Last reviewed: October 2, 2026 by the NBI Clearance Online Editorial Team

An NBI clearance is the certificate from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that shows whether you have a criminal record or pending case in the Philippines. Employers, embassies, schools and government offices ask for it all the time. The good news: you can do most of the process online, pay ₱130 plus a small e-payment fee, and walk out of the NBI branch with your clearance the same day if your name has no “HIT”.

This guide walks you through every step for 2026: applying for the first time, renewing, what to bring, what a HIT means, how to get it free as a first-time jobseeker, and how to apply from abroad.

NBI clearance at a glance

Item	Details
Clearance fee	₱130, unchanged since March 12, 2018
E-payment service charge	About ₱25–₱30 depending on the payment channel, so most people pay around ₱155–₱160 in total
Where to apply	Official NBI Clearance website (clearance.nbi.gov.ph), then a short visit to your chosen NBI branch
What to bring	Your reference number and two valid government-issued IDs (original, not expired)
Release time	Same day, usually within minutes, if you have no HIT
If you have a HIT	Come back after 5 to 10 working days; no extra fee
Validity	One year from the date of issue
First-time jobseekers	Free under Republic Act No. 11261 with a barangay certification
Renewal	Online renewal, the eGovPH app (since July 2026), or at a branch
From abroad	Mailed clearance: ₱200 total (₱130 fee + ₱70 mailing), about 5 working days after the NBI receives your papers

On this page:

• What is an NBI clearance?
• How to apply online, step by step
• Fee and payment options
• Documents you’ll need
• What happens at the NBI branch
• What a HIT means
• Had a clearance before?
• Free clearance for first-time jobseekers
• Applying from abroad
• FAQs

What is an NBI clearance?

An NBI clearance is an official certificate issued by the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine government’s investigation agency under the Department of Justice. When you apply, the NBI checks your name and fingerprints against its criminal records database. If nothing matches, it issues a clearance stating that you have no derogatory record.

You will usually need one for:

• Local employment: most private companies and all government agencies ask for it as a pre-employment requirement.
• Work or travel abroad: OFW deployment, work visas, immigration and residency applications.
• Licenses and exams: PRC board exams, firearm licenses and some business permits.
• Other transactions: school admissions, adoption, name changes and some bank or loan applications.

The NBI clearance covers the whole country. That is the main difference from a police clearance, which checks local police records only. Some employers accept either, but for jobs abroad and visa applications the NBI clearance is almost always the one required.

How to apply for NBI clearance online, step by step

First-time applicants register online, pay, and then visit an NBI branch once for photo and fingerprints. The whole online part takes about 10–15 minutes.

Step 1: Register on the official NBI Clearance website

Go to the official NBI Clearance website (clearance.nbi.gov.ph) and create an account using an active mobile number and email address. You will receive a one-time password (OTP) to verify your account. Use an email you can access; the NBI sends important notices there.

Step 2: Complete your applicant profile

Fill in the Applicant Information Form: full name, birth date, birthplace, address, civil status and other details. Type your name exactly as it appears on your valid IDs and PSA birth certificate. A missing middle name or a misspelled surname is the most common reason applicants get turned back at the branch.

Step 3: Click “Apply for Clearance”

Select the type of valid ID you will present and confirm your purpose (for example, local employment or travel abroad).

Step 4: Choose your NBI branch, date and time

Pick the NBI clearance center most convenient for you, then select an available date and an AM or PM slot. Our NBI appointment guide covers choosing a slot, the 15-day grace period and what to do if you miss your date. Slots in Metro Manila and big cities fill up fast, especially from January to March and before graduation season, so book a few days ahead.

Step 5: Pay the clearance fee

Choose a payment method (GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center or online banking) and pay ₱130 plus the e-payment service charge. The system generates a reference number. Save a screenshot or print it, and keep your payment receipt.

Step 6: Go to the NBI branch on your schedule

Bring your reference number and two valid IDs. At the branch your details are verified, your photo, fingerprints and signature are taken, and your clearance is printed. If you have no HIT, you can leave with it the same day.

NBI clearance fee and payment options

The NBI clearance fee is ₱130. It went up from ₱115 to ₱130 on March 12, 2018 because of the higher documentary stamp tax under the TRAIN Law, and it has not changed since. When you pay online, the payment partner adds a service charge of about ₱25–₱30.

Type	Amount
New application (paid online)	₱130 + e-payment charge (about ₱155–₱160 total)
Renewal	Same clearance fee; online renewal with courier delivery costs extra for delivery
HIT / quality control	No additional fee
First-time jobseeker (RA 11261)	Free, with barangay certification and oath of undertaking
Mailed clearance from abroad	₱200 (₱130 fee + ₱70 mailing) or the USD equivalent

Accepted payment channels on the official NBI Clearance website include:

• GCash and Maya
• 7-Eleven (CLiQQ)
• Bayad Center
• Online banking

Pay only through the payment options shown inside the official system. Never send money to a person or page offering to “process” your clearance.

Documents you’ll need

For a regular application, bring your online reference number, proof of payment and two original, non-expired government-issued IDs, such as a passport, National ID, UMID, driver’s license or PRC license. Your name and birth details must match your online profile. Our NBI clearance requirements checklist lists all 12 ID types on the official application form, plus the extra documents for first-time jobseekers, foreigners and name changes.

What happens at the NBI branch

Arrive 15–30 minutes before your slot. The visit usually goes like this:

1. Verification: staff check your reference number, payment and IDs.
2. Biometrics: your photo, fingerprints and digital signature are captured.
3. Name check: the system searches the NBI database for your name.
4. Release: if there is no match, your clearance is printed on the spot.

The NBI enforces a dress code for the official photo: avoid sando, tank tops, shorts and slippers. Smart casual or a collared shirt is recommended.

What is an NBI HIT and what should you do?

A HIT means your name matched, or was similar to, a name in the NBI’s records. It does not automatically mean you have a criminal record. People with common names such as “Juan Dela Cruz” get HITs all the time.

If you get a HIT:

• Your clearance goes through quality control, a manual check to confirm whether the record belongs to you.
• You will be told to return on a release date, usually after 5 to 10 working days.
• There is no extra fee.
• If the record really is yours, you may be asked to present court documents, such as a dismissal or certificate of finality, before a clearance can be issued.

Once you have a clearance without a HIT, later renewals are usually faster.

Had an NBI clearance before?

You may not need to repeat the full process. If your last clearance was issued in 2014 or later and your name, birthday and birthplace are unchanged, you can get a new one online with delivery, or in about five minutes through NBI eClearance on the eGovPH app (available since July 6, 2026). Our NBI clearance renewal guide explains who qualifies, each option step by step, and what to do if the system says you can’t renew online.

Free NBI clearance for first-time jobseekers

Under Republic Act No. 11261 (First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act), Filipinos looking for work for the first time can get their NBI clearance free of charge. You need:

• A barangay certification stating you are a first-time jobseeker and have lived in the barangay for at least six months
• A signed oath of undertaking
• Your valid IDs

The benefit can be used once and is valid for one year from the date the barangay certification was issued. First-time jobseekers apply through the NBI’s dedicated first-time jobseeker application, not the regular payment flow.

How to get an NBI clearance from abroad

Filipinos overseas can apply by mail without flying home:

1. Get NBI Form No. 5 from the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
2. Have your rolled fingerprints taken at the embassy, consulate or a local police station. The official must sign it and add their name, position and office seal.
3. Attach a recent 2×2 photo with a white background (taken within the last 3 months) and a photocopy of your passport’s bio page.
4. Include payment of ₱200 (₱130 clearance fee + ₱70 mailing) or the USD equivalent.
5. Send everything to: NBI Mailed Clearance Section, 3rd Floor, NBI Clearance Building, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines.

The NBI processes mailed applications within about five working days after receiving them, plus international mailing time. A relative or representative in the Philippines can also follow up at the NBI Main Clearance Center. If you renewed recently and have a verified eGovPH account, check first whether the eGovPH app renewal works for you, since it is much faster.

If the clearance will be used abroad, you may also need it apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after release.

Tips to get your NBI clearance faster

• Book early in the week and early in the day; Monday mornings and the days after holidays are busiest.
• Match your details exactly with your IDs before you pay. Changes after payment are a hassle.
• Keep your reference number and receipt on your phone and on paper.
• Check your schedule and branch before you leave. Some sites inside malls follow mall hours.
• Renew online or through eGovPH if you qualify. It saves a trip.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the NBI clearance in 2026?

The clearance fee is ₱130. With the e-payment service charge, most applicants pay about ₱155–₱160 in total. First-time jobseekers with a barangay certification pay nothing.

How long is an NBI clearance valid?

One year from the date of issue. Some employers and embassies only accept clearances issued within the last six months, so check what they need.

Can I get my NBI clearance on the same day?

Yes. If your name has no HIT, the clearance is usually printed within minutes of your biometrics at the branch.

Is the NBI clearance different from a police clearance?

Yes. The NBI clearance checks nationwide NBI records and is the standard for employment abroad and visas. A national police clearance comes from the Philippine National Police. Some local employers accept either one.

Can someone else get my NBI clearance for me?

No, not for a new application. You must appear in person for your photo and fingerprints. For renewals, use online or eGovPH renewal with delivery where available.

Spotted something that changed?

NBI fees, schedules and procedures can change without much notice. If anything in this guide no longer matches what you saw on the official website or at the branch, please tell us and we will check and update it. You can read how we research and verify every guide in our editorial policy.