The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and its agencies in different parts of the country also issue duplicate plate numbers in cases of loss or theft. Before they do, they require several documentary requirements along with an Affidavit of Loss to prove that the number plate is indeed lost and irretrievable despite the car owner’s best efforts.
Number plates are required fixtures that serve as a special identification of the motor vehicle (MV) unit meant to help the government trace and identify the vehicle owner easily. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without one in the Philippines, so it is the responsibility of the MV owners to ensure that their vehicle’s plate numbers are always attached and have the necessary stickers. In cases when the number plate is lost, however, the LTO gives out duplicate plates as replacement for lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated number plates. Note that this is an officially issued replacement by the LTO, and is different from temporary license plates, and it requires the submission of an Affidavit of Loss Plate.
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An Affidavit of Loss is a legal document declaring the loss of something in an official document notarized by a licensed lawyer. In the case of requests for Duplicate plates, the Affidavit of Loss Plate serves as the MV owner’s oath or sworn statement that the plate number is lost and cannot be found despite the owners best efforts, so the owner and the agency can deem it lost for good.
Because of the importance of the license plates to both the LTO and the car owner and the inevitable case of loss or theft of plate numbers, the agency has made it possible to request for duplicate plates. Requesting for replacement plates is easy though it does come with several documentary requirements, including an Affidavit of Loss that details how the plate number was lost and all the effort exerted to find it.
Securing an Affidavit of Loss in order to fulfill the requirements to apply for a duplicate plate in the Philippines can only mean getting to enjoy the same exact benefits of having a legitimate plate number prior to its loss or damage.
These benefits include:
Securing an Affidavit of Loss in order to acquire a duplicate or replacement plate number can be done by anybody who owns an LTO-registered motor vehicle or motorcycle in the Philippines, in cases of loss, theft, or damage to the original.
Though the Affidavit of Loss can be used under different circumstances related to losses of all kinds, even when the lost item is an LTO requirement, the affidavit itself is unchanging in its content, and must always contain the following information:
For Affidavit of Loss to be used at the LTO in the application for a duplicate plate, the licensee must also satisfy other documentary requirements for processing duplicate plates along with other pertinent personal information.
Securing a Notarized Affidavit of Loss, regardless of the lost item or document, always comes with the same requirements. These requirements include a community residence certificate, a proof of identity, and money for the notarial fees.
To apply for duplicate plates, you will also need the following:
If, somehow, you find yourself in need of a notarized Affidavit of Loss to secure a duplicate or replacement plate for your motor vehicle or motorcycle, then you may refer to this guide on how to secure an LTO Affidavit of Loss.
Once you have an affidavit prepared, then you may check out this guide on the procedures to process a replacement for a lost plate at the LTO.
When it comes to the fees associated with the Affidavit of Loss for duplicate plates, you have two options: First, to come prepared with an affidavit and pay for notarial services only. The price ranges from P100.00 to P400.00. The second option is for if you can’t prepare the affidavit. If you can’t, you may ask the notary public to prepare it for you but you may need to prepare to shell out around P500.00 to P800.00 depending on the notary public that you are visiting. If you qualify as an indigent, then the Public Attorney’s Office gives out a notarized Affidavit of Loss for free.
If you have no idea about how an Affidavit of Loss looks like on paper, this sample Affidavit of Loss Plate can help you write one without starting from scratch.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
CITY OF BAGUIO ) S.S.
AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS PLATE
I, _________________, of legal age, single, Filipino, and a resident of ________________________________, after having duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and say that:
1. I am the authorized driver of a vehicle which is particularly described as follows:
Model: Hyundai Grand Starex
Plate number: AEY 577
2. On or about 9:00 pm of December 9, 2022, I drove the said vehicle along Mapanueve Lake, Zambales;
3. When I arrived home at my aforementioned residence in Baguio City, I noticed that one of the plates of the said vehicle is missing;
4. I lost no time in diligently trying to locate the said plate but all efforts exerted proved futile and to no avail, and that the same is considered lost or stolen and beyond recovery;
5. I did not yet report the loss to the authorities, as I was not sure as to the circumstances of the loss of the said plate, but would report the same, if the need arises;
6. That the aforementioned plate is not confiscated by any duly constituted authority nor it was used for any illicit purposes whatsoever;
As such, I am executing this Affidavit of Loss to attest to the truth of the foregoing and for whatever legal purposes that this may serve, and specifically to seek a replacement copy thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___________________ in Baguio City, Philippines.
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this ___________________ in _________________, Philippines, affiant exhibiting to me his/her competent evidence of identity by way of __________________ issued at ______________ on __________________.
For your reference, here are some important reminders you might want to take note of:
Learn more about the fees, requirements, and procedures in the actual application for replacement of lost plates at the LTO. Watch this video from Tongbits TV.