in which a sponsor (usually a relative, employer, or host) undertakes to shoulder—wholly or partially—the travel, lodging, living, medical, and, when applicable, repatriation expenses of a Filipino traveler abroad. It is executed under oath before a duly authorized notary public in the Philippines or a Philippine consular officer abroad and carries the weight of evidence under Rule 132 of the Rules of Court.

2. When Is It Required?

Typical scenario	Common requesting authority*	Why it is asked
Visa applications (e.g., UAE, Schengen, U.S. tourist)	Foreign embassies / VFS centres	Proof of financial capability and non-immigrant intent
Departure formalities at the Bureau of Immigration (BI)	BI immigration officers (per Operations Order SBM-2015-025, amended 2021)	To establish that the traveler will not become a public charge or victim of trafficking
Minor children traveling without both parents	BI & the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)	Complements or substitutes the DSWD Travel Clearance where a parent abroad guarantees support
Family-reunification visits, medical escort travel, religious pilgrimages	Foreign posts or BI	Verification of sponsor’s genuine relationship and resources

*Authorities reserve discretion; always verify current requirements before travel.

3. Governing Legal Framework

Commonwealth Act 613 (Philippine Immigration Act), §3 and §36 – basis for examining travelers’ admissibility and supporting documents.
Republic Act 9239 (Notarial Law) and the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice – authentication of sworn statements in the Philippines.
RA 9208, as amended by RA 10364 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act) – empowers the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to require documents, such as an AOS, to thwart trafficking.
Family Code of the Philippines, Arts. 209–225 – parental authority and obligations that give context to affidavits for minors.

4. Where—and How—to Obtain One

If the sponsor is…	Where to execute & notarize	Additional steps
Residing in the Philippines	Any Philippine notary public with a current Commission. Bring the unsigned affidavit, valid government ID, and proof of income (e.g., latest ITR, certificate of employment).	Have the notarial seal affixed; then proceed to DFA Office of Consular Affairs (Aseana) or a DFA Regional Consular Office for apostille authentication if the document will be used abroad (Sec. 12, DFA Department Circular CFO-2019-011).
Residing or working abroad	Philippine Embassy/Consulate with notarial jurisdiction over the host country. The sponsor appears, signs before the Consul, and pays consular/“notarial & authentication” fees.	The affidavit is issued with a red-ribbon or apostille equivalent (“Acknowledgment” or “Jurat”). No further DFA authentication is required because the consular seal itself is already recognized under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
Temporarily in a third country where no Philippine post exists	Notary public of that country plus authentication by its foreign ministry, then send to the nearest Philippine Embassy for authentication or certification.	Upon arrival in the Philippines, submit to the DFA for apostille if still required by the destination state.

Tip: Many embassies (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia) accept only affidavits executed inside the Philippines and subsequently apostilled; always check the checklist of the specific foreign mission.

4.1 Drafting Essentials

Complete sponsor details – full name, nationality, passport number, address, and relation to the traveler.
Clear undertaking – specify items to be covered: airfare, accommodation, daily subsistence, medical insurance, emergency repatriation.
Traveler’s particulars – name, birthday, passport number, and travel purpose.
Duration & itinerary – inclusive dates and countries to be visited.
Supporting exhibits – attach proof of financial capacity (bank certificate, payslips, property title) and proof of relationship (birth or marriage certificate).
Attestation clause & jurat – include a clause that statements were read and understood; sign in front of the notary/consul with ID presentation.

5. Validity Period

Visa filing: Most foreign missions accept an AOS executed within six (6) months before the application date.
BI departure screening: Immigration Operations Order SBM-2015-025 does not impose an explicit expiry, but officers commonly rely on affidavits issued within one (1) year.
Minors’ travel: The DSWD Travel Clearance is valid for up to two (2) years; the accompanying AOS/parental consent should bear a date not older than one (1) year to avoid queries.

6. Fees (Typical 2025 Schedule)

Service	Metro Manila average	Remarks
Private notarial acknowledgment	₱500 – ₱1,000	Varies by location; provincial rates slightly lower
DFA apostille (regular)	₱200 per document	2–3 working days
DFA apostille (express)	₱400 per document	Next-day release
Consular notarization abroad	US$25 – US$35	Payable in local currency; rates fixed by DFA’s Foreign Service Circular

7. Common Pitfalls

Unsigned or pre-signed affidavits – void for want of personal appearance.
Un-apostilled documents – foreign posts may reject a notarized affidavit without DFA authentication.
Mismatch of sponsor income vs. undertaking – may be questioned when the sponsor’s declared salary is obviously insufficient.
Expired IDs or passports – invalidates the notarial act.
Failure to bring originals at BI departure – scanned copies are acceptable only if authenticated; originals are safer.

8. Liability and Penalties

Perjury (Art. 183, Revised Penal Code): imprisonment of up to six (6) years if the affidavit is found false.
Falsification (Art. 171): imprisonment up to twelve (12) years for forged notarizations or fabricated IDs.
Administrative sanctions: notary publics and consular officers risk suspension or criminal action for improper notarization (Sec. 1, Rule XI, 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice).

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1: Does an Affidavit of Support replace a bank certificate for visa purposes? A: No. It complements but does not substitute proof of the traveler’s own economic ties unless the embassy expressly allows sponsorship in lieu of personal funds.

Q 2: I executed the affidavit abroad. Do I still need the DFA apostille? A: Not if the Philippine embassy/consulate notarized it. Its consular seal already confers extraterritorial authenticity.

Q 3: Can I use a generic form downloaded online? A: A template is a good starting point, but it must be tailored to the particular embassy/BI checklist, your relationship, and the exact travel dates. Boilerplate wording may be rejected.

Q 4: Is the affidavit enough to prevent off-loading? A: No single document guarantees boarding. BI officers assess the totality of evidence—valid visa, financial capacity, clear purpose, and absence of trafficking red flags.

Q 5: What if my sponsor is a permanent resident abroad but not yet a citizen? A: The affidavit is still valid. Attach the sponsor’s resident ID, visa, or Green Card to prove lawful status and ability to host you.

10. Key Takeaways

Execute before the right official—a Philippine notary if you’re in the Philippines, a consular officer if you’re abroad.
Authenticate early—DFA apostille (or the consular seal) boosts universal acceptance.
Match promises with proof—income or savings to cover the pledged support.
Present originals at ports of exit and entry—immigration scrutinizes authenticity.
Stay updated—embassy checklists and BI issuances evolve; verify requirements a few weeks before departure.

With diligent preparation and proper notarization, an Affidavit of Support becomes a persuasive piece of documentary evidence that eases visa approval and exit formalities—ensuring that your overseas journey starts, and ends, on solid legal footing.