2023 Bar Examinations Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) As of July 15, 2023

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2023 Bar Examinations

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
As of July 15, 2023
The FAQs shall be a comprehensive information package for all questions regarding the 2023
Bar Examinations. Please read and study the FAQs in its entirety before sending queries to
the Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC) Helpdesk. Please carefully monitor this file and
regularly check back for monthly updates.
Application Requirements for the 2023 Bar Examinations
What are the requirements to take the 2023 Bar Examinations?
The general requirements are contained in Bar Bulletin No. 2, Series of 2023 (B.B. No.
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2-2023), which you may access here.
For the documentary requirements which must be submitted during the application period
and before the examinations, please refer to Annexes A, B, and C, depending on your applicant
type.
For the documentary requirements which must be submitted by ALL applicants no later than
October 24, 2023, or thirty (30) calendar days from the last day of taking the examinations,
please refer to Annex D.
In short –
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For ease of reference, full site address for B.B. No. 2-2023 is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/%5BDec-15%5D-BB-2-2023.pdf.
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Applicant Type Documentary Requirements
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New Applicants Annex A
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Previous Takers Annex B
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Refreshers Annex C
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ALL Applicants Annex D
My graduation date is after the deadline of applications for the 2023 Bar Examinations. Can I
apply to take the 2023 Bar Examinations, and then, submit the documents at a later date?
Yes. If you are an expected graduate of Academic Year (AY) 2022-2023, you may apply to take
the 2023 Bar Examinations through Bar Applicant Registration Information System and Tech
Assistance (BARISTA) from January 8, 2023 to April 30, 2023.
During the above application period, you need to submit the following documents:
1. Certificate of Enrollment, signed by the School Registrar or College Secretary and

duly noted by the law school Dean/Vice Dean;
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2. Birth Certificate (PSA -issued);
3. Marriage Contract (PSA-issued), if a married female applicant;
4. Government/Latest Law-School-issued ID; and
5. Unretouched photo.
Beginning August 1, 2023, but no later than October 24, 2023, or thirty (30) calendar days from the
last day of taking the examinations, you are required to submit the following:
1. Pre-Law and Law Transcript of Records (TOR);

2. CLEP Level 1 or 2 Certifications, or both;
3. Certificate of No Derogatory Record (CNDR);
4. Joint Testimonial of Good Moral Character (TGMC); and
5. If with pending/decided cases:
a. A list declaring all pending/decided cases filed against the applicant before any
jurisdiction;
b. The original/CTC of the Complaint/Information/Judgment/Resolution/ Order/Decision,
whichever is applicable; and
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For ease of reference, the full site address for Annex A is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/%5BDec-15%5D-BB-2-ANNEX-A-2023.pdf
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For ease of reference, the full site address for Annex B is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/%5BDec-15%5D-BB-2-ANNEX-B-2023.pdf
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For ease of reference, the full site address for Annex C is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/[Dec-15]-BB-2-ANNEX-C-2023.pdf
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For ease of reference, the full site address for Annex D is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/[Dec-15]-BB-2-ANNEX-D-2023.pdf
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Philippine Statistics Authority.
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c. Certification as to the pendency of the status of the case or clearance that there is no
pending case as of the time of application, whichever is applicable.
What are the required contents of the Certificate of Enrollment?
The following applicants must submit a Certificate of Enrollment, containing the following
facts:
Applicant Type Facts Certified
New Applicants who are That the Bar Examinations Applicant is:
expected to graduate in the (a) Currently enrolled in his or her last year of law
Academic Year 2022-2023 education;
(b) Currently completing [OR has completed] the
Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP), as
required by Rule 138-A of the Rules of Court, and is
currently securing [OR has satisfactorily secured]
CLEP Level 1/2 OR both Certifications; and
(c) An expected candidate for graduation for Academic
Year 2022-2023.
New Applicants who are That the Bar Examinations Applicant is:
graduates of a foreign law (a) A graduate of a law school of foreign jurisdiction;
school and are currently and
completing the required (b) Currently enrolled in fourth-year subjects, as
fourth-year subjects during required by the Juris Doctor Academic Program of
the application period the issuing university or law school, pursuant to Bar
Matter No. 1153.
Refreshers who are That the Bar Examinations Applicant is:

currently taking (a) Currently enrolled in fourth-year subjects as
fourth-year subjects as Refresher Courses; and
review courses during the (b) Regularly attending these classes under the same
application period conditions as ordinary students, pursuant to Section
16, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court.
Only the applicants in the above three (3) instances are allowed to submit a Certificate of
Enrollment in lieu of the TOR and other proof of completion.
Other applicant types do not have this option. Since it is presumed that the TOR and
certificates of completion of other applicant types (namely, other New Applicants, Previous
Takers, and other Refreshers) are already available, they must submit the same during their
respective application periods.
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The prescribed format of the Certificate of Enrollment may be accessed here.
Who should sign the Certificate of Enrollment?
The Certificate of Enrollment must be signed by the School Registrar or College Secretary
and duly noted by the Dean or Vice Dean of the law school.
The Dean of our law school is not available to sign the Certificate of Enrollment. May the Vice
Dean sign instead?
Yes.
Must the Certificate of Enrollment be notarized?
No.
I will be graduating in the first semester of AY 2022–2023 and will no longer be enrolled in my
law school during the application period. Do I still need to submit a Certificate of Enrollment?
(Added January 08, 2023)
Yes. You are still considered a graduate of AY 2022-2023. The regulations do not distinguish
as to semester of completion.
Please submit the Certificate of Enrollment for New Applicants who are expected to
graduate in AY 2022-2023, but modify stipulation (a) in the Certificate of Enrollment to more
accurately reflect your status upon application (e.g. “completed academic requirements as of
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______ semester”). The template for the Certificate of Enrollment may be accessed here.
How should I submit my Pre-Law and Law TOR ? (Added February 10, 2023)
The Pre-Law and Law TORs are distinct and separate requirements. However, they may
either be:
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For ease of reference, the full site address for the template Certificate of Enrollment is
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/Templates-for-Certificate-of-Enrollment-and-Testimonial-of-Good-Moral-Character.pdf.
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For ease of reference, the full site address for the template Certificate of Enrollment is
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(i) issued and obtained separately with a documentary stamp for each
document, and subsequently submitted separately in BARISTA; or
(ii) incorporated into a single document upon issuance by the School Registrar,
with one documentary stamp attached for both. In this case, the applicant
need not separately request for another TOR from where he or she obtained
the pre-law degree. However, the incorporated document must be attached
twice, in both the “Pre-Law TOR” and “Law TOR” upload facilities of
BARISTA.
Should the TOR be recently issued? Are there any special remarks that should be indicated in the
TOR? (Added February 10, 2023)
The TOR need NOT be of recent issuance.
In a similar manner, the TOR need NOT specifically indicate that it is “For 2023 Bar
Purposes.” The TOR may be submitted without such, or with any other remarks.
How can I comply with the documentary stamp tax (DST) requirement for the TOR? (Added May
18, 2023)
Applicants must affix on their TOR a documentary stamp amounting to Php 30.00. An
electronic DST will be accepted.
If your law school did not release your TOR with the DST attached, or released such
document but with an incorrect amount, you can personally affix the DST for purposes of
complying with the requirement.
How do I upload my Law TOR if I transferred law schools? (Added March 10, 2023)
Please submit the TORs from your previous law school/s and your current law school, i.e., the
law school you transferred to. The completion of the required law school subjects and your
corresponding grades therein must be legible. Combine the TORs into a single PDF file and
attach them to the “Law TOR” upload tab in BARISTA.
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I am a transferee from more than two law schools. I have already secured my latest TOR from the
law school where I graduated from. However, am I still required to secure and submit the TORs
from my previous law schools? (Added April 12, 2023)
If your latest Law TOR already reflects the required subjects and grades from your previous
law schools, then there is no need to secure and submit the Law TORs from your previous
schools. This is also due to the noted practice of law schools of requiring transferees to
submit their previous TORs as a condition for their transfer.
However, if your latest Law TOR does NOT reflect all the required subjects which you have
already completed and your grades therein, then you must also submit your previous TORs,
together with your latest Law TOR.
What are the requirements for the photo to be uploaded to BARISTA and submitted to the OBC?
The applicant must wear decent attire with a collared top, which must be visible in the photo.
The photo must be unretouched, size 1 ½ inches x 1 ½ inches, with white background, with
applicant’s ears visible (except when required to wear a hijab, burka, etc.), taken not more than
three (3) months prior to the submission of the Application Form, and with the handwritten
name and signature of the applicant appearing at the bottom of the photo.
The name must follow this format:
Surname, Given Name, Middle Initial, Suffix.
The application will NOT be processed if:
(a) The photo does not resemble the applicant.

(b) The background is not plain white.
(c) The photo contains shadows.
The photo to be uploaded in BARISTA must be in .JPEG format with a file size of 250 KB or
less 2 MB or less. (Revised January 08, 2023)
Does my collar need to be visible in the unretouched photo? (Added February 10, 2023)
Yes, both the applicant’s ears and collar must be visible in the unretouched photo to be
submitted, except when required by their faith to wear a hijab, burka, etc.
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Should I wear my reading glasses for my unretouched photo? (Revised April 12, 2023)
No. Eyeglasses or any other accessories that would hamper Court personnel from readily
identifying the applicant should NOT be worn in the unretouched photo to be submitted.
However, to clarify, simple jewelry (such as earrings) may be worn for the unretouched photo.
What qualifies as an “unretouched” photo? (Added April 12, 2023)
To qualify as an unretouched photo, the photo to be submitted must NOT have undergone
any editing or enhancement, in whatever form or extent. Retouching may include, but is not
limited to, blemish removal, skin-smoothening, teeth-brightening, color-correction, as well
as other artificial digital adjustments in background, lighting or exposure, etc. made through
photo-editing or similar software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop).
What should the photo to be uploaded to BARISTA and submitted to the OBC look like?
Below are examples of acceptable photos:
Do I need to submit the original copy of my identification document (ID) to the OBC?
No. A digital or scanned copy of the valid government or latest law school-issued ID must be
uploaded on BARISTA. Thereafter, a photocopied or scanned copy of the same ID, along with
the other documents, must be submitted to the OBC. Please make sure that the photocopy
and digital copy of your ID shows your photo and signature.
Below is a list of acceptable government-issued IDs:
Social Security System (SSS)/Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-card;
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Unified Multi-purpose Identification (UMID) card;
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License or Student Permit;
Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID;
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification;
Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP);
Senior Citizen ID;
Philippine Postal ID (issued November 2016 onwards);
Philippine Passport;
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification;
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance;
Police Clearance (national or local); and
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ID.
I do not have a Driver’s License yet, but I have a Student Permit. Can I use this for my
application?
Yes. The LTO-issued Student Permit bearing the photo and signature of the applicant may be
submitted instead.
I do not have a Voter’s ID, but I have a Voter’s Certification. Can I use this for my application?
Yes. The COMELEC-issued Voter’s Certification bearing the photo and signature of the
applicant may be submitted instead.
What is considered the ‘latest law school-issued ID’? (Added March 10, 2023)
The latest law school-issued ID reflects your current and present enrollment in the law
school (i.e., your fourth- or fifth-year ID).
However, if the same is unavailable at the time of application, you can submit the most recent
law school ID available, together with a Registration Form showing that you are enrolled in
the current semester.
My ID reflects my old signature. Can I use this ID for my application?
No. The signature you will use in your Application Form must be consistent with the
signature reflected on your ID.
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Can I submit a certified true copy of my Birth Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar
(LCR) instead of the PSA-issued Birth Certificate?
To be clear, the applicant must submit a legible original copy of his or her PSA-issued Birth
Certificate.
By way of exception, the applicant may submit the certified true copy of his or her Birth
Certificate issued by the LCR, only if:
(a) the PSA-issued copy is not legible, or

(b) if there is no record of birth with the PSA.
Please note that in such exceptional circumstances, the LCR must be the one to certify the
document as a true copy.
The certified true copy of the Birth Certificate issued by the LCR must be submitted together
with:
For exception (a), the illegible original copy of the PSA-issued Birth Certificate; or
For exception (b), the PSA-issued Negative Results Certification.
Can I submit an original or certified true copy of my Birth Certificate issued by the National
Statistics Office (NSO)?
No. A Birth Certificate issued by the NSO will NOT be accepted.
What if there are erroneous entries in my Birth Certificate?
If your birth certificate does not accurately reflect your name and you intend to file a petition
for change of entry in your birth certificate, you must indicate the name you are currently
using, and submit, in the meantime, the uncorrected birth certificate with an undertaking
stating your intention to have it corrected.
May I submit a Certificate of Foundling in lieu of a Birth Certificate?
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Yes. A Certificate of Foundling is acceptable, considering it has the same legal effect as a
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Certificate of Live Birth. The applicant must upload his or her Certificate of Foundling
issued by the LCR in the upload facility for Birth Certificate in BARISTA.
What are the documentary requirements for applicants born abroad?
Applicants born abroad are required to submit their Foreign Birth Certificate and PSA-issued
Report of Birth.
In the absence of a foreign birth certificate, a notarized affidavit stating that no foreign birth
certificate was issued, must be submitted.
If the foreign birth certificate is not written in English, you must submit an English-translated
copy of the foreign birth certificate, (1) duly notarized and authenticated in the country of birth,
or (2) translated by any of the following authorized persons or organizations: (a) National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos for Arab Countries; (b) an authorized or accredited translator
of the Philippine Embassy in the country of birth; (c) a foreign embassy in the Philippines; and (d)
an accredited translator of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
I was born abroad and my foreign birth certificate is not written in English. May I have my
foreign birth certificate translated by any of the following: (a) the National Commission on
Muslim Filipinos for Arab Countries, (b) an authorized or accredited translator of the Philippine
Embassy in the country of birth, (c) a foreign embassy in the Philippines, or (d) an accredited
translator of the Philippine DFA?
Yes. If the foreign birth certificate is not written in English, the applicant must submit an
official English translation duly notarized and authenticated in the country of birth or
translated by the above-mentioned persons or organizations.
I am a female applicant who contracted marriage within the last six (6) months from the filing of
the application and I already have a PSA-issued Marriage Contract. Can I submit my PSA-issued
Marriage Contract instead of the LCR Marriage Contract?
Yes. If the marriage was contracted within the last six (6) months, female applicants are
allowed to submit the original Marriage Contract issued by the PSA.
As a married female applicant, is a certified true copy of the marriage contract allowed?
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Republic Act No. 11767, Section 10, May 6, 2022.
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Yes. A certified true copy of the Marriage Contract issued by the LCR is allowed. If the
marriage was contracted within the last six (6) months from the filing of the application,
female applicants are allowed to submit the CTC issued by the LCR. The LCR must be the
one to certify the same as a true copy.
Do I still have to submit my Legal Education Board (LEB) Certificate?
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No. In Pimentel v. Legal Education Board, the Supreme Court has deemed it sufficient to
require bar applicants to submit their TOR, instead of the additional LEB Certification.
Do I still need to obtain at least eighteen (18) units of English, six (6) units of Mathematics, and
eighteen (18) units of Social Science subjects as stated in Section 16, of LEB Memorandum Order
No. 1, Series of 2011 (Board Prerequisites for Admission to the LL.B or J.D. Program)?
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No. In Pimentel v. Legal Education Board, the Supreme Court declared this requirement as
ultra vires for suppressing the academic autonomy of law schools to choose its students.
My Law Dean is not available to sign the following documents: (a) CNDR; and/or (b) Notarized
Certification issued by the university or law school that the applicant passed the refresher course
subjects. May our Vice Dean sign any of these documents?
Yes.
Can I still submit the Refresher Certificates previously issued to me by my individual professors,
given that I have not taken any Bar examinations since their issuance?
Yes, you can still submit the certificates issued by each of your professors, provided the
refresher courses are still valid or within the three (3) Bar years from the time of their
completion.
Who should sign the Notarized Certification issued by the university or law school that the
applicant passed the refresher course subjects?
The Notarized Certification issued by the law school or university that the applicant passed
the refresher course subjects, with the applicant’s corresponding grades indicated therein,
shall be duly signed by the Law Dean/Vice Dean.
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G.R. Nos. 230642 and 242954, and A.M. No. 20-03-04-SC, November 9, 2021.
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Id.
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What should I do if my law school or university has adopted the Optional Fourth-Year Curricular
Subject Offerings in the Basic Law Course, for instance, Remedial Law Review and Civil Law
Review per LEB Memorandum Order No. 21, Series of 2019?
You are required to secure a certification issued by the Law Dean/Vice Dean stating that
Remedial Law Review is equivalent to Remedial Law Review I and II and Civil Law Review is
equivalent to Civil Law Review I and II.
I am a Refresher. Do I need to enroll and regularly attend a pre-bar review course?
Yes. You also need to submit a Notarized Certification issued by the School Registrar and
signed by the Dean/Vice Dean that you have completed the pre-bar review course.
If you are still taking refresher subjects at the time of application, you must submit a
notarized affidavit undertaking to subsequently enroll in a pre-bar review course, during the
application period.
I took my pre-bar review course in 2022 but did not take the 2022 Bar Examinations. Can I use
it for the 2023 Bar Examinations?
Yes. For the 2023 Bar Examinations, you may use the Notarized Certification that you have
completed the 2022 pre-bar review course, as long as you were unable to take the 2022 Bar
Examinations.
I took my pre-bar review course in 2022 but failed to complete the 2022 Bar Examinations. Can
I use it for the 2023 Bar Examinations?
No. You are not allowed to use the Notarized Certification that you have completed the 2022
pre-bar review course when applying for the 2023 Bar Examinations.
The exception is if you were unable to finish the 2022 Bar Examinations due to COVID-19,
in which case, you may submit your 2022 Notarized Certification for the 2023 Bar
Examinations.
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At the time of application, I am presently enrolled in and regularly attending the refresher course
and/or pre-bar review course in a law school, university, or review center. What will I upload in
BARISTA?
Documentary Documentary
Requirements Requirements
______________________________________ ______________________________
Applicant Type to be uploaded during the application period _
to be uploaded no later than thirty
(30) calendar days after the last
day of taking the examinations
(1) A notarized Certificate of None

Completion of refresher courses,
attesting to the fact that the applicant
has regularly attended classes and
passed the required refresher subjects
Refreshers who under the same conditions as ordinary
have completed students, and likewise indicating
their refresher therein their corresponding grades;
and pre-bar (2) A notarized Certification, stating
review courses at that the professors of the above
the time of courses are bona fide professors of
application the law school or university where
said courses were taken and
completed; and
(3) A notarized Certificate of
Completion of the pre-bar review
course.
(1) A Certificate of Enrollment, (1) A notarized Certificate of

Refreshers who indicating that the applicant is Completion of refresher
have not yet currently enrolled in refresher courses;
completed their subjects and is regularly attending (2) A notarized Certification,
requirements and classes under the same conditions as stating that the professors in
are currently ordinary students; and the above refresher courses
taking (2) A notarized Affidavit of the are bona fide professors of the
fourth-year applicant’s undertaking to law school or university where
subjects as subsequently enroll in a pre-bar said courses were taken and
review courses at review course. completed; and
the time of (3) A notarized Certificate of
application Completion of the pre-bar
review course.
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Please refer to the prescribed format which may be accessed here.
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For ease of reference, the full site address of the template for the Certificate of Enrollment is
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What documents should I submit if I have already completed my Refresher course, but I am still
currently enrolled in a Pre-Bar Review course at the time of application? (Added March 10,
2023)
Please submit the following documents:
1. A notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses;

2. A notarized Certification attesting that the professors of your Refresher courses are
bona fide professors of the law school where these courses were taken; and
3. A Certificate of Enrollment in a Pre-Bar Review Course, in lieu of the Certificate of
Completion. This certification shall be issued by the School Registrar and signed by
the Dean or Vice Dean where the course was taken (if the Pre-Bar Review Course is
administered by a law school) or authorized representative of the law school where the
review center is affiliated (if the Pre-Bar Review Course was administered by a review
center).
The notarized Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review Course must be submitted
no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the last day of the 2023 Bar Examinations or
October 24, 2023, similar to the documents for deferred submission provided in Annex D of
BB No. 2-2023.
All other documents identified (Items 1 to 5) in Annex C of BB No. 2-2023 shall remain
applicable.
What documents should I submit if I have already completed my Refresher course, but I have not
yet enrolled in a Pre-Bar Review course at the time of application? (Added March 10, 2023)
Please submit the following documents:
1. A notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses;

2. A notarized Certification attesting that the professors of your Refresher courses are
bona fide professors of the law school where these courses were taken; and
3. A notarized Affidavit of Subsequent Enrollment in a Pre-Bar Review Course, in lieu
of the Certificate of Completion. The affidavit must attest that the applicant
undertakes to enroll in a Pre-Bar Review Course from a law school or review center
affiliated with a law school.
The notarized Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review Course must be submitted
no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the last day of the 2023 Bar Examinations or
October 24, 2023, similar to the documents for deferred submission provided in Annex D of
BB No. 2-2023.
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All other documents identified (Items 1 to 5) in Annex C of BB No. 2-2023 shall remain
applicable.
What documents should I submit if I already have a valid certificate of completion for my
Pre-Bar Review Course, but I am still currently completing my Refresher Course? (Added April
12, 2023)
If based on these FAQs, your Pre-Bar Review Certificate is still valid but your Refresher
Certificate is no longer valid (i.e., due to consumption by taking a prior Bar Examination, or
due to expiration of the 3-Bar-Years period), please submit the following documents during
the application period:
1. A notarized Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review Course; and

2. A Certificate of Enrollment in Refresher Courses.
The notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses as well as the certification

that these Refresher Courses were taken from bona fide professors of law must be
submitted no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the last day of the 2023 Bar
Examinations or October 24, 2023, similar to the documents for deferred submission
provided in Annex D of BB No. 2-2023.
All other documents identified in Annex C of BB No. 2-2023 shall remain applicable.
I have already submitted copies of some of the required documents during my previous
application/s, do I have to submit them again?
Yes. With BARISTA as the new online platform, ALL applicants, whether New Applicants,
Previous Takers, or Refreshers, must submit ALL the required documents that are specified
in B.B. No. 2-2023.
Will electronically-signed documents be accepted?
No. Except for the PSA-issued Birth Certificate and PSA-issued Marriage Contract, where
e-signatures are allowed, the signatures used in ALL the other documents must be wet
signatures.
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My law school or university is already closed. How do I submit the required documents from my
law school or university?
Submit a notarized affidavit stating that you have previously submitted the required
documents, such as the law school TOR and CNDR, and that the law school or university is
already closed.
This requirement only applies to applicants whose law school or university is already closed
but who have previously submitted their law school TOR and CNDR to the OBC.
Is marking of the required documents necessary?
No, the required documents to be filed need not be marked as annexes.
Where can I download the Application Form?
All applicants are required to provide all the necessary information in BARISTA. Once your
application has been approved, a generated .PDF file of the Application Form with your
given information will be available for download via BARISTA. After downloading, please
print your Application Form on separate sheets (not back-to-back) of folio paper (8.5” x 13”).
Affix your wet signature on the designated spaces on each page of the Application Form. The
dates on Pages 1 and 2 thereof both refer to the date when you affixed your wet signature.
When can I submit the printed Application Form and the physical copies of the documents?
The printed and signed Application Form, and the physical copies of the documentary
requirements must be submitted to the OBC not later than ten (10) calendar days upon
receipt of the email notification from BARISTA approving the application.
How do I submit the physical copies of the Application Form and the documentary requirements
to the OBC? (Revised July 15, 2023)
Applicants are mandated to submit only one set of all of the required documents, which must
be securely placed in a long brown envelope. The envelope must be sealed with masking tape
and labeled according to the details below:
Subject: Bar Application Documents

Bar Examinee Number: 2023-XXXXX
Applicant’s Surname and Initials: [e.g. Dela Cruz, J.A.]
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and submitted personally or via private courier service, addressed to:
CHIEF OF OFFICE
Office of the Bar Confidant
Supreme Court of the Philippines
Padre Faura St., Ermita, Barangay 669,
1000 Manila, Philippines
(02) 8 525 7929 | 0917 813 8543
The labels on the long brown envelope may either be typed or handwritten and placed
anywhere thereon, as long as these are clearly visible.
Whether you intend to submit personally or avail of private courier service, applicants are
directed to place their documents in the OBC’s designated dropbox located at the lobby of
the Supreme Court Main Building. To facilitate smooth traffic flow for Court guests and
employees, please ensure that your documents are already complete and ready for
immediate submission in the dropbox upon filling out the Lobby Security’s logbook.
How do I confirm that the OBC has indeed received the physical copies of the application
documents I submitted? (Added July 15, 2023)
The OBC will NOT be issuing any acknowledgment message to confirm its receipt of the
physical copies of your application documents. Applicants are discouraged from sending
requests of this nature through the 2023 Helpdesk or in any other form or manner. Applicants
are urged to monitor and rely on their courier’s tracking receipts or to otherwise keep their
own proof of personal physical submission.
I already submitted the physical copies of my documents to the OBC but, for whatever reason, I
will not be able to take the 2023 Bar Examinations. Can I request for the return of my
documents? (Added July 15, 2023)
No. The physical copies of your application documents will NOT be returned and are deemed
forfeited to the OBC, should you discontinue or withdraw your application for any reason,
including failure to graduate or other personal reasons.
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Considering that the World Health Organization has declared that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of
international concern, and since the Supreme Court now allows persons other than its officials and personnel to enter its
premises, applicants shall be allowed to personally submit their documentary requirements to the OBC, subject to the latest
minimum health protocols (i.e., wearing of masks and physical distancing). Please note that this policy on personal
submission may change depending on the prevailing health situation.
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I accidentally submitted the physical copies of both my mandatory (Annex A to C) and deferred
(Annex D) documents. Do I pick up my deferred documents and resubmit them within the period
of August 1 to October 24, 2023? (Added July 15, 2023)
No. In view of administrative and financial costs, applicants who have already submitted the
physical copies of both their mandatory and deferred documents need not reclaim the latter
from the OBC only to resubmit them at a later time.
Please note, however, that these physically-submitted copies must correspond with the
digital copies uploaded in BARISTA and will still be subject to verification by the OBC
during the period of deferred submission, as stated above.
Moreover, applicants who have already submitted hard copies of their deferred documents
with the OBC are required to attach a signed cover letter among the deferred documents to
be uploaded in BARISTA. Said letter must indicate: (1) the date when they submitted the
physical copies of their deferred documents, (2) their request that such documents be deemed
part of their official submission and be included in their personal file, and (3) their
understanding that such documents will still be subject to verification and processing by
OBC.
I made a mistake in one of the physical documents submitted to the OBC. Do I need to resubmit
the entire set to correct this? (Added July 15, 2023)
No. The entire set of documents need NOT be resubmitted.
1. Applicants –
(1) whose physical set of mandatory documents are missing a document, or

(2) who have in good faith, mistakenly included a wrong document,
must submit the missing or corrected document to the OBC along with a signed
cover letter indicating –
(a) the details of his or her initial submission; and

(b) a request that the new document be included as part of his or her official
submission.
Please note that the foregoing is allowed if the mistake or error is only as to physical
submission, such that the document to be included still corresponds with the
information originally provided in BARISTA.
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2. Applicants who inadvertently realized their own errors in the information supplied
in BARISTA as generated in their Application Form and all other substantial
mistakes in the Application Form itself (i.e., its required contents), must resubmit
their corrected Application Form along with a signed cover letter requesting that
such form be deemed as his or her official submission.
I have received the notification that my BARISTA-generated Application Form is already

available for download. Will my compliance with the 10-day period of submission be reckoned
from the sending of the physical copies of my application documents, or will it be reckoned from
the OBC’s receipt thereof? (Added July 15, 2023)
The physical copies of the Application Form and the supporting documentary requirements
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laid out per applicant type in Annexes A, B, and C must be filed with the OBC within ten (10)
calendar days upon receipt of the email notification from BARISTA. Nonetheless, applicants
are urged to submit their documents with prompt dispatch.
15
BARISTA
Where can I access BARISTA to submit my application to take the 2023 Bar Examinations?
16
BARISTA may be accessed here.
What platform and web browser should I use to avoid compatibility issues?
BARISTA is best accessed on a desktop or laptop using any internet browser.
I can’t seem to access BARISTA. Is there a problem with the platform?
14
2019 RULES OF COURT, Sec. 3.
Manner of filing. — The filing of pleadings and other court submissions shall be made by:
(a) Submitting personally the original thereof, plainly indicated as such, to the court;
(b) Sending them by registered mail;
(c) Sending them by accredited courier; or
(d) x x x x
In the first case, the clerk of court shall endorse on the pleading the date and hour of filing. In the second and third
cases, the date of the mailing of motions, pleadings, and other court submissions, and payments or deposits, as
shown by the post office stamp on the envelope or the registry receipt, shall be considered as the date of their filing,
payment, or deposit in court. The envelope shall be attached to the record of the case. In the fourth case, x x x.
15
Bar Application Registration Information System and Tech Assistance.
16
For ease of reference, the full site address of BARISTA is http://barista.judiciary.gov.ph/.
19
BARISTA may be encountering technical difficulties. To monitor the status of BARISTA,
17
please join the Viber Channel for the 2023 Bar Examinations which may be accessed here .
What are the steps in the BARISTA application process?
Step 0 BARISTA Log-In and Registration

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You may watch the video tutorial available here.
Step 1 Filling out of Bar Applicant Profile – applicant’s personal information,

educational background, and contact information.
19
Step 2 Filling out of Application Details – applicant type (i.e., whether New
Applicant, Previous Taker, or Refresher) and other information.
20
Step 3 Uploading of the required documents for immediate submission, in

digital/scanned copies (See Annexes A-C of Bar Bulletin No. 2, Series of
2023).
21
Step 4 Payment of the Bar Application Fee.

22
Step 5 Verification of documents
Step 6 Processing of applications
Step 7 Court Action – Approval or disapproval of applications for Conditional

Admission
● Generation of the downloadable Application Form
Step 8 Venue selection
Step 9 Issuance of the Notice of Admission
Step 10 Uploading of the required documents for deferred submission, in

digital/scanned copies (See Annex D of Bar Bulletin No. 2, Series of
2023)
How do I use BARISTA?
17
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Viber Channel is http://tinyurl.com/2023BarViberChannel.
18
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/login-and-registration.mp4.
19
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/bar-applicant-profile.mp4.
20
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/application-details.mp4.
21
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/document-upload.mp4.
22
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/payment.mp4.
20
You may watch the Video Tutorials provided above or refer to the User Guide available
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here. Kindly read the User Guide in its entirety to avoid any issues.
STEP 0: BARISTA LOG-IN AND REGISTRATION
What are the processes involved in Step 0?
1. Go to the link indicated above for BARISTA.

2. Click the REGISTER HERE button.
3. Enter the required personal information.
4. Enter and take note of your Security Question and Answer.
5. Tick the appropriate boxes after reading the Data Privacy Notice, and Bar Bulletin No.
2 and this FAQs, linked respectively.
6. Click the REGISTER button.
7. Check the email account you registered for the verification link (i.e., Inbox, Spam, and
Junk folders).
How do I register in BARISTA?
You must use a PERSONAL and ACTIVE email address.
Do not use school-issued or company-issued email addresses because confidential and

personal information will be sent to your registered email address and the same will be used
to contact you, in case of issues or concerns regarding your application.
Register only one (1) account in BARISTA. You will receive a verification email to activate
your account after you have successfully registered.
Kindly whitelist or add the following email addresses to your approved sender list to prevent
emails from being delivered to your spam or junk folder:
obc.helpdesk.sc@judiciary.gov.ph
noreply.barexams.sc@judiciary.gov.ph
Applicants who have not received any email notification from BARISTA within seventy-two
(72) hours from registration may submit their concerns through the Helpdesk Form
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accessible here.
23
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA User Guide is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/[JAN-08]-USERGUIDE.pdf.
24
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.
21
Applicants may no longer change the email address provided in the Registration Page.
Should it be necessary to do so, a request must be filed through the Helpdesk Form above. In
accomplishing the Helpdesk Form, please use your BARISTA-registered email account.
I already have a Bar PLUS (Bar Personal Login Unified System) account. Do I need to register
again for BARISTA?
Yes. ALL applicants for the 2023 Bar Examinations, including Previous Takers and
Refreshers, are required to register in the new online platform. You must provide your
personal data in BARISTA and upload the necessary documents for the purpose of taking the
2023 Bar Examinations.
When can I register on the online platform and when will the registration period end? (Revised
May 18, 2023)
Online Registration shall commence and end on the following periods, depending on your
applicant type:
Applicant Type Application Period
New Applicants January 8, 2023 to April 30, 2023
Previous Takers and May 1, 2023 to July 8, 2023

Refreshers
Applications in BARISTA that were filed outside or beyond the allowable periods shall NOT
be entertained. A prospective examinee who fails to file an application and pay the fees in
BARISTA by the closing dates will not be able to take the 2023 Bar Examinations.
To reiterate, for Previous Takers and Refreshers, the online submission of documents AND
payment of the Bar Application Fee via BARISTA (Steps 3 and 4 above) must both be
accomplished on or before July 8, 2023.
Verification, processing, and the consequent submission of the soft copies of returned
documents, if any, as well as the submission of the physical copies of the mandatory
documents, may take place beyond the said deadline.
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You are required to submit the corrected documents which were returned during verification
and processing (Steps 5 and 6), as soon as possible.
You are required to submit to the OBC the physical copies of your mandatory documents
(based on Annexes B and C of BB No. 2-2023) only after your application has been processed
and approved (Step 7) but within ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the email notification
from BARISTA that your Application Form can be generated and printed.
How should I fill out my name in BARISTA?
You are required to use the name appearing on your Birth Certificate or Marriage
Contract, whichever is applicable. Special characters (e.g., Ñ, Ặ, Ộ, Ề) must be properly
displayed.
If your Birth Certificate does not accurately reflect your name and you intend to file a
Petition for Change of Entry in your Birth Certificate, you must still indicate the name you
are currently using, and submit, in the meantime, the uncorrected Birth Certificate, with an
undertaking stating your intention to have the same corrected.
For married female applicants (Revised May 18, 2023)
Married female applicants may use their 1) maiden surname, 2) husband’s surname as it
appears on their Marriage Contract, or 3) hyphenated surname. Your registered name in
BARISTA will be the name appearing in the Supreme Court’s records, issuances, and
communications.
In this regard, the female applicant’s Government ID and other documents need not
reflect any change of name due to said marriage. The Marriage Contract will suffice for
purposes of enabling the OBC to reconcile any discrepancies in the applicant’s identity.
STEP 1: BAR APPLICANT PROFILE
What processes are involved in Step 1?
1. Log in to your account.

● Enter your registered email address and password.
● Click “I’m not a robot” and accomplish the captcha appearing on the
login page.
● Click the Login button.
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2. On your BARISTA Dashboard, click Bar Applicant Profile and input your
personal data.
3. The applicant must correctly and honestly fill out the details of his or her Profile
Information, Educational Background, and Contact Information. The data
provided will be stored and further used to create your profile as a lawyer, once
you pass the 2023 Bar Examinations.
4. Click NEXT to proceed to the next tab. Refresh the webpage if you are having
trouble accessing the site or filling out the required fields.
5. You may check the accuracy of the information supplied through the Review tab.
Click SUBMIT once you have verified the accuracy and completeness of your
information.
6. Should any errors or subsequent developments arise, the information contained in
the Bar Applicant Profile Page may still be edited before the application reaches
the verification and processing stages. Once the Document Verification and
Application Processing Pages have been activated on your Dashboard, revisions
to the information provided will no longer be permitted. You must file a separate
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request through the Helpdesk Form accessible here to make such changes.
HOW TO FILL OUT PROFILE INFORMATION
Please follow the guidelines mentioned above when filling out the required entries for
names.
HOW TO FILL OUT EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Who are ETEEAP graduates? (Added February 10, 2023)
ETEEAP graduates are those who graduated from the Expanded Tertiary Education
Equivalency and Accreditation Program currently administered by the Philippine
Commission on Higher Education (CHED). As an alternative education program, the
ETEEAP allows Filipino high school graduates who have been working professionals for at
least five (5) years, but were either unable to finish their college education or were completely
unable to step into college for different reasons, to earn a bachelor’s degree without going
26
through traditional schooling methods.
25
26
Executive Order No. 330, signed by Former President Fidel V. Ramos. Approved: May 10, 1996. See What is ETEEAP?, available at
https://eteeap.org/what-is-eteeap/.
24
An applicant should tick the radio button for ETEEAP graduates if he or she has obtained an
equivalent degree under ETEEAP for one of the covered programs offered by a
27
higher-education institution, deputized by the CHED to implement the same.
I graduated from law school in the first semester of the academic year. What should I declare as
my year of graduation?
Applicants who graduated within irregular intervals (e.g., first semester or mid-semester)
must enter the ending year of the academic year when they graduated. For example,
graduates of the first semester of AY 2022-2023 should select "2023" as the year of
graduation.
I am a graduate of a foreign law school. What law school should I declare?
After ticking the Yes radio button for Graduates of Foreign Law Schools, you must indicate
(1) your Year of Graduation therein, (2) the name of your Degree/Title/Course, without
abbreviations, and (3) the name of the foreign law school or university from where you
graduated.
Thereafter, you are also required to declare (4) the status of completion (i.e., whether currently
taking or have already completed) and (5) the law school or university in the Philippines from
where you are taking or have taken the fourth-year Juris Doctor subjects required under Bar
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Matter No. 1153.
How do I declare the details of my Pre-Law degree?
Please spell out and do not use abbreviations in declaring your Degree/Title/Course (e.g.,
“Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science”; “Bachelor of Science, Major in Management”).
Please also spell out and do not use abbreviations or acronyms in declaring the name of the
school/university where you took your Pre-Law degree (e.g., “University of the Philippines”
instead of “UP”).
How should I declare my status if I graduated with two or more Pre-Law degrees? (Added May
18, 2023)
27
See Primer on the ETEEAP Program, available at https://ched.gov.ph/expanded-tertiary-education-equivalency-accreditationeteeap/.
28
Bar Matter No. 1153, Re: Letter of Atty. Estelito P. Mendoza, Proposing Reforms in the Bar Examinations Through Amendments to Rule 138
of the Rules of Court, March 9, 2010.
25
You may declare any of the degrees you successfully obtained as your Pre-Law course. You
may likewise submit the TOR for either or both degrees in the “Pre-Law TOR” upload tab.
HOW TO FILL OUT CONTACT INFORMATION
Can I use someone else's mobile number or landline number?
No. Do NOT use someone else's mobile number or landline number because the Supreme
Court will refer to the contact numbers provided in your BARISTA account should there be a
need to reach you anytime, and for any concern.
I am currently renting a place. Can I use it as my present address?
Yes, you may use your current residence as your present address. Once you pass the Bar
Examinations and become a full-fledged lawyer, your permanent address will be indicated in
your membership.
Does my present address affect my venue selection?
Generally, no. Your present address will not affect your venue selection since the latter will
be solely based on your choice. However, in case you were not able to select a venue within
the deadline, you may be assigned to a venue closest to your present address or your law
school, depending on slot availability.
The specific deadline and mechanics for the venue selection procedure will be announced at
a later date.
STEP 2: APPLICATION DETAILS
1. On your BARISTA Dashboard, click Application Details and input the required
information.
2. The applicant must correctly and honestly fill out his or her Application Details,
Personal Information, Educational Background, and Contact Information. The
information previously supplied in the Bar Applicant’s Profile Page will be
automatically carried over and may no longer be edited while filling out the
Application Details Page.
26
3. The information provided at this stage will be used to automatically generate the
Application to Take the 2023 Bar Examinations (Application Form), which will be
available for downloading and printing at Step 7, once the OBC approves your online
application.
4. Click NEXT to proceed to the next tab. Refresh the page if you are having trouble
accessing the site or filling out the required fields.
5. To ensure that the details of your application are correct and complete, click the
Review tab for a summary of all the information provided. Once you have verified the
accuracy and completeness of your information, click SUBMIT APPLICATION. An
Application Number will be generated, which the applicant will use during payment.
6. Should any errors or subsequent developments arise, the information contained in the
Application Details Page may still be edited before the application reaches the
verification and processing stages. Once the Document Verification and Application
Processing Pages have been activated on your Dashboard, revisions to the information
or documents provided will no longer be permitted. You must file a separate request
29
through the Helpdesk Form accessible here to make such changes.
HOW TO SELECT APPLICANT TYPE
What is my Applicant Type?
The Applicant Type is determined based on the time of actual taking of the Bar
Examinations, and regardless of the year of graduation from law school or previous
applications filed.
The three types of applicants for the 2023 Bar Examinations are as follows:
New Applicants Those who will take the Bar Examinations for the first time.
Previous Takers Those who will take the Bar Examinations for the second or
third time.
Refreshers Those who will take the Bar Examinations for the fourth time
or more.
I applied and was admitted as a candidate for previous Bar examinations but have not taken any
of the examinations. What is my applicant type?
You are still considered as a New Applicant.
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27
You are deemed a New Applicant if you have applied for previous Bar Examinations but have:
1. Formally withdrawn through a letter sent to the OBC;
2. Otherwise failed to appear for whatever reason during the first day of the
examinations; or
3. Suffered from COVID-19 and was not able to take any exam subject of the previous
Bar examinations at all.
What is my applicant type if I applied for the 2022 Bar Examinations but was not able to take
it?
You will have the same applicant type as declared on your 2022 Bar Application.
You must also indicate the reason why you were not able to take the said examinations (e.g.,
whether due to financial restrictions, medical reasons, COVID-19, or Severe Tropical Storm
Paeng).
What is my applicant type if I applied for the 2022 Bar Examinations but was not able to finish
it?
If you were not able to finish the 2022 Bar Examinations due to COVID-19, you will have the
same applicant type as declared on your 2022 Bar Application. However, you must have
reported your condition by sending an email to your Venue Examinee Supervisor or you must
have been duly disqualified by the 2022 Bar Personnel.
If you were not able to finish the 2022 Bar Examinations due to reasons other than
COVID-19, you are considered to have failed the examinations. You are considered as a
Previous Taker or Refresher, whichever is applicable.
It has been years since I last took the Bar Examinations. Do I have to take a refresher course?
It depends on the number of times you have taken the examinations. You are only required to
take a refresher course if you will apply for the 2023 Bar Examinations after three (3) or more
unsuccessful attempts.
For how long is my refresher course valid?
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A refresher course must have been completed within a maximum of two (2) years from initial
enrollment in the subject. Those who have completed the fourth-year refresher courses shall
be given a maximum of three (3) Bar years (and not calendar years) within which to take the
30
Bar Examinations.
However, the certification attesting to the completion of the refresher course subjects may
only be used for one (1) Bar examination.
I am a Refresher who did not take the 2022 Bar Examinations. Can I still use the certification I
obtained in 2022 to take the 2023 Bar Examinations?
Yes. A Refresher who completed refresher courses in 2022 but did not take the 2022 Bar
Examinations is NOT yet deemed to have used his or her certification. However, you will
need to resubmit the certification previously obtained for your 2023 Bar Application.
I am a Refresher who did not pass the 2022 Bar Examinations. Can I still use my refresher course
to take the 2023 Bar Examinations?
No. The refresher course was already used for the 2022 Bar Examinations. You are required to
take another refresher course to be eligible to take the 2023 Bar Examinations.
I am a Previous Taker or a Refresher who was conditionally admitted to take the last Bar
Examinations. What reason/s should I state for my conditional admission? (Revised May 18,
2023)
Please input whichever applies to you:
● Pending correction of birth certificate;

● Pending case;
● Lack of certificate of completion of pre-bar review course; or
● Lack of other documentary requirements.
If the reason for your conditional admission is not listed above, please specify the reason.
If you did not receive any email notification from the OBC as to why your application was
deemed conditionally admitted, please indicate “Lack of other documentary requirements” as
your reason.
30
Bar Matter No. 3454, Re: Letter of Dean Emerson B. Aquende, Chairperson of the Legal Education Board Relative to the Rule on Refresher
Course, September 11, 2018.
29
Kindly indicate the status of compliance following this format:
Reason; Status of Compliance
For example:
Pending correction of birth certificate; Complied.
HOW TO FILL OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION
My ID does not indicate the date of validity and/or place of its issuance. How should I proceed
with my application?
Your ID’s date of validity and place of issuance are optional fields, so you are not required to
fill them out. But please ensure that your photo and signature are visible in both the scanned
copy to be uploaded in BARISTA and the photocopy to be physically submitted to the OBC.
How should I declare my vaccination status?
You are considered fully vaccinated and may tick the corresponding Yes radio button, if you
have received the second dose in a two (2)-dose series or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine,
31
more than fourteen (14) days prior to the accomplishment of the application.
If I have received multiple booster shots, what should I indicate as my Booster Shot Date?
If you have received multiple booster shots by the time of application, please indicate the
most recent date which you have received a booster shot.
I am related by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth (4th) civil degree to an incumbent
Justice of the Supreme Court, and/or officials or personnel of the Office of the Bar Chairperson,
or the Office of the Bar Confidant. How should I declare them in BARISTA if I have more than
one (1) relative?
Tick the Yes radio button, then enumerate your relatives in the textbox that appears with the
following format:
1. Surname, Given Name, Middle Initial. – Relationship
31
Bureau of Immigration Advisory relative to Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 2,
Series of 2022, Section III, November 4, 2022.
30
2. Surname, Given Name, Middle Initial. – Relationship
For example:
1. De la Cruz, Juan, M. – Brother

2. De la Cruz. Maria, B. – Grandmother
A case has been filed against me. How do I declare this in my application?
Tick the Yes radio button and supply the details of the case. If multiple cases have been filed
against you, click Add Case and separately input the details of each case.
If you chose Pending as an option in the drop-down menu for Status, you may indicate under
Remarks its stage if on trial, or if the same has been archived or provisionally dismissed.
HOW TO FILL OUT CONTACT INFORMATION
What is the purpose of the Survey for the Exam Venue?
In the Survey for the Exam Venue, you will be required to choose two (2) target locations
where you would prefer to take the 2023 Bar Examinations.
This is for survey purposes only and will NOT bind the applicant during the venue selection
procedure.
STEP 3: DOCUMENT UPLOAD
1. Read the contents of the Instructions tab.

2. Prepare a complete set of the scanned/digital copies of the documents in the
prescribed format and size, as indicated below. A summary of the documents required
per applicant type, along with their templates, are available in the Application
Requirements tab.
3. You will attach all the documents within the Upload Documents tab. To upload a file,
click the button which corresponds to the document you want to upload.
4. Make sure that all of the necessary files for Immediate Submission have been
uploaded. Otherwise, you will not be able to proceed with payment.
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5. Tick the appropriate checkboxes under Consent and Undertakings, once you have
read and understood them.
6. Once all the required documents have been uploaded, you may (a) click the SAVE
AND EXIT button to save your uploaded documents and proceed to payment at
another time, or (b) click the PROCEED TO PAYMENT button if you are ready to pay
the Bar Application Fee.
What is the prescribed format for the documents I will upload?
Please make sure that the scanned documents are in the same dimensions and same color as
the physical documents. In general, each of the uploaded documents must be
readable/legible, scanned with at least 300 DPI resolution, and saved in .PDF format. The
maximum file size per .PDF file is 10 MB.
However, the Government-/Law-School-Issued ID and the unretouched photo must be

uploaded in .JPEG format and with a maximum file size of 2MB.
The maximum file size of the Law School TOR and Bar Matter No. 1153 Requirements for
graduates of foreign law schools is 20 MB.
The submission of files that are found to be technologically-malicious may disqualify the
applicant involved and result in disciplinary and criminal sanctions.
Technologically-malicious files are those that are deliberately corrupted, or those that
contain viruses or malware that are intentionally harmful to the recipient.
The physical copies of my documentary requirements were issued in A4-size (or letter-size) paper.
Are these acceptable?
Yes. Only the generated Application Form should be printed on separate sheets (not
back-to-back) of folio size paper (8.5” x 13”).
Is there a prescribed format for the file name of the documents to be uploaded?
None. You may label your documents however you prefer as long as they are identifiable.
However, please do not use your special characters (examples: ñ, ö, æ) in the filenames.
My document (e.g., Transcript of Records) has multiple pages. Can I upload them separately?
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No. If your document has multiple pages, you must scan and consolidate them into a single
.PDF file.
I am a graduate of a foreign law school. How do I upload my additional documentary

requirements (i.e., transcript of records from foreign law school, accreditation/recognition of my
foreign law school by the proper authority, and certificate of completion of fourth year subjects in
a law school in the Philippines, etc.)?
Applicants must combine all the documents required under Bar Matter No. 1153 into a single
.PDF file and attach them to the Law TOR upload tab.
I am a Refresher, and I have Notarized Certifications issued by the individual professors of each
of the refresher course subjects, with my corresponding grades indicated therein. How do I upload
these Notarized Certifications issued by the individual professors in BARISTA?
Applicants must likewise combine the Notarized Certifications issued by the professors and
upload them into a single .PDF file in the allotted tab.
How should I upload my Government ID?
You must separately upload both the front and back parts of your Government ID. However,
if you are using either the GSIS, SSS, or UMID ID, you may redact the sensitive information
(e.g., account number, CVV, CVC) included therein before uploading.
If I intend to use my Passport as my government-issued ID, how should I upload this in

BARISTA? (Added April 12, 2023)
The front part of the Passport is the photo page containing the passport-holder’s details (e.g.,
Passport number, date of issuance, date of expiry, etc.). The back part of the Passport is the
page containing the holder’s signature. The front and back parts of the ID must be separately
scanned in JPEG format and also separately attached to their corresponding upload tabs in
BARISTA.
How can applicants with special needs submit their requests?
Applicants who have special needs (i.e., pregnant, senior citizens, persons with disabilities
(PWD)) should have declared their status as such in the Bar Applicant Profile Page.
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They must then upload a letter within the allotted tab in the Documents Upload Page,
specifically stating their circumstances and the assistance needed during the Bar
Examinations. To expedite the processing of such requests, documents proving the
applicant’s special needs (e.g., PWD card, medical certificate, etc.) should likewise be attached
to the letter and uploaded as a single .PDF file.
STEP 4: PAYMENT OF THE BAR APPLICATION FEE
What processes are involved in Step 4? (Revised February 10, 2023)
1. Once you open the Payment Page, you will be able to view your Applicant Details,
Payment Details, and the Breakdown of Payment.
2. Choose your preferred payment channel from among the options available within the
Judiciary e-Payment Solution (JePS). Please ensure that you have sufficient balance in
your chosen bank account/mobile wallet before clicking the “Proceed” button. You
will then be redirected to their corresponding portal. Input the required information
and follow the specific instructions provided therein to tender payment.
3. Once you have completed your transaction, a separate email from UPay/UnionBank as
well as an email and text message from your chosen bank/mobile wallet will be sent to
your registered email address and mobile number, respectively.
4. Once your payment has been posted and confirmed, an electronic official receipt
(e-OR) issued by the Supreme Court will be generated and will be available in
BARISTA. The e-OR shall contain your Application Reference Number, Payment
Reference Number, as well as the corresponding date and time of your transaction.
You can also print or save your e-OR, for documentation purposes. Please expect your
payment to be confirmed not later than five (5) working days.
5. Please note that the Status under the Payment Details section of BARISTA may
change to reflect the following developments:
Payment Status Description
PAID Applicant has successfully paid the full Bar Application

Fee.
Your e-OR will also indicate your Bar Examinee (BE)

Number.
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PENDING Applicant has initiated payment steps but:
1. The applicant has not completed the transaction;
or
2. The chosen payment channel has not yet posted or
confirmed payment.
PARTIALLY PAID Applicant has made a transaction but the amount

tendered was insufficient. At this stage, your e-OR will
not yet contain your BE Number.
Please settle the remaining balance by returning to the

JePS portal and repeating the steps outlined above with
your preferred payment channel.
NOT PAID Applicant has finished uploading the required

documents in Step 3 but has not yet initiated payment.
6. Once your status has been updated to “Paid”, your BE number will likewise appear in
BARISTA. Please take note of your BE number as you will be indicating this when
submitting the hard copies of your Application Form and its supporting documents.
How do I pay the Bar Application Fee? (Revised February 10, 2023)
After uploading the required documents and clicking Proceed to Payment, you will be
directed to the Payment page, where you can pay online through any of the channels available
within JePS.
The following payment channels are currently available in JePs:
1. Unionbank Online
2. Bank Transfer (PCHC Paygate)

• Asia United Bank Corporation
• Bank of the Philippine Islands
• Philippine Savings Bank
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
• Robinsons Bank Corporation
• Union Bank of the Philippines
3. E-Wallet
• G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI)
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• GrabPay
• FortunePay
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4. Bank or E-wallet Transfer
Instapay QR:
• AllBank, Inc.
• Asia United Bank Corporation
• Bank of the Philippine Islands
• Card Bank, Inc.
• China Banking Corporation
• DCPay Philippines, Inc.
• Land Bank of the Philippines
• Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company
• PayMaya Philippines, Inc.
• Philippine Savings Bank
• Queen City Development Bank, Inc.
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
• Robinsons Bank Corporation
• StarPay Corporation
Instapay Transfers:
• AllBank, Inc. • Malayan Bank Savings and Mortgage
• Asia United Bank Corporation Bank, Inc.
• BDO Unibank, Inc. • Maybank Philippines, Inc.
• BPI Direct BanKO, Inc. • Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company
• Bank of Commerce • PayMaya Philippines, Inc.
• Bank of the Philippine Islands • Philippine Bank of Communications
• CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corporation • Philippine National Bank
• Card Bank, Inc. • Philippine Savings Bank
• Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, Inc. • Philippine Trust Company
• China Bank Savings, Inc. • Queen City Development Bank, Inc.
• China Banking Corporation •Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
• DCPay Philippines, Inc. • Robinsons Bank Corporation
• Dungganon Bank, Inc. • Rural Bank of Guinobatan, Inc.
• East West Banking Corporation • Security Bank Corporation
• East West Rural Bank, Inc. • StarPay Corporation
• Equicom Savings Bank, Inc. • Sterling Bank of Asia, Inc.
• G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI) • Sun Savings Bank, Inc.
• GrabPay • United Coconut Planters Bank
• ING Bank N.V.
• Land Bank of the Philippines
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A video tutorial on how to navigate the online payment facilities in JePS is available here.
How much should I pay for the Bar Application Fee? (Revised February 10, 2023)
The Bar Application Fee is PhP12,800.00, for all types of applicants.
However, this amount does not include any convenience fee which may be additionally
charged by your chosen payment channel/facility. Please note that the different payment
channels/facilities are subject to varying amounts of convenience fees.
Please also be reminded that the total amount to be paid shall be the amount reflected in the
confirmation page. Payment of any other amount will be considered either underpayment or
overpayment, and in either case would be incorrect.
The application will only be processed by the OBC after the Bar Application Fee has been
fully paid.
If the status indicated in your BARISTA account is “Partially Paid”, please expect an email
from the Court for additional instructions on how to complete your payment.
Can I pay the Bar Application Fee over-the-counter?
No. There is no offline payment or over-the-counter payment for the 2023 Bar Examinations.
Pay ONLY through the online facilities available in BARISTA.
Am I required to use the same mobile number I indicated in my Applicant Profile in BARISTA, if
I should opt to use G-Xchange, Inc. or GCash as my payment facility? (Added April 12, 2023)
No. You don’t need to use the same mobile number indicated in your BARISTA profile, as the
GCash portal will require you to separately and manually input the mobile number you will use
for payment.
After paying online, why is my payment still not posted? (Revised February 10, 2023)
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For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/payment.mp4.
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Your payment may not reflect immediately in your BARISTA account. Confirmation of
payment will be made within five (5) working days. If your payment is still not reflected after
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such time, please request assistance by filling up the Helpdesk Form accessible here.
What should I do if I encounter an error while paying online and the amount is already deducted
from my bank account but the payment is still not reflected in BARISTA?
Keep calm. If the amount has already been deducted from your account, please DO NOT
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attempt to pay again. Contact the Helpdesk accessible here to confirm your payment.
Can I pay the Bar Application Fee for more than one applicant?
No. All payments shall be tendered individually. Payments for more than one (1) applicant/
batch processing will NOT be accepted.
Is the Bar Application Fee refundable?
The 2023 Bar Application Fee is non-refundable.
However, requests for refund will be entertained for New Applicants who were subsequently
unsuccessful in completing their law degree.
In addition, payments made in excess of the prescribed fee or erroneous/double payments

may likewise be refunded to the applicant.
The refund of paid 2023 Bar Application Fees may be processed by filing the appropriate
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request through the Helpdesk Form accessible here.
I am a New Applicant. How do I process my request for refund of the 2023 Bar Application Fee
due to failure to successfully complete my law degree? (Revised June 19, 2023)
You may file a request under the “Payment-Refund Request” section of the Helpdesk Form,
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which may be accessed here. Please compile the following supporting documents in one
PDF file and upload them along with your request:
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1. Notarized Affidavit of withdrawal of Bar application and request for refund of the
2023 Bar Application Fee, addressed to the Bar Chair’s Office, and indicating the
following:
a. Registered name in BARISTA;
b. Bar Examinee Number;
c. Details of the bank account where the amount to be refunded will be
deposited:
i. Bank name [preferably Landbank]
ii. Branch name;
iii. Account name; and
iv. Account number;
Please note that Landbank account holders will receive the amount to be refunded
through direct deposit to their provided accounts. Non-Landbank account holders will
be issued checks, which they may pickup from the OBC, subject to further
arrangements.
2. Proof of Payment of the 2023 Bar Application Fee (i.e., e-OR from BARISTA); and
3. Official school document(s) indicating failure to complete the law degree (e.g.,
printout of the applicant’s grades generated from his or her student account or
similar official communication from the law school).
In view of strict audit requirements, the official school document(s) indicating failure
to complete the law degree must be a direct printout or an equivalent readable output
that clearly reflects the required information and accurately identifies its official
source (e.g., with manifestly visible URL of the official school website, header showing
official school name logo, etc.).
Covered applicants shall be entitled to the following amounts corresponding to their date of
submission of complete documents:
Filing Date Percentage of Refund
On or before July 18, 2023 100%
From July 19, 2023 to September 23, 2023 50%
On or after September 24, 2023 20%
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For more information, please refer to the Refund Mechanics for the 2023 Bar Application
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Fee, which may be accessed here.
How do I process my request for refund of the 2023 Bar Application Fee due to erroneous/double
payment? (Revised June 19, 2023)
You may file a request under the “Payment-Refund Request” section of the Helpdesk Form
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accessible here. Please compile the following supporting documents in one PDF file and
upload them along with your request on or before July 18, 2023:
1. Signed Letter-Request for refund of the 2023 Bar Application Fee, indicating the
following:
c. Details of the bank account where the amount to be refunded will be deposited:

ii. Branch name;
iv. Account number;
d. Six-digit InstaPay or BancNet reference number, if paid through other banks;
Please note that Landbank account holders will receive the amount to be refunded
through direct deposit to their provided accounts. Non-Landbank account holders
will be issued checks, which they may pick-up from the OBC, subject to further
arrangements.
2. Erroneous payment email from Unionbank;

3. Successful payment email from Unionbank; and
4. E-OR issued by the Supreme Court and generated in BARISTA.
You may download and/or print your e-OR through the following steps:
a. Go to your BARISTA Dashboard and click “Step 4 – Payment;”

b. On the Payment Details Page, click the OR number link (e.g., BAR2023000001)
found on the table under the column “OR#” to view your e-OR;
c. Download and/or print your e-OR.
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For ease of reference, the full site address of the OBC Notice on the Refund Mechanics is
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Bar-Notice-re-Refund-Mechanics.pdf.
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How do I process my request for refund of the 2023 Bar Application Fee if I will not be able to
take the 2023 Bar Examinations due to highly meritorious reasons? (Added June 19, 2023)
You may likewise file a request under the “Payment-Refund Request” section of the Helpdesk
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Form, which may be accessed here. Please compile the following supporting documents in
one PDF file and upload them along with your request on or before August 31, 2023:
1. Notarized Affidavit of withdrawal of Bar application and request for refund of the
2023 Bar Application Fee, addressed to the Bar Chair’s Office, and indicating the
following:

c. Details of the bank account where the amount to be refunded will be
deposited:
ii. Branch name;
iv. Account number;
Please note that Landbank account holders will receive the amount to be
refunded through direct deposit to their provided accounts. Non-Landbank
account holders will be issued checks, which they may pick-up from the OBC,
subject to further arrangements.
2. Proof of Payment of the 2023 Bar Application Fee (i.e., e-OR from BARISTA); and
3. Documentary proof (e.g., medical certificate, etc.) to adequately substantiate the
highly meritorious reason (not limited to medical issues).
The sufficiency of the “highly meritorious reason” alleged by the applicant, the evaluation of
the application for refund under this ground, and the amount that may be refunded to the
applicant, if so granted, shall be subject to the discretion and determination of the Office of
the 2023 Bar Chair and the Office of the Bar Confidant.
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I have paid my Bar Application Fee and my application has already been verified/processed by
the OBC. However, I will not be able to take the 2023 Bar Examinations for reasons not falling
within any of the allowable grounds for refund. How can I discontinue my application? (Added
June 19, 2023)
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Please submit a notarized Affidavit of withdrawal of Bar application to the Helpdesk Form.
However, once this is acknowledged as received by the OBC, your application shall be
deemed irrevocably withdrawn. Withdrawing applicants are presumed to have understood
and to have been fully informed of the implications and repercussions of their actions and
shall be bound thereby.
I applied for the 2022 Bar Examinations but deferred due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm
Paeng. May I credit my previously paid Bar Fee and apply the same to the 2023 Bar Application
Fee? (Revised February 10, 2023)
No. Affected applicants must still pay the 2023 Bar Application Fee and instead request in
writing for a refund of the 2022 Bar Fee.
In a similar manner, all other requests for refund of the 2022 Bar Application Fee may be
addressed by sending a signed letter-application to the OBC via the 2022 Bar Exams
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Helpdesk available here.
STEPS 5 and 6:
DOCUMENT VERIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROCESSING
What processes are involved in Steps 5 and 6?(Revised May 18, 2023)
1. Once your application has been submitted and your payment has been confirmed, it
will be verified and processed by the OBC for approval or denial.
2. If your application has been tagged as For Verification in BARISTA, you may no
longer edit the information or revise the documents you have provided. You must
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file a separate request through the Helpdesk Form accessible here to make any
urgent and necessary changes.
3. Once your application has been verified, you will receive confirmation that the same
has been queued for processing. You will receive a notification via your registered
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For ease of reference, the full site address of the 2022 Bar Examinations Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2022BarExamHelpDesk.
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email address regarding the status of your online application. Your BARISTA
Dashboard will likewise reflect such change in status.
4. Otherwise, you will receive an email from the OBC as well as a pop-up notice in your
BARISTA Dashboard regarding the return of your application. The Notice of
Returned Application shall inform you of the reasons for the disapproval of specific
documents (e.g., wrong document submitted, not an original/certified true copy, not
readable, incomplete pages, etc.)
5. In such cases, please submit the corrected document/s as soon as possible by returning
to Step 3 - Documents Upload, selecting the upload button for the document that
needs to be revised, removing such old file, and re-uploading the corrected file. Click
Resubmit to finalize.
6. After the verification stage, your application will be tagged as Pending Processing. If
you have received an email from the OBC as well as a pop-up notice in your BARISTA
Dashboard regarding the return of your application, please follow Steps 4 and 5 above.
7. The OBC will directly contact you if any other necessary changes in your personal
information or applicant details need to be made to reconcile discrepancies.
Thereafter, you will receive an email notification containing the specifics of such
Change in Personal Information.
8. Once your application has been processed, you will receive confirmation that the
same has been submitted to the Supreme Court En Banc for Agenda. You will receive a
notification via your registered email address and your BARISTA Dashboard will be
updated, to reflect these developments.
9. In view of the influx of applicants and the volume of documents that must be
processed, applicants are implored to check their emails regularly and to monitor their
BARISTA Dashboards. As there is no guaranteed timeframe, kindly patiently wait
for the full processing of your application.
To decongest the Helpdesk pipeline, applicants are highly discouraged from sending
follow-up queries regarding the status of their applications. Rest assured that
verification and processing by the OBC are ongoing, and that your application will
definitely be processed and assessed in due course. You will be contacted by the
verifier or processor if your submission requires further clarification or correction.
STEP 7: COURT ACTION
What processes are involved in Step 7? (Revised June 19, 2023)
1. Once your application has been either approved or denied, you will receive an email
containing a Partial List of Approved or Denied Candidates. The Court’s action on
your application will likewise be reflected on your BARISTA Dashboard.
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2. If your application is approved by the OBC, you will then be notified if your
Application Form has been generated and is already available in the Downloadable
Forms tab of your Dashboard.
3. Submit the printed Application Form with your wet signature, along with the hard
copies of your uploaded documents within a non-extendible ten (10) calendar days
from receipt of the email notification from BARISTA approving your online
application (i.e., from notice of the generated Application Form). Please follow the
prescribed format of the Application Form, as well as the specific procedure for filing
with the OBC as provided in the FAQs.
What are the grounds for the denial of my Bar Application?
The Bar Application will not be accepted if:
1. The applicant is not qualified to take the Bar Examinations;

2. The application is filed beyond the deadline set by the Court; or
3. The applicant did not submit all the required documents or pay the Bar
Application Fee.
How will I know if my application has been approved or denied?
Check your email regularly and monitor your BARISTA Dashboard to see if your application
has been approved or denied.
The OBC will release a Partial List of Approved Candidates who are conditionally admitted
by the Supreme Court En Banc to take the 2023 Bar Examinations. The OBC will also release
a Partial List of Denied Candidates for those whose applications were denied.
There is a conflict between what is stated in BARISTA and the issuances in the Supreme Court
microsite for the 2023 Bar Examinations and the FAQs. What is controlling? (Revised July 15,
2023)
In case of conflict between what is stated in BARISTA and the issuances in the Supreme
Court microsite for the Bar Examinations and the FAQs, the issuances in the Supreme
Court microsite and the FAQs shall be controlling.
This notwithstanding, applicants are reminded to thoroughly read and carefully understand
all Supreme Court issuances in their entirety (i.e., including footnotes)
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Venue Concerns
I have a very important event that directly conflicts with the time slot/ schedule allotted to my
Randomized Queuing Number (RQN). Can I request in advance for another RQN or a change of
schedule? (Added July 15, 2023).
No. The time slot allotted to an applicant on either July 24 or 25, 2023, during which you must
select and finalize your preferred local testing center (LTC) via BARISTA, will entirely
depend on the RQN, which is an impartially assigned and electronically generated number
unique to the applicant. Applicants may select their venues only during their assigned time slot
and strictly in accordance with the schedule provided under Bar Bulletin No. 4, Series of
2023.
Since all RQNs are final, you are advised to undertake alternative preparations, such as but
not limited to seeking the assistance of willing and able companions who can select your
LTC for you.
Until now, my application status in BARISTA is still “pending Court Action.” Will I be given my
RQN in time for venue selection proper? (Added July 15, 2023)
Yes. All applicants will be informed of the Supreme Court’s approval or denial of their
applications before the commencement of the venue selection period.
The last batch of applicants approved by the Court as being conditionally admitted to take
the 2023 Bar Examinations will be notified of the availability of their BARISTA-generated
Application Forms no later than July 19, 2023, Wednesday. They can thus expect to timely
receive their RQN and participate in the venue selection.
I saw my name in the OBC’s Partial List of Conditionally Admitted Applicants and was able to
download my BARISTA-generated Application Form. However, I did not receive my RQN. What
should I do? (Added July 15, 2023)
All RQNs of qualified applicants shall be sent to their BARISTA accounts and registered
email addresses on July 20, 2023, Thursday. Please monitor your Inboxes as well as your
Spam folders on said date to ensure receipt. If you have not received your RQN by the end of
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said date, please fill up the “Venue – Selection” section of the Helpdesk Form immediately.
45 For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.
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I saw my name in the OBC’s Partial List of Conditionally Admitted Applicants and was already
able to download my Application Form. I also received an email regarding my RQN. However,
there is no Venue Selection module/link appearing on my BARISTA Dashboard. What should I
do? (Added July 15, 2023)
The link to the Venue Selection module should appear on your BARISTA Dashboard by July
20, 2023 and simultaneously with the release of applicant RQNs. If your BARISTA
Dashboard does not reflect this update by then, please fill up the “Venue – Selection” section
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of the Helpdesk Form immediately.
Please note, however, that you will only be able to access the actual Venue Selection module
exclusively during the time slot that corresponds to your RQN.
I saw my name in the OBC’s Partial List of Conditionally Admitted Applicants and was already
able to download my Application Form. I also received an email regarding my RQN. However, the
Venue Selection module is not accessible on my Dashboard (i.e., I cannot click the link). (Added
July 15, 2023)
The link to the Venue Selection module will only be accessible on your BARISTA Dashboard
during your assigned schedule, based on your RQN. If the Venue Selection module/link is
not accessible or clickable during your schedule, please fill up the “Venue – Selection” section
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of the Helpdesk Form or call the OBC landline immediately.
Does my preferred LTC have airconditioning? (Added July 15, 2023)
Venue-specific queries (e.g., whether the rooms in your chosen LTC have air-conditioning)
will be answered by your Venue Examinee Supervisor (VES) through an official
announcement after the venue selection period.
Digitalized Examinations
How will the Digitalized Examinations be conducted? (Revised July 15, 2023)
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Examinees will be required to take the 2023 Bar Examinations using their own laptops in
place of examination pens and booklets, in the local testing center (LTC) of their choice as
confirmed and approved by the Court, and while closely supervised by and in the physical
presence of proctors.
What program will be used to administer the Bar Examinations? (Revised July 15, 2023)
The Bar Examinations shall be conducted through Examplify, a computer-based program

downloaded and installed in the examinee’s laptop. Examplify will allow examinees to take the
sample examinations and the Bar Examinations in a secure virtual environment.
What devices should I bring to take the Bar Examinations? (Revised July 15, 2023)
You must bring with you to the testing venue your own laptop equipped with the most basic
specifications: Wi-Fi-enabled laptop, with a built-in keyboard, a working trackpad,
integrated screen, and sufficient battery power. This laptop must be the same device that
you will use in taking the sample examinations and in the actual Bar Examinations. Bring
your own laptop charger as well.
In the interest of examinee comfort and convenience, and even if allowed, please refrain from
bringing and using external gadgets and accessories, as each examinee’s allotted desk space
is sufficient to hold only one laptop.
Smartphones, iOS devices, tablets, and other similar devices shall NOT be allowed. The full
list of allowed items (e.g., external devices and gadgets, computer accessories, medical devices,
etc.) shall be released in a later issuance.
What are the minimum system requirements of Examplify? (Added July 15, 2023)
The prescribed minimum system requirements of Examplify, as well as the list of compatible
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Operating Systems may be accessed here. The exact software version that will be used is
Version 3.3.
The examinees’ laptops must run on MacOS or Windows. Examplify will not run on
Chromebooks, Android, or Linux operating systems and does not support touchscreen input
on Mac or Windows laptops.
48 For ease of reference, the full site address for Examplify’s minimum system requirements is
https://examsoft.com/resources/examplify-minimum-system-requirements/.
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As previously instructed via OBC Notice, examinees who intend to use a MacBook are
strongly advised NOT TO UPDATE TO OR INSTALL macOS SONOMA or macOS 14,
whether in the beta version or its regular release.
How will I know if my device is compatible with Examplify? (Revised July 15, 2023)
You will be able to check the compatibility of your laptop with Examplify by
completing/taking the three (3) sample examinations prior to the 2023 Bar Examinations
this September. Failure to take the third sample examination will result in the deactivation of
the Examplify account of the non-complying examinee.
It is your responsibility to show up at your chosen LTC to take the Bar Examinations with a
functioning and compatible laptop.
How can I access Examplify? (Revised July 15, 2023)
An email shall be sent to your BARISTA-registered address on or after August 1, 2023 with
instructions on how to download Examplify and access your Examplify account. Thus, you
must regularly monitor your inbox, spam, and/or junk folders for this email.
When is the deadline for the installation of Examplify? (Added July 15, 2023)
You must install Examplify Version 3.3 on your laptop by August 25, 2023.
May I use the version of Examplify from my school or review center? (Added July 15, 2023)
No. All examinees must strictly use the version of Examplify to be downloaded and accessed
upon receipt of the registration email. All other versions that may have been earlier
installed in the laptop that you intend to use for the Bar Examinations must be
uninstalled and deleted.
I took the 2021/2022 Bar Examinations and/or the 2022 Bar Examinations. May I use the
version of Examplify provided by the Supreme Court in the previous years? (Added July 15,
2023)
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For ease of reference, the full site address of the OBC Notice is
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Bar-Notice-re-Examplify.pdf
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No. Examinees must use the version of Examplify to be provided this year. Those provided in
previous years must be uninstalled and deleted.
When can I download the three (3) sample examinations? (Added July 15, 2023)
The first sample examination shall be available for download on August 1, 2023.
The second sample examination shall be available for download on August 16, 2023, or
twenty-four hours before the second sample examination on August 17, 2023.
The third sample examination shall be available for download on August 18, 2023.
When is the deadline for the submission of answers to the third sample examination? (Added July
15, 2023)
The deadline for the submission of answers to the third sample examination is on August 25,
2023.
What if I fail to take the third sample examination? (Added July 15, 2023)
Your Examplify account will be deactivated, and you may not be able to take the Bar
Examinations.
There is an error in my information as reflected in Examplify. Can I have this corrected? (Added
July 15, 2023)
Yes. You may have your registration information corrected until August 29, 2023.
To ensure the seamless operations of Examplify on my laptop, what are some of the “best
practices” that I should adopt? (Added July 15, 2023)
At least one day prior to the first day of the 2023 Bar Examinations, or on September 16, 2023,
all examinees are highly encouraged to adopt the following “best practices” to ensure the
seamless operations of Examplify on their laptops:
1. Ensure that your laptop is in good working condition. A good working laptop
is absolutely crucial for all the three days of the Bar Examinations.
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2. Disable antivirus software. All antivirus software installed on the laptop must
be disabled during the days of the Bar Examinations. The antivirus software may be
re-enabled at the end of every afternoon examinations.
3. Uninstall all unnecessary software. To avoid program conflicts or technical

issues, uninstall, in the meantime, all unnecessary software during the days of the Bar
Examinations.
4. Turn off Windows or Mac automatic system updates. Preserve the

compatibility of Examplify with your laptop by turning off automatic system updates
before and during the Bar Examinations.
Post-2023 Bar Examinations
When can I submit the deferred documents?
You may submit the deferred documents starting August 1, 2023 but no later than October 24,
2023 or thirty (30) calendar days from the last exam day of the 2023 Bar Examinations.
How do I request for my CLEP Certifications? (Added February 10, 2023)
The original copy of the applicant’s CLEP Level 1 Certification must have been issued by the
Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) having jurisdiction where the law school is
located, while the CLEP Level 2 Certification must have been issued by the Office of the
Court Administrator (OCA).
The Office of the Executive Judge (i.e., its branch clerk of court or officer-in-charge) as well
as the OCA (i.e., the Deputy Court Administrator or Executive Judge) may certify that these
documents are true copies, respectively.
Should the date of issuance of my CLEP Certification correspond with the date of completion of
my CLEP integrated/stand-alone course? (Added April 12, 2023)
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No. The CLEP Guidelines for the 2023 Bar Examinations do not prescribe a rule as regards
the specific dates of fulfillment of the documentary requirements. In view of the pilot
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For ease of reference, the full site address for the CLEP Guidelines is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/BAR-2023-CLEP.pdf.
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implementation of the CLEP as a Bar Application requirement, Level 1 or 2 Certifications,
which were belatedly obtained by the student after he or she has already finished the law
school’s CLEP course, will nonetheless be accepted.
Where can I request for my CNDR?
You may request for your CNDR from the law school or university where you graduated.
For graduates of a foreign law school, you may request your CNDR from the law school or
university in the Philippines, where you took your fourth-year subjects.
The CNDR must be signed by the Law Dean/Vice Dean.
The CNDR is not required to be notarized.
Should the CNDR be recently issued? Are there any special remarks that should be indicated in
the CNDR? (Added February 10, 2023)
The CNDR need NOT be of recent issuance. The CNDR may be submitted without
indicating that such is “For 2023 Bar Purposes” or with any other remarks.
If the CNDR in your possession: (a) is an original copy; (b) complies with the required
contents; and (c) was issued by the law school where you graduated and signed by its
Dean/Vice Dean, then the same will be accepted by the OBC.
What are the requirements for the Joint TGMC?
The TGMC Form must be jointly signed by two (2) different lawyers who both must have
been admitted to the Philippine Bar for at least one (1) year prior to signing the TGMC and
who must have personally known the applicant for at least one (1) year, also prior to issuing
the TGMC.
Lawyers related to the applicant by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth (4th) civil
degree are disqualified to sign the TGMC.
Is there a prescribed format for the Joint TGMC? (Added May 18, 2023)
52
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A template for the Joint TGMC may be accessed here. The personal details of the
signatories may be in typed or handwritten form, but their wet signatures must be affixed
therein.
The two lawyers whom I asked to sign my Joint TGMC reside in separate and distant locations. Is
this allowed? If so, which location and date should I indicate in the spaces provided? (Added June
19, 2023)
Yes, the Joint TGMC may be accomplished by lawyers residing in different and separate
locations. Please ensure that all declarations in the Joint TGMC are true and correct by
indicating both dates and places as to when and where each lawyer-signatory accomplished
the form.
What type of cases do I need to declare?
ALL pending and decided case(s) of whatever nature filed against you, including counter-claims,
cross-claims, appeals, etc., before any jurisdiction must be declared.
If you are the complainant, plaintiff, or petitioner, there is NO need to declare the case(s) you
filed against another party. BUT if the case has been appealed or a counter-claim has been filed,
where the applicant then becomes the respondent, defendant, or accused, the case MUST be
declared.
What is the format for the List of Pending Case(s) and Decided Case(s)?
The list of pending case(s) and decided case(s) must follow this format:
Case Number, Title, Nature of the Case, Status (whether pending or decided), Charge and/or
Penalty
For example:
Crim. Case No. ____, People v. _____, Criminal Case, Pending before the Regional Trial
Court of _____, Branch __, Homicide
My case has been archived or provisionally-dismissed. How will I declare it?
51
For ease of reference, the full site address of the template for the Testimonial of Good Moral Character is
53
Cases that have been archived or provisionally-dismissed are still considered PENDING. The
applicant may additionally indicate their status as archived or provisionally-dismissed.
I have multiple cases filed against me. Can I upload them all together? (Added January 08, 2023)
No. For applicants with pending and/or decided case/s, please upload one file per case.
You must consolidate all documents related to the same case and upload them as a single
.PDF file. If a document (e.g., complaint/decision) is voluminous and exceeds the allowable
file size, you may upload only the first five (5) pages and the last five (5) pages of the relevant
document instead of its entirety.
Those with multiple cases filed against them, must upload the required documents of each
case separately in each of the additional upload tabs provided based on the information
previously provided in the Disclosure portion of BARISTA.
My spouse and I are in the middle of nullity/annulment of marriage proceedings. Am I required

to declare this fact as a pending case? (Added June 19, 2023)
Yes, if the applicant is a respondent, the nullity/annulment proceeding qualifies as a pending

case, the fact of which must be disclosed in BARISTA and substantiated with supporting
documents.
For those with decided cases, should the Clearance executed by the court/prosecutor/agency
concerned and attesting that the applicant has No Pending Case, be recently issued? (Added May
18, 2023)
Yes, the Clearance of No Pending Case must attest to such fact at the time of application.
Hence, it needs to be of latest or recent issuance.
Is a Clearance of No Pending Case still required even if a complaint against me was decided and
settled at the barangay level? (Added May 18, 2023)
Yes, a Clearance of No Pending Case is still required for cases decided at the barangay level.
The applicant must likewise attach the original or CTC of the Decision, Arbitration Award,
or Amicable Settlement, signed by the parties and attested by the Barangay Captain or
Chairman of the Pangkat ng Tagapagkasundo.
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Other Matters
You may raise any Bar examinations-related concern not addressed in the FAQs via the 2023
52
Bar Examinations Helpdesk Form accessible here. Please expect a response within a
maximum of five (5) working days before sending follow-up requests.
You may also call the OBC at (02) 8 552 9690 or (02) 8 552 9642, from Monday to Friday, 8:00
AM to 4:30 PM, except on holidays.
To receive updates relating to BARISTA, you may also join the Viber Channel at 2023 Bar
53
Examinations (Official).
52
53
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Viber channel is http://tinyurl.com/2023BarViberChannel.
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2023 Bar Examinations Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) As of July 15, 2023

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2023 Bar Examinations

Application Requirements for the 2023 Bar Examinations

What are the requirements to take the 2023 Bar Examinations?

1. Certificate of Enrollment, signed by the School Registrar or College Secretary and

1. Pre-Law and Law Transcript of Records (TOR);

What are the required contents of the Certificate of Enrollment?

Applicant Type Facts Certified

Refreshers who are That the Bar Examinations Applicant is:

Who should sign the Certificate of Enrollment?

Must the Certificate of Enrollment be notarized?

The TOR need NOT be of recent issuance.

The name must follow this format:

Surname, Given Name, Middle Initial, Suffix.

The application will NOT be processed if:

(a) The photo does not resemble the applicant.

What qualifies as an “unretouched” photo? (Added April 12, 2023)

Below is a list of acceptable government-issued IDs:

Social Security System (SSS)/Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-card;

My ID reflects my old signature. Can I use this ID for my application?

(a) the PSA-issued copy is not legible, or

No. A Birth Certificate issued by the NSO will NOT be accepted.

What if there are erroneous entries in my Birth Certificate?

May I submit a Certificate of Foundling in lieu of a Birth Certificate?

What are the documentary requirements for applicants born abroad?

Do I still have to submit my Legal Education Board (LEB) Certificate?

I am a Refresher. Do I need to enroll and regularly attend a pre-bar review course?

(1) A notarized Certificate of None

(1) A Certificate of Enrollment, (1) A notarized Certificate of

Please submit the following documents:

1. A notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses;

Please submit the following documents:

1. A notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses;

1. A notarized Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review Course; and

The notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses as well as the certification

Will electronically-signed documents be accepted?

Is marking of the required documents necessary?

No, the required documents to be filed need not be marked as annexes.

Where can I download the Application Form?

Subject: Bar Application Documents

No. The entire set of documents need NOT be resubmitted.

(1) whose physical set of mandatory documents are missing a document, or

(a) the details of his or her initial submission; and

I have received the notification that my BARISTA-generated Application Form is already

BARISTA is best accessed on a desktop or laptop using any internet browser.

I can’t seem to access BARISTA. Is there a problem with the platform?

What are the steps in the BARISTA application process?

Step 0 BARISTA Log-In and Registration

Step 1 Filling out of Bar Applicant Profile – applicant’s personal information,

Step 3 Uploading of the required documents for immediate submission, in

Step 4 Payment of the Bar Application Fee.

Step 5 Verification of documents

Step 6 Processing of applications

Step 7 Court Action – Approval or disapproval of applications for Conditional

Step 8 Venue selection

Step 9 Issuance of the Notice of Admission

Step 10 Uploading of the required documents for deferred submission, in

How do I use BARISTA?

STEP 0: BARISTA LOG-IN AND REGISTRATION