Verifying a Lawyer’s Roll Number with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)

A practical guide for litigants, HR officers, researchers, and compliance teams

1. What exactly is a “Roll Number”?

Item	Governing Authority	Meaning	Where it appears
Roll of Attorneys No.	Supreme Court (Rule 138, Rules of Court)	Sequential number assigned when an individual takes the Lawyer’s Oath and signs the Roll of Attorneys.	Supreme Court “Roll of Attorneys” ledger, bar admission certificate, pleadings, and official correspondence.
IBP Lifetime Roll No.	Rule 139-A and R.A. 6397 (Integrated Bar Law)	Number issued when a lawyer registers with the IBP; never reused even if dues lapse.	IBP Membership Certificate, dues notices, MCLE compliance cards.
IBP OR No.	IBP National Treasurer	Receipt number proving payment of annual membership dues (must be indicated on all pleadings per Bar Matter No. 2878, 2023).	Official Receipt, pleadings’ footers.

Key takeaway: The Roll of Attorneys number comes from the Supreme Court, while the IBP Lifetime Roll and OR numbers are IBP-issued. All three may be requested when you “verify a lawyer.”

2. Why verification matters

Due diligence. Ensuring counsel is actually authorized to practice avoids void proceedings and possible malpractice liability.
Regulatory compliance. Government agencies and AMLA-covered institutions must confirm counsel’s standing for onboarding or transaction review.
Court requirements. Judges may order parties to prove their lawyer’s authority if signatures or roll numbers look irregular.
Preventing fraud. Impostors sometimes quote invented roll numbers in demand letters. A quick check thwarts scams.

3. Where the data lives

Repository	Keeper	Coverage	Accessible to public?
Roll of Attorneys Database	Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC), Supreme Court	All admittees since 1901	Yes. Physical ledger inspection; periodic PDF/Excel lists posted by the OBC; searchable kiosk at Padre Faura.
IBP National Directory	IBP National Office (Pasig)	All members in good standing and those with arrears	Partly. Phone/email verification and walk-in requests; some chapters publish online lists.
Chapter Secretaries’ Logs	89 IBP Chapters	Local address and dues status	No, but a chapter secretary may issue a certification upon proof of legitimate interest.

4. Step-by-step verification options

Method	Best for	Cost	Processing time	How to do it
A. Online Supreme Court Roll Search	Quick roll-number lookup; individual names	Free	Instant	Visit sc.judiciary.gov.ph → “Bar” → “Roll of Attorneys Search” → enter surname. (Database occasionally down for maintenance.)
B. OBC Certified True Copy	Formal court submission; bulk inquiries	₱50 per page + ₱150 certification fee	1–3 working days (rush available)	File a request letter with ID, specify purpose (“verification of authority to practice”), pay docket fees at Cashier, claim at OBC Records.
C. IBP National Certification	Proof of “good standing” (no arrears, no suspension)	₱400	Same-day if walk-in; 3-5 days if e-mail	Email records@ibp.ph or visit the Pasig office; attach name, roll number, and purpose; pay via GCASH or on-site.
D. Chapter Secretary Verification	Local practice confirmation (e.g., residency requirement)	Usually free	1–2 days	Phone or e-mail the chapter secretary whose contact details are on the IBP website; provide signed authorization if verifying a third party.

5. Documentary checklist for a formal request

Letter-request addressed to “The Office of the Bar Confidant” or “IBP National President,” stating:
- Complete name of lawyer
- Roll of Attorneys No. (if known)
- Purpose (e.g., “for presentation to RTC Branch 84, Malolos”)
Valid government ID of requesting party.
Authorization letter if requester is not the lawyer concerned.
Payment: Cash, manager’s check, or IBP-accredited e-wallet.
Self-addressed stamped envelope (optional, for mail-back).

6. Red flags and how to read them

Indicator	Possible Explanation	Practical Action
Roll number + surname mismatch	Typographical error or impostor	Double-check spelling; call OBC hotline.
Roll number exists but “No IBP OR since 2017”	Dues arrears (still a lawyer, but not in good standing)	Ask counsel to settle dues; courts may still allow appearance if estate proceedings freeze assets.
“Suspended” or “Excluded” remarks in OBC print-out	Disciplinary action (Rule 139-B)	Confirm start & end dates; appearances while suspended are void.
Lawyer’s name absent from Roll	Never admitted, resigned, or disbarred pre-1955 (rare)	Treat documents as non-lawyer acts; consider criminal complaint for Usurpation of Authority (Art. 177, RPC).

7. Common Philippine court rules that cite roll verification

Rule 138, §17: Pleadings must bear the attorney’s roll number, PTR, IBP receipt, and MCLE compliance.
A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC (as last amended 2023): Clerk of Court may refuse pleadings lacking roll verification data.
Bar Matter No. 850 (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education): Non-compliant lawyers automatically listed as “de‐listed; may not practice.”
A.C. cases (Administrative Cases): Decisions often start by reciting respondent’s roll number, verifying jurisdiction over the lawyer.

8. Tips for specific users

HR & corporate secretaries: Attach a certified copy of counsel’s roll entry to board resolutions to demonstrate legal capacity.
Procurement panels: When evaluating bids that require “legal opinion,” request the IBP good-standing certificate up front.
Academics & journalists: Cite roll numbers in footnotes; they are permanent identifiers, unlike office addresses that change often.
Lawyers themselves: Keep a softcopy of your OBC roll certificate—many agencies now accept scanned PDFs for e-filings.

9. Frequently asked questions

Question	Short Answer
Can I verify anonymously?	Yes, the Supreme Court roll is a public record; you need no authorization merely to look up a name.
Is there a single “card” like a PRC ID?	No. A proposed unified Lawyer ID was piloted in 2024, but as of June 2025 it is not yet fully rolled out nationwide.
Will roll numbers ever change?	They are permanent and sequential; if two lawyers share the same number, one of them is wrong.
What about foreign attorneys appearing in PH courts?	They obtain a Special Temporary Permit; their STP number, not a roll number, must be verified with the OBC’s Foreign Lawyers Unit.

10. Penalties for non-compliance or misrepresentation

Criminal: Usurpation of Authority (Art. 177, RPC) – prision correccional and/or fine.
Civil: Malpractice suits; attorney’s fee disgorgement; damages for nullified proceedings.
Administrative: Suspension or disbarment; striking pleadings; contempt fines.

11. Sample request letter (template)

11 June 2025

Office of the Bar Confidant
Supreme Court of the Philippines
Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila

Re: Verification of Roll of Attorneys Entry – Atty. JUAN DELA CRUZ

Madam:

   Pursuant to Rule 138 of the Rules of Court, kindly furnish me a certified
true copy of the Roll of Attorneys entry of Atty. JUAN SANTOS DELA CRUZ,
purported Roll No. 123456, for submission to the Regional Trial Court-Branch 84,
Malolos City, Bulacan in Civil Case No. 22-123.

   Attached are (1) my government-issued ID and (2) proof of payment of the
required certification fees.

                                    Respectfully,

                                    ________________________
                                    MARIA R. ESGUERRA
                                    Requesting Party

12. Final reminders

Always cross-check both the Supreme Court roll and the IBP good-standing list; each serves a different legal purpose.
Keep copies—court clerks sometimes require originals again on appeal.
Update records yearly—IBP receipts change every fiscal year (January 1).
When in doubt, call:
- OBC Verification Desk – (02) 5310-2590
- IBP Records Division – (02) 8631-3018

This article reflects rules and practices current as of 11 June 2025. Procedures and fees occasionally change; practitioners should confirm with the OBC or IBP National Office before relying on this material for time-sensitive matters.