If you need to get police clearance for any reason, such as employment, travel, or studying overseas, getting it can be a stressful process. It usually involves a long trip to the relevant government department and waiting in line for hours. But don’t worry – did you know it is now possible to apply for police clearance online without ever leaving your home? In this blog post, we’ll look at how to get police clearance online in just a few simple steps!
What is Police Clearance?
Police Clearance in the Philippines is a document issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to certify that an individual has no criminal record. It also serves as proof of good moral character and is frequently used for job applications, visa processing, application for foreign scholarships, or other legal purposes.
To obtain a Police Clearance in the Philippines, one must apply at any local police station carrying valid identification documents like a birth certificate or passport. Additional requirements may depend on the purpose of obtaining the clearance. Once approved, applicants will be requested to pay corresponding fees before receiving their clearance certificates from authorized personnel. The validity period of Police Clearances in the Philippines usually ranges from 3 months to 1 year, depending on where it was issued and its purpose of use.
Why Do You Need a Police Clearance?
Police Clearance is an essential document of identification issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP), which certifies that you have a clean criminal record. It is widely used for immigration and visa applications and for applying for jobs, promotions, and benefits.
Police Clearances are required when applying to be a first-time or renewal voter or when looking to register in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) database. If someone has committed a crime within three years from the time they apply, their clearance will only be processed once cleared.
Other uses of Police Clearance in the Philippines include getting certified copies of marriage contracts, family enumeration records; police reports/clearances, and other documents that require authentication. The PNP also assists in issuing overseas employment verification requirements clearances such as DOJ Clearance Certificates, Overseas Employment Verification Certificates (OEVC), and Immigration Exit Clearance Certificates (IECC) if needed.
Additionally, you’re planning on starting a business in the Philippines. In that case, a police clearance can often be requested from potential partners so that they know who they’re dealing with professionally and personally – this can help develop strong relationships between parties involved in any venture or business dealings. Therefore having good Police clearance records could prove beneficial for current job applications or future business activity such as investments etc.
Documents Required for Police Clearance Online Application
To obtain a police clearance, you must present the following requirements at the police station on your appointment date:
- Two (2) valid IDs
- Reference number
- Official Receipt
After submitting your application to the NPCS, you will be given a reference number. Upon payment, an official receipt will be generated.
The PNP only accepts certain types of IDs for clearance applications. The following is a list of valid IDs that the PNP gets:
- PNP ID
- Voter’s ID
- Passport
- Postal ID
- PRC license
- LTO driver’s license
- SSS ID or SSS UMID
- GSIS UMID
- PhilHealth ID
- Pag-IBIG ID
- TIN ID
- Senior citizen’s ID
- OFW ID
- IBP ID
- PWD ID
- Alien Certificate of Registration
- School ID with registration form
- Other government IDs
It is important to note that your IDs must be original (not photocopied), unexpired and should have your full name, clear photo, and signature to be considered valid by the PNP.
Police Clearance Online Registration Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Visit the National Police Clearance System website at https://pnpclearance.ph.
If you’re a first-time applicant, click REGISTER.
Step 2: Log in to your email address. Check your inbox for Email
Confirmation and click the message from NPCS to verify
your registered account. Click the link to continue. You will now be directed to a login page
Step 3: Sign-In using the email address and password used
during the registration process.
Step 4: Click “edit profile” and provide the necessary information
Before saving your profile, please review and ensure all the information entered is correct and free of spelling errors. Once verified, you can proceed to click on the “Save Profile” button.
Step 5: Click the Application of Clearance button (next to ‘edit profile as shown above) to start.
Select the Police Station where you intend to transact. After selecting the station, you can choose a convenient date and time from the list of available schedules – either in the morning or afternoon.
Step 6: Pay Online
Upon completing your transaction, you will be redirected to the LBP ePayment Portal website to proceed with payment. Currently, the available payment options are as follows:
- LBP ATM
- G-cash
- BancNet Cards.
To complete the payment process, please follow the steps for LBP payment. Enter your account number and PIN, then wait for the transaction details and payment summary to appear.
Step7: Go to the Selected Police Station on your AppointmenT
To obtain your clearance, please present the following items at the Police Station:
- Two (2) valid government-issued IDs
- Reference Number
- Official Receipt of payment
Please note that before the release of your clearance, you will be required to have your biometrics, signature, and photo captured.
Step 8: Clearance Release Procedures:
For those without a “Hit” record: After completing steps 1 to 3, please wait for your name to be called for the release of your clearance.
For those with a “Hit” record: Please wait for further instructions from the Verification Officer regarding the verification process. Once everything is settled, your clearance will be released.
Local Police Clearance vs. National Police Clearance
A local police clearance is a certificate issued by a specific police station that certifies that the applicant has no criminal record within its jurisdiction. It typically contains information such as the name and address of the individual, current photo, thumb mark, birthdate, and other identifying information.
National police clearance is an official document issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) upon completion of verification from all regional offices Nationwide to certify that an individual has not been convicted or charged in any court for any criminal offense within the Philippines’ jurisdiction during their residence in said locality. This also includes additional basic requirements such as Personal Data Sheet (PDS), NBI Clearance, Barangay Certification, and Identification Card (ID).
It’s important to note that a local police clearance does not guarantee nor replace getting a National Police Clearance. A local police clearance does not detail or provide information about crimes committed outside their locality. In contrast, a national police clearance renders this information regarding all offenses committed nationwide with due regard to the residency situation in each place.
Police Clearance FAQs
What are the payment options for Police Clearance?
If you don’t have a bank account, you can pay the police clearance fee at the nearest 7-Eleven convenience store. Another option is to pay via GCash by entering your GCash number on the LandBank of the Philippines ePayment portal. The transaction details and payment summary will be displayed.
Please ensure that you complete the payment at least two banking days before your appointment to avoid cancellation of your transaction.
For first-time job seekers, there’s no need to proceed with payment. Present your First Time Job Seeker Barangay Certificate on the day of your appointment at the police station.
What if I can’t make it on the day of my appointment?
If you fail to show up on your appointment date, you will be given another 15 days to claim your police clearance at the chosen Police Station. However, if you don’t claim it within this grace period, your payment will be forfeited, and you’ll have to re-apply.
According to other applicants, you can also log in to your profile and change your appointment.
Can I edit or change erroneous personal data on my police clearance once it’s already printed?
No. To correct or update any information on your printed police clearance, you must re-apply online, make the necessary changes, secure another appointment, pay the fee, and return to the same police station for biometrics capturing.
Can I renew my Police clearance once it expires?
No. Police clearance in the Philippines has a validity period of only six months from the release date. Unlike NBI clearance, it cannot be renewed, so you must apply for a new one after it expires.
What is the difference between NBI clearance and police clearance?
The main difference between NBI Clearance and Police Clearance is that an NBI clearance is issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). In contrast, your local police station gives a police clearance. An NBI clearance can be applied online or at an authorized outlet. Using it for a police clearance requires you to physically go to your local police station to submit the application form.
Both clearances are used for different purposes, such as background checks, proof of identity, job applications, etc. The information contained in these documents varies widely depending on their purpose. Generally, an NBI clearance will include personal details such as name, age, address, and date of birth. In contrast, a Police Clearance usually provides criminal records and other information relevant to the specified purpose. Additionally, a valid government-issued ID should be presented along with both forms when submitting them for processing.
It’s important to note that both forms carry varying levels of authenticity: an NBI Clearance typically has a much higher weight than a Police Clearance due to its stringent verification process – each security feature embedded into it is explicitly designed so that it cannot be falsified or forged upon easily. In some cases, authorities may require additional documentation or proof before accepting either as valid identification.
The NBI and PNP differ in their clearance processes and the types of information they gather and keep in their databases. By law, the NBI is mandated to store more official records, including civilian identification records such as identifying marks and characteristics, derogatory and criminal records, facial photos, fingerprint scan, and dental records obtained with the assistance of the Philippine Dental Association.
On the other hand, the PNP retains blotter records along with derogatory and criminal records, facial photos, and fingerprint scans of citizens included in its database.
How much does a Police Clearance cost?
When applying for the new National Police Clearance through the NPCS website, you must pay a total of PHP 160, including a police clearance fee of PHP 150 and a transaction fee of PHP 10. Payment can be made through Landbank or Bancnet.
However, fresh graduates who are looking for their first job and can present a Barangay Certificate proving their eligibility under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act are exempted from this fee.
Do I need a Barangay Clearance and Cedula to get a Police Clearance?
Under the new guidelines, applicants for the National Police Clearance are no longer required to present a barangay clearance and cedula. Only the PNP will honor only the valid IDs listed on the website for police clearance applications.
However, if you’re applying for a Local Police Clearance without an online appointment, you will still need to secure a barangay clearance and cedula.
For first-time job seekers who wish to avail of free police clearance under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act6, a Barangay Certification is required. The certification must state that you are a first-time job seeker and have been a resident of your barangay for at least six months. Additionally, an Oath of Undertaking must be executed before the Barangay Chairman. Specific templates for these documents can be found in this related guide.
It’s important to note that this benefit can only be availed once and is valid up to one year from the date of issuance of the Barangay Certification.
Is Walk-In Application Available for Police Clearance?
Yes, you can directly go to the municipal hall of your municipality and apply for a Local Police Clearance without an online appointment. However, this police clearance only checks for any criminal record within the same city.
If your employer requires a National Police Clearance with nationwide coverage, you must secure an online appointment before going to your preferred police station. However, not all police stations are included in the online appointment system. If you are still looking for your nearest municipal/city/local police station on the list, chances are they are issuing Local Police Clearances only. More information about this can be found in the next section.
Conclusion
We have discussed the steps to get police clearance online and how easy it is compared to the traditional way of getting police clearance. It saves time, effort, and money – no more waiting in line for hours! Once your police clearance request has been accepted, you can retrieve it from the website at any time, and you may even be eligible for discounts. You can still apply for a national-level criminal background check if you don’t qualify for an out-of-state criminal background check. No matter what type of police clearance you need, remember that using an online method will save you the hassle and help speed up your application process.
Recommended: Guide for Getting a Barangay Certificate of Residency
