Business verification in the Philippines
VBC certifies businesses registered in the Philippines. Verification starts from the official record: in Philippines the company register is maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission for corporations, or the DTI for sole proprietorships, and the entity is identified by its SEC registration number, or DTI business name registration number.
Which registry applies depends on entity type: corporations and partnerships register with the SEC, sole proprietorships with the DTI. Both normally sit alongside a mayor's permit from the local government unit, which evidences current operation.
Where a business is registered for tax, the Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the BIR is reviewed alongside the registration record, since it provides an independent corroborating identifier.
Why Philippine businesses certify
The Philippines has a large outsourcing and services sector selling to overseas clients, alongside a wide base of small domestic traders. Which registry applies depends on entity type, so establishing that first avoids a wasted submission.
What VBC verifies for a Philippine business
Depending on the certification level, the review may cover legal identity and registration records, the registered business address, working contact details, website ownership and digital presence, supporting documentation and evidence of current business activity.
Documents a Philippine business commonly supplies at Enhanced level:
- SEC or DTI registration certificate
- Mayor's permit or business permit
- BIR certificate of registration
- Articles of incorporation where applicable
Levels, fees and process
Three levels apply everywhere VBC operates — Basic at $100 a year, Enhanced at $250, Trusted at $500 — and the eight-stage process is the same in every country. Only the paperwork differs, because each national registry issues its own records. See what each fee covers and the eight stages in detail.
Public verification
Every VBC certificate issued to a Philippine business carries a unique certificate ID and appears on the public register. Customers, suppliers and partners can check its current status themselves, without an account and without contacting the business first.
Verify a certificate or browse the directory.
Questions from Philippine businesses
Can a business registered in the Philippines get VBC certified?
Yes. VBC certifies businesses registered in the Philippines. Verification is based on records from the Securities and Exchange Commission for corporations, or the DTI for sole proprietorships, together with the address, contact and digital-presence evidence required at the certification level chosen.
What documents does a Philippine business need for VBC certification?
At Enhanced level a Philippine business normally supplies: sEC or DTI registration certificate; mayor's permit or business permit; bIR certificate of registration; articles of incorporation where applicable. The Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the BIR is normally reviewed alongside it. Exact requirements depend on the level and are confirmed during review.
What is the SEC registration number, or DTI business name registration number used for in verification?
The SEC registration number, or DTI business name registration number identifies the legal entity on the register maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission for corporations, or the DTI for sole proprietorships. VBC uses it to confirm that the business named on the certificate is the same entity that appears on the official record.
How is a VBC certificate for a Philippine business verified?
Anyone can check it at https://vbcertified.online/verify using the certificate ID, or by scanning the QR code on the certificate. The record shows the current status, which may be valid, expired, suspended or revoked. No account is needed and the business does not have to be contacted first.
Is VBC certification a business licence in the Philippines?
No. VBC is a private verification and certification service, not a government licence, regulatory approval or ISO certification. A business in the Philippines remains responsible for every licence, registration and regulatory obligation that applies to it.
How much does VBC certification cost for a Philippine business?
The same three levels apply everywhere: Basic at $100 a year, Enhanced at $250 and Trusted at $500. Each level is a superset of the one below it and the level appears on the certificate.