How to Check for Outstanding Warrants or Criminal Records in the Philippines (NBI, Courts, PNP)

This guide is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. If you suspect you have a warrant, talk to a lawyer before visiting a police station or court.

Quick map of where records live

NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) Nation-wide repository for derogatory records used for NBI Clearance. Flags arrests, pending/decided cases, aliases, and name hits across agencies.
PNP (Philippine National Police)
- National Police Clearance (NPC) system checks PNP’s crime information databases.
- Local police stations also hold blotter reports and case referrals.
- Specialized units (e.g., CIDG) and the Warrant Section maintain lists of warrants for service.
Courts (First-Level & Regional Trial Courts; Sandiganbayan; CA; SC) Only courts issue warrants. Case dockets and orders (including warrants) are on the court record. Many trial-court records are not searchable online by the public; verification is through the Office of the Clerk of Court or the branch handling the case.
Other watchlists you may encounter
- Bureau of Immigration derogatory list, Watchlist/Blacklist, Hold Departure Orders (for travel).
- Prosecution offices (DOJ/City Prosecutor) for the status of complaints before filing in court.

Understanding warrants & records (legal basics)

Warrant of Arrest: Issued by a judge upon finding probable cause. Valid nationwide and generally does not expire until served or recalled.
Bench Warrant: Issued for failure to appear or comply with a court order in a pending case.
Search Warrant: Separate from arrest warrants; valid for a limited period (10 days) and for a specific place/item.
Bailable vs. non-bailable offenses: If the offense is bailable, bail may be posted; strategy and timing should be coordinated by counsel.
Custodial rights: Upon arrest, you have rights under the Constitution and RA 7438 (to be informed of charges, to counsel, to remain silent, to notify a relative).
Juveniles: Records involving children in conflict with the law are confidential (RA 9344).
Data privacy: Access to personal records must comply with the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173)—expect identity verification and limits on what third parties can obtain without your consent.

Strategy if you think you might have a warrant

Consult counsel first. Showing up at a station or court can lead to immediate service of a warrant. A lawyer can:
- Check discreetly with the court or prosecutor,
- Arrange voluntary surrender or bail (if bailable),
- File urgent motions (e.g., to recall a bench warrant, to fix bail, or to quash).
Narrow down the likely court based on where the incident happened or was investigated (venue rules generally tie the case to the place of the alleged offense).
Prepare identity documents (government ID, prior clearances, proof of name changes) and any case documents you may have (subpoenas, resolutions, receipts of bail, orders).

How to check your own record through NBI

A. Get an NBI Clearance (the most accepted nationwide self-check)

Register online (first-time or renewal) and set an appointment at an NBI center.
Biometrics & photo capture at the appointment.
Result possibilities:
- “No Record” / “Clear” → You can print your clearance (with a QR/security features).
- “HIT” → Your name matched an entry; you’ll be told to return or you may be routed to Quality Control for manual verification.
If you get a HIT
- Bring supporting documents (e.g., certified copies of dismissal, acquittal, or clearance orders; ID showing middle name/aliases).
- After verification, the NBI will update your result to either No Derogatory Record or With Derogatory Record (with notations depending on outcome).
- If the database is outdated (e.g., your case was already dismissed), request updating/“lifting” by submitting the final court order to NBI Quality Control.

Tip: Use your full legal name with middle name, and disclose known aliases/maiden names to minimize false hits.

How to check via the PNP (Police Clearances & Warrant Sections)

A. National Police Clearance (NPC)

Register in the NPC online portal, select a police station, choose a schedule, and pay the fee.
Appear for biometrics (fingerprints, photo).
Assessment:
- No Hit → Clearance is printed with QR code.
- Hit → The station/desk officer verifies the match. You may be asked for documents or further checks.

NPC vs NBI: NPC queries the PNP’s internal systems (focus on police blotters and case referrals), while NBI aggregates broader derogatory data. Employers often prefer NBI Clearance; some accept both.

B. Checking with the PNP Warrant Section

Each city/provincial office has a Warrant and Subpoena unit that receives warrants from courts for service.
Direct walk-in checks are risky if you suspect an active warrant. Have your lawyer coordinate inquiries or arrange a controlled appearance if voluntary surrender is the plan.

How to check with the Courts

Because most first-level and RTC records are not in a public, nationwide online search, the reliable route is:

Identify the probable court (city/municipality of the incident or where the prosecutor filed the Information).
Ask your counsel (or you, if safe to do so) to contact the Office of the Clerk of Court or the branch clerk and request a case status or docket search by name and possible date range/offense.
If a case exists:
- Request the case number, title of the case, status, and copies of orders (e.g., warrant of arrest, order admitting bail, order recalling warrant).
- Obtain certified true copies if needed for NBI/PNP updating or for employment/travel.

Special courts & higher courts

Sandiganbayan (public officials), Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court publish decisions, but trial-level case status still resides with the issuing branch.

Prosecutor-level checks (before a case reaches court)

A complaint may be under preliminary investigation at the City/Provincial Prosecutor (no arrest warrant yet unless an inquest led to filing in court).
You (or counsel) can inquire about the I.S. number (Investigation Slip), respondent/complainant names, and resolution status.
Once the Information is filed, the court acquires jurisdiction and may issue a warrant of arrest (except when the accused posts bail before arrest in bailable offenses, if allowed by the court).

If you discover there is a warrant

Tell your lawyer immediately.
Confirm the current status with the issuing court (warrants can be recalled, modified, or already served).
Plan the safest next step:
- Bailable offense → Prepare cash bail or coordinate a surety bond; bring IDs, pictures as required by local practice.
- Bench warrant (failure to appear) → Counsel can file a Motion to Lift/Recall explaining the absence and offering to appear, often with a compliance (e.g., updated address).
- Non-bailable offense → Discuss surrender strategy and remedies (e.g., petition for bail based on evidence of guilt not strong).
Voluntary surrender: May be favorably noted by the court and can reduce risks during service.
Keep copies of any Order recalling the warrant and official receipts for bail to update NBI/PNP records.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them

Name-sake hits: Use full middle name, correct birthdate, and aliases you actually used. Bring supporting IDs.
Old dismissed cases still appearing: Secure a certified true copy of the dismissal/acquittal and submit to NBI Quality Control and, if needed, the police station that flagged you.
Relying on third-party “fixers”: Avoid them. All checks should be done through official channels.
Travel risks: If you suspect a warrant or are on a BI holdlist, do not attempt to depart the country without clearing it; coordinate with counsel and the Bureau of Immigration for verification.
Employer checks without consent: Employers may ask you to provide clearances; they generally cannot obtain your records without your knowledge/consent (Data Privacy Act).

For employers, schools, and NGOs (background checks)

Ask the applicant to submit a recent NBI Clearance (and NPC, if your policy requires it).
Provide a reasonable period for applicants who get a “HIT” to complete verification.
Store clearances securely; adopt data minimization and retention limits per RA 10173.
Avoid asking for unnecessary sensitive data (e.g., unrelated medical data or family names beyond what’s required for identity).

For OFWs and visa applicants

Foreign embassies typically require an NBI Clearance (not just police clearance).
If you previously lived under a different name (e.g., maiden name), apply under all names used and keep documentary proof of name change.
Check for immigration holds if you have ongoing cases.

Document checklist

For NBI/NPC appointments

Primary government ID (with photo and signature)
Old NBI/NPC clearances (if renewing)
Proof of name change (marriage certificate, court-approved change of name)
If you had a case: certified copies of the Information, Decision/Order, Entry of Judgment, or Order of Dismissal/Recall

For court/prosecutor verification

Names (with middle names), birthdate, and possible aliases
Estimated date range, location, and nature of the incident
Any reference numbers (police blotter number, I.S. number, case number)

Templates (you can adapt as needed)

1) Request to Clerk of Court for Case/Name Verification

The Clerk of Court [Court/Branch], [City/Province]

Re: Verification of Case/Name — [Your Full Name, Birthdate]

Dear Clerk of Court: I respectfully request confirmation of any pending or decided criminal case(s) and/or outstanding warrant(s) involving me, [Full Name, Middle Name, Birthdate, Address]. If any case exists, kindly provide the case number, offense, current status, and whether a warrant of arrest is outstanding or recalled. I am attaching a valid ID for identity verification. Thank you.

Sincerely, [Signature / Contact details]

2) Cover Letter to NBI Quality Control to Lift a Hit

National Bureau of Investigation — Quality Control

Re: Request to Update Record / Lift Hit — [Full Name, Birthdate]

Dear Officer: I received a HIT during my NBI Clearance application due to [case details]. The case has been [dismissed/acquitted/withdrawn]. Attached are certified copies of the [Order/Decision, Entry of Judgment, etc.] for database updating. Kindly update my records and advise if additional documents are required.

Respectfully, [Signature / Contact details]

FAQs

Is there a public website to search if I have a warrant? No centralized public database exists for all lower courts. Verification is via the issuing court or through clearances (NBI/NPC). Avoid unofficial websites claiming to provide warrant lookups.

Do arrest warrants expire? Generally, no. They remain until served or recalled. (Search warrants, by contrast, have a short validity.)

What if I’ve already posted bail before arrest? Confirm with the court that the warrant is recalled or no warrant was issued. Keep certified copies of the order and receipts.

Can someone else check my record for me? Because of data privacy, third parties typically need your written consent and your IDs. Lawyers may inquire on your behalf.

Bottom line

For self-checks, start with NBI Clearance; consider NPC as a supplemental check.
For definite answers about warrants, verification must come from the issuing court.
If you suspect an active warrant, coordinate through counsel to manage risk, arrange bail, and handle court appearances.