Last checked October 2026 against the PNP National Police Clearance System (pnpclearance.ph), the NBI’s How to Apply page and Citizen’s Charter, and RA 11261. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official portals before you pay.
A police clearance and an NBI clearance both say whether your name has a criminal record, but they come from different agencies, search different records, cost different amounts and stay valid for different lengths of time. Most Filipino job seekers need just one of them, and which one depends on who is asking. This guide gives you a decision table for the common uses and a side-by-side comparison of fees, IDs and validity. It also covers the mistakes that cost applicants money, including a few the PNP portal will not let you undo.
Quick answer: which clearance do you need?
If the employer, agency, school or embassy names a document, get that exact document. If the instructions only say “clearance” or “proof of good moral character,” use this table as a starting point, then confirm with the person who asked.
| Your situation | Usually asked for | Why | What to confirm first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local private job (retail, BPO, office, factory) | Either; many HR teams prefer NBI | NBI checks a nationwide database; the police clearance is faster and needs only one ID | Ask HR which one they accept and how recent it must be |
| Government job or appointment | Usually NBI | Agencies commonly list NBI clearance in appointment papers | Check the agency’s checklist or the job posting |
| Work, study or a visa abroad | NBI | Foreign employers and embassies generally recognize the NBI clearance; some also want it apostilled by the DFA | Read the embassy or recruitment agency’s list, including whether it must be “for travel abroad” |
| Rider, driver or delivery app sign-up | Either; follow the app’s list | Platforms set their own rules and some accept both | Read the app’s current onboarding list |
| Barangay, LGU or local permit needs | Often police clearance (sometimes with barangay clearance) | Local offices often accept the local police clearance | Ask the office receiving it |
| Deadline in a few days and no NBI appointment open | Police clearance, if the receiver accepts it | Appointments and release are typically same day if there is no hit | Get written or chat confirmation that it is accepted |
| First job and short on money | Either, free under RA 11261 | First-time jobseekers can get both free, once each | Get your barangay certification first |
Side-by-side: police clearance vs NBI clearance
| Item | PNP police clearance | NBI clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Philippine National Police, through the National Police Clearance System | National Bureau of Investigation |
| Where you apply | pnpclearance.ph, then your chosen police station | clearance.nbi.gov.ph, then your chosen NBI clearance center |
| Base fee | ₱150 plus a convenience fee that depends on how you pay | ₱130 plus an e-payment service charge (about ₱25 to ₱30) |
| Payment | Landbank ePayment Portal: GCash, Maya, cards, or cash at 7-Eleven or Bayad Center | GCash, Maya, online banking, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center and others listed in the portal |
| IDs at the appointment | One valid government ID (original, unexpired, with photo and signature) | Two valid IDs |
| Biometrics | Photo, fingerprints and signature at the station | Photo and fingerprints at the clearance center |
| Validity | Six months, per the PNP portal | Commonly treated as one year; check the date printed and what the receiver requires |
| If your name matches a record (“hit”) | The hit and its status appear on the printout | Release is held, usually 5 to 10 working days, at no extra charge |
| Renewal without visiting | Online renewal within three years of your last personal appearance, using the same account | Online renewal with courier delivery if your previous clearance was issued after 2014 and your details are unchanged; also through the eGovPH app since July 2026 |
| Applying from abroad | Clearance Certification route for qualified applicants abroad | NBI processes applications from abroad through its fingerprint card route; check with the embassy or NBI |
| First-time jobseekers | Free once, with the barangay certification and one valid ID | Free once, through the first-time jobseeker portal and lane |
The difference in coverage matters more than the price. The police clearance comes from PNP records through its national system. The NBI clearance is checked against the NBI’s own nationwide database, which is why embassies and many large employers ask for it by name. Neither one replaces the other when a requirement names a specific document.
What each one really costs (sample computation)
Base fees are fixed, but the extra charges depend on how you pay and how you get to the office. The numbers below are illustrative estimates for one applicant in Metro Manila, not official totals.
| Cost item | Police clearance | NBI clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee (official) | ₱150 | ₱130 |
| Payment or convenience fee (estimate) | ₱20 to ₱35 | ₱25 to ₱30 |
| Fare to the station or center, round trip (estimate) | ₱30 to ₱80 (nearby station) | ₱50 to ₱150 (fewer centers) |
| Photocopies of IDs (estimate) | ₱5 to ₱10 | ₱10 to ₱20 |
| Estimated total | ₱205 to ₱275 | ₱215 to ₱330 |
| Return trip if there is a hit (estimate) | Usually none; the hit status prints | Add another ₱50 to ₱150 fare |
If you qualify as a first-time jobseeker, the base fees for both drop to zero. You still pay your own fare, so the estimate falls to roughly ₱40 to ₱160 each. See our first-time jobseeker fee waiver guide for the barangay certification.
How long each one lasts, and when to apply
The PNP portal states that a police clearance is valid for six months. The NBI has no single published validity rule on its How to Apply page; most offices treat an NBI clearance as good for one year from issue, but an employer can ask for something more recent, such as one issued within the last three or six months.
| If your clearance was issued on… | Police clearance usable until about… | NBI clearance commonly accepted until about… | If HR wants “issued within 3 months” |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 3, 2026 | May 3, 2027 | November 3, 2027 | February 3, 2027 |
| January 15, 2027 | July 15, 2027 | January 15, 2028 | April 15, 2027 |
| June 1, 2027 | December 1, 2027 | June 1, 2028 | September 1, 2027 |
A practical habit: apply about two to three weeks before you submit, not months ahead. That leaves room for an NBI hit or a missed appointment while keeping the clearance fresh enough for strict HR teams.
How to get a police clearance (PNP NPCS)
- Register at pnpclearance.ph with an email you will keep. Type your full name, email and birthdate carefully. The registration terms say these cannot be edited after you save them, and police stations cannot edit accounts.
- Complete your profile exactly as it appears on your valid ID.
- Book an appointment at the station you prefer.
- Pay through the Landbank ePayment Portal at least two banking days before your appointment. The terms warn that late payment cancels the transaction, and payment is forfeited if you cancel or miss the appointment.
- Go to the station with one valid ID, your proof of payment and your reference number. First-time applicants must appear in person.
- Have your photo, fingerprints and signature taken, then check the printout before you leave. The PNP says printout errors are the applicant’s responsibility and it will not reprint; you would need to fix the account, pay again and redo biometrics.
The PNP’s ID list is generous. It includes the PhilSys national ID, passport, driver’s license, UMID, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, PRC, postal, voter’s, senior citizen and PWD IDs, a barangay residence certification, a birth certificate, and a school ID with your registration form. See our valid government IDs guide if you are still building your ID set.
How to get an NBI clearance
- Create an account at clearance.nbi.gov.ph (first-time jobseekers use firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph).
- Fill in your details, choose a clearance center and date, and pay ₱130 plus the e-payment charge.
- Bring two valid IDs to your appointment, dress neatly (the NBI asks applicants not to wear sando, shorts or slippers), and complete photo and fingerprint capture.
- Collect the clearance the same day if there is no hit. If there is one, return on the date given, usually 5 to 10 working days later, with no added fee.
For the full walk-through, renewal and courier options, see our NBI clearance online appointment guide.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
| Mistake | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Typo in your name or birthdate on the PNP account | These fields cannot be edited, and the station cannot fix them | Contact the NPCS help channels before paying; do not book until the account is right |
| Paying the PNP fee the night before the appointment | Payment must post at least two banking days ahead, or the transaction is cancelled | Pay right after booking, and keep the receipt or reference |
| Missing the PNP appointment | The payment is forfeited | Book a slot you can keep; treat it like a paid ticket |
| Leaving the station without reading the printout | The PNP will not reprint for errors | Check name spelling, birthdate and photo at the counter |
| Bringing only one ID to the NBI | You may be turned away | Bring two valid IDs; the NBI’s list includes the PSA birth certificate as one of them |
| Getting a police clearance when the embassy wants NBI | The document is rejected | Read the embassy or agency list first; abroad use almost always means NBI |
| Applying three months early for a strict employer | HR asks for a more recent copy | Ask how recent it must be, then time your application |
| Paying full price on your first job | You lose a benefit you were entitled to | Get the barangay first-time jobseeker certification before booking |
| Using a fixer or an unofficial “rush” site | Risk of fake documents, lost money and data misuse | Use only pnpclearance.ph and clearance.nbi.gov.ph |
What a “hit” means
A hit means a name in the records matches or resembles yours. It is not proof that you have a case. Many hits come from common surnames. With the NBI, release is held while staff verify, usually for 5 to 10 working days, and you return on the date given without paying again. The NBI first-time jobseeker charter adds that you may be referred to Quality Control for an interview. With the PNP, any record and its status appear on the printout itself.
If you know you once had a case that was dismissed, bring a certified copy of the dismissal order or court certification. It can shorten the verification.
If you are abroad or cannot appear in person
The PNP offers a Clearance Certification only to first-time applicants in specific groups, including Filipinos based abroad and people who are bedridden. Applicants abroad upload a 2×2 photo, a selfie holding an ID, a passport copy, proof of OFW status, and an ID showing a Philippine address. Questions go to the PNP One Stop Shop at Camp Crame, (02) 8723-0401 local 7663, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For NBI clearances needed abroad, start with the Philippine embassy or consulate where you live and the NBI’s own instructions, since the fingerprint route differs from a local appointment. OFWs should also keep their OWWA membership and other papers current at the same time.
Three illustrative scenarios
These are hypothetical examples to show how the decision table works. They are not accounts of specific applicants.
- Hypothetical: a fresh graduate applying to a BPO. HR accepts either clearance. The applicant is a first-time jobseeker, so they get a barangay certification, then free copies of both. The NBI copy goes into their job folder for future applications, since it is usually accepted longer.
- Hypothetical: a caregiver applying for work in Canada. The agency’s list names an NBI clearance for travel abroad. A police clearance would not satisfy the list, so they book NBI only and check whether the receiving country also requires DFA apostille.
- Hypothetical: a store hire who must report Monday. HR confirms by text that a police clearance is fine. The applicant books a PNP slot, pays two banking days before, brings one ID and checks the printout before leaving.
Before-you-go checklist
- Written confirmation of which clearance the receiver wants and how recent it must be
- Account details typed exactly as on your ID (name, birthdate, email)
- Payment made and receipt saved (for PNP, at least two banking days before)
- Appointment reference number, on your phone and on paper
- Valid IDs: one for PNP, two for NBI, all original and unexpired
- First-time jobseekers: original barangay certification and signed Oath of Undertaking
- Neat clothes for NBI (no sando, shorts or slippers)
- A few minutes at the counter to proofread the printout
Frequently asked questions
Is a police clearance enough for a job abroad?
Usually not. Embassies and overseas employers generally ask for the NBI clearance. Follow the exact list the embassy or agency gives you.
Can I use a barangay clearance instead?
Only if the receiver says so. A barangay clearance shows local standing and residency; it does not replace a PNP or NBI record check. See our barangay certificate guide.
Do I need a new police clearance every six months?
Only when you need to submit a valid one. The six-month validity is from the PNP portal. Within three years of your last personal appearance, you can renew online using the same account.
Can I get both for free?
Yes, once each, if you are a first-time jobseeker under RA 11261. The law lists both the police clearance and the NBI clearance among the waived documents.
Which IDs should I prepare first?
A PhilSys national ID or a passport works for both. Our government ID checklist shows which IDs are easiest to get first.
Sources
All sources checked October 25, 2026.
- PNP National Police Clearance System: registration terms (non-editable fields, payment timing, forfeiture, no reprint, six-month validity, three-year online renewal)
- PNP NPCS: How to Apply guide (PDF): ₱150 fee, Landbank ePayment, valid ID list
- PNP NPCS: Clearance Certification guide (PDF): applicants abroad and other special cases
- NBI: How to Apply for NBI Clearance: ₱130 fee, e-payment charge, two IDs, hits, dress code, online renewal
- NBI Citizen’s Charter: NBI Clearance for First-Time Job Seekers
- NBI press release, July 6, 2026: eClearance renewal on eGovPH
- Republic Act No. 11261 (First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act), Lawphil
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