In the Philippines, the National Police Clearance (NPC) serves as a vital legal document issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP). It certifies that an individual has no derogatory records or pending criminal cases filed against them within the PNP's national database. Under the National Police Clearance System (NPCS), the process has transitioned from a localized, precinct-based system to a centralized, digitalized platform, ensuring a more rigorous vetting process.

I. Legal Basis and Purpose

The issuance of police clearances is rooted in the PNP’s mandate to maintain peace and order. While traditionally used for employment, the NPC is now a primary requirement for various government transactions, including:

Local and Overseas Employment: To prove "good moral character" and lack of criminal history.
License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF): A mandatory prerequisite for gun ownership.
Annual Registration of Aliens: For foreign nationals residing in the Philippines.
Credit Applications and Government IDs: Such as the Philippine Passport or Postal ID.

II. Requirements for Application

To ensure the integrity of the document, the PNP requires applicants to present two (2) valid government-issued IDs. These IDs must be original, not expired, and contain the applicant’s full name, clear photo, and signature. Acceptable IDs include:

Philippine Passport
Driver’s License
UMID / SSS / GSIS ID
PRC License
Postal ID
PSA Birth Certificate (Original)
Voter’s ID or Certification

Note: If you only have one valid ID, you may present a Barangay Residency Certificate as a supporting document, though two primary IDs are preferred.

III. The Step-by-Step Process

1. Online Registration and Appointment

The PNP no longer accepts "walk-in" applicants without a prior digital appointment.

Visit the official NPCS Website (https://pnpclearance.ph).
Create an account using a valid email address.
Fill out the Applicant Information form accurately. Discrepancies between your online form and your physical IDs may result in the forfeiture of your application.
Select the preferred Police Station and the available date and time for your appointment.

2. Payment of Fees

The standard fee for a National Police Clearance is PHP 150.00, plus a small convenience fee (usually PHP 10.00 to PHP 30.00) for digital processing.

Payment is usually facilitated through Landbank’s Link.BizPortal.
Applicants can pay via over-the-counter (Landbank), GCash, Maya, or other integrated 7-Eleven payment centers.
Save your receipt/reference number. You cannot proceed to the station without proof of payment.

3. Biometric Capture and Photo-Taking

On your scheduled date, proceed to the chosen Police Station.

Present your Appointment Slip and Official Receipt.
Your fingerprints and digital photo will be captured by the duty officer.
A signature specimen will also be collected electronically.

4. Vetting and the "HIT" Status

Once biometrics are encoded, the system runs your name through the Global Control and Analysis database.

No Hit: If no record is found, the clearance is printed and issued within minutes.
With Hit: If a person with the same name has a pending case or record, the applicant will undergo a verification period (usually 3 to 5 working days). A police researcher will manually verify if the record belongs to the applicant or a namesake.
Criminal Record: If the "hit" is confirmed to be the applicant and the case is active, the clearance will be denied until legal resolution is provided (e.g., a Court Clearance or Certificate of Finality).

IV. Validity and Verification

A National Police Clearance is valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance. Each certificate contains a unique QR Code which employers or government agencies can scan to verify the document's authenticity against the PNP's live database.

V. Crucial Legal Reminders

Appearance: Personal appearance is mandatory. You cannot send a representative via a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) because biometrics are required.
Honesty: Providing false information or using fictitious names in the NPCS portal is punishable under Revised Penal Code provisions regarding falsification of public documents.
Renewal: There is no "renewal" process in the traditional sense; every application is treated as a fresh entry to ensure the criminal database is checked against the most current data.