An NBI clearance is the certificate from the National Bureau of Investigation stating whether your name matches any record in its criminal database. Employers, visa offices, and licensing agencies ask for it constantly, which is why the clearance centers stay busy. The good news is that most of the process now happens online at clearance.nbi.gov.ph, and repeat applicants can often renew without visiting a branch at all.
Last checked October 2026 against the NBI’s How to Apply for NBI Clearance page, the NBI Clearance Citizen’s Charter, the NBI clearance portal and the NBI’s 6 July 2026 announcement on eGovPH renewal.
Who this guide is for
- First-time applicants who need an NBI clearance for a job, a license or a visa.
- Repeat applicants who want to renew without queueing.
- Fresh graduates who may qualify for a free clearance as first-time jobseekers.
- Applicants who got a HIT and want to know what happens next.
- Filipinos abroad who need a clearance for immigration or work.
Before you book: which route applies to you
There are now four ways to get an NBI clearance, and picking the right one first saves the most time.
- First-time applicant: register on the NBI clearance portal, pay online, then appear at a clearance center for biometrics.
- Renewal with no changes: if you got your previous clearance after 2014 and your details have not changed, the portal’s online renewal option can deliver the clearance by courier.
- Renewal through eGovPH: since July 2026, verified users of the eGovPH Super App can renew and retrieve a digital copy, according to the NBI. See our eGovPH app guide.
- First-time jobseeker: the clearance is free under RA 11261 through a separate NBI portal. Our first-time jobseeker guide walks through it.
If you are not sure whether your employer wants the NBI or a local police clearance, read our comparison of police clearance vs NBI clearance before paying for either.
Which NBI clearance route fits you
| Your situation | Route | Branch visit? |
|---|---|---|
| Never had an NBI clearance | Portal registration, online payment, appointment | Yes, for biometrics |
| Had a clearance after 2014, no changes in name or details | Portal online renewal with courier delivery | Usually no |
| Verified eGovPH user, eligible for renewal | eGovPH app renewal with a digital copy | Usually no |
| Married or changed name since the last clearance | New application with updated details | Yes |
| Fresh graduate, first job | First-time jobseeker application under RA 11261 | Yes, for biometrics |
| Living abroad | NBI “Applying from Abroad” process with fingerprint card | No, but you need an embassy or police fingerprinting |
Step 1: Register on the NBI clearance portal
Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph and choose to register. You will need an active mobile number and email address, because the portal sends a one-time password to verify the account.
After logging in, complete the applicant information form. It asks for personal details, family background, and education or employment information. Type your name exactly as it appears on your IDs, including your full middle name and any suffix such as Jr. or III. When you are done, save the information and review the profile page once more, since the clearance prints the details you type here.
Use one account only. Creating a second account to get an earlier slot can cause confusion later, especially when you try to renew online and the system looks for your previous record.
Step 2: Apply, choose a branch, and pick a schedule
From your account, click “Apply for Clearance”. A pop-up will ask which valid ID you plan to bring, so choose one you actually have in hand. Then pick an NBI clearance center and an available date and time slot, either morning or afternoon.
Branches in Metro Manila malls fill quickly, while provincial centers and satellite sites sometimes have slots within days. Therefore, if your deadline is tight, look beyond the nearest mall. The NBI’s office locator on its website lists clearance centers by region.
According to the NBI’s how-to page, recent system updates give a grace period of about 15 days once the system marks your transaction paid, so missing your exact slot does not always mean starting over. Still, treat that as a fallback rather than a plan.
Step 3: Pay the NBI clearance fee
The NBI’s own application guide states that the basic clearance fee is ₱130, plus an e-payment service charge that it describes as usually around ₱25 to ₱30. You can pay through channels such as GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center, or online banking, depending on what the portal offers that day.
When you select a payment method, the system generates a reference number. Screenshot it or print it, because you will use it both to pay and to enter the branch. After paying, wait until your transaction shows as “PAID” on the portal before heading out.
Courier delivery for online renewals carries its own delivery charge, shown at checkout. Never pay a person or page outside these official channels for “processing”.
Step 4: Appear at the clearance center
Bring the following on your appointment day:
- your reference number, printed or on your phone;
- proof of payment;
- two valid government-issued IDs, original and not expired. The NBI lists examples such as a passport, driver’s license, National ID, UMID, Postal ID, or a PSA birth certificate.
At the branch, staff check your reference number, then capture your photo, fingerprints, and electronic signature. Staff will ask you to look at a monitor and confirm your details before anything prints. Take this seriously, because a typo you approve here appears on the certificate.
NBI branches enforce a dress code for the photo. Avoid sleeveless tops, shorts, and slippers; a collared shirt or smart-casual top is the safe choice.
NBI clearance fees and timelines at a glance
| Item | What the NBI publishes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance fee | ₱130 | Per the NBI how-to page |
| E-payment service charge | Usually about ₱25 to ₱30 | Depends on the payment channel |
| First-time jobseeker | Free under RA 11261 | Needs a barangay certification of first-time jobseeker status |
| Release with no HIT | Same day at the clearance center | After photo, fingerprints and signature capture |
| Release with a HIT | Usually 5 to 10 working days | Return on the date given; no second payment |
| Online renewal by courier | Delivery fee shown at checkout | Only for clearances issued after 2014 with no changed details |
Always rely on the payment screen on the portal for the exact total on the day you apply.
What a HIT means and how long it takes
If your name is clear, you go straight to printing and walk out with the NBI clearance in minutes. If your name is similar or identical to someone with a record, the system flags a “HIT”. This is very common, especially for people with frequent surnames, and it does not mean you have a case.
With a HIT, staff will ask you to return on a set date after reviewers manually verify your identity. The NBI’s how-to page describes this as usually 5 to 10 working days. You claim the clearance on that date without paying again. In some cases, a quality control section interviews applicants to clarify the match.
So if you know you have a common name, book early. A HIT turns a same-day errand into a two-week wait, and employers’ deadlines do not always allow for that.
Renewing an NBI clearance without a branch visit
For repeat applicants, the online renewal option on the portal home page is the fastest path. The NBI says it is available if you had a clearance issued after 2014 and none of your personal details changed. You pay online and receive the clearance by courier.
Alternatively, the eGovPH route launched on 6 July 2026 lets eligible verified users renew within the app and retrieve a digital copy. However, if your name changed through marriage, or your previous clearance had a HIT, expect the portal to send you back to a branch.
Validity and what employers check
Most offices treat an NBI clearance as valid for one year from its issue date. Even so, the receiving office decides what it will accept. Some employers and embassies want a clearance issued within the last three or six months, and a visa application may require a specific purpose printed on it.
Employers increasingly verify clearances using the QR code or online verification. Because of this, employers quickly spot an altered or fake clearance, and it can cost you the job offer.
Applying for an NBI clearance from abroad
Filipinos overseas cannot attend a branch, so the NBI has a separate process described on its “Applying from Abroad” page. It generally involves taking fingerprints on the NBI’s form at a Philippine embassy or consulate or a local police office, then sending the documents to the NBI through a representative or courier. Requirements and processing times differ from the local route, so read the NBI page and ask the embassy before starting.
If you only need a renewal and qualify for the online or eGovPH route, that may be far simpler than the fingerprint-card process.
Common mistakes with the NBI clearance
- Name mismatch: a nickname, a missing middle name, or a married surname without supporting documents.
- Expired ID: the branch will not accept it, even as a second ID.
- Paying through a third-party site that is not linked from the official portal.
- Arriving before payment posts: wait for the “PAID” status first.
- Wrong purpose: if a visa office needs a specific purpose, choose it during the application.
If you are collecting several documents for one job application, our government document prep checklist helps you order the trips.
Troubleshooting the NBI clearance portal
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| No OTP received during registration | Mistyped mobile number or email, or network delay | Check spam, confirm the number, wait a few minutes before requesting again |
| No slots at your preferred branch | High demand in Metro Manila malls | Check provincial or satellite centers; slots open as others cancel |
| Payment made but status not “PAID” | Payment still posting | Wait before going to the branch; keep the reference number and receipt |
| Missed your appointment | — | The NBI how-to page mentions a grace period of about 15 days after payment; check your portal account before booking again |
| Online renewal option not available | Old clearance before 2014, changed details or a past HIT | Apply through a branch instead |
| Typo on the printed clearance | Wrong details in your portal profile | Return to the issuing center with the clearance and IDs and ask for correction |
| Forgot portal password | — | Use the reset option; do not create a second account |
Document checklist for your appointment
- Reference number, printed or on your phone
- Proof of payment showing the transaction is paid
- Two valid government IDs, original and not expired; the NBI lists the National ID, passport, driver’s license, UMID and others
- For first-time jobseekers: the barangay certification under RA 11261
- For married applicants with mixed-name IDs: PSA marriage certificate
- Collared or smart-casual top for the photo
Married names, corrections, and other special cases
If your surname changed after marriage, update your NBI account details to the name you now use, and bring IDs that show the same name. A PSA marriage certificate helps connect the two names if one of your IDs still shows your maiden name. Because a changed name means changed details, the quick online renewal usually will not apply, so book a branch visit.
If your printed clearance shows an error, such as a misspelled name or wrong birth date, go back to the issuing clearance center with the clearance and your IDs. Ask for a correction rather than applying again under a new account. For minors who need a clearance for a school or travel purpose, check with the NBI first, since requirements for applicants below 18 differ and a parent or guardian usually accompanies them.
Finally, keep the PDF or photo of every clearance you receive. When you renew, having your old clearance number makes it easier for staff to find your record.
NBI clearance FAQ
Can someone else pick up my clearance? Biometrics must be yours, so you must appear for a first-time application. Ask the branch about release to a representative in HIT cases.
Is one ID enough? The NBI asks for two valid government IDs. The NBI lists a PSA birth certificate among accepted documents, which helps if you only have one photo ID.
Do I need a new account each year? No. Log in to the same account to renew.
Sources: NBI How to Apply for NBI Clearance, NBI Clearance Citizen’s Charter, NBI clearance portal, NBI eGovPH renewal announcement and RA 11261 on Lawphil. The portal’s payment screen shows the fee in force on the day you apply.
