Lost document affidavit, filled in for you
A lost document affidavit is a sworn statement that an original document issued to you has been lost, with an undertaking to return it if found and to indemnify the issuing office. Boards, universities, banks and other offices usually ask for it, along with a police lost report, before they issue a duplicate.
Fill the form, print it on stamp paper and get it attested.
Last updated: Reviewed by IndiaDigital editorsSources
- Nothing is uploaded
- English and Hindi
- Word and PDF
Opening the form…
This is a general format to save you time, not legal advice. Read every clause, change what does not fit your situation, and for a dispute or a large amount, consult a lawyer.
What is a lost document affidavit?
This affidavit describes the lost document (marksheet, certificate, passbook, ID card, property paper or any other), its number, the issuing authority, the date and place of loss and the police report number if you have one. It declares that the document was not pledged or misused, requests a duplicate, and contains an undertaking to return the original if found and to indemnify the issuing authority.
When do you need a lost document affidavit?
- Applying for a duplicate marksheet or certificate from a school board or university.
- Getting a new bank passbook, or a fresh copy of a property paper from a society or authority.
- Replacing an employee, student or other ID card.
- Any office that asks for an "affidavit and indemnity" before issuing a duplicate.
Documents needed for a lost document affidavit
- Police lost report or e-report copy (many state police websites issue one online).
- A photocopy of the lost document, if you have one, or its number and year.
- Your identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport or voter ID).
- Non-judicial stamp paper or an e-stamp certificate of the value your state or the office requires.
- The issuing office’s duplicate application form and fee, if any.
How to make a lost document affidavit: stamp paper, signing, submitting
- Report the loss to the police (online lost article report or at the police station) and note the report number.
- Fill the form: the document, its number, the issuing authority, and when and where it was lost. The preview updates as you type.
- Print the affidavit on stamp paper of the value set by your state or required by the office, or attach an e-stamp certificate.
- Sign it before a notary, oath commissioner or magistrate.
- Submit it with the police report and the issuing office’s duplicate application, and keep copies of everything.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the police report. Most offices will not issue a duplicate without one.
- Describing the document vaguely. Give the year, roll or account number and the exact name of the issuing body.
- Using the original if it turns up after a duplicate is issued. Return it, as the affidavit promises.
- Using this for a lost property title deed without legal advice. Those often need a newspaper notice and more steps.
Questions people ask
Do I need a police report for a lost document?
Usually yes. Many offices ask for a police lost report with the affidavit. Most state police websites let you file a lost article report online and download a copy at once.
What does the indemnity clause mean?
It is your promise to make good any loss the issuing office suffers because it issued a duplicate on your word, for example if the original is misused. Some offices want a separate indemnity bond; if so, ask for their format.
What value of stamp paper is needed?
It is set by your state, and boards, banks and universities sometimes name a specific value. Check the office’s instructions or your state’s e-stamp website; we do not list rates because they differ and change.
I do not remember the document number. Can I still apply?
Yes. Leave the number blank and describe the document by its year, class or course and the issuing body. The office can usually trace it from its own records.
Is my data safe?
Yes. The form, preview, Word and PDF are all made on your device, in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, and the draft is saved only on this device until you clear it.
Sources and last check
- Affidavits: who attests them, and when a self-declaration is enough (verified 30 Oct 2026)
An affidavit is a written statement sworn before a notary, an oath commissioner or a magistrate. It is usually typed on non-judicial stamp paper whose value is set by the state (many offices accept ₹10 to ₹100 stamp paper or an e-stamp certificate). Many central and state offices accept a self-attested declaration instead of a sworn affidavit; ask the office first. A false affidavit is an offence.
India Code: Notaries Act 1952 and Oaths Act 1969 · DARPG: self-certification in place of affidavits
- Police complaints and FIRs under the BNSS 2023 (verified 30 Oct 2026)
Since 1 July 2024 FIRs are registered under section 173 of the BNSS (it replaced section 154 CrPC). Information can be given at any police station whatever the place of the offence (zero FIR), or by electronic communication, which is taken on record once the informant signs it within three days. The informant gets a free copy of the FIR. Many state police websites accept a lost article report online; that report is often enough for duplicate documents and SIM replacement.
India Code: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, section 173 · Ministry of Home Affairs: new criminal laws
IndiaDigital is independent and not affiliated with any government department.