How to Get Your BIR Registration Seal Badge with QR Code: A Guide for Filipino Freelancers and Content Creators

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about working online and managing freelance work, it’s that there’s more to being self-employed than just doing the actual work. There are also registrations, tax requirements, forms to fill out, and government websites to figure out along the way.

And if you’re a freelancer, virtual assistant, blogger, content creator, or small business owner in the Philippines, you probably know what I mean.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently announced that covered taxpayers earning through online platforms must display a BIR Registration Seal Badge with a QR code on their websites, social media pages, online shops, or other applicable digital platforms. This includes bloggers, vloggers, influencers, content creators, and those earning through advertisements, affiliate commissions, and brand collaborations.

As someone who has been blogging for a decade and also works online, I just got my own BIR Registration Seal Badge, so I’m sharing my experience and the process I followed to get it through the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS).

If you’re wondering where to start, what information you need to update, or whether you have to pay anything to get your badge, I’ll walk you through the steps based on the BIR’s official guide. I’ll also share the important details to know before you begin, so hopefully, the process will be a little less confusing for fellow content creators and online earners.

One important reminder: The BIR has extended the deadline for covered taxpayers to display their Registration Seal Badge to October 31, 2026. If you haven’t secured yours yet, now is a good time to check the requirements and get started.

What Is the BIR Registration Seal Badge?

The BIR Registration Seal Badge is a digital badge associated with a taxpayer’s BIR registration. It includes a QR code that can be scanned to help verify the taxpayer’s registration details. The Seal Badge is designed to be displayed on:

Websites and blogs
Social media pages
Online stores and e-commerce platforms
Other digital platforms used to conduct business or offer services online

The badge is intended to make a taxpayer’s registration information easier to verify. Instead of relying on a displayed document or manually checking registration details, the QR code provides a way to access relevant registration information through the BIR’s designated verification process.

Who Is Required to Have the BIR Registration Seal Badge?

The BIR Registration Seal Badge is required for taxpayers who earn income or conduct business through digital platforms. This includes individuals and businesses that promote their products or services online. You need to pay attention to this requirement if you’re a:

Content creators, influencers, and bloggers earning through sponsored content, brand collaborations, advertising, or affiliate marketing.
Freelancers and virtual assistants (VAs) offering services to clients through online platforms.
Virtual assistant (VA) agencies providing remote staffing, administrative support, and other services to clients online.
Affiliate marketers promoting products or services through affiliate links on websites, blogs, social media, or other digital platforms.
Online sellers and e-commerce business owners selling products through websites, online marketplaces, or social media.
Digital entrepreneurs and service providers promoting or offering products and services online.
Business owners using websites and social media pages to conduct business and reach customers.

If you fall into any of these categories, check the applicable BIR guidelines to determine whether the Registration Seal Badge requirement applies to your taxpayer classification and activities.

As a blogger, content creator, and online freelancer myself, I wanted to make sure I understood the requirement and completed the process. That’s why I’m sharing my experience and the steps I followed to help fellow freelancers, bloggers, content creators, and other online earners understand and complete the process themselves.

BIR ORUS

Before you begin, you’ll need an existing ORUS account. ORUS stands for Online Registration and Update System. It’s the BIR’s online platform for certain taxpayer registration and information update transactions.

Instead of figuring everything out from scratch, you can use ORUS to complete the applicable registration or update process online. If you don’t have one yet, you must first create an account. You can access it through the official website: https://orus.bir.gov.ph/home

Update Your BIR Registration Through ORUS

If you already have a registered business, you may need to update or correct some of your registration information. The process is very simple and different from the new business registration process. Here’s how it works:

1. Log in to ORUS

Go to the official ORUS website and log in to your account. Make sure you’re using the account associated with your existing BIR registration. Your taxpayer information should match the details on file with the BIR to help prevent issues when accessing or updating your registration records.

2. Open the registration update section (optional)

If you need to correct or change any of your existing BIR registration details, click Update Information, then select Correction/Change/Update of Registration.

If your information is already correct and you don’t need to make any changes, you can skip this step and proceed to synchronizing your registration record.

3. Synchronize Your Registration Record

Click Synchronize to sync your existing BIR registration record with ORUS. This step helps ensure that your registration information is reflected in the system before you access your updated registration documents.

If you encounter an error or your registration details don’t appear correctly, double-check that your ORUS account information matches your existing BIR records.

If the issue persists, contact your Revenue District Office (RDO) for assistance before proceeding.

4. Open Certificates and Permits

After synchronizing your record, go to the Certificates and Permits section.

This is where you can access the registration documents available through your ORUS account.

If your updated COR doesn’t appear immediately, try logging out and logging back in. If the issue persists, contact your RDO or the appropriate BIR support channel.

5. Pay the ₱30 Documentary Stamp Tax

Pay the ₱30 loose Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) through one of the available payment channels.

6. Download Your QR-Enabled COR and Registration Seal Badge

Once your payment is complete, return to your ORUS profile page.

You can then download your updated Certificate of Registration with Seal Badge.

7. Post Your BIR Registration Seal Badge

You don’t have to post your entire Certificate of Registration on your website or social media page. The BIR allows you to crop or extract the Registration Seal Badge, including its QR code, from your certificate for display.

Simply crop the badge from your downloaded COR, making sure the entire badge and QR code remain visible, clear, and readable.

Is the BIR Registration Seal Badge the same as the Certificate of Registration?

No. The Certificate of Registration (COR) is your official BIR registration document containing your taxpayer and registration details. The Registration Seal Badge is a digital badge intended for public display on applicable online platforms. It includes a QR code that can be scanned to verify registration information.

Also Read: BIR Registration Guide For Self-Employed Professionals (Non-PRC Licensed)

How do I verify whether a BIR Registration Seal Badge is authentic?

Scan the QR code on the badge using your phone’s camera or a QR code scanner. Check that the link directs you to the official BIR verification website at https://verify.bir.gov.ph/correspondence/. Review the information returned by the verification system to confirm the registration details.

Is the BIR Registration Seal Badge free?

Yes. The Registration Seal Badge itself is free. However, a separate ₱30 loose Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) may apply to the associated registration document transaction, depending on the procedure you’re completing through ORUS. Check the instructions for your specific transaction before making a payment.

What should I do if my Registration Seal Badge doesn’t appear in ORUS?

If your Registration Seal Badge doesn’t appear in ORUS, your BIR registration information might need to be updated first. Follow Step 2: Update Your Registration Information in this guide, if necessary, then synchronize your registration record and check the Certificates and Permits section again. If the badge still doesn’t appear, contact your RDO for assistance.

When is the deadline to obtain the BIR Registration Seal Badge?

The deadline to obtain your BIR Registration Seal Badge is October 31, 2026. If you’re a content creator or another taxpayer earning income digitally, make sure to generate your badge through the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS) and comply with the BIR’s requirements before the deadline.

If you haven’t secured your badge yet, it’s best to complete the process as soon as possible to avoid last-minute issues.

Getting my BIR Registration Seal Badge was another reminder of how important it is to stay informed about changes that affect us. I hope this guide gives you a clearer idea of how to get your badge through ORUS.

For official announcements and the latest requirements, visit the BIR website or consult the applicable Revenue Memorandum Circulars.

Disclaimer: This article is based on my personal experience and is for informational purposes only. It is not an official BIR publication. Always confirm the latest requirements with the BIR, as procedures and regulations may change.