Affidavit of Support (“AoS”) in the Philippines – Everything you need to know, including the emerging online process

1. What an Affidavit of Support is

An Affidavit of Support (sometimes styled Affidavit of Support & Guarantee or Affidavit of Support and Consent) is a sworn, written declaration by a person (“sponsor”) stating that he or she is financially capable and willing to support another person (“beneficiary”) during a defined stay or undertaking, and to assume resulting liabilities (e.g., repatriation costs).
It is not a contract, but because it is executed under oath it becomes an evidentiary document; a false statement exposes the affiant to criminal prosecution for perjury (Art. 183, Revised Penal Code) and—in consular settings—possible refusal of future services.

2. Core legal bases

Instrument	Key provisions that touch on the AoS concept
Civil Code, Art. 1306 & 1159–1160	Parties may create obligations provided they are not contrary to law; an AoS creates a civil obligation of support.
Rules on Notarial Practice 2020 (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, as amended)	Governs notarisation of affidavits in the Philippines.
A.M. No. 22-06-16-SC (Rules on Remote Notarization of Paper Documents)	Authorises Philippine notaries to notarise via live video conference—basis for purely online AoS executed inside Philippine territory.
Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (RA 8792) & Supreme Court Rules on Electronic Evidence	Recognise electronic signatures and electronic documents, giving legal force to an e-notarised AoS.
Philippine Foreign Service Circular No. 036-12 & succeeding circulars	Outline the consular AoS template and fee schedule when executed abroad.
Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Revised Departure Formalities Guidelines (2023)	Lists an AoS as an accepted proof of accommodation and financial capacity when a Filipino traveller is sponsored by a relative abroad.

3. Major situations where an AoS is required or advisable

Minor child travelling without both parents
AoS & Consent combines (a) parental permission and (b) undertaking of the sponsor abroad to provide support and to ensure the minor’s safe return.
Adult Filipino sponsored by a relative or employer abroad (airport/immigration)
Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers frequently ask for an AoS if the traveller’s trip is being financed externally.
Foreign-visa applications filed in Manila
Several embassies (e.g., Italy family visit, Spain tourist with host, UAE sponsorship) include a Philippine-notarised AoS among accepted proofs of maintenance.
Foreign nationals applying for certain Philippine resident visas
The 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (spouse of a Filipino) and Special Resident Retiree’s Visa allow an AoS from the Filipino spouse/child acting as “guarantor.”
Employment-related deployments (e.g., company shouldering training overseas).

4. Who may act as sponsor

Requirement	Inside PH	Outside PH
Legal capacity	Must be at least 18, with government-issued ID.	Same, plus usually must be (a) Filipino citizen, or (b) permanent resident/citizen of the host country with proof of status.
Financial ability	Proof such as bank certificate, payslips, ITR, or employment contract.	Same. Consulates commonly want original or certified true copies.

A corporate entity may execute an AoS through its authorised officer, attaching a Secretary’s Certificate and company proofs of funds.

5. Minimum contents of a valid AoS

Affiant’s full name, marital status, address, passport/ID number
Beneficiary’s full name, relationship, passport/ID, purpose and duration of travel
Specific undertaking – food, lodging, medical care, travel expenses, compliance with host-country laws, repatriation if necessary.
Consent clause (if the beneficiary is a minor).
Guarantee clause – that sponsor will shoulder any cost incurred by the Philippine Government should the beneficiary overstay or need assistance.
Validity period (common practice: 6 months).
Oath / jurat stating the document was subscribed and sworn before a notary or consular officer.

6. How to obtain an AoS inside the Philippines

Step	Traditional walk-in	Fully online / remote-notarised (pilot areas)
1. Draft & ID	Prepare draft, photocopy IDs & financial proofs.	Scan documents to PDF, ensure clear resolution.
2. Choose notary	Visit any commissioned notary public.	Use a notary accredited for remote services under A.M. No. 22-06-16-SC (lists published by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines).
3. Execute & sign	Sign in front of notary; present IDs; pay ₱150–₱500.	Join scheduled video call, display IDs, perform “360° room sweep,” then e-sign or sign on printed copy and show it on camera.
4. Seal & release	Receive notarised paper with dry seal.	Receive a PDF bearing the notary’s e-signature, digital seal, and notarial register details. Printout is considered an “original.”

7. How to obtain an AoS from abroad (Consular or Embassy route)

Book an online appointment via the Embassy or Consulate General’s e-Notarials page (most posts switched to mandatory online booking after COVID-19).
Upload a pre-filled AoS template (downloadable from the post’s site) and copies of proof of income/residency.
Pay the notarial fee (standard US$25 / €27 / SG$42, depending on post).
Appear on appointment day — some posts still require physical presence; others (e.g., San Francisco, Toronto, Dubai) now allow remote oath-taking over Zoom or Webex.
Document release — (a) sealed paper for pick-up/courier, or (b) digitally signed PDF bearing a unique DocuRef number that can be validated through the DFA e-Authentication Portal.
Optional DFA Apostille — If the AoS will be used in a foreign jurisdiction that is a party to the Apostille Convention (and not before Philippine authorities), you may request apostillisation for acceptance without further legalisation.

8. Presenting the AoS to Philippine Immigration officers

Original or certified copy must be on hand at departure.
Consistency test: details in the AoS must match the passenger’s booking, intended stay, and sponsor details.
Validity: the BI informally accepts AoS issued within the last 6 months; older affidavits invite closer scrutiny.
Multiple sponsors: only one affidavit is usually sufficient if it enumerates all co-sponsors and their respective undertakings.
QR-verifiable e-notarised AoS are now recognised provided the QR code resolves to the notary’s register entry.

9. Effect, enforceability, and liabilities

Scenario	Legal consequence
Sponsor fails to support beneficiary	Civil action for specific performance or damages under the Civil Code.
Affidavit found to be false	Perjury (Art. 183, RPC); possible deportation if the affiant is a foreigner.
Using a forged notarisation	Falsification (Art. 171, RPC) + BI blacklist.
Sponsor reneges on repatriation costs	Philippine Embassy/Consulate may endorse the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Legal Affairs Office for recovery and may deny future consular notarial requests.

10. Validity period and revocation

Usual practice: 6 months; however, an AoS is inherently revocable until it is relied upon.
How to revoke: Execute a Notice of Revocation and serve it on the beneficiary and any agency that previously received the AoS (e.g., BI, Embassy). If the document has been apostilled, the revocation should undergo the same apostille chain for it to be formally recognised abroad.

11. Data-privacy and record-keeping

Notaries and consular officers must comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012; IDs and financial documents are to be stored for five years and then securely destroyed.
Remote-notarisation sessions must be recorded and retained for 10 years under the Rules on Remote Notarization.

12. Frequently-asked questions (FAQs)

Q	A
Is an AoS mandatory for all sponsored trips?	No. It is one acceptable proof of financial capacity; you may present bank statements, invitation letters, etc. BI exercises discretion.
Does an e-signature invalidate the AoS?	As long as the notary uses a digital certificate and complies with A.M. No. 22-06-16-SC, an electronically signed AoS is as valid as a wet-ink version.
Can I reuse one AoS for multiple trips?	Yes, if it states a period (“any visit between 1 Jan – 30 Jun 2026”) and remains within six months of execution.
May a foreigner act as sponsor?	Yes, provided he/she can show legal residence status and capacity to support. Some consulates require proof of relationship (marriage/birth certificate) when the sponsor is not Filipino.
What if the AoS was notarised by a U.S. notary only?	Philippine BI officers rarely accept a foreign-notarised affidavit unless it is (a) apostilled and (b) accompanied by a Filipino translation if not in English. It is safer to use the Philippine Consulate.

13. Sample skeleton (for reference only – adapt to your facts)

AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT & GUARANTEE

I, ______________________, Filipino citizen, of legal age, presently residing at __________________, after having been duly sworn, hereby depose and state:

1.  That I am the [relationship] of __________________ (“Beneficiary”), born on _________, holder of Philippine Passport No. ___________;
2.  That Beneficiary intends to visit [country] from __________ to __________ for the purpose of ___________________;
3.  That I undertake to (a) provide food, lodging, and all travel and medical expenses of the Beneficiary during said period; (b) ensure that Beneficiary will comply with all immigration laws and depart [country] on or before the permitted stay; and (c) shoulder repatriation or related costs should circumstances so require;
4.  That I am financially capable of fulfilling this undertaking as evidenced by the attached [bank certificate / payslips / contract];
5.  That this Affidavit shall be valid for six (6) months from execution unless earlier revoked in writing.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of __________ 20__, at __________.

_________________________
Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me ...

14. Practical tips and common pitfalls

Match passports exactly – even middle names and suffixes.
Attach proofs – at least one document showing the sponsor’s funds and one showing identity/residency.
Print on long bond (8½″ × 13″) for BI comfort; if remote-notarised, print the entire PDF including the digital audit page.
Courier delays – allow 7–14 days for overseas posts to return the sealed document; choose express courier if flight is near.
Always carry a photocopy; BI occasionally keeps a copy for their records.

Key take-aways

An Affidavit of Support is a sworn guarantee of financial backing; it is not a mere formality and carries real legal risk if abused.
It may now be obtained fully online inside the Philippines under the Supreme Court’s remote-notarisation rules, and many Philippine posts abroad conduct remote consular oath-takings.
BI and foreign embassies treat a properly notarised or consularised AoS as strong proof of sponsorship, but they still look at overall travel circumstances.
Always keep the document current, consistent, and verifiable to avoid airport hassles or visa denials.

This article reflects Philippine law, rules, and consular practice as of 26 April 2025. Regulations change frequently; always verify the latest fee schedules and appointment procedures with the relevant notary public, Philippine Embassy/Consulate, or the Bureau of Immigration before relying on this guide.