Business Permit Copy Requests at Philippine City Halls

A practitioner-oriented legal guide

1. What is a Business Permit?

In Philippine local‐government practice the term “business permit” (often called a Mayor’s Permit or Mayor’s Business Permit) is the yearly license issued by the city or municipality through its Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) authorizing a juridical or natural person to operate a business within the local jurisdiction. Displaying the original on-site is mandatory under most revenue ordinances and the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160, “LGC”).

2. Legal Foundations for Requesting a Copy

Instrument	Relevance	Key Points
LGC, §§147–150, 455(b)(3)(iv)	Empowers LGUs to issue and regulate business permits; mayor may order issuance of certified copies.
Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018) & RA 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Act)	Require clear, time-bound, and simple procedures; a copy request is covered as a “simple transaction.”
1987 Constitution, Art. III §7 & E.O. No. 02 (2016)	Recognize the people’s right to information and provide FOI mechanisms for LGU records, including permits.
Civil Code, Art. 26 & Data Privacy Act (RA 10173)	Protect personal data in permits; BPLO must redact personal identifiers of sole proprietors when releasing to third parties.
Local Revenue/Administrative Ordinances	Fix the exact fee, required forms, and turnaround time—these vary by city.

3. Legitimate Reasons for Seeking a Copy

Loss or destruction of the original (e.g., fire, flooding).
Loan documentation—banks routinely require certified true copies.
BIR audit or SEC/DTI compliance certification.
Branch registration in another LGU (to show principal permit).
Investor or buyer due diligence in mergers/acquisitions.
Court proceedings (evidence of legal operation).

4. Who May Request

Requestor	Documentary proof	Notes
Owner / General Manager	One (1) government-issued ID	Name must match permit.
Authorized Representative	(a) Signed authorization letter or Secretary’s Certificate (corporation) and (b) requester’s valid ID	Sometimes requires notarization.
Third Party (e.g., creditor, bidder)	(a) FOI request letter citing constitutional right to information and (b) proof of legitimate interest	LGU may redact confidential info.

5. Documentary Requirements (Typical)

Letter-request addressed to the BPLO Chief or City/Municipal Treasurer.
Duly accomplished application slip (supplied at BPLO or online portal).
Affidavit of Loss (only if original was lost).
Photocopy of lost/damaged permit, if available.
Valid ID(s) of requester; SEC Certificate or DTI Registration for entity validation.
Official Receipt of payment for certification fee.

Tip: Bring your latest Business Tax Receipt; some LGUs require it to verify you are current in tax dues.

6. Step-by-Step Procedure

(Illustrative; always check your LGU citizen’s charter)

A. Walk-in

Queue at BPLO information desk → secure application form.
Fill out & attach documents → submit to Records/Assessment window.
Assessment of fees (typically ₱100–₱300 per page; additional ₱50–₱150 for notarized certification).
Payment at City Treasurer’s cashier → obtain Official Receipt (OR).
Return OR to BPLO → receive claim stub indicating release date/time (commonly 1–3 working days; RA 11032 caps simple transactions at 3 working days).
Claim the certified copy; verify dry seal and signature of the City Treasurer or BPLO Chief.

B. Online / E-mail (where enabled)

Register or log in to the LGU’s Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS).
Navigate to “Certified True Copy” service.
Upload PDF copies of ID, authorization, affidavit of loss, etc.
Pay via partnered payment gateway (GCash, LandBank Link.Biz, etc.).
System sends an e-mail or SMS when the PDF copy (with QR-encoded seal) is ready; pick up the physical copy if the receiving institution will not accept e-signed certificates.

7. Fees and Turnaround Time

LGU Size	Typical Certification Fee	Turnaround (working days)
Highly Urbanized City (e.g., Quezon City, Cebu City)	₱150–₱300	1–2
Component City / 1st Class Municipality	₱100–₱200	2–3
Other Municipalities	₱50–₱150	2–5

Add ₱50–₱100 if you require a Certified Photocopy of attachments such as zoning clearance or sanitary permit.

8. Legal Remedies for Delay or Denial

Follow-up under RA 11032: File a Written Complaint with the LGU’s Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART); BPLO officers face administrative liability for exceeding 3-day limit without justification.
Appeal to the City Mayor pursuant to LGC §455(b)(3)(iv).
File a Complaint with the Civil Service Commission (for red tape) or Ombudsman (for abuse of authority).
Mandamus Petition before the Regional Trial Court if the right to a certified copy is clear and ministerial.
For FOI requests, elevate to DILG FOI Appeals Committee within 15 days of denial.

9. Data-Privacy & Confidentiality Pointers

Business permits are public documents, but financial declarations (gross sales) are personal information under National Privacy Commission (NPC) Advisory Opinion 2021-014; these may be masked.
Always state the specific fields you need (e.g., business name, address, permit number) to avoid over-disclosure.
LGUs should keep release logs for audit, per NPC Circular 2022-02.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Can I request another entity’s permit?	Yes, under FOI principles, but expect redactions and you must prove legitimate interest.
Is an affidavit of loss required?	Yes if the original is missing; not required for extra copies.
Will the copy expire?	The certification is valid so long as the underlying permit is valid (i.e., for the calendar year stated).
Do I need barangay clearance again?	No. Barangay clearance is only required for renewal, not for a copy request.
Can I use a photocopy without certification?	Most banks and government agencies insist on a certified copy; plain photocopies are rarely honored.

11. Sample Letter-Request (Walk-in)

Date: 07 July 2025

Hon. BPLO Chief
City Hall of __________

Subject: Request for Certified True Copy of Business Permit

Dear Sir/Madam,

I, ____________________, Filipino, of legal age, and the owner/authorized representative of
[BUSINESS NAME], respectfully request a **certified true copy** of our 2025 Business Permit
(Mayor’s Permit No. ______).

The original permit was lost in transit on 30 June 2025, as evidenced by the attached Affidavit
of Loss.  The copy is urgently needed for submission to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Attached are:
1. Affidavit of Loss
2. DTI/SEC Registration
3. Valid government ID
4. Official Receipt of latest business tax payment

Thank you.

Respectfully,

________________________________
Signature over Printed Name
Contact No.: ____________

12. Practical Tips for Practitioners

Bring extra photocopies—BPLO windows often collect one for their file.
Check spelling of the business name; mismatched punctuation causes rejection by banks.
If the BPLO uses QR-coded digital signatures, verify the code using a smartphone before leaving.
For corporations, a Board Resolution can substitute for a Secretary’s Certificate if it expressly authorizes the representative.

13. Conclusion

Requesting a certified copy of a business permit is a “simple transaction” streamlined by RA 11032, yet LGU-specific nuances—fees, required forms, and privacy safeguards—still apply. Knowing the legal bases, documentary requirements, and remedies for delay ensures compliance, protects business continuity, and upholds the constitutional right to information.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult the latest ordinances of the relevant LGU or a qualified Philippine lawyer for specific scenarios.