2023 Bar Examinations

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
As of April 12, 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 every
first week of the month for 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. 2-2023),
which you may access here.1

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 –

Applicant Type Documentary Requirements

New Applicants Annex A2

Previous Takers Annex B3

Refreshers Annex C4

ALL Applicants Annex D5

1
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.
2
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
3
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
4
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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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;
2. Birth Certificate (PSA6-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
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; and
school and are currently (b) Currently enrolled in fourth-year subjects, as required by
completing the required the Juris Doctor Academic Program of the issuing
fourth-year subjects during the university or law school, pursuant to Bar Matter No.
application period 1153.

5
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
6
Philippine Statistics Authority.

2
 Refreshers who are currently
taking fourth-year subjects as
review courses during the
application period
That the Bar Examinations Applicant is:
(a) Currently enrolled in fourth-year subjects as Refresher
Courses; and
(b) Regularly attending these classes under the same
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.

The prescribed format of the Certificate of Enrollment may be accessed here.7

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 ______ semester”). The
template for the Certificate of Enrollment may be accessed here.8

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:

7
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.
8
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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 (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 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.

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:

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 (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.

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.

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:

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 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?

Yes. A Certificate of Foundling is acceptable, considering it has the same legal effect as a Certificate
of Live Birth.9 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?

9
Republic Act No. 11767, Section 10, May 6, 2022.

7
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?

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?

No. In Pimentel v. Legal Education Board,10 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)?

No. In Pimentel v. Legal Education Board,11 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.

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.

10
G.R. Nos. 230642 and 242954, and A.M. No. 20-03-04-SC, November 9, 2021.
11
Id.

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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.

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 Completion of None

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

Refreshers who (1) A Certificate of Enrollment, indicating (1) A notarized Certificate of

have not yet that the applicant is currently enrolled in Completion of refresher
completed their refresher subjects and is regularly courses;
requirements and attending classes under the same (2) A notarized Certification,
are currently conditions as ordinary students; and stating that the professors in
taking fourth- (2) A notarized Affidavit of the applicant’s the above refresher courses are
year subjects as undertaking to subsequently enroll in a bona fide professors of the law

9
 pre-bar review course. school or university where said
courses were taken and
review courses at
completed; and
the time of
(3) A notarized Certificate of
application
Completion of the pre-bar
review course.

Please refer to the prescribed format which may be accessed here.12

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.

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

12
For ease of reference, the full site address of the template for the 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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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.

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.

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How do I submit the physical copies of the Application Form and the documentary requirements to
the OBC? (Revised April 12, 2023)

Only one set of all the required documents shall be securely placed in a long brown envelope, sealed
with masking tape, as well as labelled 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.]

and submitted via private courier service, addressed to:

CHIEF OF OFFICE
Office of the Bar Confidant
Supreme Court of the Philippines
Padre Faura St., Ermita
1000 Manila, Philippines
(02) 8 525 7929 | 0917 813 8543

BARISTA13

Where can I access BARISTA to submit my application to take the 2023 Bar Examinations?

BARISTA may be accessed here.14

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?

BARISTA may be encountering technical difficulties. To monitor the status of BARISTA, please join
the Viber Channel for the 2023 Bar Examinations which may be accessed here15.

What are the steps in the BARISTA application process?

Step 0 BARISTA Log-In and Registration

You may watch the video tutorial available here.16

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

educational background, and contact information.
You may watch the video tutorial available here.17

Step 2 Filling out of Application Details – applicant type (i.e., whether New
Applicant, Previous Taker, or Refresher) and other information.
You may watch the video tutorial available here.18

13
Bar Application Registration Information System and Tech Assistance.
14
For ease of reference, the full site address of BARISTA is http://barista.judiciary.gov.ph/.
15
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Viber Channel is http://tinyurl.com/2023BarViberChannel.
16
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.
17
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.

12
 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).
You may watch the video tutorial available here.19

Step 4 Payment of the Bar Application Fee.

You may watch the video tutorial available here.20

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?

You may watch the Video Tutorials provided above or refer to the User Guide available here.21 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.

18
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/application-details.mp4.
19
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/document-upload.mp4.
20
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/payment.mp4.
21
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.

13
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 accessible here.22

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?

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 which 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.

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.

22
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.

14
 For married female applicants –

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.

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.
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 request through the Helpdesk Form
accessible here23 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 through traditional schooling methods.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 higher-education
institution, deputized by the CHED to implement the same.25

23
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.
24
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/.
25
See Primer on the ETEEAP Program, available at https://ched.gov.ph/expanded-tertiary-education-equivalency-accreditationeteeap/.

15
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 Matter No. 1153.26

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 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.

26
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.

16
 STEP 2: APPLICATION DETAILS

What processes are involved in Step 2?

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.
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 through the Helpdesk Form accessible
here27 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.

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.
27
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.

17
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?

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 Bar Examinations.28

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.

28
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.

18
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?

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.

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, more than
fourteen (14) days prior to the accomplishment of the application.29

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

2. Surname, Given Name, Middle Initial. – Relationship

29
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.

19
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

What processes are involved in Step 3?

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.
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.

20
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?

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.

21
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.

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.

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.

22
 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)
• GrabPay
• FortunePay

23
 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

A video tutorial on how to navigate the online payment facilities in JePS is available here.30

30
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA tutorial is https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2023/payment.mp4.

24
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)

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 such time, please
request assistance by filling up the Helpdesk Form accessible here.31

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 attempt to
pay again. Contact the Helpdesk accessible here32 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.

31
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.
32
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.

25
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 request
through the Helpdesk Form accessible here.33

How do I process my request for refund of the 2023 Bar Application Fee due to erroneous/double
payment? (Added April 12, 2023)

You may file a request under the “Payment-Refund Request” section of the Helpdesk Form accessible
here.34 Please compile the following supporting documents in one PDF file and upload them along
with your request:

a. Signed refund letter request, indicating the following:

- Registered name in BARISTA;
- Bar Examinee Number;
- Bank Account Details (bank name [preferably LandBank], branch name,
account name and account number);
b. Erroneous payment email from Unionbank;
c. Successful payment email from Unionbank; and
d. E-OR.

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 Helpdesk available here.35

STEPS 5 and 6:
DOCUMENT VERIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROCESSING

What processes are involved in Steps 5 and 6? (Revised March 10, 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 file a separate
request through the Helpdesk Form accessible here36 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 email address

33
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.
34
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.
35
For ease of reference, the full site address of the 2022 Bar Examinations Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2022BarExamHelpDesk.
36
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.

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 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 the
Upload Documents Page, removing the old file, and re-uploading the corrected file. Click
Resubmit Application 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.

STEP 7: COURT ACTION

What processes are involved in Step 7?

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.
2. If your application is approved by the OBC, your generated Application Form shall be
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. 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.

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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?

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.

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)

No. The CLEP Guidelines37 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 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.

37
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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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.

A template for the Joint TGMC may be accessed here.38

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?

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)

38
For ease of reference, the full site address of the template for the Testimonial of Good Moral Character 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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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.

Other Matters

You may raise any Bar examinations-related concern not addressed in the FAQs via the 2023 Bar
Examinations Helpdesk Form accessible here.39 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
Examinations (Official).40

39
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2023BarExamsHelpdesk.
40
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Viber channel is http://tinyurl.com/2023BarViberChannel.

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