What is an NBI clearance?
An NBI clearance is a certificate from the National Bureau of Investigation showing whether you have a derogatory record (such as a pending criminal case) in the NBI's nationwide database. It's one of the most requested documents in the Philippines, and the one most foreign embassies and employers ask for.
You'll usually need one for:
- Employment, both local and overseas
- Visa, immigration and study abroad applications
- Government jobs, licensing exams and permits
- Business, bank and loan requirements
- Name changes, adoption and other legal processes
Before you start
Have these ready:
- An active mobile number and email address. The portal sends a one-time password (OTP) to verify your account.
- Two valid government-issued IDs, original and not expired. See accepted IDs.
- A way to pay: GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center or online banking.
- 1Registerclearance.nbi.gov.ph, verify with OTP
- 2BookChoose ID type, branch and slot
- 3Pay₱130 + e-payment charge
- 4VisitWithin 15 days, bring 2 IDs
- 5ReleaseSame visit if no HIT
Source: nbi.gov.ph, How to Apply for NBI Clearance.
Phase 1: apply and pay online
Register or log in
Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph. New applicants fill in the Register section; returning applicants log in.
Verify with the OTP
Enter the one-time password sent to your mobile number or email to activate your account.
Complete the applicant information form
Fill in every mandatory field exactly as it appears on your ID, including your middle name and any suffix.
Click "Apply for Clearance"
Review your details, then choose the type of valid government ID you'll present.
Pick a branch, date and time
Choose one of the 162 NBI offices and an available slot.
Pay and get your reference number
Pay through your chosen channel. Save a screenshot or printout of your reference number and receipt.
Double-check your name before paying. Your clearance is printed exactly as you typed it. Fixing a typo later can mean another visit.
Phase 2: visit the branch
Go within 15 days of payment
The NBI gives a 15-day grace period after your status turns PAID.
Show your reference number and proof of payment
Staff check your booking and your two IDs.
Biometrics
Your photo, fingerprints and signature are captured.
Check your details on the monitor
An officer shows your details on screen. Read them carefully before you confirm.
Get your clearance or a return date
No HIT: your clearance is printed. HIT: you're asked to return after 5 to 10 working days, with no additional fee.
Use only clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Look-alike sites and "agents" charge extra or steal personal data. The NBI doesn't sell appointment slots, and no one can remove a HIT for a fee.
What to bring
How much it costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| NBI clearance fee | ₱130 |
| E-payment service charge | About ₱25–₱30, depending on the channel |
| Return visit after a HIT | No additional fee |
| First-time job seekers | Free once (RA 11261) |
Full details and a GCash walkthrough: NBI clearance fees and paying with GCash.
What if I get a "HIT"?
A HIT means your name matched, or closely matched, a name in the NBI's records. It doesn't mean you have a record: it just needs a manual check. You'll be asked to come back after 5 to 10 working days. Read what a HIT means.
Renewing: three ways
| Option | Who it's for | Branch visit? |
|---|---|---|
| eGovPH app (NBI eClearance) | Verified eGovPH users renewing a clearance | No |
| Quick Renewal on clearance.nbi.gov.ph | Previous clearance issued from 16 Oct 2016 onward, no changes in personal details | No, delivered to you |
| Regular application | Everyone else, and anyone whose details changed | Yes |
See NBI clearance renewal for the steps.
Applying from abroad
Filipinos outside the Philippines can apply by mail through the NBI's Mailed Clearance Section, with fingerprints taken at a Philippine embassy, consulate or police station. See NBI clearance for abroad.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Didn't receive the OTP | Check that your mobile number and email are typed correctly, check spam, and wait a few minutes before requesting a new one. |
| Payment made but status not PAID | Some channels take time to post. Keep your receipt and check again later before paying a second time. |
| No available slots | Try another branch or later dates. Slots free up as people reschedule. |
| Wrong details on the form | Fix them before paying. If you've already paid, raise it at the branch before your clearance is printed. |
| Missed your schedule | You have 15 days after payment turns PAID to visit. |
| HIT | Return on the date given. No extra fee, and no fixer can speed it up. |
For more, see NBI clearance problems and fixes.
Sa Tagalog: paano kumuha ng NBI clearance?
Mag-register sa clearance.nbi.gov.ph gamit ang aktibong mobile number at email. Punan ang form, pumili ng branch at schedule, at magbayad ng ₱130 kasama ang e-payment fee (GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center o online banking). Pumunta sa branch sa loob ng 15 araw dala ang dalawang valid ID, reference number at resibo. Kung walang HIT, makukuha mo ito sa parehong araw. Kung may HIT, babalik ka pagkalipas ng 5 hanggang 10 working days nang walang dagdag na bayad.
Official NBI contact details
From nbi.gov.ph's contact page:
- Clearance inquiries: (02) 8524-1277 · 0939 150 2880 · clearance@nbi.gov.ph
- NBI hotline: (02) 8523-8231
- Mailed clearance (abroad): mailed.clearance@nbi.gov.ph
- Main clearance center: NBI Clearance Building, United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila. Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Also need a police clearance?
Local jobs and permits often ask for one. It costs ₱150 and is usually released the same day.
All NBI Clearance guides
NBI clearance renewal online
Quick Renewal with home delivery, and when you still need a branch visit.
NBIBook an NBI clearance appointment
Account, applicant form, branch and slot, step by step.
NBINBI clearance requirements
The 2 IDs and documents to bring to the branch.
NBINBI clearance fees and GCash payment
₱130 plus the e-payment charge, and every way to pay.
NBIPay your NBI clearance with GCash
Step by step, plus what to do if the payment doesn't post.
NBINBI clearance validity
How long it's valid, and a checker for your expiry date.
NBIWhat does HIT mean?
Why it happens, how long it takes and what to do next.
NBIFree NBI clearance for first-time job seekers
The separate portal and the barangay papers you need.
NBINBI clearance for abroad
Apply by mail from overseas, and use it for visas and work abroad.
NBINBI clearance centers and branches
All 162 official NBI offices, searchable by city, mall or province.
NBINBI clearance problems and fixes
OTP, payment, slots, wrong details, HIT and renewal errors.
NBINBI clearance verification
The official online verification, the QR code, and checking your own status.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get an NBI clearance?
Without a HIT, you usually get it on the day of your branch visit. With a HIT, the NBI asks you to return after 5 to 10 working days.
Can I walk in without an online appointment?
The NBI's office locator asks applicants to apply and pay online before going to a clearance office. Book online first to avoid being turned away.
What happens if I miss my schedule?
The NBI gives a 15-day grace period after your payment status turns PAID to visit the branch. Don't wait until the last day.
How long is an NBI clearance valid?
It's generally valid for one year from the date of issue, though the office asking for it may want a more recent one. See NBI clearance validity.
Is the NBI clearance free for fresh graduates?
First-time job seekers can get it free once under RA 11261 through a separate portal. See the first-time job seeker guide.
Can I get an NBI clearance in one day?
Yes, if there's no HIT. You apply and pay online first, then get your clearance on the day of your branch visit. A HIT adds 5 to 10 working days.
Do I need a barangay clearance to get an NBI clearance?
No. The regular requirements are two valid IDs, your reference number and proof of payment. Only first-time job seekers applying for the free clearance need a barangay certificate and an oath of undertaking.
Can foreigners get an NBI clearance?
Foreign nationals have separate requirements. Contact NBI clearance inquiries at clearance@nbi.gov.ph or (02) 8524-1277 before applying.
Can someone else get my NBI clearance for me?
A new application needs your own photo, fingerprints and signature, so you must go in person. Renewals can be done online if you qualify.