Last reviewed: October 2, 2026 by the NBI Clearance Online Editorial Team

An NBI clearance is the certificate from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that shows whether you have a criminal record or pending case in the Philippines. Employers, embassies, schools and government offices ask for it all the time. The good news: you can do most of the process online, pay ₱130 plus a small e-payment fee, and walk out of the NBI branch with your clearance the same day if your name has no “HIT”.

This guide walks you through every step for 2026: applying for the first time, renewing, what to bring, what a HIT means, how to get it free as a first-time jobseeker, and how to apply from abroad.

NBI clearance at a glance

Item	Details
Clearance fee	₱130, unchanged since March 12, 2018
E-payment service charge	About ₱25–₱30 depending on the payment channel, so most people pay around ₱155–₱160 in total
Where to apply	Official NBI Clearance website (clearance.nbi.gov.ph), then a short visit to your chosen NBI branch
What to bring	Your reference number and two valid government-issued IDs (original, not expired)
Release time	Same day, usually within minutes, if you have no HIT
If you have a HIT	Come back after 5 to 10 working days; no extra fee
Validity	One year from the date of issue (check your expiry date)
First-time jobseekers	Free under Republic Act No. 11261 with a barangay certification
Renewal	Online renewal, the eGovPH app (since July 2026), or at a branch
From abroad	Mailed clearance: ₱200 total (₱130 fee + ₱70 mailing), about 5 working days after the NBI receives your papers

On this page:

• What is an NBI clearance?
• How to apply online, step by step
• What it costs
• Documents you’ll need
• What happens at the NBI branch
• If your name gets flagged
• Had a clearance before?
• Looking for your first job?
• Living or working overseas?
• FAQs

What is an NBI clearance?

An NBI clearance is an official certificate issued by the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine government’s investigation agency under the Department of Justice. When you apply, the NBI checks your name and fingerprints against its criminal records database. If nothing matches, it issues a clearance stating that you have no derogatory record.

You will usually need one for:

• Local employment: most private companies and all government agencies ask for it as a pre-employment requirement.
• Work or travel abroad: OFW deployment, work visas, immigration and residency applications.
• Licenses and exams: PRC board exams, firearm licenses and some business permits.
• Other transactions: school admissions, adoption, name changes and some bank or loan applications.

The NBI clearance covers the whole country. That is a key difference from a police clearance, which the Philippine National Police issues from its own records. Some employers accept either, but for jobs abroad and visa applications the NBI clearance is almost always the one required.

How to apply for NBI clearance online, step by step

First-time applicants register online, pay, and then visit an NBI branch once for photo and fingerprints. The whole online part takes about 10–15 minutes.

Step 1: Register on the official NBI Clearance website

Go to the official NBI Clearance website (clearance.nbi.gov.ph) and create an account using an active mobile number and email address. You will receive a one-time password (OTP) to verify your account. Use an email you can access; the NBI sends important notices there.

Step 2: Complete your applicant profile

Fill in the Applicant Information Form: full name, birth date, birthplace, address, civil status and other details. Type your name exactly as it appears on your valid IDs and PSA birth certificate. A missing middle name or a misspelled surname is the most common reason applicants get turned back at the branch.

Step 3: Click “Apply for Clearance”

Select the type of valid ID you will present and confirm your purpose (for example, local employment or travel abroad).

Step 4: Choose your NBI branch, date and time

Pick whichever of the NBI clearance centers is most convenient for you, whether that’s UN Avenue in Manila, Capitol Site in Cebu, JP Laurel Avenue in Davao or a mall site near home, then select an available date and an AM or PM slot. If something comes up, your NBI appointment can still be used within a 15-day grace period once your payment shows as “PAID”. Slots in Metro Manila and big cities fill up fast, especially from January to March and before graduation season, so book a few days ahead.

Step 5: Pay the clearance fee

Choose a payment method (GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center or online banking) and pay ₱130 plus the e-payment service charge. The system generates a reference number. Save a screenshot or print it, and keep your payment receipt.

Step 6: Go to the NBI branch on your schedule

Bring your reference number and two valid IDs. At the branch your details are verified, your photo, fingerprints and signature are taken, and your clearance is printed. If you have no HIT, you can leave with it the same day.

What it costs

Expect to pay about ₱155–₱160 online: the ₱130 NBI clearance fee, unchanged since 2018, plus a small charge from your payment partner (GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center or online banking). First-time jobseekers pay nothing.

Documents you’ll need

For a regular application, bring your online reference number, proof of payment and two original, non-expired government-issued IDs, such as a passport, National ID, UMID, driver’s license or PRC license. Your name and birth details must match your online profile. The official application form accepts 12 ID types in total, and the full NBI clearance requirements add a few documents for first-time jobseekers, foreigners and name changes.

What happens at the NBI branch

Arrive 15–30 minutes before your slot. The visit usually goes like this:

1. Verification: staff check your reference number, payment and IDs.
2. Biometrics: your photo, fingerprints and digital signature are captured.
3. Name check: the system searches the NBI database for your name.
4. Release: if there is no match, your clearance is printed on the spot.

The NBI enforces a dress code for the official photo: avoid sando, tank tops, shorts and slippers. Smart casual or a collared shirt is recommended.

If your name gets flagged

Sometimes the name check finds a match, called an NBI clearance HIT. It usually just means someone with a similar name has a record. You’ll return on a set date, typically after 5 to 10 working days, at no extra cost. A short quality control interview is sometimes part of the check.

Had an NBI clearance before?

You may not need to repeat the full process. If your last clearance was issued on or after October 16, 2016 and your name, birthday and birthplace are unchanged, you can do an NBI clearance renewal online with delivery, or in about five minutes through NBI eClearance on the eGovPH app (available since July 6, 2026).

Looking for your first job?

If you’ve never worked before, you may not have to pay at all. Under RA 11261, first-time jobseekers with a barangay certification can get one free NBI clearance for first-time job seekers through the NBI’s separate application.

Living or working overseas?

You don’t need to fly home. Filipinos can get an NBI clearance abroad by mail using NBI Form No. 5, with fingerprints taken at a Philippine Embassy, consulate or local police station, for ₱200 in total. A relative in the Philippines can also help as your representative.

Tips to get your NBI clearance faster

• Book early in the week and early in the day; Monday mornings and the days after holidays are busiest.
• Match your details exactly with your IDs before you pay. Changes after payment are a hassle.
• Keep your reference number and receipt on your phone and on paper.
• Check your schedule and branch before you leave. Some sites inside malls follow mall hours.
• Renew online or through eGovPH if you qualify. It saves a trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my NBI clearance on the same day?

Yes. If your name has no HIT, the clearance is usually printed within minutes of your biometrics at the branch.

Is the NBI clearance different from a police clearance?

Yes. The NBI clearance checks NBI records and is the standard for employment abroad and visas, while a national police clearance comes from the Philippine National Police; the NBI clearance vs police clearance also differ in fee and validity.

Can someone else get my NBI clearance for me?

No, not for a new application. You must appear in person for your photo and fingerprints. For renewals, use online or eGovPH renewal with delivery where available.

Spotted something that changed?

NBI fees, schedules and procedures can change without much notice. If anything in this guide no longer matches what you saw on the official website or at the branch, please tell us and we will check and update it. Every guide follows our editorial policy and is checked against official sources.