NBI clearance in the Philippines is a government-issued document that certifies that a Filipino citizen or a foreign national residing in the country hasn’t been involved in any crime.
This clearance is necessary for applicants seeking domestic and international employment, students studying abroad, and entrepreneurs launching new business ventures, among others.
National Bureau of Investigation or NBI
The National Bureau of Investigation or NBI is the government body that oversees the issuance of this legal document [NBI Clearance] Essentially, this is part of the agency’s mandate to monitor all criminal and legal concerns in support of our government’s surveillance program.
Applying for an Clearance Used to Be Time-Consuming
The process of applying for an NBI clearance used to be lengthy and cumbersome. Thanks to technology, this is no longer the case.
NBI has adopted a computer-based workflow to streamline clearance procedures. Filipinos and foreign nationals residing in the Philippines can now schedule a visit to the agency from the comforts of their home.
How to Get an NBI Clearance?
Getting NBI clearance in the Philippines entails several steps.
Step 1: Get the requirements ready before applying for an NBI clearance.
- Colored passport-sized ID photos (2)
- A valid govt. ID (2)
- A valid email address
- Clearance fee [130 php]
What ID Should I Provide When Applying for an NBI Clearance?
These are just some of the I.Ds you can present when applying for a clearance.
Please provide two government I.Ds from the following list:
- Postal I.D
- SSS or GSIS
- Senior Citizen’s I.D
- PRC License
- Marina I.D
- Solo Parent I.D
- BIR Tin
- Voter’s I.D
- PhilHealth
- Company ID – Government Employees
- Police Clearance
- Seaman’s Book and SIRV
- PAG-IBIG ID (not the Loyalty Card)
- School ID with current registration card
- Certification from the Local Civil Registrar
- Certification from Malacañang (for indigenous groups, foundlings, etc.)
Note: If this is your first time applying for a job, a copy of your Barangay Certificate will allow you to secure an NBI clearance for free.
Under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, a Barangay Certificate is required for first-time job seekers applying for free NBI clearance. As part of this application, you need to provide proof of residence for at least six months and a confirmation that you are a first-time job seeker.
Step 2: Apply for an NBI Clearance Online
A step-by-step guide on how to apply for an NBI clearance online
- Log on to the NBI clearance application website and create an account (https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/)
- Upon accessing the website, you will be presented with a privacy agreement. Please click agree if you accept the terms contained in the privacy agreement.
- There will be a notice posted displaying a list of acceptable government identification. After reading the list, click close.
- You will then be prompted to fill out the registration form where you will initially be asked to indicate if you have NBI clearance from 2014 onwards. Reply with the right info.
- After responding to the query, you will then be asked to fill out the ff. information:
- Gender
- Birthdate
- First Name
- Middle Name
- Surname
- Mobile Number
- Email Address
- Create A Password, Then Confirm
Note: check the “I’m not a robot” box after filling out the form. Also, don’t forget to read and accept the terms and then click “sign up”
- Upon signing up, you will receive your 6-digit One-Time Password via email and on your mobile device.
- Please enter the six-digit One Time Password you received via email and click “SUBMIT”.
- Upon entering the six numbers, a notification will appear on the screen confirming your registration.
- You will then be asked to type in your email and password
- After which, you need to fill out a new set of questions
They are as follows:
Family Background:
Information about your parents, such as their names, birthdates, and birthplaces, etc.
Educational Background:
It may be necessary for you to provide information about your education, including the name of your school, your graduation date, and the degree you earned.
Employment History:
Your employer’s name, address, and contact information may be required if you are currently employed.
Your Criminal Record:
If you have been charged with a crime or if you have been a defendant in a court case, you must disclose this information.
The Purpose of the Application:
Select the reason for your NBI clearance requests, such as employment or travel.
Those are some of the common questions that need to be filled out when registering for NBI clearance online. Nonetheless, depending on your specific application requirements, the information you need to complete may vary.
Step 3: Ensure the Accuracy Of All Information
Verify that all the information you have entered is correct before hitting the submit button. By doing so, you can avoid delays in the processing of your application.
After submitting the information, you will be redirected to the “apply for clearance” page.
A list of government IDs will then be presented to you on screen. Select two IDs from the list that you’d like NBI to verify on your scheduled visit to the agency.
Upon selecting which IDs to use, specify the name of the two IDs and the associated numbers.
Then, certify all the information provided by clicking the “agree button”
Step 4: Schedule an Appointment
Next, you will be redirected to the online appointment system on the NBI Clearance website. To schedule an appointment, select a slot on the calendar displayed on the screen, and then choose the NBI branch where you wish to process your NBI clearance.
Step 5: Select a Payment Option:
After scheduling an appointment, your next step will be to select a payment option to pay for the 130 peso processing fee, plus a system fee of 25 pesos [if you are going to use the e-payment service] Then, click accept [payment]
To pay for the service, you have several options:
- Over-the-counter bank payment
Security Bank
Metrobank
Landbank
Chinabank
Unionbank - Online bank payment
UnionBank
BPI
BDO
- Bayad Center
LBC Express
Cebuana Lhuillier,
Waltermart
Robinsons
Bayad mobile app
- ECPay
- GCash
- 7-11
After selecting a payment option (for online payment) a pop-up window will appear with several important details, such as the ff:
- Appointment Date
- The NBI Branch to Visit
- The NBI Clearance Online Reference Number.
It is critical that you take note of the Reference Number. The number is needed for both the online processing of your clearance application and the actual processing of your clearance request at the NBI branch.
Step 6: Personal Appearance
The NBI requires applicants to appear in person for their appointment. You must bring two valid govt IDs with you, otherwise, your NBI clearance will not be processed.
Upon your visit, you will be required to undergo the following procedures
- Photo Capture
- Fingerprint scanning
- Data verification
Step 7: Claim Your Clearance
After you have completed the procedures outlined above, you may receive your NBI clearance within minutes or within a day if there is no hit. A hit means that a person with a pending or ongoing case has the same or similar name as you or there is a record of your name in the NBI database indicating a criminal conviction.
Commonly Asked Questions About Getting an NBI Clearance in the Philippines:
How much does it cost to get an NBI clearance?
You have to pay 130 PHP for your NBI clearance. But if you want to make the payment online, you may have to shell out an additional 25 pesos for the service fee. Additional fees may also apply if you use other payment methods. For example, if you pay using GCASH, you will be charged an additional 40 pesos for the transaction.
It’s critical to note that these fees are subject to change and it’s advisable to confirm current fees with the National Bureau of Investigation(NBI) directly.
Peak seasons or the days and weeks leading up to them may delay processing time. It is recommended that you apply for your NBI clearance well in advance to avoid any potential delays.
Can I Apply For NBI Clearance Online?
You can apply for clearance remotely through the National Bureau of Investigation’s online platform.
However, the online application process merely serves as the initial step in obtaining clearance.
Visiting the NBI clearance center in person is still mandatory as the agency is required to collect your biometric information and verify your data.
What is the validity period of the NBI clearance?
From the date of issue, your NBI clearance is valid for six months to a year. Your NBI record will be updated if you get involved in any criminal activity within that period.
Is it possible to get clearance without securing an NBI appointment?
Walk-ins are not accepted at the NBI branch. When entering the NBI clearance branch, the reference number issued during the online application must be presented.
How do I renew my NBI clearance in the Philippines?
Follow these steps to renew your National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance in the Philippines:
You do not need to visit an NBI office to renew your clearance. You can have your clearance renewed online by visiting https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Simply enter your details, pay online, and you’re done! Depending on your preference, the NBI clearance can be picked up at your preferred location or delivered directly to your home address through door-to-door delivery.
How much does delivery cost?
Delivery fees depend on distance and location.
What is the delivery time for NBI clearance in the Philippines?
3-7 days for Metro Manila and Luzon
7-10 days for Visayas and Mindanao
How can I change my NBI online application?
You can update your profile by accessing your NBI online account. Click login at the top of the page. Once you’re in your account’s dashboard, click “My Info” and select the “My Profile Information” tab to modify your profile. Ensure that all changes have been saved.
I missed my NBI appointment. What should I do?
Your appointment will be canceled if you missed your appointment and haven’t paid yet. In the case where payment has already been made, you have 15 days after your appointment to visit the NBI branch and claim your clearance.
What if I lost my NBI clearance?
In the event that you’ve lost your (NBI) clearance, you can get a new one by following these steps:
- Request a replacement by visiting the NBI Clearance Center in person.
- Obtain and fill out the application form.
Please provide all the required information, including your personal details and contact information.
- Pay the fee: The fee for a new NBI clearance varies, but it is typically around PHP 130.00.
- Have your fingerprints taken
- Wait for your new NBI clearance: If you don’t have a HIT status, It typically takes 1 day for your new NBI clearance to be processed and issued. Otherwise, if your namesake has a pending case, it may take about two weeks or even up to 15 days.
In such a case, you can check the status of your application by calling the NBI Clearance Center or visiting the NBI website.
Please note that you may be required to submit additional documents or information to support your application for a new NBI clearance. It is also possible that the process of securing a replacement will vary depending on the location and policies of the NBI Center you are visiting.
NBI clearance vs. police clearance: what’s the difference?
Police clearance and NBI clearance both contain the same information. The only difference is their scope. While police clearance only covers a particular locality, NBI clearance covers the entire country.
Hopefully, you have found this post helpful in giving you some ideas on how to secure NBI clearance in the Philippines.
Resource: https://nbi.gov.ph/citizens-charter/nbi-clearance/
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