How to Obtain or Correct an NBI Clearance

Quick answer

To obtain an NBI Clearance in the Philippines, register or log in through the official NBI Clearance portal, complete and carefully review your personal information, choose a clearance center and appointment, pay the required fee, then personally appear for photograph, fingerprint, signature, and identity verification. The NBI currently requires two valid government-issued IDs for ordinary applications. Its current online guide lists a basic clearance fee of ₱130, with an additional payment-service charge depending on the payment channel. (National Bureau of Investigation)

If information is wrong, the best time to correct it is before the clearance is printed. Review the information in your online profile and again when the NBI operator asks you to verify the data during biometrics processing. NBI expressly instructs applicants to make sure their profile matches their valid IDs and provides an on-site data-verification step before printing. (National Bureau of Investigation)

If the clearance has already been issued with an incorrect name, birth date, civil status, or other material information, do not alter the certificate yourself. Bring the incorrect clearance and the government or civil-registry documents proving the correct information to an NBI clearance office and ask that the record be reviewed before another clearance is issued. As of August 23, 2026, the NBI's public guidance does not set out a separate nationwide online procedure guaranteeing post-issuance correction or reprinting, so the particular correction and reissuance steps should be confirmed with the NBI Clearance Center.

A "HIT" is different from a typographical error. It means the system found a possible criminal-record match or namesake that requires verification. A hit is not, by itself, proof that the applicant has been convicted or even that the record belongs to the applicant. NBI procedures provide for further verification and, in appropriate cases, a Quality Control interview. (National Bureau of Investigation)

How to apply for a new NBI Clearance

1. Use the official NBI application system

Go to the official NBI Clearance portal and create an account or log in to an existing account. The NBI requires an active mobile number and email address for account verification. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Enter your personal information exactly as supported by your official documents. Pay particular attention to:

• complete legal name;
• middle name or maiden surname, where applicable;
• date and place of birth;
• sex;
• civil status;
• address; and
• other identifying information requested by the system.

Do not use a nickname or a different spelling simply because that version appears on an old private document. The safest approach is to use the information established by your current authoritative government records.

2. Review the information before applying

The NBI specifically instructs applicants to review their profile before proceeding. This step matters because correcting an error before payment and printing is generally much easier than dealing with an already-issued clearance. (National Bureau of Investigation)

If the portal still allows the field to be edited, correct the information and save the updated profile before continuing.

If an important field cannot be changed online, do not invent a workaround or create inconsistent identities merely to obtain an appointment. Bring the supporting documents to the NBI office and raise the discrepancy before the clearance is printed.

3. Choose a clearance center and appointment

After completing the profile, select Apply for Clearance, identify the government ID you will present, choose an NBI clearance branch, and select an available appointment schedule. (National Bureau of Investigation)

The NBI maintains an official clearance-office locator. Its current instructions tell applicants to complete the online application and payment before proceeding to the clearance office. (National Bureau of Investigation)

4. Pay using the reference number generated by the system

The current NBI guide lists a ₱130 basic clearance fee, plus a payment-service charge that varies by payment channel. The portal generates a reference number for the transaction. Keep that number and your payment confirmation. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Use the amount actually displayed by the official portal for your transaction rather than relying on screenshots, old blog posts, or previously published fee schedules.

First-time jobseekers may qualify for a statutory fee waiver, discussed separately below.

5. Bring the required documents

For an ordinary application, the NBI's current guidance requires two valid government-issued IDs and instructs applicants to bring their reference number and proof of payment. Examples identified by the NBI include a passport, driver's license, National ID, UMID, Postal ID, or an acceptable government-issued certificate such as a PSA birth certificate. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Bring originals whenever required. If your identity information has recently changed, also bring the documents explaining the change.

6. Complete biometrics and verify the data

At the clearance center, the NBI captures the applicant's:

• photograph;
• fingerprints; and
• electronic signature.

The current NBI guide also states that the applicant is shown the encoded information for verification before printing. Use this opportunity. Read the name, birth information, and other important fields rather than immediately confirming that everything is correct. (National Bureau of Investigation)

If there is an error, tell the operator before the certificate is printed.

How to correct information before the clearance is issued

The proper approach depends on when you discover the error.

Error discovered while completing the online profile

If the relevant field remains editable:

1. Correct the field.
2. Save the updated information.
3. Compare the revised profile against your valid IDs and civil-registry documents.
4. Only then proceed with the clearance application.

NBI's current instructions expressly tell applicants to ensure that the spelling in the profile matches their valid IDs. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Error discovered during your NBI appointment

Tell the biometric or clearance operator before printing.

Bring the source document showing the correct information—for example, the appropriate passport, government ID, PSA certificate, annotated civil-registry document, or court order.

Do not simply ask the operator to substitute a preferred spelling where your underlying official records themselves are inconsistent. The NBI may need documentary support before changing information used for identity verification.

What to do if an issued NBI Clearance contains an error

An already-printed clearance should not be manually corrected, erased, overwritten, digitally edited, or altered.

Instead:

1. Keep the erroneous clearance.
2. Keep the transaction reference number and payment receipt.
3. Gather the authoritative documents showing the correct information.
4. Contact or visit an NBI clearance office and explain exactly which field is wrong.
5. Ask whether the underlying NBI applicant record can be corrected and whether the branch requires a new clearance transaction or can process the appropriate reissuance.
6. Inspect the replacement document before leaving the office.

The NBI's currently published application instructions emphasize correcting and verifying data before printing but do not prescribe a single public online post-issuance correction workflow applicable to every type of mistake. A material error should therefore be referred directly to the NBI rather than handled through unofficial online instructions.

For clearance-related concerns, the NBI currently lists the NBI Clearance Center at United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila and publishes nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph, together with clearance inquiry telephone numbers, on its official website. (National Bureau of Investigation)

What documents should you bring for a correction?

The exact documents depend on what is wrong. Bring the strongest government record establishing the correct information.

Common examples include:

• the incorrect NBI Clearance;
• two valid government-issued IDs;
• PSA birth certificate for birth-name or birth-detail issues;
• PSA marriage certificate where the change is connected with marriage;
• annotated PSA civil-registry documents where an official correction has already been made;
• a final court order or other competent-government order where the change legally required one;
• current passport, particularly where the clearance is needed for immigration or overseas purposes;
• old NBI clearances showing the applicant's prior recorded identity; and
• transaction reference numbers and payment receipts.

The important distinction is between correcting an NBI encoding mistake and changing the underlying legal record.

If the NBI merely encoded "Juan Dela Crzu" when the applicant's authoritative records consistently state "Juan Dela Cruz," that is fundamentally different from asking the NBI to change a name or birth entry that is itself recorded differently in the civil registry.

What if the PSA birth or marriage record itself is wrong?

An NBI Clearance is not the legal mechanism for correcting a civil-registry entry.

If the error originates from the birth certificate, marriage certificate, or another authoritative government record, the applicant may first need to complete the correction procedure prescribed for that underlying record. Depending on the issue, correction may require action by the local civil registrar, Philippine Statistics Authority, another government agency, or a court.

This distinction is also consistent with National Privacy Commission guidance on the right to rectification: the general right to correct inaccurate personal data does not replace a correction that legally requires an order from a court, another government agency, or another official statutory process. (National Privacy Commission)

Once the authoritative record has been corrected, bring the corrected or annotated document to the NBI.

What if your name or civil status changed?

Do not assume that the fastest online renewal option is appropriate after a material change in personal information.

NBI's current online guidance describes online renewal as an option for a person with a clearance issued from 2014 onward when there are no changes to personal details. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Accordingly, if you need the next clearance to reflect a change such as:

• marriage;
• change in surname;
• annulment or declaration of nullity affecting the name being used;
• legally authorized change of name;
• correction of birth information; or
• another material identity change,

prepare the documentary basis for the change and use a process that permits NBI personnel to verify the new information rather than simply reproducing the old record through a quick-renewal facility.

Applicants abroad should follow the NBI's separate mailed-clearance rules. The NBI's overseas instructions specifically address renewals, changes of address or civil status, fingerprinting, representatives, and mailed applications. (National Bureau of Investigation)

NBI eClearance through the eGovPH Super App

On July 6, 2026, the NBI and DICT launched NBI eClearance integration with the eGovPH Super App. According to the NBI, eligible verified eGovPH users can renew an NBI clearance and access a digital copy through the app. (National Bureau of Investigation)

This is useful for eligible renewals, but it should not be treated as a substitute for resolving a material identity discrepancy unless the system itself expressly allows the particular change and properly verifies the supporting record.

If your old record contains a wrong name, birth detail, or other significant error, resolve the discrepancy rather than repeatedly renewing the erroneous information.

What does an NBI "HIT" mean?

A hit should not be confused with an error in the spelling of your clearance.

The NBI's clearance system checks applicant information against its criminal database. NBI procedures state that an applicant with No Hit may proceed to printing, while a person with With Hit may be required to return on a specified date. Applicants referred for Quality Control undergo further interview and verification concerning the possible derogatory record. (National Bureau of Investigation)

In a 2026 NBI press release, the Bureau itself described a "WITH HIT" result as indicating a possible criminal record or a namesake requiring further verification. (National Bureau of Investigation)

A hit therefore does not automatically mean:

• you have been convicted;
• the record definitely belongs to you;
• you can never obtain an NBI Clearance; or
• you should create another account under a slightly different name.

Let the verification process determine whether the record actually pertains to you.

What if the criminal case belongs to someone else?

Follow the NBI's verification or Quality Control instructions.

Where identity cannot be resolved from the NBI database alone, supporting court documentation may be required. A current NBI enforcement report describes a case in which an applicant denied being the person associated with a derogatory record and was advised to obtain a court clearance and certification establishing that he was not the accused person. (National Bureau of Investigation)

If you are a namesake, useful evidence may include:

• government IDs showing your full identity;
• birth certificate;
• addresses;
• birth date;
• fingerprints already captured by NBI;
• court certification concerning the accused's identity; and
• whatever additional document the NBI Quality Control officer specifically requests.

Do not submit fabricated affidavits or altered documents merely to remove a hit.

What if the case really was yours but has already been dismissed, acquitted, or terminated?

Bring authoritative court records establishing the present status of the case.

Depending on the circumstances, these may include a certified copy of the dismissal or acquittal order, judgment, entry of judgment, certificate of finality, court clearance, or another certification from the court that handled the case.

The NBI acts as a national clearing house of criminal records and related information under Republic Act No. 10867. (Lawphil) It should therefore be given reliable information from the court or other source agency when the status of an existing record has changed.

Do not assume that simply telling a clearance officer that a case was dismissed will be sufficient. Obtain documentary proof from the court.

Likewise, a request to update the status of a case is different from demanding that every historical record of the proceeding be erased. Whether information may legally be removed, updated, annotated, or retained depends on the nature and source of the record and the governing law.

What if there may be an outstanding warrant?

This requires special caution.

If you know or have a substantial reason to believe that a warrant of arrest may be outstanding, consult a lawyer and verify the case with the issuing court rather than assuming that an NBI clearance application is merely an administrative test of your record.

The NBI has documented cases in which applicants were lawfully arrested during clearance processing after Quality Control procedures confirmed an outstanding warrant. (National Bureau of Investigation)

A lawyer can help determine whether the warrant is valid, whether bail is available, which court has jurisdiction, and what lawful steps should be taken before or in connection with appearance.

Free NBI Clearance for qualified first-time jobseekers

Republic Act No. 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, includes NBI Clearance among the government documents for which qualified first-time jobseekers may obtain a fee waiver. The statutory benefit may generally be used only once. (Lawphil)

The NBI maintains a dedicated first-time-jobseeker facility. Its current requirements include a barangay certification and qualifying identification documents, while DOLE's implementation materials also provide the prescribed Oath of Undertaking. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Do not simply make an ordinary paid application and assume the amount can later be refunded. If you intend to claim the statutory benefit, use the designated first-time-jobseeker procedure and prepare the required barangay documents before applying.

Applying while outside the Philippines

The NBI maintains a separate procedure for applicants abroad.

For new overseas applicants, the NBI currently instructs applicants to obtain NBI Clearance Application Form No. 5, complete the fingerprint requirements through the Philippine Embassy, consular office, or other permitted facility, attach the required photograph and passport biodata copy, and transmit the application by mail or through an authorized representative in accordance with NBI instructions. (National Bureau of Investigation)

The NBI also has separate procedures for overseas renewal and states that mailed applications from abroad are processed through the NBI Clearance Building in Manila. Because overseas procedures differ materially from ordinary domestic applications, follow the current NBI mailed-clearance instructions rather than relying on the ordinary local appointment process.

Evidence and records worth preserving

Keep a complete record of the transaction, particularly if there is an error or hit:

• screenshot or copy of the submitted applicant information;
• reference number;
• payment confirmation or official receipt;
• appointment information;
• old and newly issued clearances;
• copies of IDs used;
• PSA certificates or other identity documents;
• court orders and court certifications;
• emails exchanged with the NBI;
• any written instruction from a Quality Control officer; and
• the date, branch, and circumstances in which a correction was requested.

These records can become important if the same error appears again in a later clearance application.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a nickname or inconsistent spelling

Use the legal identity supported by authoritative records. A one-letter variation can create avoidable verification problems.

Failing to inspect the information before printing

The NBI expressly gives applicants a data-verification opportunity. Check the screen carefully before approving the information. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Using online renewal despite changed personal information

The NBI's published guidance associates online renewal with applicants whose personal information has not changed. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Altering the printed clearance yourself

Do not use correction fluid, handwriting, image-editing software, or another method to make an issued government clearance appear corrected. Obtain an officially corrected or newly issued document instead.

Treating a hit as proof of guilt

A hit can be caused by a possible criminal-record match or a namesake and is subject to verification. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Ignoring an old court case

If an old case was dismissed, terminated, or resulted in acquittal, obtain official records establishing that disposition rather than assuming every government database was automatically updated.

Paying through unofficial websites or intermediaries

Start through the official NBI portal or other officially announced NBI government service. The NBI itself directs clearance applicants to its official online portal. (National Bureau of Investigation)

When legal or immediate assistance may be necessary

Consider obtaining prompt legal assistance when:

• a hit appears to involve an actual criminal case against you;
• there may be an outstanding warrant;
• the NBI database continues to show an outdated case status despite a final court disposition;
• another person's criminal case is repeatedly being associated with your identity;
• your legal name or civil-registry details require a court or administrative correction;
• inconsistent government records are preventing employment, immigration, licensing, or travel;
• an employer, embassy, or government office has imposed an imminent deadline; or
• you have already presented reliable official documents but cannot determine what further action is required to correct the NBI record.

Where the problem concerns a criminal case, obtain the case number, court, branch, and current case status whenever possible. Those details are much more useful than simply stating that your clearance has a "hit."

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an NBI Clearance entirely online?

For an ordinary new application, the registration, appointment, and payment process begins online, but the applicant ordinarily appears at an NBI clearance center for photograph, fingerprints, signature, and verification. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Eligible renewal applicants may now have additional digital options, including NBI eClearance through the eGovPH Super App. (National Bureau of Investigation)

How much is an NBI Clearance?

The NBI's current application guide lists a ₱130 basic fee, plus the applicable e-payment service charge. Check the official portal for the exact amount for your transaction because payment-channel charges may vary. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Qualified first-time jobseekers may be entitled to a one-time statutory fee waiver under Republic Act No. 11261. (Lawphil)

How many IDs do I need?

The current NBI guidance requires two valid government-issued IDs for ordinary clearance processing. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Can I correct my information online after the clearance has already been printed?

The NBI's currently published public guidance does not provide a single nationwide online post-issuance correction procedure for every type of error. For a material error on an issued clearance, contact or visit the NBI with the incorrect clearance and the authoritative documents proving the correct information.

Can I just create another NBI account if my old account has wrong information?

Creating conflicting applicant identities can make verification more difficult. Correct the underlying information through the official NBI process rather than attempting to bypass the discrepancy with a second identity profile.

Does an NBI hit mean I have a criminal record?

Not necessarily. The NBI has expressly described a hit as potentially involving either a criminal-record match or a namesake requiring verification. (National Bureau of Investigation)

How long does a hit take?

The current NBI application guide states that applicants with a hit are generally instructed to return after a specified period, commonly described by the agency as about five to ten working days, while cases requiring Quality Control may involve additional verification. Actual processing can depend on the record that must be checked. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Can the NBI erase a court case from its records just because it was dismissed?

Do not assume so. The NBI is legally tasked to act as a national clearing house of criminal records and related information. (Lawphil) If the status of a case has changed, present the official court disposition and ask the NBI to update or correctly reflect the record. Whether particular historical information must remain, be annotated, or may be removed depends on the governing law and the nature of the record.

Can I demand correction under the Data Privacy Act?

The Data Privacy Act generally recognizes rights concerning inaccurate personal data, but it also contains an exclusion for information necessary to carry out the statutorily mandated functions of law-enforcement and other public authorities. (National Privacy Commission) National Privacy Commission guidance also makes clear that the general right to rectification does not replace a correction that requires a court order, action by another government agency, or another legally prescribed process. (National Privacy Commission)

For that reason, the Data Privacy Act should not be treated as a shortcut for altering a genuine court or criminal record. The practical first step is to establish the correct underlying facts through authoritative records and present them to the NBI.

Official sources and services

• NBI Online Clearance Portal: Official NBI Clearance Portal
• NBI application instructions: How to Apply for NBI Clearance
• NBI Clearance Office Locator: Find an NBI Clearance Office
• NBI clearance contact information: NBI Clearance Contacts
• NBI procedure for applicants abroad: Mailed Clearance — Applying from Abroad
• NBI first-time-jobseeker procedure: NBI Clearance for First-Time Jobseekers
• First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act information: DOLE First-Time Jobseekers Assistance
• National Privacy Commission guidance on rectification: Right to Rectify

General-information disclaimer

This article provides general Philippine legal and procedural information, not individualized legal advice. NBI portal features, payment channels, branch procedures, documentary requirements, and verification instructions can change, and unusual identity or criminal-record issues may require additional documents from the NBI, a court, the civil registrar, PSA, or another government agency. For an actual pending criminal case, warrant, disputed identity, or material record error affecting employment, immigration, or other legal rights, obtain advice based on the specific documents and case status.

Sources and procedures checked as of August 23, 2026.