The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in different parts of the Philippines also allow vehicle color changes so long as it isn’t being used for the commission of a crime. Before they do, they require several documentary requirements which includes an Affidavit of Change Color to prove that the color change is deliberate and only due to personal preferences and not to commit criminal activities.

As an important factor in car purchase, the color of a vehicle is something that not only the buyer, but also the automotive paint and coating companies as well as the car manufacturers invest in. Having said that, the LTO allows the car owners the privilege to change their car color as they please, though the service comes with a fee and some paperworks, which includes an Affidavit of Change Color.

What is an Affidavit of Change Color

Changing color is probably the simplest type of car or vehicle modifications available to all car owners. You simply need to go to a paint or a wrap shop and leave your car to get the change done. However, this change involves more than satisfying aesthetics and personal preference. In fact, any change in color can make your car look new and shiny, ragged, or even expensive. The car color can also affect insurance premiums, residual value, car temperature, and even risk value. That said, a paint or a wrap job takes more than just a simple whim as it also requires spending money and submitting documents. 

One of the documentary requirements for vehicle change color is the Affidavit of change color jointly executed by the owner and the painter. The Affidavit of Change Color, like any other kind of affidavit, is a legal document declaring the motor vehicle’s change in color in an official document notarized by a licensed lawyer. It also serves as the owner’s oath or sworn statement that the MV is not intended for any illegal or unlawful purpose and that the paint job is done by the painter executing the affidavit. 

Benefits of Getting an Affidavit of Change Color

Securing an Affidavit of Change Color in order to fulfill the requirements to register a vehicle that has had its color changed in the Philippines can only mean getting to enjoy the same exact benefits as being able to change color at will.

These benefits associated with securing an Affidavit of color change include: 

• Being able to legally upgrade your vehicle into one that suits your color preferences.
• Better resale value for your.motor vehicle
• Depending on the type of color you change into, there’s a possibility of enjoying lower car insurance premiums.
• Getting a safer car, if you believe that some colors actually make a car more risky.
• It translates to you having the freedom to decide what you want your car to look like.
• You can enjoy a cooler temperature depending on the type of color you choose.

Who Needs a Notarized Affidavit of Change Color 

Securing an Affidavit of Change Color must be executed by anybody who owns an LTO-registered motor vehicle or motorcycle in the Philippines, in cases of repaint jobs or installation of decals that changes the overall appearance of the vehicle.

Content of an Affidavit of Change Color

The Affidavit of Change Color is a lot like the Affidavit of Loss. The affidavit itself is unchanging in its content, and must always contain the following information:

• Title of the document
• Personal information
  • Full name
  • Statement that affiant is of legal age
  • Civil status
  • Citizenship
  • Residence address
  • Residence Certificate Number
• A narration of the circumstances of the color change, which includes
  • A description of the car’s original color
  • A description of the change in color
  • Your statement attesting to the fact related to the change being reported 
• The signature of the painter and the owner (affiant or the person executing/signing the document).
• The jurat or the oath or affirmation before the notary public that you have personally executed the document in the notary’s presence.

For Affidavit of Change Color to be processed at the LTO office, the MV owner must also satisfy other documentary requirements for processing vehicle color change applications. 

Requirements for Securing a Notarized Affidavit of Change Color

Securing a Notarized Affidavit of Change Color, like any other affidavit document, always comes with the same requirements. These requirements include a community residence certificate, a proof of identity, and money for the notarial fees. 

To file vehicle color change at the LTO Office, you will need the following documents

• Original and photocopy of Certificate of Registration (CR) / Certificate of Registration – Encumbered (CRE) with conformity of the financing company interposing no objection as to the change of color
• Original Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate, Macro-etching report and Special Bank Receipt (except for Motorcycle with sidecar)
• LTO Copy or electronically transmitted appropriate insurance Certificate of Cover (COC) / Endorsement of insurance
• Duly accomplished original Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)

Other requirements that the LTO may ask for in the event of MV color change includes:

• Latest original Official Receipt (OR) of Motor Vehicle User Charge (MVUC) and other LTO fees payment
• Clearance from Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG)
• Endorsement from the Insurance Company
• Actual inspection of MV with duly accomplished Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
• Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)

Procedures for Securing a Notarized Affidavit of Change Color

If, somehow, you find yourself in need of a notarized Affidavit of Color Change for your motor vehicle or motorcycle, then you may refer to this guide on how to secure an LTO Affidavit of Loss. Though it’s a different type of Affidavit, the procedures remain the same: get the affidavit document ready, visit a notary public, and pay to get the affidavit notarized.

Once you have an affidavit of color change prepared, then you may check out this guide on the procedures to process a motor vehicle color change at any LTO offices in the Philippines. 

Fees for Securing a Notarized Affidavit of Change Color

When it comes to the fees associated with the Affidavit of color change, you have two options: First, to come prepared with an affidavit and pay for notarial services only. The price ranges from P100.00 to P400.00. The second option is for if you can’t prepare the affidavit. If you can’t, you may ask the notary public to prepare it for you but you may need to prepare to shell out around P500.00 to P800.00 depending on the notary public that you are visiting. If you qualify as an indigent, then the Public Attorney’s Office gives out a notarized Affidavit of Loss for free. 

However, this isn’t the only fee you will need to worry about when changing car colors. As is always the case, the LTO simply won’t let you change anything on your car’s registration for free.

Here’s a list of other fees you might need to prepare for:

• MVUC, or Motor Vehicle User’s charge – P30.00 though it may change depending on car type
• Processing fee for changes in color, classification, chassis, engine, or weight – P100.00
• PNP-HPG MV Certificate – P300.00

Note: You will also need to indicate the new color of your vehicle as soon as possible to avoid issues with getting your vehicle registered or inspected.

Sample Affidavit of Change Color

If you have no idea about what an Affidavit of Change Color looks like on paper, this sample Affidavit of Change Color can help you write one without starting from scratch. 

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

CITY OF ____________________ ) S.S

AFFIDAVIT OF CHANGE COLOR

I, _____________________________________, of legal age, Filipino, (single/married/widow)

and a resident of _________________________________________________________________________________________________, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, depose and state THAT:

1. That I am the registered owner of a motor vehicle which is particularly described as follows:

            Make & Type : ________________________

            Motor Number : ________________________

            Chassis Number : ________________________

            Plate Number : _________________________

            MV File No. : _________________________

            Year Model : _________________________

2. That the original color of the said motor vehicle was “_____________”;

3. That on _____________________ I/We change its color from ____________ to ___________  for the above–described motor vehicle as hereto attached as part of this document;

4. That the change color is not intended for any illegal or unlawful purpose but solely due to the foregoing reasons;

5. That this affidavit is being executed to attest the fact that I/We caused the change of color of the same and to report this matter to the authorities concerned for P.C. Clearances and Registration with the Land Transportation Office.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___________________ in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

____________________

                                                        Painter        

___________________________

                                      Affiant.

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this ______________________________ in Makati City, Philippines, affiant exhibiting to me his/her ________________________________ with No. ___________________________.

Doc. No. _____;

Page No. _____;

Book No. _____;

Series of 20 ___.

Important Tips and Reminders

For your reference, here are some important reminders regarding MV color change that you might want to take note of:

• To save money when getting a notarized Affidavit of Loss for duplicate plates, you might want to have an affidavit document prepared before heading for the notary public’s office. 
• All Affidavit of Loss includes a jurat or an oath or affirmation before the notary public that you have personally executed the document in the notary’s presence.
• In case of color change, getting the Affidavit of Color Change is perhaps the easiest part. 
• Note that all types of changes are subject to inspection as it needs to be checked for safety
• Inspection due to color change is also meant to ensure that the paint job is not a cover up for a crime.
• That said, the procedure always comes with not only the expenses for color change but also other fees. 
• Changing the color of a motor vehicle is an optional procedure given as a privilege.
• It can be done at any of the LTO offices in the Philippines.
• Note that some colors are believed to be more risky and accident-prone, hence the insurance premiums vary per vehicle color.

Video: How to Process Change Color of Motorcycle at the LTO Office

Learn more about the fees, requirements, and procedures in the actual application for motor vehicle change color at the LTO. Watch this video from EC Ride:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help make securing an Affidavit of Change Color and your application for change in vehicle color as painless as possible, we rounded up the most common questions and answers related to it.

1. Is an Affidavit of Change Color a legal document?

Yes. Like any other affidavit document, the Affidavit of Change Color is a legal document executed under oath and notarized to attest to the truth of the statement made in the document.

2. Will the notary public entertain my request for a notarized Affidavit of Change Color even if I do not have an ID?

Yes, but only if you satisfy the following conditions: 

a. The notary public personally knows you;
b. The notary public does not know you, but there is at least one credible witness personally known to the notary public who can confirm your identity;
c. If you can bring two credible witnesses who have IDs, and they can confirm your identity to the notary.

3. How much does the Affidavit of Change Color cost in the Philippines?

Like the regular affidavit document, the fees for a notarized Affidavit of Change Color usually start at P100.00 and may reach up to P500.00 to P800.00, depending on the location and prestige of the notary public. 

4. Is there a free Affidavit of Change Color?

Yes. The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) provides free notarial services to indigent persons, provided that they can show proof of indigency. 

5. How can I be considered indigent?

To be considered indigent, your family income must not exceed P14,000.00 per month if in Metro Manila, P13,000.00 for other cities, and P12,000.00 for all other places. You may also check the Legal Office or the Councilor’s Office of your city or municipality for free notarial services.

6. Can I submit the Affidavit of Change Color to any LTO branch office?

Yes. You may file the change color application at any LTO branch, provided that they offer the service. 

7. Is there a difference between Affidavit of Change Color for private and for-hire vehicles?

No. The affidavit is the same but the procedures and documentary requirements are different so make sure you pay attention to it depending on your vehicle classification.

8. How much does it cost to get a car paint job in the Philippines?

The price for a car paint job may vary depending on the type of paint job you require. For a whole-body repaint, it would cost anywhere between P30,000.00 to P50,000.00, depending on the auto paint shop and the paint to be used. On the other hand, if you decide to paint just a certain portion of your car, then it would cost a minimum of around P5,000.00 only.

9. Is LTO imposing a fee for changing the color of my car?

Yes. The LTO collects a P100.00 charge to process applications for changing the color of your car.

10. Do I need an Affidavit of Change Color if I’m having decals installed?

Yes. While you’re technically applying a sticker, you’re still changing the outward appearance and color of your car.  

11. Do I need an Affidavit of Change Color if I’m only changing colors of some parts of my car, like the hood, for example? 

No. if you’re only changing one part of your car like its hood, then you don’t need to worry about getting your car’s color changed on its documentation. Modifications like a carbon fiber hood are also okay without an affidavit of color change, as long as the majority of your car is still the color that is indicated on its papers. Once a majority of its old color is painted over though, you will need to secure one. 

12. Can I make my own Affidavit of Change Color?

Yes. Like most other affidavit documents, you have the option to make your own Affidavit of Change Color. As an affiant, you only need to make sure that the affidavit includes all the necessary details, like your full legal name, date of birth, statement regarding color change, the reason for the color change, and a statement declaring that it is not intended for illegal use, etc. Also, you must also notarize the document.

13. How long is the validity of an Affidavit of Change Color?

Like the Affidavit of Loss, an Affidavit of Change Color does not expire. It is, however, only valid for one incident of color change. Hence, it can only be used once.

14. Is there an LTO-accredited Notary Public where I can execute my Affidavit of Change Color?

No. There aren’t any LTO-accredited Notary Public anywhere in the country. Having said that, you can get and execute your joint Affidavit of Change Color with the painter who did the job from anywhere in the country.

Summary

The LTO is quite lenient when it comes to modifications of motor vehicle (MV) units. However, while many types of changes, including color change, are allowed, it is necessary to declare such changes at the LTO in order to help the government trace and identify the vehicle with its owner easily. Failure to do so may cause a lot of trouble. In some cases, drivers may be asked to fix the disparity in car color on the spot, so it’s best to report changes like this immediately. After all, it only entails submission of an Affidavit of Change Color, as well as a few other requirements. Doing so can help you avoid trouble, too, which is a plus.