Verification of Lawyer Licenses in the Philippines
(Everything you should know, 2025 edition)
1. Why verification matters
In the Philippines the right to practise law is a privilege granted and policed exclusively by the Supreme Court.⁽¹⁾ Appearances by an unlicensed or suspended lawyer render pleadings a nullity, expose clients to loss of rights, and may constitute both indirect contempt and estafa. Consequently, every engagement—litigation, contract drafting, mediation—should begin with a licence check.
2. Legal framework
| Instrument | Core provisions relevant to verification |
|---|---|
| 1987 Const. Art. VIII §5 (5) | Empowers the Supreme Court to “promulgate rules concerning the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the under-privileged.” |
| Rule 138, Rules of Court (1918, as amended) | Sets admission requirements, orders the Clerk to keep “Roll of Attorneys,” and allows only those whose names are on the Roll to practise. |
| Bar Matter No. 850 (MCLE, 2001) | Requires every practising lawyer to earn minimum-continuing-legal-education credits; non-compliance results in listing as “Delinquent Member.” |
| Bar Matter No. 287 & A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC | Create the Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC) and the eBarPortal, the Supreme Court’s digital roll and verification window. |
| Republic Act 6397 / Bar Integration (1971) & IBP By-laws | Make membership in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and payment of annual dues mandatory. |
| 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice | Authorise notarial commissions only for lawyers in good standing. |
| Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. 10173) | Conditions the release of personal data; explains why the OBC/IBP require written, purpose-specific requests. |
3. Key record-keepers
Supreme Court of the Philippines
Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC) – keeps and certifies the Roll of Attorneys and disciplinary status.Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
National Headquarters & 89 Chapters – issue Certificates of Good Standing, collect dues, and record MCLE compliance.Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Office
Publishes “List of Delinquent Lawyers” and issues Certificates of Compliance/Exemption each three-year cycle.Regional Trial Court Executive Judges
Maintain books of Notarial Commissions; cancel commissions when a lawyer is suspended.
4. Primary methods of verification
| Method | What it proves | Typical requester | How to do it (2025 practice) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBC Certificate of Good Standing | Name is on the Roll, no final suspension/disbarment, IBP dues paid to current year | Courts, gov’t agencies, foreign embassies | Written application, ₱200 certification fee; personal pick-up or LBC courier; 3–5 working days. |
| IBP Chapter Certificate | Up-to-date dues and MCLE compliance in that chapter | Clients, trial courts, SEC, IPOPHL | Walk-in or e-mail request; Chapters issue plastic seal & QR-coded PDF; ₱100–₱300. |
| MCLE Certificate of Compliance/Exemption | Completion of 36 MCLE units for the cycle | Courts before first appearance, arbitral tribunals | Lawyer downloads from MCLE portal or requests printed copy; verify control number online. |
| Supreme Court eBarPortal Search | Confirms Roll No., date of admission, IBP chapter, disciplinary docket (if any) | Public, recruiters | Search by name or Roll No.; requires CAPTCHA, limited fields for privacy. |
| IBP ID Card (PVC w/ hologram & QR) | Visual quick-check of identity & standing (expiry 31 Dec each year) | Clients at intake meetings | Scan QR; cross-check with eBarPortal. |
| Notarial Commission Verification | Authority to notarise within a specific RTC jurisdiction and year | Banks, registry of deeds | Call or e-mail the Office of the Executive Judge; request certified copy of commission. |
5. Step-by-step checklist for a non-lawyer client
Ask for the lawyer’s:
- Full name (including middle name)
- Roll of Attorneys Number
- IBP Lifetime or Current Official Receipt Number
- MCLE Compliance Certificate Number (or state “Exempt by reason of government service/1st year practice”)
- If notarial services are needed: copy of current Notarial Commission
Online self-check (free):
- Visit <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//ebar-portal.sc.judiciary.gov.ph>, choose Roll of Attorneys Verification, enter the surname.
- If no result, try spelling variations; names are exactly as in the Bar Admission Roll.
Request official certifications (fee-based):
- Write to the OBC (letterhead, purpose, photocopy of valid ID). OBC issues Certification of Admission/Good Standing and Certification re: No Pending Administrative Case.
- Write or walk-in to the appropriate IBP Chapter for its Certificate of Membership and MCLE Compliance.
Cross-check disciplinary history:
- Search the Supreme Court E-Library for the lawyer’s surname + “A.C.” (Administrative Case) or “CBD Case No.”
- Read the full-text decision to know if a suspension is still in force.
For foreign counsel (e.g., international arbitration):
- Demand a Special Temporary Permit issued by the Supreme Court (Rule 138-A) or proof of co-counseling with a Philippine lawyer.
6. Reading the documents
| Document line | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| “Roll of Attorneys No. 12345” | Sequential admission number; lower numbers generally indicate earlier admission. |
| “Date admitted: 29 May 2015” | Compare with any claimed years of experience. |
| “Status: Active; No pending administrative case as of 24 Apr 2025” | OBC language; if “suspended,” dates and penalty will be stated. |
| “IBP OR# 123456, Valid until 31 Dec 2025” | Proof of paid dues; non-payment for 5 years results in automatic IBP suspension. |
| “MCLE Compliance V-001234, Valid Cycle V (2019-2022)” | The Philippines is currently on Cycle VI (2022-2025); lawyer must show updated certificate after April 14 2025 deadline. |
7. Red flags & common frauds
- Outdated IBP ID – colour scheme changes yearly; ask for current-year sticker.
- Fake Roll Numbers – numbers under 20000 belong to 1994 passers or earlier; needless zeros often signal invention.
- Lawyer signs “Atty. Juan Dela Cruz, CPA” but the eBarPortal shows no “Juan” with that middle name.
- Special Power of Attorney notarised in Makati but lawyer’s commission is with RTC-Quezon City – indicates possible “pasa-lipat” or forged seal.
- Offers to appear in court while admitting he is “MCLE-deficient” – courts reject pleadings; you pay twice.
8. Special scenarios
- Government lawyers (Solicitor General, prosecutors, GOCC counsel) are exempt from MCLE but must still appear in the eBarPortal as active.
- Company in-house counsels must remain in good standing to sign pleadings in intra-corporate disputes.
- Inactive lawyers abroad may keep their names on the Roll; to resume practice they must settle IBP back dues and complete a catch-up MCLE.
- Legal aid clinics & law students – Rule 138-A allows limited appearance only under a Clinical Legal Education Program and always under a supervising lawyer whose licence must be verified.
9. Data-privacy & ethical limits
The OBC and IBP release only what is necessary: identity, Roll No., chapter, disciplinary status, and MCLE standing. They will not furnish a lawyer’s personal address, contact number, or bar examination grades without the lawyer’s written consent. Always state a legitimate purpose (e.g., due diligence, employment screening) and enclose a photocopy of your ID to meet R.A. 10173 requirements.
10. Consequences of non-verification
| For clients | For the pseudo-lawyer |
|---|---|
| Nullified pleadings, missed deadlines, loss of case | Indirect contempt, disbarment (if previously admitted), prosecution under Art. 315 (estafa) or R.A. 10951-amended Art. 177 (usurpation of authority) |
| Irrecoverable attorney’s fees | Administrative fines up to ₱40 000 |
| Possible tax liabilities (deductibility issues) | Criminal penalties: arresto mayor to prisión correccional |
11. Frequently-asked questions
Q: Is the “Attorney Roll Number” the same as an IBP number?
A: No. The Roll Number is permanent and assigned once, by the Supreme Court, upon oath-taking. The IBP Number appears on the annual dues receipt and changes only if you obtain Lifetime Membership.
Q: Can I rely on LinkedIn or website biographies?
A: No. Neither LinkedIn nor law-firm sites are primary sources. Always validate through the OBC or IBP.
Q: What if the lawyer says the eBarPortal is “down”?
A: Ask for a PDF scan of the latest OBC or IBP Certificate; if still uncertain, telephone the OBC at (+632) 8536-6150.
Q: How long can a lawyer be suspended?
A: From 30 days to disbarment (permanent). A suspension of more than 6 months is always reported in the lawyer’s OBC certification until lifted.
12. Take-away pointers
- Use at least two sources (OBC + IBP) for every new engagement.
- Date-stamp your verification; licences can be suspended overnight by Supreme Court decision.
- Keep scanned copies of all certifications in your due-diligence file.
- Re-verify annually if the retainer is long-term or if the lawyer will notarise documents.
Footnotes
- In re: Cunanan, 94 Phil. 534 (1954) affirmed that the power to admit, suspend, or disbar belongs solely to the Supreme Court.
(All information current as of 24 April 2025, Asia/Manila.)