What is the National Police Clearance?
The National Police Clearance (NPC) is issued by the Philippine National Police through the online National Police Clearance System (NPCS). It checks your name against PNP records nationwide, and one clearance is accepted across the country. It replaced the old system of getting a separate clearance from each city's police station.
People usually need it for:
- Local employment and many government jobs
- Business permits, bank loans and other local requirements
- Security guard licensing (SOSIA) and firearm licensing (LTOPF)
- General requirements where an office asks for "police clearance"
Not sure if you need this one or an NBI clearance? See NBI vs Police Clearance.
Three types of application
The NPCS offers three options (from pnpclearance.ph):
| Type | For | Station visit? |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance Application (Appearance) | First-time applicants, or anyone renewing in person | Yes, for biometrics |
| Clearance Application (Non-Appearance) | Applicants who appeared in person within the last three years | No |
| Clearance Certification | Specific first-time applicants: Filipinos based abroad, bedridden applicants, petitioners for probation or bail, and deceased persons | Special process |
- 1RegisterAccount on pnpclearance.ph
- 2Profile + bookingPurpose, station, date and slot
- 3Pay online₱150 + convenience fee
- 4Visit the station1 valid ID, biometrics, release
Source: PNP, How to Apply for a National Police Clearance.
The 4 steps
Register an account
Go to pnpclearance.ph and tap Register. Fill in your email, a password, your full name, gender and birth date, then sign in. Returning applicants tap Login instead.
Complete your profile and book an appointment
Tap Edit Profile, fill in your details exactly as they appear on your ID and save. Then tap Clearance Application, choose the purpose, your preferred police station and an available date and AM or PM slot. Choose the payment option and tap Save Appointment. A reference number appears on your Transactions page.
Pay online
On the Transactions page tap Click here to Pay. You'll go to the LANDBANK ePayment portal. For GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center and similar channels, choose Cash Payment and follow the steps. Save the payment confirmation slip or electronic official receipt.
Visit the police station
On your appointment date, bring one valid government-issued ID, your proof of payment and your reference number. Your biometrics, photo and signature are taken, then you wait for your name to be called for verification or release.
Pay only online through the NPCS. The PNP's screen says payment is accepted only through the online "Click here to Pay" button, and over-the-counter payment is not allowed. Never pay anyone offering to "rush" your clearance.
What to bring on your appointment day
For accepted IDs and special cases, see police clearance requirements.
How much it costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Police Clearance | ₱150 |
| Convenience fee | Varies by payment channel |
| First-time job seekers | Free once (RA 11261) |
More detail: police clearance fees and GCash.
What happens if there's a "HIT"
A HIT means your name matched a record in the system and has to be checked by hand. It doesn't mean you have a case. The station verifies it and tells you when to come back. Common names get HITs more often, so apply well before your deadline.
Renewing
Log in to your existing NPCS account and choose renewal with or without appearance. Without appearance, you upload a 2x2 photo and a selfie holding a valid ID, and download the clearance once approved. This is allowed within three years of your last appearance. See police clearance renewal.
Verifying a police clearance
Anyone can check a clearance on pnpclearance.ph under Verify Clearance, using the applicant's last name and the clearance's transaction number. See police clearance verification.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Status stays PENDING after paying | Some channels take time to post. Keep your receipt and check your Transactions page again later before paying twice. |
| Wrong details on your profile | Correct them in Edit Profile before your appointment. The name you enter is what gets printed. |
| Need a different date or station | Use "Change Police Station / Appointment Date" on your Transactions page. |
| Forgot your NPCS password | Use "Forgot password" on the sign-in page. Renewals rely on your existing account. |
| HIT | Return when the station tells you to. No one can skip the verification for a fee. |
Sa Tagalog: paano kumuha ng police clearance?
Mag-register sa pnpclearance.ph, kumpletuhin ang profile, pumili ng police station at schedule, at magbayad ng ₱150 online kasama ang convenience fee (hindi tinatanggap ang bayad sa counter ng istasyon). Sa araw ng appointment, magdala ng isang valid government ID, ang reference number at patunay ng bayad para sa litrato, pirma at fingerprint. Libre ito nang isang beses para sa first-time job seekers (RA 11261).
Official NPCS helpdesk
From pnpclearance.ph:
- Location: Camp Crame, Quezon City
- Phone: (02) 8723-0401 local 7663
- Mobile: +63 927 964 6657
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Also need an NBI clearance?
Many employers ask for both. The NBI guide covers booking, fees and HIT delays.
All Police Clearance guides
Police clearance requirements
The ID, documents and profile details you need on appointment day.
PoliceBook a police clearance appointment
NPCS registration, profile and booking, screen by screen.
PolicePolice clearance fees and GCash payment
₱150 plus a convenience fee, and how to pay online.
PolicePolice clearance renewal
Renew with or without appearance, and what to upload.
PolicePolice clearance validity
How long it's valid, and a checker for your expiry date.
PoliceFree police clearance for first-time job seekers
How to get it free once under RA 11261.
PoliceSOSIA, LTOPF and other form terms
What each purpose and field on the police clearance means.
PoliceVerify a police clearance online
Use the official Verify Clearance tool with a last name and transaction number.
PoliceNational vs local police clearance vs barangay
Which of the three clearances you actually need.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a local (city) police clearance or barangay clearance first?
No. The PNP's official guide states that a local police clearance is not a pre-requisite for the National Police Clearance. See NPC vs local vs barangay clearance.
Can I get my police clearance at any police station?
You choose the station when you book. Pick one you can easily reach on your appointment date.
How many valid IDs do I need?
The PNP's guide lists one valid government-issued ID. A second ID is a good backup in case the first is rejected or doesn't match your profile.
Is the police clearance released the same day?
If there's no HIT, applicants are usually called for release after verification on the same visit. A HIT means extra checking, and the station will tell you when to return.
Can I walk in without an appointment?
The NPCS is built around online booking and online payment, and over-the-counter payment isn't allowed. Book and pay online before you go.
What's the fastest way to get a police clearance?
Register and complete your profile the day before, book the earliest slot at a station near you, pay online right away and keep the receipt. If there's no HIT, you can get it on your appointment day.
Is there a paper application form?
No. The application form is your online NPCS profile and Clearance Application. See police clearance form terms for what each field means.
Is a police clearance a valid ID?
It's a clearance certificate, not an ID card. Some offices accept it as a supporting document, but don't rely on it as a primary ID.