2025 Bar Examinations

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

As of January 8, 2025

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) shall be a comprehensive information package

for all questions regarding the 2025 Bar Examinations. Please read and study the FAQs
in its entirety before calling and/or sending queries to the Office of the Bar Confidant
(OBC) Helpdesk. Please carefully monitor this file and regularly check back for monthly
updates.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.​ Requirements for the 2025 Bar Examinations

1.​ Application Form
2.​ Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued Birth Certificate
a)​ Affidavit of Undertaking (template)
3.​ PSA-issued Marriage Certificate
4.​ Government/Law School-issued Identification Document (ID)
5.​ Unretouched Photo
6.​ Testimonial of Good Moral Character (TGMC)
7.​ Pre-Law and Law Transcript of Records (TOR)
8.​ Certificate of Enrollment (For Graduating New Applicants)
9.​ Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) Certifications
10.​Certificate of No Derogatory Record (CNDR)
11.​Refresher Course
12.​Notarized Certificate of Completion of Pre-Bar Review Course
13.​Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking to Complete a Pre-Bar Review
Course (template)
14.​Case Details
II.​ Deferred Requirements
III.​ General Queries
IV.​ BARISTA
V.​ Other Matters

1
 Application Requirements for the 2024 Bar Examinations

What are the requirements to take the 2025 Bar Examinations?

​
The general requirements are contained in Bar Bulletin No. 2, Series of 2025 (B.B.
1
No. 2-2025), which you may access here.

For the documentary requirements that must be submitted during the application
2
period and after the examinations, please refer to the checklist of mandatory and
deferred documentary requirements for each type of applicant.

Application Form

Where can I download the Application Form?

Applicants are required to provide all the necessary information in BARISTA.

Once your application has been processed (Step 5), a generated PDF file of the
Application Form with your given information will be available for download via
BARISTA Dashboard. 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 the pages thereof refer to the date when you affixed your wet signature.

PSA-issued Birth Certificate

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.

1
See Bar Bulletin No. 2, December 16, 2024
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bar-Bulletin-No-2-series-of-2025-December-16-2024.pdf.
2
Id.
2
What if there are erroneous entries in my Birth Certificate?

If your birth certificate does not accurately reflect your complete name, sex, date of
birth, and parent’s complete name, and you intend to file a petition for a 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
Affidavit of Undertaking stating your intention to have it corrected.

For reference, a template of the Affidavit of Undertaking may be accessed here.

You will be conditionally admitted until you have submitted the corrected copy of
your Birth Certificate (PSA-issued Birth Certificate with annotation).

PSA-issued Marriage Contract

I am a female applicant who contracted marriage for more than six (6) months from the
filing of the application but the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate is not yet available.
What can I submit?

You are required to submit an original or Certified True Copy (CTC) of the
Marriage Certificate issued by the LCR and an Affidavit of Undertaking stating
your intention to submit the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate once it becomes
available.

For reference, a template of the Affidavit of Undertaking may be accessed here.

You will be conditionally admitted until you have submitted the PSA-issued copy
of your Marriage Certificate.

Government/Law School -issued ID

Do I need to submit the physical 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.

3
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 and unretouched photo.

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 in BARISTA and submitting the photocopy to the OBC.

If I intend to use my passport as my government-issued ID, how should I upload this on

BARISTA?

The front part of the passport is the photo page containing the passport holder’s
details (page 2) [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 (page 3).
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.

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.

4
Unretouched Photo

Can I wear my reading glasses for my unretouched photo?

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?

To qualify as an unretouched photo, it must not have undergone any editing or

enhancement of any kind, such as blemish removal, skin smoothing, teeth
whitening, color correction, and any other digital adjustments to the background,
lighting, or exposure. All forms of photo editing or modifications using software
(e.g., Adobe Photoshop) are prohibited.

What kind of photo should be uploaded to the BARISTA and submitted to the OBC?

The detailed requirements for the unretouched photo is stated in the Bar Bulletin
No. 2, Series of 2025 (B.B. No. 2-2025).

Below are examples of acceptable photos:

5
Testimonial of Good Moral Character

How should the TGMC be accomplished?

The TGMC must be accomplished by a member of the Philippine Bar. He/she

should check the appropriate box under Item #4 of the TGMC template.

3
For reference, a template of the TGMC may be accessed here.

The applicant must disclose ALL his/her pending and/or decided cases (including
cases that have been long decided) to the signatory.

Pre-Law and Law TOR

How should I submit my Pre-Law and Law TORs?

The Pre-Law and Law TORs are distinct and separate requirements. However,
they may either be:

(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” uploading facilities of
BARISTA.

Should the TORs be recently issued? Are there any special remarks that should be
indicated in the TORs?

The TORs need NOT be of recent issuance.

In a similar manner, the TORs need NOT specifically indicate that it is “For 2025
Bar Purposes.” The TORs may be submitted without such, or with any other
remarks. But the TORs must bear the applicant’s date of graduation.

3
Annex B.
6
 How can I comply with the documentary stamp tax (DST) requirement for the TORs?

Applicants must affix on their TORs a DST amounting to Php 30.00. An electronic
DST will be accepted.

If your law school released your TORs without an attached/printed DST or

released such document but with an incorrect amount, you may personally affix
the DST for purposes of complying with the requirement.

How should I upload my Law TOR if I am a transferee?

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
the BARISTA.

I am a transferee from more than two (2) 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?

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 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 that
you have already completed and your grades therein, then you must also submit
your previous TORs, together with your latest Law TOR.

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

4
No. In Pimentel v. Legal Education Board, the Supreme Court has deemed it
sufficient to require the bar applicants to submit their TORs, instead of the
additional LEB Certificate.

4
G.R. Nos. 230642 and 242954, and A.M. No. 20-03-04-SC, November 9, 2021.
7
 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)?

5
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 their students.

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 School, 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
6
fourth-year Juris Doctor subjects required under Bar Matter No. 1153.

I am a graduate of a foreign law school. How do I upload my additional documentary

requirements (i.e., TORs from foreign law school, accreditation or 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.

Certificate of Enrollment (For Graduating New Applicants)

Where can we find the template for the Certificate of Enrollment for graduating new
applicants?

For reference, a template of the Certificate of Enrollment for graduating new

7
applicants may be accessed here.

5
G.R. Nos. 230642 and 242954, and A.M. No. 20-03-04-SC, November 9, 2021.
6
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.
7
Annex A.
8
Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) Certifications

Who can issue the certified true copies of the CLEP Certification(s)?

The certified true copy of the CLEP Certification(s) must be obtained from the office
that originally issued the same. However, a certified true copy of the CLEP Level 2
Certificate may be validly issued by the Clerks of Court of the concerned Office of the
Clerk of Court or Branch Clerk of Court of the Regional Trial Court which endorsed the
8
application.

Certificate of No Derogatory Record

Should the CNDR be recently issued? Are there any special remark(s) that should be
indicated in the CNDR?

The CNDR need NOT be of recent issuance. The CNDR may be submitted
without indicating that such is “For 2025 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 the Law Dean or his/her authorized representative, then the same will
be accepted by the OBC.

Refresher Course

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 submit a Notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses
if you apply for the 2025 Bar Examinations after three (3) or more unsuccessful
attempts.

8
OCA Memorandum dated October 5, 2023.
9
 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
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Bar Examinations.

However, the certification attesting to the completion of the refresher course

subjects may only be used for one (1) Bar Examination.

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 or his/her
authorized representative stating that the Remedial Law Review is equivalent to
the Remedial Law Review I and II and the Civil Law Review is equivalent to the
Civil Law Review I and II.

This certification may be included in the Notarized Certificate of Completion of

Refresher Course or a separate certification.

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 three (3) Bar years from the
time of their completion.

I am a Refresher, and I have Notarized Certificates issued by the individual professors of

each of the refresher course subjects, with my corresponding grades indicated therein. How
do I upload these Notarized Certificates issued by the individual professors in the
BARISTA?

Applicants must combine the Notarized Certificates issued by the individual

professors and upload them into a single PDF file in the allotted tab.

9
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.
10
 Where can we find the template for the Certificate of Enrollment for Refresher Course?

For reference, a template of the Certificate of Enrollment for Refresher Course

10
may be accessed here.

Pre-Bar Review Course

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 Law Dean or his/her authorized representative that
you have completed the Pre-Bar Review Course.

The law school or university that issued the said certificate must be authorized to
offer Refresher Courses under valid Special Government Permits issued by the
LEB.

If you are still taking refresher subjects at the time of application, you must
submit a Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking to subsequently enroll in a Pre-Bar
Review Course, during the application period.

For reference, a template of the Affidavit of Undertaking may be accessed here.

Can I use my Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review Course even if I completed
the same before the application period of the 2025 Bar Examinations?

No. The Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review Course to be submitted

by the applicant must have been issued for the purpose of taking the 2025 Bar
Examinations. The certificate shall state that the applicant has completed the
2025 Pre-Bar Review Course.

I took my Pre-Bar Review Course in 2024 and did not pass the 2024 Bar Examinations.
Can I use it for the 2025 Bar Examinations?

No. The Notarized Certification that you have completed the 2024 Pre-Bar
Review Course can no longer be used when applying for the 2025 Bar
Examinations.

10
Annex D.
11
Case Details

What type of cases do I need to declare?

ALL pending and decided cases (including cases that have been long decided) of
whatever nature filed against you, including counter-claims, cross-claims, appeals,
etc., before any jurisdiction SHOULD be declared.

If you are the complainant, plaintiff, or petitioner, there is NO need to declare the
cases you filed against another party. HOWEVER, 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 SHOULD be declared.

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.

Should the applicant wish to declare the cases as DECIDED, a Judgment,

Decision, Order, or Resolution (whichever is applicable) of permanent dismissal
must be submitted.

My case was decided based on a compromise agreement or a decision was rendered

requiring me to pay a fine, perform an act, serve suspension, etc. Is there another
document that needs to be attached to the Judgment, Decision, Order, or Resolution?

The original or CTC of the Judgment, Decision, Order, or Resolution must

include a certification stating that the judgment has been fully satisfied.

If a certification cannot be obtained, the applicant must submit a proof of

satisfaction of judgment.

I have multiple cases filed against me. Can I upload them all together?

No. For applicants with pending and/or decided cases, 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
12
 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 of Cases portion of
BARISTA.

I have a pending civil case regarding nullity or annulment of marriage. Am I required to

declare this fact as a pending case?

Yes. If the applicant is the respondent, the nullity or annulment proceeding

qualifies as a pending case. The existence of the civil case must be disclosed in
the BARISTA and substantiated with supporting documents.

Is a Clearance or Certificate of No Pending Case still required even if a complaint against

the bar applicant was decided and settled at the barangay level?

Yes. A Clearance or Certificate 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.

Deferred Application Requirements

When can I submit my deferred documents?

11
The deferred documents, as stated in the checklist , must be submitted to the
OBC on or before October 14, 2025.

These deferred documents must be submitted through both of the following

modes and within the prescribed deadlines:

1. ​ Uploading of scanned or digital copies via BARISTA; and

2. ​ Physical submission of hard copies to the OBC.

There is no need to wait for an email notification from the OBC regarding the
processing of your scanned or digital documents before proceeding with the
submission of their hard copies.

11
See Bar Bulletin No. 2, December 16, 2024
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bar-Bulletin-No-2-series-of-2025-December-16-2024.pdf.
13
I accidentally submitted the physical copies of both my mandatory and deferred
documents. Do I pick up my deferred documents from the OBC and resubmit them within
the period of submission?

No. Given administrative and financial costs, bar examinees 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 the submitted physical copies must correspond with
the digital copies uploaded in the BARISTA and will still be subject to further
processing by the OBC during the period of deferred submission, as stated above.

Moreover, bar examinees 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 the 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 processing by the OBC.

Meanwhile, bar examinees who inadvertently included their deferred documents

in their initial submission BUT have failed to keep digital or scanned copies of
the same for their uploading in the BARISTA must submit instead a signed
manifestation in the upload tab corresponding to each of the missing deferred
documents.

The said letter must indicate: (1) their admission of failing to keep a digital copy
of the deferred documents before physically submitting the same, (2) their
request that the OBC peruse instead the physical copy of the document during its
processing, and (3) their understanding that should the OBC deem the physical
document as incorrect or deficient, then (a) the bar examinee shall re-upload via
BARISTA the corrected document; and (b) physically submit anew such corrected
document to the OBC, at the bar examinee’s cost.

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General Queries

I applied and was admitted as a candidate for the 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.​ An individual who has never submitted an application to take the Bar
Examinations, including those who are currently enrolled;
2.​ An individual who submitted an application but later withdrew his or her
application; or
3.​ An individual who submitted an application but did not take the Bar
Examinations (“no-show” for all the scheduled days of the Bar
Examinations or from the very first day of the 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?

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 an email notification from the OBC as to why your
application was deemed conditionally admitted, please indicate “Lack of other
documentary requirements” as your reason.

Kindly indicate the status of compliance following this format:

Reason; Status of Compliance

For example:
Pending correction of birth certificate; Complied.

15
 I have received the notification that my BARISTA-generated Application Form is already
available for download. When should I submit my Application Form and mandatory
documentary requirements to the OBC?

​ ​ ​
The physical copies of the Application Form and the mandatory documentary
12
requirements must be filed with the OBC within ten (10) calendar days counted
from the receipt date of the email notification from the BARISTA. Nonetheless,
applicants are urged to submit their documents with prompt dispatch.

How do I submit the physical copies of the Application Form and the documentary
requirements to the OBC?

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 [Mandatory or Deferred]

Bar Examinee Number: PB2025-XXXXX
Applicant’s Surname and Initials: [e.g. Dela Cruz, J.A.]

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) 8552 9690

The labels on the long brown envelope may either be typewritten or handwritten
and placed anywhere thereon, as long as these are clearly visible.

12
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.
16
 How do I confirm that the OBC has indeed received the physical copies of the application
documents I submitted?

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 2025 Helpdesk
13
Form 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 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 2025 Bar Examinations. Can I request the return of
my documents?

No. The physical copies of your application documents will NOT be returned and
are deemed records of the OBC, should you discontinue or withdraw your
application for any reason, including failure to graduate or other personal
reasons.

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?

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

1.​ Applicants whose physical set of mandatory documents are missing a

document or 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 the BARISTA.

2.​ Applicants who inadvertently realized their errors in the information

supplied in the 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.

13
For ease of reference, the full site address of the 2025 Helpdesk Form is https://bit.ly/2025BarExamsHelpdesk.
17
 The physical copies of my documentary requirements were issued on 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”).

Will electronically signed documents be accepted?

​
No. Except for the PSA-issued Birth Certificate and PSA-issued Marriage
Certificate, where e-signatures are allowed, the signatures used in ALL the other
documents must be in 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 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 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.

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.

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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; or

2.​ The applicant did not submit all the required documents (mandatory
and/or deferred).

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 BARISTA

Where can I access BARISTA to submit my application to take the 2025 Bar
Examinations?

14
BARISTA may be accessed through the Philippine Judiciary Platform (PJP).

What platform and web browser should I use to avoid compatibility issues?

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

How do I use BARISTA?

15
You may refer to the User Guide available here. Kindly read the User Guide in
its entirety to avoid any issues.

How do I know if I have an existing BARISTA account?

Applicants for the 2023 and 2024 Bar Examinations who have completed the
application procedure are the only ones with an existing BARISTA account.
The mandatory requirements of these applicants are already pre-uploaded in the
Document Upload Tab in the BARISTA.

How do I register in the PJP?

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 PJP. You will receive a verification email to
activate your account after you have successfully registered.

14
For ease of reference, the full site address of PJP is https://portal.judiciary.gov.ph/.
15
For ease of reference, the full site address of the BARISTA User Guide is
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BARISTA-User-Guide-2025.pdf
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 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.sc@judiciary.gov.ph
barista.support@judiciary.gov.ph

Applicants who have not received any email notification from the BARISTA
within seventy-two (72) hours from registration may submit their concerns
16
through the Helpdesk Form accessible here.

Can I change the email address used in PJP/BARISTA?

No. Applicants may no longer change the email address provided on 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.

How should I declare my name in the BARISTA?

You are required to use the name appearing on your Birth Certificate or
Marriage Certificate, whichever is applicable. Special characters (e.g., Ñ, Ặ, Ộ, Ề)
must be properly displayed.

For married female applicants

Married female applicants may use their 1) maiden surname, 2) husband’s

surname as it appears on their Marriage Certificate, or 3) hyphenated
surname. Your registered name in the BARISTA will be the name appearing
in the Supreme Court’s records, issuances, and communications.

In this regard, the female applicant’s Government-issued ID and other

documents need not reflect any change of name due to the said marriage.
The Marriage Certificate will suffice to enable the OBC to reconcile any
discrepancies in the applicant’s identity.

16
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Helpdesk is https://bit.ly/2025BarExamsHelpdesk.
21
 I have already submitted the physical copies of some of the required documents for the
2023 and/or 2024 Bar Examinations to the OBC. Do I have to submit them again?

If an applicant has an existing BARISTA account, he or she will only need to

submit his or her:
1.​ Accomplished BARISTA-generated Application Form​
2.​ Marriage Certificate (for female applicant with change of marital status)
3.​ Unretouched Photo
4.​ Two (2) Testimonials of Good Moral Character
5.​ Pending and Decided Case Documents (if applicable)
6.​ Notarized Certificate of Completion of Refresher Courses (for Refresher
only)
7.​ Notarized Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review Course (for
Refresher only)

If an applicant has no BARISTA account, he or she is required to submit all

17
documents stated in the checklist depending on his or her application type.

What are the steps in the BARISTA application process?

PJP Registration, Log-In, and Landing Page (select “BARISTA”) -

applicant to click “Apply Now” and select the "Philippine Bar" as the
examination that you intend to apply for.

Step 1 Bar Applicant Profile – applicant’s personal information, educational

background, and contact information.

Step 2 Application Details and Venue Preference Selection – applicant type

(i.e., whether New Applicant, Previous Taker, or Refresher), other
information, and an indication of the preferred testing area.

Step 3 Document Upload (Mandatory and Deferred) - Uploading of the

required documents for submission, in digital or scanned copies.

Step 4 Payment of the Bar Application Fee

Step 5 Application Processing (Mandatory and Deferred Documents)

●​ Generation of the downloadable Application Form

Step 6 Court Action (Mandatory and Deferred Documents) – Approval or

disapproval of applications.

Step 7 Venue Assignment

17
See Bar Bulletin No. 2, series of 2025
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bar-Bulletin-No-2-series-of-2025-December-16-2024.pdf.
22
 ●​ Generation of the downloadable Notice of Admission (NOA)
18
reflecting the bar examinee's information and assigned LTC.

I am related by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth (4th) civil degree to an

incumbent Supreme Court Justice, Supreme Court Officials, and/or personnel of the Office
of the Bar Chairperson or the Office of the Bar Confidant. How should I declare them in
the 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

For example:

1. ​ De la Cruz, Juan, M. – Brother

2. ​ De la Cruz. Maria, B. – Grandmother

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 a special character (i.e., ñ, ö, æ) in the file
names.

How can the bar applicants with special needs submit their requests?

The bar applicants who have special needs (i.e., pregnant, senior citizens, persons
with disabilities [PWD], with medical needs) should have declared their status as
such on 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 and/or ID proving their special needs (i.e., PWD
card, medical certificate, etc.) and upload the document as a PDF file.

18
Availability of the NOA will be announced through a Bar Bulletin.
23
 How do I pay the Bar Application Fee?

After uploading the required documents and clicking Proceed to Payment in the
BARISTA, you will be directed to the Payment page, where you must pay online
through any of the channels available within the Landbank Link.Biz Portal.

How much should I pay for the Bar Application Fee?

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 or facility. Please note that
the different payment channels or 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 on 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 Supreme 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 2025 Bar
Examinations. Pay ONLY through the online facilities available in the BARISTA.

After paying online, why is my payment still not posted?

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
19
up the Helpdesk Form.

19
For ease of reference, the full site address of the 2025 Helpdesk Form is https://bit.ly/2025BarExamsHelpdesk.
24
 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 the BARISTA?

Keep calm. If the amount has already been deducted from your account, please
DO NOT attempt to pay again. Contact the Helpdesk 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 or batch will NOT be accepted.

Is the Bar Application Fee refundable?

The 2025 Bar Application Fee is non-refundable.

However, refund requests will be entertained for New Applicants who were
subsequently unsuccessful in completing their law degree.

In addition, payments made over the prescribed fee or erroneous/double

payments may likewise be refunded to the applicant.

The refund for the 2025 Bar Application Fees may be processed by filing the
20
appropriate request through the Helpdesk Form on or before September 1,
2025 (Monday). The refund request will be processed AFTER the September
2025 Bar Examinations.

The Refund Mechanics will be released at a later date.

There is a conflict between what is stated in the BARISTA, issuances in the Supreme
Court microsite for the 2025 Bar Examinations, and FAQs. What is controlling?

In case of conflict between what is stated in the BARISTA, issuances in the

Supreme Court microsite for the Bar Examinations, and 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).

20
For ease of reference, the full site address of the 2025 Helpdesk Form is https://bit.ly/2025BarExamsHelpdesk.
25
re
Other Matters

You may raise any Bar Examinations-related concern not addressed in the FAQs via the
21
2025 Bar Examinations Helpdesk Form. Please expect a response within a maximum
period of five (5) working days before sending follow-up requests.

You may also call the OBC at (02) 8552 9690, from Monday to Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30
P.M., except on holidays.

To receive updates relating to the BARISTA, you may also join the Viber Channel at
22
2025 Bar Examinations (Official).

21
For ease of reference, the full site address of the 2025 Helpdesk Form is https://bit.ly/2025BarExamsHelpdesk.
22
For ease of reference, the full site address of the Viber channel is https://bit.ly/3YB5rsI.

26
 AFFIDAVIT OF UNDERTAKING

To the Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court of the Philippines:

I,____________________________________________ [Surname, Given Name, Middle Name, Suffix], a

__________________________________ [New Applicant/Previous Taker/Refresher] for the 2025 Bar
Examinations, hereby ATTEST that:

1)​ There is/are deficiency(ies) and/or discrepancy(ies) in the mandatory documents I uploaded in the
BARISTA, namely:

1. [Type of Document - i.e., PSA [Description of Error - i.e., wrong document, not an original or
Birth Certificate] certified true copy, not readable, incomplete pages, etc. ]

2.

2)​ Despite diligent efforts, I have endeavored to comply with the application requirements stated in
the Bar Bulletin No. 2, dated December 16, 2024, by obtaining the corrected document(s).
However, for reasons not attributable to me as further explained below, I will be unable to submit
the above required documents within the application period.

[Brief Explanation of circumstances or reasons for failure to promptly resubmit the above mandatory
document(s)]

3)​ I UNDERTAKE to submit the above-mentioned document(s) within the period for submission of
the deferred documentary requirements or until October 14, 2025 or thirty (30) calendar days
from the last exam day of the 2025 Bar Examinations; and ​

4)​ I ACCEPT that failure on my part to comply with the above undertaking shall be a ground for my
disqualification from the 2025 Bar Examinations or the withholding of my admission to the Bar,
notwithstanding my passing of the same.

_________________________________
[Signature Over Printed Name and Date]

SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me this __________ day of ___________________

20___, in the City of ______________________________, Philippines, affiant exhibiting his or her
[competent proof of identity].

NOTARY PUBLIC

Doc. No.
Book No.
Page No.
Series of 20__

27
 AFFIDAVIT OF UNDERTAKING
TO COMPLETE THE PRE-BAR REVIEW COURSE

To the Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court of the Philippines:

I,____________________________________________ [Surname, Given Name, Middle Name, Suffix], a

REFRESHER for the 2025 Bar Examinations, hereby ATTEST that:

1)​ I have [completed OR currently completing] my Refresher Course at the [Law School or
University] within the Academic Year 202_ to 202_ ;

2)​ I INTEND TO ENROLL AND COMPLETE my Pre-Bar Review Course in the [(Law School or
University), a law school or university authorized to offer a Refresher Course under valid Special
Government Permits issued by the Legal Education Board (LEB)] OR [(Review Center), a
Review Center affiliated with the (Law School or University), a law school or university
authorized to offer a Refresher Course under valid Special Government Permits issued by the
Legal Education Board (LEB)];

3)​ I UNDERTAKE to submit the Notarized Certificate of Completion of the Pre-Bar Review
Course within the period for submission of the deferred documentary requirements or until
October 14, 2025; and ​

4)​ I ACCEPT that failure on my part to comply with the above undertaking shall be a ground for my
disqualification from the 2025 Bar Examinations.

_________________________________
[Signature Over Printed Name and Date]

SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me this __________ day of ___________________

20___, in the City of ______________________________, Philippines, affiant exhibiting his or her
[competent proof of identity].

NOTARY PUBLIC

Doc. No.
Book No.
Page No.
Series of 20__

28