How to Verify DAR Clearance in the Philippines
A comprehensive legal guide for landowners, buyers, and practitioners
1. What Is DAR Clearance?
“DAR Clearance” (sometimes called a DAR Certification or DAR Transfer/Conversion Clearance) is an official document issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) stating that a specific parcel of land is:
- Not covered (or no longer covered) by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) or
- Covered but compliant—meaning any transfer, mortgage, conversion, or other transaction is lawful under agrarian-reform rules.
Because the Register of Deeds, the Land Registration Authority (LRA), banks, LGUs, BIR, and many private lenders require it, verifying that a DAR Clearance is authentic—and that it truly pertains to the property in question—is critical before any of these events:
| Land transaction | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Sale, donation, or exchange of agricultural land | DAR Transfer Clearance |
| Mortgage or other encumbrance | DAR Certification of Eligibility |
| Land-use conversion (e.g., agricultural → residential/commercial) | DAR Conversion Clearance |
| Reclassification, titling of untitled agricultural land, or segregation | DAR Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) or Compliance Certificate |
2. Legal Basis & Key Regulations
| Issuance | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Republic Act (RA) 6657, as amended by RA 9700 | Creates CARP/CARPER and grounds both prohibition and exemptions. |
| DAR Administrative Order (A.O.) 1-1989, A.O. 07-2011, A.O. 03-2012 | Spell out land acquisition & distribution rules; require DAR clearance before voluntary transfers. |
| DAR A.O. 01-2002 & A.O. 01-2019 (Land-Use Conversion Rules) | Require clearance before DA–HLURB/LGU conversion permits. |
| Presidential Decree 27 | Older rice/corn land rules; DAR issues clearance to show compliance. |
| Memorandum Circulars/BALA Advisories | Prescribe security paper, QR codes, and dry-seal features for authenticity. |
3. Why Verification Matters
- Register of Deeds will refuse transfer if clearance is invalid, expired, or fake.
- Civil or criminal liability (including invalid sales, reconveyance suits, estafa, false statements) may attach if a forged clearance is used.
- Loans can be called if collateral is later found to be agrarian-reform–restricted.
- Buyers & developers avoid multi-year agrarian litigation and potential land redistribution.
4. Types of DAR Clearance & Typical Validity
| Type | Purpose | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) | Land never agricultural or below retention limit, hence outside CARP | Indefinite —until land characteristics change |
| Certificate of Compliance / Eligibility | Land was covered but all obligations (e.g., 10-year retention, right of pre-emption) satisfied | 1 yr |
| Transfer Clearance | Sale, donation, consolidation, partition of agrarian land | 1 yr (use-within rule) |
| Conversion Clearance | Land-use change (agricultural → other) | 5 yrs; subject to “development commitment” monitoring |
| Mortgage Clearance | Creation of lien/encumbrance | Until release/cancellation of lien |
5. Who May Request Verification?
| Scenario | Who files |
|---|---|
| Due-diligence (buyers, lenders, developers) | Any party in interest with written authority/SPA from landowner |
| Post-transaction validation | Transferee or mortgagee |
| Court cases / titling proceedings | Court-ordered examiner or government agency (e.g., LRA) |
| Farmer-beneficiary checking landowner compliance | FB or farmers’ org |
6. Documentary Requirements (Typical)
Always confirm with the relevant DAR Provincial/Regional Office; slight variations exist.
- Duly accomplished Request Form (DAR-RCF or e-RCF print-out)
- Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Original Certificate of Title (OCT) – certified true copy (CTC)
- Latest Tax Declaration & Real-Property Tax (RPT) clearance
- Lot Plan with vicinity map (approved by DENR or PRC-licensed GE)
- Owner’s Government-Issued ID + SPA if representative files
- Latest zoning certificate / LGU land-use plan excerpt (for conversions)
- Affidavit of aggregate landholding (to determine 5-hectare retention limit)
- Proof of payment of processing fee (Php 200–Php 10,000 depending on land size and purpose)
- Proof of publication / posting (for conversions >5 ha)
- Sworn undertaking to respect farmer-beneficiary rights (in transfer cases)
7. Step-by-Step Verification Process
A. Walk-In / Traditional Method
Prepare documents (see §6).
File at the DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Office (PARO) where the land is located; small-parcels may file at the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office (MARO).
PARO Evaluation
- Checks land class via Land Use Classification Map (LUC), CARP scope database, & LAD/LC roster.
- Verifies liens, pending protests, DARAB cases, & retention/award history.
Payment & Official Receipt – Submit to Cashier.
Interview/Inspection (if needed)
- For conversions or large transfers, PARO team inspects actual use and farmer occupants.
Review by Regional Office (DARRO) (for >5 ha or sensitive cases).
Issuance of Clearance/Certification
- Printed on security paper, bearing QR code, dry seal, and facsimile signature of the Provincial or Regional Director.
Processing Time (citizen’s charter)
| Request | Simple | Complex | Highly Technical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer/Mortgage Verify | 5-10 working days | 20 days | – |
| Conversion Verify | 20 days | 45 days | 90 days |
(Slightly longer if central-office concurrence is required.)
B. e-DAR Verifier / Online Check (where available)
DAR has piloted an e-DAR Clearance Verifier in select regions:
- Go to the DAR regional website or https://darrXX.gov.ph/e-clearance (subdomain varies).
- Enter the Control Number and QR code token printed on the clearance.
- The system returns status, issue date, property details, and signatory.
- If the record is NOT FOUND, immediately contact the issuing PARO to rule out forgery or data-migration lag.
As of 2025, nationwide rollout is not yet complete; always confirm by phone/email if online verifier is down.
8. Authenticity Checks Without the Online Portal
| Feature | Genuine | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Security Paper | Micro-text “DAR-Secured”, tamper-evident fibers | Plain bond paper, no watermark |
| Dry Seal | Embossed “Republic of the Philippines • DAR” with coat-of-arms | Rubber-stamp impression only |
| QR Code | Scannable; decodes to control # + land data | Dead link or random string |
| Signature | Printed facsimile + wet-ink countersign (for RO/CO-issued) | Photocopied signature |
| Control No. Format | YY-PARO-XYZ-#### (e.g., 25-IV-RIZ-0123) | Missing province code |
If in doubt, phone or email the PARO Records Division with the control number and title details; they can confirm within 1 day.
9. Fees & Who Pays
| Service | Fee Range (2025 schedule) | Who customarily pays |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer/Mortgage Clearance | Php 200–Php 1,500 | Buyer or borrower |
| Conversion Verification | Php 2,000 + Php 50/ha | Landowner/developer |
| Certification of Non-Coverage (CNC) | Php 500 | Landowner |
| Expedite/Special Handling | +25 % surcharge | Requesting party |
Local ordinances may impose additional documentary-stamp tax (DST) when registering at the ROD.
10. After Obtaining Verified Clearance
- Transact within validity (usually 1 year).
- Attach the clearance to deed of sale, mortgage, conversion permit, or court motion.
- File with Register of Deeds or LRA; they will annotate the title.
- Keep at least two certified copies for future loans or resales.
11. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Clearance issued for a different lot/parcel ID due to subdivision errors | Double-check TCT/OCT numbers and technical descriptions before filing. |
| Forgery by fixer | Insist on paying fees only at DAR cashier; compare security features. |
| Expired clearance presented | Confirm issue date; ask for new clearance if >12 months. |
| Land still has pending DARAB case | Secure a Certification of No Pending Case from DARAB to accompany clearance. |
| Overlap with DENR forestland | Verify with DENR-CENRO; DAR clearance does not override forestry laws. |
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is DAR Clearance needed for lands already classified as residential by LGU zoning? Yes, if the land title is still agricultural. Zoning alone does not lift CARP coverage.
Can I get clearance if the land has farmer-beneficiaries still in possession? Rarely; DAR will likely deny until a voluntary-offer or compliance case resolves the FB’s rights.
Is verification different from application for clearance? Verification means confirming authenticity of an already-issued clearance. If you never obtained one, you must apply first.
Can I authorize my lawyer to verify? Yes—through a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) specifying the parcel and DAR office.
How long before a clearance is considered ‘stale’? Most accepting agencies treat >12 months as stale, but check their own circulars.
13. Practical Tips
- Request an electronic copy (PDF) from DAR; this helps remote lenders validate faster.
- Always retain the Official Receipt (OR)—RODs sometimes ask for proof the clearance was paid for.
- If the land involves multiple titles, get separate clearances to simplify later partial releases.
- For subdivision/development projects, seek clearance early, as DAR may conduct public consultations that extend timelines.
14. Penalties for Misuse or Forgery
| Violation | Possible Liability |
|---|---|
| Using falsified DAR Clearance | Reclusion temporal (Art. 172, RPC) + civil damages |
| Landowner selling without clearance | Void transaction; DAR may revoke title, impose fines under RA 9700 |
| Government employee issuing fraudulent clearance | Admin: dismissal; Criminal: Sec. 3(e), RA 3019 |
15. Conclusion
Verifying a DAR Clearance is non-negotiable whenever Philippine agricultural land is sold, mortgaged, or converted. The process is straightforward: gather the right documents, file at the correct DAR office, and double-check the clearance’s security features or QR code. Because agrarian-reform violations carry stiff penalties and can upend entire property deals, invest time in proper verification—or hire a licensed lawyer/GE familiar with DAR protocols.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information as of July 22 2025. Agrarian-reform rules evolve; always consult the latest DAR Administrative Orders or a qualified Philippine lawyer for current requirements.