Losing important documents — whether it is your driving licence, degree certificate, property papers, or passport — can feel like a nightmare. But in Bangalore, there is a clear legal process to handle this situation. A lost document affidavit is your first step toward getting replacement documents and protecting yourself legally.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process — from filing a police complaint to drafting the affidavit, getting it notarized, and using it to obtain replacement documents in Bangalore.
Why You Need a Lost Document Affidavit
A lost document affidavit is a sworn legal declaration that a specific document has been lost or misplaced. It serves several important purposes:
- Legal protection — It protects you if someone finds and misuses your lost documents
- Replacement applications — Most government departments require this affidavit before issuing duplicate documents
- Proof of loss — Banks, universities, and employers need documented proof that the original was lost
- Insurance claims — If the lost document is linked to insurance or property, the affidavit is essential
Without this affidavit, you cannot apply for replacement documents from most government departments in Karnataka.
Documents That Commonly Get Lost (and Need Affidavits)
| Document Type | Issuing Authority | Replacement Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Licence | RTO Karnataka | Moderate — apply through Sarathi portal |
| 10th / 12th Marksheet | Board of Education | Moderate — apply to respective board |
| Degree Certificate | University | Moderate to Difficult — depends on university |
| Aadhaar Card | UIDAI | Easy — reprint online (no affidavit needed for reprint) |
| PAN Card | Income Tax Department | Easy — apply on NSDL/UTIITSL portal |
| Passport | Passport Seva Kendra | Difficult — police verification required |
| Property Documents | Sub-Registrar Office | Very Difficult — certified copies from SRO |
| Vehicle RC | RTO | Moderate — apply at RTO with affidavit |
| Birth Certificate | BBMP / Municipality | Moderate — apply at jurisdictional office |
| Marriage Certificate | Registrar of Marriages | Moderate — apply with affidavit and witnesses |
Step-by-Step Process to Create a Lost Document Affidavit
Step 1: File a Police Complaint (FIR or NCR)
The first thing to do when you lose a document is to file a police complaint. This creates an official record of the loss.
How to file online in Bangalore:
- Visit the Karnataka State Police portal: ksp.karnataka.gov.in
- Navigate to “Online Services” and select “File a Complaint”
- Select complaint type: “Lost Property / Document”
- Fill in details — your name, address, description of lost document, approximate date and place of loss
- Submit and download the acknowledgment receipt
How to file at the police station:
- Visit the nearest police station to the area where you lost the document
- Popular stations in Bangalore: HSR Layout Police Station, Whitefield Police Station, Koramangala Police Station, Electronic City Police Station
- Explain that you want to report a lost document
- Provide details: what document, when you noticed it missing, where you last had it
- Get the Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) or General Diary (GD) entry receipt
Important notes:
- For lost documents, police usually file an NCR (Non-Cognizable Report), not an FIR
- If you suspect the document was stolen, an FIR will be filed instead
- The police complaint copy is needed for the affidavit and for replacement applications
- Keep multiple photocopies of the police complaint receipt
Step 2: Draft the Lost Document Affidavit
The affidavit must contain specific information to be legally valid. Here is the structure:
Essential elements of a lost document affidavit:
- Title: “AFFIDAVIT” (centered, bold)
- Deponent details: Full name, age, address, occupation, Aadhaar number
- Declaration: State that you are making this affidavit of your own free will
- Document details: Name of the lost document, document number (if known), issuing authority, date of issue
- Circumstances of loss: When and where you lost it, when you noticed it was missing
- Police complaint reference: FIR/NCR number, date, and police station name
- Undertaking: That you will return the original if found, and that the affidavit is not being misused
- Verification: Standard legal verification clause
- Signature: Deponent’s signature
- Date and place: Bangalore, with the current date
Drafting tips:
- Be specific about the document — include document number, date of issue, and issuing authority if you remember
- If you lost multiple documents together, you can list them all in one affidavit
- Use formal legal language — avoid casual phrasing
- If you are not confident about the format, use a professional affidavit drafting service
Step 3: Get the Appropriate Stamp Paper
In Karnataka, a lost document affidavit typically requires Rs. 20 to Rs. 50 stamp paper.
| If Your Lost Document Is | Stamp Paper Value |
|---|---|
| Driving licence, ID card, marksheet | Rs. 20 |
| Degree certificate, professional licence | Rs. 20 - Rs. 50 |
| Property document, sale deed | Rs. 50 - Rs. 100 |
| Passport | Rs. 50 |
| Vehicle RC | Rs. 20 |
Where to get stamp paper in Bangalore:
- E-stamping centres (SHCIL authorized) — recommended, available in BTM Layout, Jayanagar, Whitefield, and other areas
- Stamp vendors near Shanthinagar Court Complex
- Sub-Registrar offices across Bangalore
Step 4: Print the Affidavit on Stamp Paper
You have two options:
Option A: Print directly on e-stamp paper
- Most typists near court complexes can print your affidavit content on the back of the e-stamp certificate
- Cost: Rs. 50 - Rs. 100 for typing and printing
Option B: Attach e-stamp as first page
- Print the affidavit on plain A4 paper
- Attach the e-stamp certificate as the first page
- Staple them together — the notary will seal across the pages
Step 5: Get the Affidavit Notarized
Take the affidavit to a notary public for notarization.
What happens at the notary:
- The notary verifies your identity (Aadhaar + one more photo ID)
- You sign the affidavit in front of the notary
- The notary administers an oath — you solemnly swear that the contents are true
- The notary affixes their official seal, signature, and registration number
- The notary makes an entry in their register
Notary fees for lost document affidavit: Rs. 50 - Rs. 200
Where to find notaries in Bangalore:
- Near Shanthinagar Court Complex (cheapest and fastest)
- Near Sub-Registrar offices in Jayanagar, Indiranagar, Whitefield
- Commercial areas in BTM Layout, Koramangala, HSR Layout, Electronic City
For a complete area-wise guide, see our post on where to get documents notarized in Bangalore.
Step 6: Make Photocopies of the Notarized Affidavit
After notarization, immediately make 5-6 photocopies of the affidavit. You will need copies for:
- Replacement document application
- Police station records (if requested)
- Your personal records
- Employer or university (if they request it)
- Bank (if the document was linked to a bank account)
Step 7: Apply for the Replacement Document
Now you can apply for a duplicate of the lost document. Here are the processes for common documents in Bangalore:
Duplicate Driving Licence
- Visit sarathi.parivahan.gov.in
- Select “Duplicate Driving Licence”
- Upload the notarized lost document affidavit
- Upload the police complaint copy
- Pay the fee (Rs. 200 + smart card fee Rs. 200)
- Book an RTO appointment
- Visit the RTO with originals
For the complete DL process, see our driving licence guide.
Duplicate Marksheet or Degree
- Contact the university or board office
- Submit the lost document affidavit (original)
- Submit the police complaint copy
- Submit a passport-size photograph
- Pay the duplicate certificate fee (varies: Rs. 200 - Rs. 1,000)
- Processing time: 15-45 days
Duplicate Property Documents
- Visit the Sub-Registrar office where the original was registered
- Submit the lost document affidavit
- Submit the police complaint / FIR copy
- Apply for a certified copy of the registered document
- Pay the certified copy fee
- Processing time: 7-30 days
Duplicate Vehicle RC
- Visit parivahan.gov.in
- Select “Duplicate RC”
- Upload affidavit and police complaint
- Pay the fee (Rs. 300 + smart card fee)
- Visit the RTO with originals
Total Cost of Lost Document Affidavit in Bangalore
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Police complaint filing | Free |
| E-stamp paper (Rs. 20) | Rs. 45 - 55 |
| Typing charges | Rs. 50 - 100 |
| Notary fee | Rs. 50 - 200 |
| Photocopies | Rs. 20 - 30 |
| Total | Rs. 165 - 385 |
This does not include the cost of applying for the replacement document, which varies by document type.
Timeline for the Entire Process
| Step | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Filing police complaint | Same day (30 min - 2 hours) |
| Getting stamp paper | Same day (30 min) |
| Drafting the affidavit | Same day or next day |
| Notarization | Same day (30 min - 1 hour at the notary) |
| Replacement application | 1-2 days after affidavit |
| Receiving replacement document | 7-45 days (depends on document type) |
Total time for the affidavit: Can be completed in 1-2 days if you move fast.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Not filing a police complaint first — Many people skip this step and go straight to the affidavit. Most replacement applications require both the affidavit AND the police complaint.
-
Incorrect document details in the affidavit — If you mention the wrong document number or issuing authority, the replacement application may be rejected. Double-check all details.
-
Using wrong stamp paper value — A Rs. 20 stamp paper works for most lost document affidavits, but property document affidavits may need higher value.
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Signing before reaching the notary — The notary must witness your signature. Do not sign the affidavit at home.
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Not mentioning all lost documents — If you lost multiple documents together (e.g., wallet with DL, PAN card, and debit card), list all of them in one affidavit. This saves time and money.
-
Delaying the process — The sooner you file the police complaint and create the affidavit, the better your legal protection if someone misuses the lost document.
What If Your Lost Document Was Stolen?
If you believe the document was stolen (not just misplaced), the process is slightly different:
- File an FIR (First Information Report) instead of an NCR — this is a cognizable offence
- Mention in the affidavit that the document was stolen, not lost
- The police may investigate the theft
- For stolen passports, immediately inform the Regional Passport Office in Bangalore
- For stolen bank-related documents, inform the bank immediately and block any linked accounts
How Sevantay Can Help
Losing documents is stressful enough without having to navigate police stations, stamp paper vendors, and notary offices across Bangalore. Especially if you lost your documents in Whitefield but the nearest court complex notary is in Shanthinagar — that is half a day gone.
Sevantay handles the complete lost document affidavit process for you:
- We guide you through the police complaint filing (online or at the nearest station in your area)
- We draft the affidavit in the correct legal format for your specific document type
- We procure the right stamp paper and get it notarized by a verified notary
- We deliver the completed affidavit to you — ready for your replacement application
- We can also help with the replacement document application for DL, marksheets, and other documents
Get this done in 2-5 days. No upfront charges — pay after work is completed.
Lost a document and need help fast?
- Call us: +91-9986914198
- WhatsApp: Message us on WhatsApp
- Or get started with our affidavit service right away.
Available across all Bangalore areas — BTM Layout, Whitefield, Electronic City, Koramangala, Jayanagar, HSR Layout, Indiranagar, Marathahalli, Hebbal, Yelahanka, and more.