NBI Clearance Application (Philippines)
NBI CLEARANCE APPLICATION FORM
National Bureau of Investigation
Republic Act No. 10867 (NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act)
Reference Number: _____________________________
Appointment Date: [Appointment Date]
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Last Name: [Last Name]
First Name: [First Name]
Middle Name: [Middle Name]
Suffix: [Suffix]
Date of Birth: [Date of Birth]
Place of Birth: [Place of Birth]
Gender: [Gender]
Civil Status: [Civil Status]
Nationality: [Nationality]
ADDRESS AND CONTACT
Residential Address: [Applicant Address]
Email Address: [Email Address]
Mobile Number: [Mobile Number]
PURPOSE AND IDENTIFICATION
Purpose of Clearance: [Purpose of Clearance]
Primary ID: [Primary ID Type]
ID Number: [Primary ID Number]
APPLICANT'S CERTIFICATION
I, [First Name] [Middle Name] [Last Name], hereby certify that all information provided in this application form is true, correct, and complete. I authorize the NBI to verify my records and to use my biometric data (fingerprints, photograph) for the purposes of issuing the clearance. I understand that any false statement herein is punishable by law.
[First Name] [Middle Name] [Last Name]
Applicant's Signature over Printed Name
Date: _____________________________
Applicant
________________
Signature
What Is a NBI Clearance Application (Philippines)?
A NBI Clearance Application in the Philippines sets out the particulars the recipient needs to deal with the request, in a structured and reviewable form.
The National Bureau of Investigation maintains the most thorough national criminal database in the Philippines, containing records of: criminal cases filed in courts across the country; convictions and sentences in Philippine courts; pending criminal complaints in prosecutors' offices; deportation orders issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI); INTERPOL red notices and international criminal warrants; and derogatory records submitted by other law enforcement agencies including the Philippine National Police (PNP), PDEA, Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). The NBI Clearance database is updated daily from electronic transmissions by courts, prosecutors' offices, and law enforcement agencies.
The NBI Clearance is one of the most widely required documents in the Philippines. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) requires NBI Clearance for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) under DMW (formerly POEA) processing guidelines. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) requires NBI Clearance for initial licconfirm applications and renewals under RA 8981. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) requires NBI Clearance for visa applications and alien registration under the Philippine Immigration Act (CA 613). Philippine courts require NBI Clearance for bail applications, probation applications, and parole applications. Banks and financial institutions under BSP supervision require NBI Clearance for employees handling money and sensitive financial data.
Since the NBI's implementation of the NBI Clearance Online System under RA 10867, the NBI Clearance application process has been modernized: applicants register online at the NBI Clearance Online Portal, pay the processing fee through online banking, e-wallets (GCash, Maya/PayMaya), or over-the-counter bank payment, and schedule an appointment at the nearest NBI Clearance Center for biometric capturing (fingerprinting and photograph) and document verification. 'Hits' — matches of the applicant's name against criminal records — are investigated at the NBI office, which may require additional verification before the clearance is released.
The NBI Clearance is valid for one year from the date of issuance for local transactions. For OFW-related purposes, the DMW may require the NBI Clearance to have been issued within specific recent months. Multiple-use NBI Clearances for different purposes may be obtained in a single transaction, with each copy paying the corresponding fee.
When Do You Need a NBI Clearance Application (Philippines)?
An NBI Clearance in the Philippines is needed for a wide range of employment, government, immigration, professional, and personal transactions that require proof of a clean national criminal record.
An NBI Clearance is needed for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) applying for overseas employment through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) — the NBI Clearance is a mandatory requirement for all OFW documentation under the Migrant Workers Act (RA 10022), alongside other clearances. For OFWs with previously derogatory records, the NBI must verify the status of the case before releasing the clearance.
An NBI Clearance is required for all initial Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) license applications and renewals — doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, lawyers, pharmacists, real estate brokers, and all PRC-licensed professions must submit a current NBI Clearance as part of the character fitness documentation under the PRC Modernization Act (RA 8981).
An NBI Clearance is needed for Philippine passport applications and renewals at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for applicants with derogatory records, and for visa applications to foreign embassies and consulates — the US, UK, Schengen area, Canada, Australia, and most developed countries require NBI Clearance as part of the immigrant and non-immigrant visa application packages.
An NBI Clearance is required for private and government employment — major companies under BSP supervision, all government agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) require NBI Clearance for all pre-employment and annual employee renewal verification.
An NBI Clearance is needed for court-related applications: bail applications under Rule 114 of the Rules of Court; probation applications under PD 968 (Probation Law) as amended by RA 10707; parole applications before the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) under Act No. 4103; and immigration clearance for foreigners seeking permanent residency under CA 613.
Under Philippine law, the Civil Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 386) governs contractual obligations. The Revised Corporation Code (Republic Act No. 11232) regulates corporate entities through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Labor Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 442) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) govern employment matters. The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) protect personal data. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) administers tax obligations under the National Internal Revenue Code.
What to Include in Your NBI Clearance Application (Philippines)
A complete NBI Clearance application in the Philippines requires the following elements under the NBI Charter (RA 10867) and NBI Clearance procedures.
Online Registration: Create an account at the NBI Clearance Online Portal (clearance.nbi.gov.ph); complete the personal information form with: full legal name (first, middle, last) exactly as appearing on the birth certificate or government ID; date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY); place of birth; current home address; contact number; email address; and citizenship. The online system generates an application reference number.
Purpose of Clearance: Select the specific purpose for which the NBI Clearance is being obtained — local employment, OFW/overseas employment, travel abroad, court/legal proceedings, PRC licconfirm, immigration, or other. The purpose determines the fee category and the issuing format (local clearance vs. clearance for travel abroad).
Appointment Scheduling: Select the preferred NBI Clearance Center (NBI main office in Manila, regional offices, or authorized satellite centers) and appointment date and time. The NBI operates over 40 clearance centers nationwide including in SM malls, provincial capitals, and city halls.
Payment: Pay the processing fee (PHP 130 for local clearance, PHP 130 for clearance for travel abroad as of the latest NBI fee schedule) plus convenience fees if paying online. Payment channels include online banking (Landbank, Metrobank, BDO, BPI), e-wallets (GCash, Maya), 7-Eleven CliQQ, SM Bills Payment, and other authorized payment centers.
Biometric Capture: Appear at the scheduled NBI Clearance Center for: fingerprinting (all 10 fingers captured by digital scanner); photograph (digital photo taken on-site); and document verification — present the valid government-issued ID selected during online registration. The biometric data is compared against the NBI criminal database.
Hit Resolution: If the application results in a 'hit' (name match to a criminal record), the NBI retains the application for verification at the NBI's Criminal Investigation and Detection Division. The applicant must appear for an interview and may need to present: court documents showing acquittal or dismissal; proof of case status from the court or prosecutor's office; or sworn statement explaining the name similarity. Hit resolution typically takes 3 to 15 additional working days.
Clearance Release: NBI Clearances without hits are typically released same-day or the next working day. Multi-purpose clearances require payment for each copy. The NBI Clearance features security features including a QR code for online verification, holographic seal, and NBI official signature.
Additional compliance elements for a NBI Clearance Application (Philippines) used in Philippines include: Under Philippine law, the Civil Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 386) governs contractual obligations. The Revised Corporation Code (Republic Act No. 11232) regulates corporate entities through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Labor Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 442) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) govern employment matters. The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) protect personal data. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) administers tax obligations under the National Internal Revenue Code. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Philippines-compliant documentation.
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Forms Legal. (2026). NBI Clearance Application (Philippines) (Philippines) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/philippines/government/declarations/nbi-clearance-application-philippines
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year = {2026},
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note = {Free legal document template. Based on Local Government Code (RA 7160)}
}Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for an NBI Clearance online in the Philippines is done through the NBI Clearance Online Portal at clearance.nbi.gov.ph. The process: (1) Create an account at the portal using your email address and create a password; (2) Log in and complete the application form with your full legal name exactly as on your government ID, date and place of birth, address, and purpose of clearance; (3) Select a preferred NBI Clearance Center and appointment date — centers are available in NBI main offices, regional offices, SM malls, Robinson's Malls, and other satellite centers; (4) Choose a payment method — online banking through Landbank, BDO, Metrobank, BPI, or GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven CliQQ, or SM Bills Payment — and pay the processing fee (PHP 130 plus convenience fee); (5) Print or save the payment confirmation and appointment slip; (6) Appear at the NBI Clearance Center on your appointment date with: the printed appointment slip (or mobile screenshot); one valid government-issued ID (PhilSys ID, passport, driver's license, SSS card, UMID, voter's ID, PRC license); and the payment reference number; (7) Have your fingerprints and photograph taken on-site; (8) Wait for the clearance — same-day release for applications without hits, 3-15 additional working days if there is a name hit requiring verification. Walk-in applications (without online appointment) are accepted at some centers but typically result in longer waiting times.
An NBI Clearance 'hit' occurs when the applicant's name and/or biometric data matches a record in the National Bureau of Investigation's criminal database — indicating that a person with the same or similar name has a pending criminal case, conviction, or derogatory record. A hit does not automatically mean the applicant has a criminal record — common causes include: a different person with the same name has a criminal record (name similarity hit); an old case involving the applicant that was already dismissed or where the applicant was acquitted but the NBI database has not been updated; or a genuine pending case against the applicant. When a hit occurs: (1) the NBI retains the application and notifies the applicant to appear at the NBI office's Criminal Investigation and Detection Division (CIDD); (2) the applicant undergoes a fingerprint comparison — if fingerprints do not match the criminal record, the hit is cleared as a name similarity and the clearance is released; (3) if fingerprints match but the applicant believes the case is dismissed, the applicant presents certified true copies of the court order of dismissal or acquittal; (4) the NBI verifies the documents with the issuing court; (5) if verified, the NBI updates its database and releases the clearance, often annotated as 'With Dismissed Case' or 'Acquitted.' Hit resolution under the NBI Charter (RA 10867) should be completed within 15 working days, but complex cases may take longer.
An NBI Clearance in the Philippines is valid for one year from the date of issuance for most local purposes — employment, government transactions, court proceedings, and PRC licensure renewals. For overseas employment processed through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the NBI Clearance must typically have been issued within the 6 months preceding the DMW filing date — check the DMW's current documentary requirements for the destination country as requirements vary. For passport applications at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the DFA may require the NBI Clearance to be issued within 6 months for applicants flagged with derogatory records. For immigration purposes with foreign embassies (US, UK, Schengen, Canada, Australia), each embassy specifies the age of documents it accepts — US Embassy typically requires NBI Clearance issued within 15 months for immigrant visa applications. After the one-year validity expires, the applicant must apply for a new NBI Clearance through the full online process — there is no renewal mechanism for the NBI Clearance, only a new application. The NBI's online portal allows previous applicants to log back in and repeat the process without creating a new account, making subsequent applications faster. Multiple NBI Clearances for different purposes (one for local use, one for OFW purposes) may be obtained in a single appointment by paying the fee for each copy.
An employer in the Philippines may require an NBI Clearance as a pre-employment requirement and as a condition for continued employment under the Labor Code of the Philippines (PD 442) and the DOLE's guidelines on pre-employment document requirements. There is no law prohibiting employers from requiring NBI Clearance — it is a standard, widely accepted pre-employment requirement in the Philippines for positions involving trust and confidence, handling of money, access to sensitive information, or work with children and vulnerable populations. However, employers must observe the following limitations under the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) and DOLE regulations: the NBI Clearance may only be used for the specific employment purpose for which it was requested — using it for other purposes without the employee's consent violates RA 10173; the clearance must be handled as sensitive personal information under Section 3(l) of RA 10173 (criminal records are sensitive personal information) and stored securely; and the employer cannot discriminate against an applicant solely on the basis of a dismissed or acquitted criminal case that appears on the NBI Clearance — DOLE views such discrimination as potentially unjust under Article 6 of the Labor Code. For government employment, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Omnibus Rules on Appointments requires NBI Clearance for specific positions and for all applicants to national government agencies.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) applying for overseas employment documentation with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW, formerly POEA) in the Philippines are required to submit an NBI Clearance as part of the standard documentary requirements under the Migrant Workers Act (Republic Act No. 10022, 2010). For first-time OFW applicants: an NBI Clearance issued within 6 months of the DMW filing date is typically required; the clearance must be the version labeled 'For Employment Abroad' or 'For Travel Abroad' (not 'Local Employment'); the clearance is presented as part of the OFW's Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) documentation and the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) application at the DMW. For rehired OFWs with existing Overseas Employment Certificates and balik-manggagawa (returning workers) status, the NBI Clearance requirement may be waived or reduced depending on the destination country's requirements and the DMW processing guidelines. Country-specific NBI Clearance requirements apply: the US Embassy for employment-based visa petitions typically requires an NBI Clearance issued within 15 months; the Saudi Arabia and other Middle East embassies have specific authentication requirements — NBI Clearances for these countries must be apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) under the Apostille Convention (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961), to which the Philippines acceded in 2019.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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