How to Get Your NBI Clearance Fast: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting your NBI Clearance can be quite a hassle. There are different forms to fill out, appointments to make, and documents you must submit to get it. Don’t worry – we have put together an easy step-by-step guide that will help simplify the process of getting your NBI Clearance quickly and easily. So if you want to know how exactly you can get your Clearance done with minimal hassle, then this blog post is just what you need!

What is the NBI Clearance?

The NBI clearance is an important document issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines. It proves an individual has no derogatory or criminal record in the country. It is often required as part of the application process for specific jobs, visas, and permits.

The purpose of obtaining this document is to establish personal identity and verify that there are no records of any criminal activities in any government agency within the country. This assists employers, educational institutions, and other agencies in ensuring safety and security, as only those with a clean record can be granted access or admission.

Requirements for Getting an NBI Clearance

Two (2) valid government-issued I.D.s

Passport
Driver’s license
UMID
PhilHealth ID
TIN ID
Postal ID
Voter’s ID
PRC ID
Senior Citizen ID
OFW ID
National ID
PSA Birth Certificate
PWD ID
Police Clearance

For First-time job seekers

Under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, individuals seeking their first job are entitled to a complimentary NBI Clearance. To avail of this benefit, they must provide a Barangay Certificate, which serves as proof of their status as a first-time job seeker and their residency in their current location for at least six (6) months. The Barangay Certificate should also include an Oath of Undertaking.

How to Apply for an NBI-Clearance

Applying for an NBI-Clearance is straightforward, though there are a few steps to take.

Complete the NBI Clearance Online Application (http://www.nbi.gov.ph).

You’ll need basic information like your name, birthdate, and address to sign up for an account and begin the application process. Once signed up, you can complete the form with relevant details such as your residence and employment status. Be sure to select which type of Clearance Certificate you’re applying for – background check or personal record review – before submitting it online.

Here is a step-by-step guide to NBI clearance online registration

Fill out all the necessary fields and confirm your application.
Enter the OTP sent to your mobile phone or email address.
Log in to your account and fill out the application form.
Click “Save Information,” then “Apply for Clearance.”
Select the type of valid I.D. you’ll present during the appointment.
Click “I Agree.”
Choose the NBI Branch. You’ll submit your application form and show up.
Pick your favored appointment date and time (AM or PM). (The blue boxes in the calendar will indicate the number of open slots in your preferred branch.)
Decide a payment method (an NBI Clearance costs ₱130, plus the ₱25 service fee.)
Double-check your appointment schedule and personal details.
Follow the instructions for your preferred payment method.
Take note or screenshot the reference number. (You’ll need it when you pay and enter the NBI Clearance center)
Pay for your NBI Clearance.
Go to the “Transactions” page.
Check if your application status as “Paid” or “Pending.” Click “Details” to review your application form.
Await your appointment date.

Visit any of NBI’s 580+ branches

Once all the required information has been filled out correctly on the website, you will then have to visit any of NBI’s 580+ branches nationwide to get fingerprinted for authentication purposes during their operating hours – usually from 7 AM until 11 PM (or 5 PM if its a Saturday or holiday).

On the day of your appointment, bring all requirements and proceed to your chosen NBI Branch. Once there, your photo and biometrics will be taken as part of the application process. The best part? You can claim your NBI Clearance on the same day!

NBI Clearance Renewal Online

Renewing your NBI Clearance is a breeze and does not require you to go through the process above. Opt for the NBI Clearance Quick Renewal service, which offers nationwide door-to-door delivery of your renewed Clearance. Follow these simple steps to avail of this service:

Enter your NBI account credentials to log in. Tap the “Click Here” button on the home screen under the NBI Clearance Renewal header. (insert screenshot)
Enter your old NBI ID number and other required information in the pop-up box. (insert screenshot)
Note: To avail of the NBI Clearance Quick Renewal service, only NBI Clearances issued from October 16, 2016, and expired are eligible.
Click “Verify,” then fill out the NBI Clearance delivery form.
Choose a payment method.
Take note of the reference number.

Pay ₱330 for your NBI Clearance Quick Renewal and ₱25 for the service fee. (The NBI Clearance Quick Renewal service comes at a higher cost compared to the standard renewal process, as it includes the delivery fee.)

Wait for your renewed NBI Clearance to arrive (For Metro Manila and Luzon residents, the processing time for NBI Clearance is estimated to be between three to seven days. Meanwhile, residents in Visayas and Mindanao can expect a processing time of seven to ten days.)

NBI Clearance FAQs

What are the NBI clearance payment methods?

Bank Over The Counter: Pay over the counter to any bank like BDO, Metrobank, Chinabank, Landbank, RCBC, Eastwest Bank, Union Bank, Security Bank, PNB, etc.

Online Bank: Partners such as BDO Internet Banking, BPI Express Online, Unionbank EON, etc.

Cash Payments: Any Bayad Center outlets or partner outlets like Cebuana Lhuillier, LBC, Villarica Pawnshop, Waltermart, Robinsons, SM Savemore, etc.

ECPay: ECPay partners like R.D. Pawnshop, Petron Corporation, and Express.

7-Eleven: Any 7-Eleven branch near you.

Visa/Mastercard: Using their debit/credit card powered by Visa or Mastercard.

GCash: A recently added payment method

PayMaya: An alternative mobile wallet to GCash

Others: Shopee Pay credits and the DragonPay app.

How long is the NBI clearance valid?

An NBI clearance is valid for one (1) year from the issue date. This means that after a year, you’ll need to apply for a new NBI clearance since the old one will no longer be deemed valid. To ensure that your NBI clearance remains good, it’s essential to keep track of its expiration and submit an application before its expiry date. If you fail to do so, you may have issues with renewing or applying for certain services that require an up-to-date NBI clearance.

What are the uses of an NBI clearance?

The uses of this document are vast, but here are some prime examples of why having an NBI clearance can be beneficial:

Job Employment: Many companies in the Philippines require their applicants to provide valid NBI Clearances when applying for jobs. This serves as proof that they don’t have any criminal records and can be trusted with important tasks or duties assigned by the company;

Obtaining Government Services: To get official documents such as passports or licenses, Philippine citizens must prove that they are not involved with illegal activities that could potentially harm public safety. An NBI Clearance helps establish this;

Traveling Abroad: Having an up-to-date copy of your NBI Clearance will help Filipinos pass immigration interviews faster when traveling abroad since it proves their identity and credibility;

Applying for Education Courses & Jobs Abroad: Aside from being used during travel purposes, obtaining an updated copy of your NBI Clearance also helps facilitate education applications & job opportunities overseas;

Immigration Purposes/Visa Applications: Obtaining permanent residency outside of the Philippines may sometimes require providing a valid National Bureau Of Investigation clearance certificate;

Adoption Processes/Child Custody Matters: A valid national bureau investigation clearance is essential in both cases to satisfy child custody requirements or adoption proceedings in court hearings.

What should I do if I get a HIT on my name?

Whenever an individual applies for an NBI clearance, the personnel at NBI thoroughly check their criminal database to identify any “derogatory records” associated with the applicant’s name. If the search detects any suspicious results, it is considered a “hit.” However, it is essential to note that even if the criminal case does not belong to the applicant and is instead linked to someone with the same name, one can still receive a “hit,” and verification will occur later.

It is worth mentioning that civil cases such as annulments, ejectments, and money claims are not included in the NBI clearance database and hence are not covered.

The NBI Criminal Database comprises criminal records obtained from various sources such as courts (MTC, MTCC, MCTC, and RTC), prosecution service (City and Provincial Prosecution Offices), Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan, police, and AFP records, among others.

Can I claim my NBI clearance even though I could not do so on the assigned date?

If you cannot claim your NBI clearance on the designated date, you can relax as an unclaimed NBI clearance remains valid for one year from the issuance date. Therefore, you can claim it anytime within that period without any issue.

To obtain your unclaimed NBI clearance, visit the branch where you initially applied and provide them with the reference number (which can be obtained from either the email confirmation sent to you or by logging in to your NBI Clearance account and selecting “Transactions” on the menu).

After verifying the reference number, your NBI clearance will be printed instantly.

As a foreigner, can I obtain an NBI clearance in the Philippines?

An NBI clearance is a vital prerequisite for various immigration-related transactions, such as applying for a resident visa in the Philippines, renewing a 13a immigrant visa granted to foreigners married to Filipinos, and seeking immigration/citizenship in another country after residing in the Philippines for at least six months. For foreign applicants, obtaining an NBI clearance remains the same – to demonstrate that they have maintained good standing and have not engaged in any criminal activities during their stay in the Philippines.

Whether you are a Filipino citizen or a foreigner, the NBI clearance application process is nearly identical. Firstly, visit the NBI Clearance Online Services website and complete the registration form for first-time applicants. Log in using your email address and password if you have already registered.

When you show up for your appointment, remember to bring the following documents:

a. Original and photocopy of either your passport (bio page up to visa implementation page) OR original and photocopy of your ACR I-Card or “Alien Certificate of Registration” (front and back).

b. Printed copy of your application form.

c. Official receipt.

Upon arrival, proceed to the second floor’s Alien Registration Office and complete Alien Registration Form No. 5.

After submitting the form, proceed to the next station for biometrics (photo capture, digitized signature, and electronic fingerprints).

Then, move to the last station, where you will provide your manual fingerprints and signature and present your documentary requirements.

The NBI personnel will stamp or write the claim date on the back of your receipt. While Filipino citizens can obtain their NBI clearance on the same day, foreigners must wait roughly 3 to 5 days for their clearances to be issued.

Note: Foreigners in the National Capital Region (NCR) can ONLY apply for NBI clearance at the NBI Main Clearance Processing Center at U.N. (United Nations) Avenue in Ermita, Manila.

If you are outside the NCR, you may apply at the NBI branch in your respective provinces; however, due to the necessity of mailing your application to the Manila office, anticipate a longer waiting time of 10-15 days.

Can I get my NBI clearance if I’m out of the country?

There are two methods for applying for NBI clearance abroad without returning to your home country:

1. Through an authorized representative – A trusted relative or friend in the Philippines can handle everything on your behalf if you need more time. Send them a signed authorization letter and other necessary documents.

2. With an authorized representative – Only opt for this option if you have someone in the Philippines whom you can trust with the application/renewal process. This route entails visiting the Philippine Embassy in your host country, obtaining all necessary documents, and sending them to the main NBI clearance center at U.N. Avenue in Manila.

What is the difference between NBI clearance and police clearance?

The difference between an NBI clearance and a police clearance is quite substantial. An NBI clearance, or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance, is a document issued by the Philippine government to certify that an individual has no criminal records in the Philippines. It is a form of identification and background check used mainly for employment.

On the other hand, a police clearance is a document established by law enforcement officials as proof that an individual has no existing offenses recorded with them. More specifically, it certifies that someone has no pending cases against them within their jurisdiction; this means that if any violation happened outside of the issuing authority’s jurisdiction – such as in another part of the country – it will not be mentioned in a police clearance certificate.

The types of information that the NBI and PNP gather and retain in their databases are similar.

The NBI, as mandated by law, is required to store more official records, including:

a. Civilian identification records (such as identifying marks and characteristics)

b. Derogatory and criminal records

c. Facial photo

d. Fingerprint scan

e. Dental records (obtained with the assistance of the Philippine Dental Association)

On the other hand, the PNP maintains the following information about individuals included in its database:

a. Blotter records

b. Derogatory and criminal records

c. Facial photo

d. Fingerprint scan

I cannot reach the NBI clearance branch I initially selected during my online appointment. Can I proceed to any nearby branch to process my application?

The possibility of processing your application at a different NBI clearance branch depends on the specific chapter you initially selected during your online appointment.

As advised by the NBI Clearance Helpdesk, some branches may require approval from the original branch before processing your application. Therefore, before heading to a different branch, contacting the initial branch and informing them of your situation is recommended. Request that your records be transferred to the new NBI clearance branch that you have chosen.

By coordinating with both branches, you can ensure that your records will be moved to the desired NBI clearance branch and that your Clearance will be issued smoothly without any complications.

Conclusion

All in all, getting an NBI Clearance doesn’t have to be the most daunting task. Use our guide as a helpful resource; you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get it done and ready for use when needed. Plus, by taking all the necessary steps before picking it up, you can ensure that your application processes correctly and without any hitches, saving you time! At this point, you now know exactly what needs to be done to prepare for getting your NBI Clearance. With all this information, you are well-equipped to know how the process works and what is expected of you, so getting your Clearance is stress-free!

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