Canadian · Professional Licensing
LSO licence number lookup.
Every lawyer and paralegal entitled to provide legal services in Ontario is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). Here's what a licence number looks like, why checking one is one of the most common scam-checks in Canada, and a direct link to LSO's own live Lawyer and Paralegal Directory.
Important, up front: the Law Society has never published a check-digit algorithm for its licence numbers. It's an assigned identifier, not a self-checking one. This page explains the format and links straight to LSO's own directory — it does not and cannot confirm someone's licence status on its own.
What an LSO licence number is
An LSO licence number is a numeric identifier assigned when a lawyer or paralegal is first licensed in Ontario. There's no fixed length or check digit — it's simply the Law Society's internal licensee number. You'll usually find it on:
- A lawyer's or paralegal's letterhead or engagement letter
- Court filings and correspondence on a matter
- An email signature or firm website bio
Impersonating a lawyer or collections agent is a common scam pattern — a number that looks plausible tells you nothing. Only LSO's own directory can confirm someone is genuinely licensed.
Verify a lawyer or paralegal
Search the directory by name, city, postal code, area of law, or language. Each listing shows the person's practising status, licence type (lawyer or paralegal), and whether they're in good standing.
Why you'd check an LSO licence number
The most common reason: confirming someone claiming to be a lawyer or paralegal — often over the phone or by email, sometimes demanding urgent payment on a fake "debt" or "legal action" — is actually licensed. Legitimate reasons include verifying a lawyer's good standing before hiring them, confirming a paralegal is licensed for the specific service they're offering (paralegals have a restricted scope of practice), and checking for public discipline history before a large retainer.
What the directory actually shows
LSO's directory returns practising status (in good standing, suspended, or not entitled to practise), licence type (lawyer or paralegal), and area(s) of law. The Law Society is explicit that checking this directory — or contacting LSO directly — is the way to confirm someone is a licensed legal professional before you hire or pay them.
Frequently asked questions
What does an LSO licence number look like?
A plain number with no letters and no published check digit. There's no way to tell from the number alone whether it's genuine.
What's the difference between a lawyer and a paralegal in Ontario?
Both are licensed by LSO, but paralegals have a defined, narrower scope — typically small claims court, traffic and provincial offences, some tribunal matters, and minor criminal matters. Lawyers can practise across the full range of law. The directory listing states which licence type someone holds.
Someone contacted me claiming to be a lawyer demanding payment — how do I check them?
Search their name in the Lawyer and Paralegal Directory above. If they don't appear, or the listing shows they're not in good standing, treat the contact as suspicious and report it — impersonating a lawyer to collect a debt is a recognized scam pattern in Ontario.
Format explainer only — not a verification tool
This page describes what an LSO licence number is and looks like. It does not check anyone's licence status, and nothing you might type here is transmitted anywhere. Use the official Lawyer and Paralegal Directory linked above to confirm someone is currently licensed and in good standing.