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An Affidavit of Loss is a sworn legal statement that helps you deal with lost or destroyed important documents in New Zealand. When you've misplaced items like share certificates, property titles, or valuable contracts, this affidavit formally declares the loss and explains what happened.

Under NZ law, banks, companies, and government agencies accept these affidavits as part of replacing missing documents. You'll need to sign it in front of a Justice of the Peace or solicitor, describing the lost item in detail and confirming you've made reasonable efforts to find it. This protection helps prevent fraud while giving you a path to replace essential paperwork.

You need an Affidavit of Loss when important documents go missing and you need official replacements. Common situations include lost share certificates, property titles, insurance policies, or valuable contracts. Banks and government agencies in New Zealand require this sworn statement before issuing replacements to protect against fraud.

File your affidavit quickly after discovering the loss - this helps establish credibility and speeds up the replacement process. Time matters especially for negotiable instruments like promissory notes or when dealing with time-sensitive business transactions. The affidavit also provides legal protection if the original document surfaces later and someone tries to misuse it.

• Standard Property Document Loss: Used for missing property titles, deeds, or mortgage papers - requires detailed property identification and ownership proof
• Financial Instrument Loss: Specialized for lost shares, bonds, or banking documents - includes specific security measures and bank requirements
• Personal Document Loss: Covers missing identification papers, certificates, or licenses - focuses on personal details and circumstances of loss
• Business Document Loss: Tailored for corporate papers, contracts, or company records - includes business registration details and director authorization
• Insurance Policy Loss: Specific to missing insurance documentation - requires policy numbers and claim history details

• Individual Document Holders: People who have lost important personal papers like titles, certificates, or contracts and need official replacements
• Business Owners: Companies needing to replace lost corporate documents, share certificates, or business licenses
• Legal Professionals: Lawyers and Justice of the Peace officers who verify and witness the affidavit signing
• Government Agencies: Departments that accept and process these affidavits for replacement document requests
• Financial Institutions: Banks and investment firms that require these affidavits before replacing lost financial instruments

• Document Details: Gather exact information about the lost item including reference numbers, dates, and descriptions
• Loss Circumstances: Document when and how the loss occurred, plus steps taken to locate the item
• Personal Information: Collect full legal name, address, and contact details of the person making the declaration
• Supporting Evidence: Compile any relevant proof of ownership, original purchase records, or related correspondence
• Witness Arrangements: Schedule an appointment with a Justice of the Peace or solicitor for signing and verification
• Digital Backup: Keep copies of all related documents and correspondence for your records

• Declaration Statement: Clear statement that this is a sworn affidavit, made under oath and penalty of perjury
• Personal Details: Full legal name, address, and occupation of the person making the declaration
• Property Description: Detailed description of the lost item, including identifying numbers or features
• Loss Details: Specific circumstances of the loss, including date, location, and search efforts made
• Legal Undertaking: Promise to return or destroy any replacement if the original is found
• Witness Section: Space for Justice of the Peace or solicitor signature, stamp, and registration details

While an Affidavit of Loss specifically deals with documenting lost items for replacement purposes, an Affidavit serves as a broader sworn statement that can cover any factual declaration under oath. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right document for your situation.

• Purpose and Scope: Affidavit of Loss focuses solely on declaring lost items and seeking replacements, while a general Affidavit can cover any truthful statement for legal purposes
• Required Content: Affidavit of Loss must detail the lost item and circumstances of loss, whereas general Affidavits can contain any relevant facts or statements
• Legal Application: Affidavit of Loss is specifically used with institutions for document replacement, while general Affidavits serve as evidence in various legal proceedings
• Supporting Documentation: Affidavit of Loss often requires proof of ownership or identity, while general Affidavits may need different supporting evidence based on their purpose