Affidavit of Lost Document
The paperwork is gone and the other side won't move without it. A sworn statement about how it was lost is usually what unlocks the replacement.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a non-attorney document preparation service and cannot provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Read full disclaimer
Quick Answer
An affidavit of lost document is a sworn statement describing a document that has been lost, stolen, or destroyed — what it was, who held it, when it went missing, what search was made, and that it has not been transferred, pledged, or sold to anyone else. It is commonly required before an institution issues a replacement: a lost vehicle title, a lost promissory note, a lost stock or savings certificate, a lost check, or a missing recorded instrument. Most institutions pair the affidavit with their own replacement application, and some require an indemnity agreement as well. For a lost Michigan vehicle title specifically, the Secretary of State has its own duplicate title application process. Clear Path prepares the affidavit and the replacement paperwork together. We review the matter first, then send a written quote — nothing is purchased online.
Who qualifies for this service?
This document preparation service is a fit for Michigan residents who match the criteria below. If your situation is different, contact us and we'll tell you whether we can help or whether you should speak with an attorney.
- Vehicle, boat, and trailer owners whose title is missing
- Lenders and private note holders who lost the original promissory note
- Shareholders with a missing stock or savings certificate
- Payees of a lost or destroyed check
- Property owners whose original recorded document cannot be located
- Estates unable to find a decedent's original paperwork
- Anyone whose institution asked for a lost-instrument affidavit before issuing a replacement
How the process works
Clear, predictable steps from intake to court-ready paperwork.
Tell us what's missing
The document, its identifying numbers, who issued it, and how it was lost.
We review
We confirm whether the issuer has a required form and whether a duplicate application is also needed.
Written quote
Flat preparation fee. Agency or issuer fees are separate. Nothing is purchased online.
Drafting
We prepare the affidavit with full identifying details, the loss circumstances, and the no-transfer statement.
Notarized signing
Sign before our notary with valid photo ID, in office or by mobile appointment.
Submission packet
You leave with the affidavit, the replacement application, and a checklist of where each goes.
Paperwork we organize for you
Document preparation only. We do not represent you in court.
Documents and information you'll need
- Valid, unexpired photo ID for the signer
- Any copy, photo, or record of the missing document
- Identifying numbers — VIN, hull number, certificate number, account or note number
- Name of the issuer or institution
- Approximate date the document was last seen and how it was lost
- The issuer's written requirement or replacement form, if provided
- Police report number, if the document was stolen
Common mistakes to avoid
Small errors can cost you weeks. Here's what we see most often.
- Describing the loss vaguely. Institutions want the date, circumstances, and search made.
- Not stating that the document was never sold, pledged, or assigned — the clause they care most about.
- Missing identifying details such as the VIN, certificate number, or note date and amount.
- Signing an indemnity agreement without reading what it commits you to.
- Using an affidavit when the institution has its own mandatory form.
- Preparing an affidavit for a lost Michigan vehicle title without the matching duplicate title application.
Local Michigan considerations
For a lost Michigan vehicle title, the Secretary of State's duplicate title application is the primary route, and the owner of record generally must be the one to apply. Where the vehicle was purchased and the title never delivered, a different path may apply — our no-title vehicle page covers that situation. For lost recorded real property documents, the county register of deeds may already hold a certified copy, which is often faster and cheaper than any affidavit. Banks, transfer agents, and lenders each set their own requirements and may also require an indemnity bond or agreement, which is their decision, not ours.
Key Terms
- Lost instrument affidavit
- A sworn statement describing a missing document and confirming it was not transferred to anyone else.
- Indemnity agreement
- A promise to reimburse the issuer if the original document reappears and causes a loss.
- Duplicate title
- A replacement certificate of title issued by the Secretary of State when the original is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
- Certified copy
- An official copy of a recorded document issued by the office that holds the record.
People Also Ask
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Ready to get your paperwork started?
Start the guided intake, or call or text us — we review every matter before quoting a price, and nothing is purchased online.