NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines)
AFFIDAVIT
Republic of the Philippines
City/Municipality of ____________________
S.S.
I, [Affiant Name], of legal age, [Civil Status], Filipino, born on [Date of Birth] in [Place of Birth], and currently residing at [Affiant Address], after being duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:
1. I am applying for an NBI Clearance with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the purpose of [Purpose of Clearance].
2. My government-issued identification is: [Government ID Details].
3. Regarding the NBI hit or database issue: [Issue Description]
4. In support of this affidavit, I have attached the following documents: [Supporting Documents]
5. I execute this affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing statements and to support my NBI Clearance application. I understand that any false statement herein constitutes perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, punishable by imprisonment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed this affidavit this [Affidavit Date].
[Affiant Name]
Affiant
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this _____ day of ____________, 20___, at ____________________. Affiant exhibited to me [Government ID Details].
Notary Public
Commission No. _____ / Until December 31, 20___
IBP No. _____ / PTR No. _____
Doc. No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. ___; Series of 20___.
Affiant
________________
Signature
What Is a NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines)?
A NBI Clearance Affidavit in the Philippines evidences the deponent's sworn confirmation of the matters stated, for use where formal proof is needed.
The NBI maintains a nationwide database of persons with criminal records, pending cases, and derogatory information. When an applicant's name returns a "hit" during the NBI's automated name matching process — indicating a possible criminal record, a pending case before the Regional Trial Court or Municipal Trial Court, or a match with another person with a similar name — the clearance application is put on hold and the applicant is required to appear at the NBI office to clarify the record. An NBI Clearance Affidavit is the primary instrument used in this clarification process.
Under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC) and the Rules on Electronic Evidence (A.M. No. 01-7-01-SC), a sworn affidavit is a public document that carries presumptive weight in evidence. The NBI, as a law enforcement agency under the DOJ, requires that supporting affidavits be notarized before a notary public or administered before a competent government official authorized to administer oaths.
An NBI Clearance Affidavit addresses three main situations: (1) the applicant shares a name with a person who has a criminal record or pending case (name similarity or "same name" hit); (2) the applicant has a derogatory record but claims to have been acquitted, the case was dismissed, or the record is otherwise resolved; and (3) the applicant's personal information (name, date of birth, civil status) in the NBI database does not match their current government-issued identification due to legal name change, marriage, or error.
The legal framework governing the NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines) in Philippines draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. 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. Parties executing a NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines) in Philippines should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Civil Code of the Philippines (RA 386) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines)?
An NBI Clearance Affidavit in the Philippines is needed whenever an applicant's NBI Clearance application returns a derogatory hit, name similarity match, or data discrepancy that the NBI requires to be explained under oath before clearance can be issued.
An NBI Clearance Affidavit is required when the applicant's name matches that of a person with a criminal record in the NBI database — a common occurrence given the prevalence of shared Filipino surnames — and the applicant must swear to the NBI that they are not the person with the derogatory record, supported by their government-issued identification and other proof of identity.
An NBI Clearance Affidavit is needed when an applicant was previously convicted of an offense but the penalty was served, the conviction was pardoned by the President under the pardoning power in Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, or the applicant was granted probation under the Probation Law (PD 968) and wishes to explain their status to the NBI.
An NBI Clearance Affidavit is required when an applicant legally changed their name through a court order under Rule 103 of the Rules of Court or under Republic Act No. 9048 (Clerical Error Law, 2001), and their new legal name does not match the name in the NBI database, causing a data mismatch.
An NBI Clearance Affidavit is needed when a married woman's maiden name in the NBI database differs from her married name currently in use, and she must establish the connection between the two names to clarify her identity.
An NBI Clearance Affidavit is required when an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) applying through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) needs an NBI Clearance for deployment and their record shows an unresolved issue that must be addressed before the clearance can be issued for overseas employment documentation.
What to Include in Your NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines)
A valid NBI Clearance Affidavit for the Philippines must contain the following essential elements to be accepted by the National Bureau of Investigation.
Affiant's Personal Information: Full legal name (including all previous names or aliases if applicable), date of birth, place of birth, current address, civil status, citizenship, and government-issued ID numbers (Unified Multi-Purpose ID or PhilSys Number, passport number, driver's license, or voter's ID). The NBI uses these details to cross-reference the affiant against their database records.
Statement of the Issue Being Addressed: A clear, specific description of the derogatory hit, name similarity, or data discrepancy encountered during the NBI Clearance application — including the specific court, case number, and charge described in the NBI's derogatory record if known. If the affiant is addressing a name similarity issue, explicitly state that the affiant is a different person from the one with the derogatory record.
Explanation and Supporting Facts: A truthful, sworn explanation of the circumstances — for example: "I am not the Juan dela Cruz convicted in Criminal Case No. 2010-1234 before the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Branch 200; my full name includes my middle name 'Reyes' which distinguishes me from the convicted person." Supporting facts should include biographical information that differentiates the affiant from the person with the derogatory record.
Supporting Documents Listed: A list of documents attached as annexes — court orders of dismissal or acquittal (certified true copies from the clerk of court), certificate of finality of judgment, pardon or parole documentation, marriage certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), court-approved name change order under Rule 103 of the Rules of Court or RA 9048.
Jurat and Notarization: The affidavit must be subscribed and sworn to before a notary public under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC) or before a public officer authorized to administer oaths. The notary must affix their notarial seal, IBP number, PTR number, notarial commission number, and the expiration date of the commission.
Additional compliance elements for a NBI Clearance Affidavit (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.
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines) (Philippines) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/philippines/personal/legal-declarations/nbi-clearance-affidavit-philippines
"NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines) (Philippines)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/philippines/personal/legal-declarations/nbi-clearance-affidavit-philippines.
@misc{formslegal-nbi-clearance-affidavit-philippines,
author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {NBI Clearance Affidavit (Philippines) (Philippines)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/philippines/personal/legal-declarations/nbi-clearance-affidavit-philippines}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Civil Code of the Philippines (RA 386)}
}Frequently Asked Questions
An NBI Clearance is a government-issued document from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) — an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under RA 10867 — certifying that the bearer has no derogatory record in the NBI's national database of criminal cases, pending cases, and other adverse information. The NBI Clearance is one of the most universally required documents in the Philippines. Philippine employers — both private and government — require it for hiring under Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules and DOLE employment standards. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW, formerly POEA) requires it for all OFW deployment documentation. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) requires it for initial issuance of professional licenses. The Bureau of Immigration requires it for certain visa applications and immigration transactions. The Land Registration Authority (LRA) and various financial institutions require it for property transactions and loan applications. NBI Clearances are valid for 1 year from issuance and must be renewed annually for continued employment or ongoing transactions.
Resolving an NBI Clearance derogatory hit in the Philippines varies in duration depending on the nature of the hit and the completeness of the applicant's supporting documentation. For straightforward name similarity issues where the applicant can immediately demonstrate through government IDs that they are a different person from the one with the derogatory record, resolution may be achieved on the same day at the NBI office after submission of the affidavit and identification documents. For hits involving pending criminal cases, the applicant must obtain a certified true copy of the court order of dismissal or acquittal from the Clerk of Court of the issuing court — a process that can take 1 to 2 weeks at busy RTC branches in Metro Manila. For resolved cases where the judgment is final, the Certificate of Finality from the court is required, adding additional processing time. The NBI Multi-Purpose Clearance System (MPCS) processes cleared applications within 3 to 5 working days after verification. Applicants may track their NBI Clearance application status through the NBI's online system at clearance.nbi.gov.ph.
NBI Clearance applications in the Philippines may be initiated online through the NBI's official Multi-Purpose Clearance System (MPCS) at clearance.nbi.gov.ph. The online process covers schedule-setting, personal data input, and fee payment (PHP 130 for Metro Manila applicants, with additional fees for rush processing or delivery). However, all applicants must appear in person at the designated NBI office for biometric enrollment (fingerprinting and photograph capture) on their scheduled date. For applicants with derogatory hits requiring an affidavit, personal appearance at the NBI Verification Unit is mandatory — the affidavit and supporting documents must be submitted in person. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may apply through designated NBI offices abroad (Philippine Overseas Labor Offices, or POLO, under DMW) or through accredited representatives. NBI Clearances applied online are delivered through courier services (LBC, JRS) upon request or may be picked up at the NBI office. The 2016 NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act (RA 10867) mandated the expansion of the NBI's online clearance system to reduce processing backlogs.
If you have a prior criminal conviction and need an NBI Clearance in the Philippines, the outcome depends on the status of the conviction. If you were convicted and served your sentence, the NBI Clearance will reflect the conviction as part of your permanent record — the clearance will typically bear the notation that the applicant has a court record and list the case details. For employment purposes, it is the employer's discretion whether to hire a person with a criminal record, unless the offense involves moral turpitude and disqualifies the applicant under specific laws (e.g., PRC licensure requirements, Civil Service rules). If you were granted probation under PD 968 (Probation Law) and successfully completed probation, the court issues an order of final discharge, after which the conviction is deemed not to have taken place under Section 16 of PD 968 — you may submit this court order to the NBI. Presidential pardon under Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution restores civil rights and removes the disability of conviction — a certified copy of the pardon must be submitted to the NBI. Acquittals and case dismissals by the Regional Trial Court eliminate the derogatory record upon submission of the certified court order.
An NBI Clearance and a Police Clearance are different documents issued by different agencies in the Philippines, each serving distinct purposes. An NBI Clearance is issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) under the DOJ and reflects the NBI's national database of criminal cases, pending cases in all Philippine courts, and derogatory records from the Philippine National Police (PNP) crime information system. An NBI Clearance covers criminal records from all over the Philippines. A Police Clearance, by contrast, is issued by the local Philippine National Police (PNP) station — specifically the city or municipal police station where the applicant resides — and reflects only local police records and incidents in that specific jurisdiction. A Police Clearance is not as comprehensive as an NBI Clearance and is generally accepted only for local employment, barangay business permit applications, and some government transactions. For overseas employment through DMW, NBI Clearance is required. For PRC licensure, NBI Clearance is required. For some local government employment and business permit applications, Police Clearance from the local PNP station may be accepted alongside or in lieu of an NBI Clearance.
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
Found an error? Let us knowRelated Documents
You may also find these documents useful:
Passport Application Support Affidavit (Philippines)
A sworn Affidavit supporting a Philippine passport application filed with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to explain discrepancies in civil registry documents, support name changes, clarify parental consent for minors, or address irregularities under the Philippine Passport Act (RA 8239). Used for new applications, renewals, and special passport circumstances.
Character Reference Letter (Philippines)
A Character Reference Letter for the Philippines attesting to the moral character, integrity, and reputation of an individual for employment, immigration, visa, NBI clearance, court proceedings, scholarship, or professional licensing before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Bureau of Immigration, or other Philippine authorities.
Opposition to Hold Departure Order (Philippines)
A formal Opposition to a Hold Departure Order (HDO) or Watchlist Order filed before the Regional Trial Court or Department of Justice in the Philippines under DOJ Circular No. 41 (2010) and Rule 58 of the Rules of Court. Challenges the legal and factual bases of the HDO and moves for its lifting to allow international travel.