NBI Clearance Requirements.

For first-time applicants, including those who are for renewal but whose NBI clearances were issued before 2014 or whose previous clearances have a correction/error/changes in any field (even if the correction only involves a single letter), the following is required:

Any two (2) valid government-issued IDs.

Here’s a list of acceptable valid IDs for NBI clearance application³:

• UMID (SSS and GSIS).
• Passport
• Philhealth ID
• Voter’s ID or Certificate of Registration
• BIR/TIN ID
• PRC License
• Driver’s License
• Pag-IBIG ID (not the Loyalty Card)
• NSO-/PSA-Authenticated Birth Certificate
• Postal ID
• Police Clearance issued by the police station with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence
• Certification from the Local Civil Registrar
• Certification from Malacanang in connection with indigenous groups, tribal membership, foundling
• Solo Parent ID
• Seaman’s Book and SIRV
• Senior Citizen ID
• MARINA ID
• Company ID (for government employees only)
• School ID together with current registration card
• Barangay Certificate (only for first-time job seekers who want to avail of the free NBI clearance in accordance with the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act⁴)

Reminders/Additional Information:

• When applying online, you’ll be asked to enter the name of the two valid IDs you’ll bring on the day of your appointment. In the first box, choose your primary ID from the drop-down list provided. The second box, meanwhile, is where you can indicate the other valid ID (whether included in the previous drop-down list or not) which you’ll bring for verification purposes.
• According to the NBI Clearance Help Desk, Company ID (unless you’re a government employee), Barangay Clearance, and other non-government issued IDs are NOT accepted.
• An NBI personnel will check the validity and authenticity of valid IDs so make sure yours is government-issued, original (not photocopied), and in good condition (bearing legible texts and your recent, recognizable photo).
• Renewal applicants whose NBI clearances were issued in 2014 onwards should bring 1 valid government-issued ID and a copy of their previous clearance.
• If you’re a fresh graduate who is a first-time job seeker, you need to present at least 1 valid ID as well as a Barangay Certificate showing that you’ve been living in your place of residence for at least 6 months and that you’re a first-time job seeker.

How to Get NBI Clearance Online in the Philippines: 13 Steps.

Time needed: 45 minutes.

Getting your NBI clearance through the new online application system is pretty straightforward. It’s like applying for your Philippine passport, but relatively easier.

Let’s go through all the steps one by one:

1. Go to the NBI Clearance Online Services website.
   Read the Data Privacy Statement and click “I Agree”.
   
   Read the additional reminders and then click “Close”.
   
   
2. Register to create an account.
   (If you’re a first-time job seeker who wants to avail of the free NBI clearance, click the yellow box that says “First Time Jobseekers” to proceed with your application.  Otherwise, proceed with the regular application as discussed in the succeeding steps in this article)
   
   Since you’re applying for a new NBI clearance and not renewing an old one, tick the box that corresponds to “NO” next to the question “DO YOU HAVE AN OLD NBI CLEARANCE ISSUED FROM 2014 TO PRESENT?”
   
   Fill out the registration form.
   
   Take note that the system doesn’t accept special characters. Hence, if you have a hyphenated first name or surname, leave out the hyphen during registration. Simply inform the personnel on the day of your appointment about the hyphen so it can be included before your NBI clearance is printed out.
   
   Moreover, NBI strictly follows its “one email = one user” policy. It means you can only use one email when creating a new account.
   
   Ensure that all personal details you’ve entered are complete and correct.
   
   Tick the box that says “Read and Accept Terms of Services”. Then mark the box that says “I’m not a robot” to verify your identity.
   
   Finally, click “Sign Up”.
3. Enter the One-time Password sent to your registered mobile number.
   This One-time Password or OTP has been placed as an added layer of security for your online NBI clearance transactions. In case you haven’t received one, simply click “RE-SEND ONE-TIME PASSWORD (OTP)” to generate another OTP.
   
   Aside from your mobile number, you can also check your registered email address for the OTP.
   
   After entering the numbers, click “Submit”.
   
4. Log in to your account.
   After the initial registration, sign in using the email and password you entered during registration.
   
5. Fill out the “Applicant Information” form.
   After signing in, you will be directed to the “Applicant Information” page where you’ll be asked to enter additional personal details such as middle name, civil status, birthplace, address, etc. Those with a red asterisk are required information so don’t leave them blank.
   
   Provide all the requested information. The system only recognizes letters and spaces. Therefore, avoid using commas and periods when filling out the form.
   
   Once you’re done, click the “Save Information” button at the bottom of the page.
   
   A box will then pop up asking you to review all the information you’ve just provided. If you’re sure about their accuracy and completeness, click “Submit”.
   
6. Select “Apply for Clearance”.
   After saving your personal details, click the “Apply for Clearance” button at the top of the screen (if you’re using a mobile phone) or upper right corner of the page (for desktop or laptop users).
   
   
7. Provide the type of ID (and its ID number) that you’ll bring on the day of your appointment for verification.
   A pop-up box will appear asking you for the type of valid ID (and its ID number) that you’ll bring for verification. You must bring at least two valid IDs as supporting documents on the day of the appointment.
   
   Click “I Agree” to proceed to the next page.
   
   
8. Choose your preferred NBI clearance center.
   You can select the main branch at UN Avenue, Manila, or any NBI branch near you. Fortunately, there are numerous branches located in Manila and all over the country so you’ll never run out of choices.
   
   In case you already paid the fee and you want to process your NBI clearance in another branch different from what you’ve originally chosen here, you will be required to call the original branch and request for your records to be transferred to the new NBI clearance branch of your choice. Without a proper endorsement, you can’t proceed to any branch to process your application.
   
   
9. Select your preferred appointment schedule.
   After choosing your preferred NBI branch from the drop-down list provided, select your appointment date and time (AM or PM). Boxes shaded with blue indicate vacant slots.
   
   Please be careful when choosing your appointment date because you can no longer change or reschedule it once you already pay the NBI clearance fee. In case you’re already paid and won’t make it on your appointment date, NBI will still give you another 15 days to proceed to the NBI clearance branch of your choice and complete your application.
10. Choose a payment option.
    In summary, here are the available payment methods you can choose from:
    
    Bank Over The Counter: Pay cash over the counter to any bank like BDO, Metrobank, Chinabank, Landbank, RCBC, Eastwest Bank, Union Bank, Security Bank, PNB, etc.
    
    Online Bank: Pay the fees through online banking partners such as BDO Internet Banking, BPI Express Online, Unionbank EON, etc.
    
    Bayad Center Outlets: Pay to any Bayad Center outlets or any partner outlets like Cebuana Lhullier, LBC, Villarica Pawnshop, Waltermart, Robinsons, SM Savemore, etc.
    
    Bayad Center Mobile: Pay using the Bayad Center app which you can download via the Google Play Store or the Appstore.
    
    ECPay: Includes all ECPay partners like RD Pawnshop, Petron Corporation, Expresspay Inc., and many others.
    
    7-Eleven: Make the payment by going to any 7-Eleven branch near you.
    
    On the same page (see the previous step), select the payment option you prefer.
    
    As soon as you choose a payment method, a pop-up box will appear to provide instructions on how to pay the fee through the payment channel you’ve selected.
    
    Click “Proceed” to go to the next step.
    
    
11. Pay the NBI Clearance fee.
    After the previous step, you will then be shown a summary of your transaction, including the NBI clearance fee. As of this writing, a multi-purpose NBI clearance costs Php 130.  An additional fee of Php 25 is added for the use of the e-payment service.
    
    Depending on the payment channel you’ve chosen, clicking the “Proceed to Payment” button will either direct you to an online banking portal or to another pop-up box showing a set of alphanumeric characters that will serve as your reference number.
    
    Don’t forget to write down or take a screenshot of this reference number. You need this reference number when paying the NBI clearance fee. It will also serve as your gate pass when entering the NBI clearance center.
    
    To check the status of your application, click on “Transactions” from the menu. It will lead you to a page showing your reference number and information on whether the payment has been successfully processed or not.
    
    After paying the fees, check your email for payment confirmation. You can also go back to the Transactions page of the NBI Clearance website to see if the status of your application has been changed from “Pending” to “Paid.”
    
    Print the application form. If you’re using a mobile phone, you won’t see the button to print the application form unless you resize the browser window to the size of the phone screen.
    
    Take note that printing the form is not mandatory.
    
    If you don’t have a printer at home, simply write down your reference number or take a screenshot of it using your mobile phone and present it to the NBI personnel on the day of your appointment.
    
    Bring the application form (or a copy of your reference number) and your valid IDs on the day of the appointment. You’re now ready to have your photo and fingerprint biometrics captured.
12. Proceed to the NBI Clearance center to have your photo and fingerprint biometrics captured.
    Go to your chosen NBI clearance center on the day of the appointment.
    
    Don’t forget to bring the requirements, most importantly the application form/reference number. A security guard or NBI personnel will be ready to assist you.
    
    Since you’re done with the application, you can go straight to the encoding station where your biometrics and photograph will be taken.
13. Claim your NBI clearance.
    As long as there’s no “hit” (meaning you don’t have a namesake who is involved in some suspicious activity), your NBI clearance will be ready for release in just a few minutes.
    
    Otherwise, you will be asked to return after a few days so they can clear any anomaly in your application.