HOW: I became a Notary Public few months after admission to the Bar

First of all, Congratulations on passing the Bar Exam! How was the moment you were admitted to the Bar? Made you smile and cry at the same time, right?

SO, what is next to check on your goal list? If it is to be a Notary Public, read on and I'll share my step by step process, tips and experiences when I first applied for Notary Public.

STEP 1: Create a Folder for all your documents for application for Notary Public.

Yes, that is me, peeking. 😁 Trust me, this will come in handy when your Notary expires and you have to re-apply and hindi mo na kailangan mataranta kung saan hahanapin ang mga files mo. Being organized will help you in your career as a lawyer.

STEP 2: SCAN EVERYTHING

What exactly do you need to scan? Lahat. I'll make the list for you. Lahat ng kailangan mo para maging Notary Public are indicated sa Petition mo and my advice is lahat ng pwede mong i-scan, please do so. You may sync your phone and laptop para in case you need something, (trust me, there will come a time na kakailanganin mo ulit yung ibang documents na ni-ready mo for notary, like PTR etc) you are ready for it, isang print or screenshot away nalang.

STEP 3: Petition

Ito na, totoo na to. Abogado and Abogada na kayo, tapos sunod nagnoNotaryo na kayo. Exciting!

I will share a draft Petition for Notarial Commission on my Link in Bio on Instagram (@probinsyanattorney) just enter your information and complete the requirements and you are almost there.

So, for the requirements, here they are with tips and experiences ko noong nagapply ako.

A. PTR (Professional Tax Receipt) - You get (actually pay) this one sa City or Municipality where you would want to apply.

For Example, gusto mo sa jurisdiction ka ng Tacloban magiging Notary, then you go to the City of Tacloban, specifically the Office of the Treasusrer, and pay for Professional Tax. The amount varies per City or Municipality.

B. IBP Official Receipt Number - SO, siguro naman nakapagbayad ka na ng Membership fee. Exciting as well as nakakapressure nu? Haha. Its okay, makaka"bawi" ka din. 

This one naman, you should have this emailed to you by the IBP or go to the IBP app, then on your dashboard, click Annual Dues then under the Year, the OR number is indicated there. You can also request an Official Receipt from the IBP. Ito po yung nasa resibo ng IBP, may info jan. Haha.

C. Certificate of Membership in the Philippine Bar - If I remember it correctly, binibigyan ng isang copy nito noong nag-Oath Taking and Signing of the Roll. So you should have one of this when you were admitted to the Bar. Pero if katulad niyo ako na sentimental sa mga papel and proud the proud na Member nako ng Philippine Bar, bumili pa ako ulit ng isang Certificate. 😁 

You can get (again, actually pay) a Certificate of Membership by reading this updated guidelines.

Here is the direct link for the form.

D. Pictures of Office - Ito, isa to sa mga pinaghandaan ko. Char. Chance ko na kasi to maging instant artista. Haha. Hindi, actually, think of it this way, you'll be taking a photo of you in your inasam-asam na profession so sana excited din kayo just as I was. Haha. I printed four photos on 1 legal size Photo Paper. We were advised to print it on a photo paper, so I'll share the same advice. Haha. One picture ng door, ng empty table mo, ng table mo with you sitting then one na picture mo opening the door. Pak! Instant Artista di ba! 😂😎

Bawal magreact. Ngiting-tagumpay yan. Wag niyo rin sana pansinin na hindi nakasaksak yung printer kasi syempre wala pa talaga akong ganap noon, as a new lawyer. Haha. Props palang ang printer. Kidding! Let's move on.

E. NBI Clearance -  For this one, please go to this website for their step-by-step process. This will cost around 130 - 200 pesos lang. 

F. Certificate of No Pending Case - You can get (again, actually pay) this certificate by reading this updated guidelines. Here is the direct link for the form.

G. Joint Certification as a Member of Good Standing and of Good Moral Character issued by IBP Chapter - This one should be issued by your chosen IBP Chapter, for me, its Leyte. So punta ka ng office ng IBP Chapter mo, then pay for this Certification. As for the amount, I think discretion po ito ng IBP Chapter.

H. Your Pictures - Sa petition, you need to attach Three (3) of Petitioner’s passport-size colored photographs with name and signature at the bottom. Please comply. Basahin ang instructions. For this one, you need to tape the three photos on a legal size bond paper as attachment. 

I. Autographs - Same here, you affix three (3) specimens of your signature sa bond paper then ito yung attachment mo.

J. Filing Fees - Ito naman po, for safety and records purposes pati remembrance nadin, print and scan your Receipt ng Filing for Petition for Notarial Commission.

STEP 4: Publication

For this one, ask the help or advice from the Office of the Clerk of Court or mga Sheriffs. Haha. I'm sure they are happy to help. You are responsible kasi for publication ng Petition mo, sometimes if marami kayong nagaaply for Notarial Commission ng sabay sabay, nakakatipid ka sa publication kasi maghahati-hati kayo ng space sa newspaper. So, I suggest idamay mo na buong barkada mo tapos lahat kayo maging Notary. Haha. Friendship goals!

STEP 5: Hearing

Yes po, opo. First hearing mo ito as a lawyer! Haha. Please wait for the schedule of hearing. 

Next question, anong ginagawa sa hearing? May recitation! Review your Rules on Notarial Practice! HAHAHAHHAHA. You're welcome.

Seryoso ba ako? Uum. Yan din kasi sabi sakin ng mga lawyers nung ako nagapply, so to be sure, I suggest you read.  Pero ang nangyari talaga sa hearing ko, inalam lang naman saan office address ko, so pati yun imemorize niyo. Haha. Then papapirmahin ka ng documents regarding your notarial commission. 

STEP 6: Practice your signature

Practice ka na ng signature mo kasi pipirma ka na ng affidavit mo! HAHA. For goodluck, dapat daw do not gastos your first income as a Notary Public, my first document was an affidavit. So yes, naka frame yung 200 pesos ko. Char. Haha.

Tapos, on a side note and for your benefit - you may also read my ebook on HOW TO SINGIL AS A NOTARY PUBLIC. Jan ko naman sinulat lahat ng mga na-experience kong clients so far. Hehe. 

Ang there you have it! Good luck on your journey Attorney! Just leave a message on my instagram or facebook page if you have concerns, baka makatulong ako. I'll try. ⚖

Laban lang always,

ProbinsyanAttorney