The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance is a vital document in the Philippines, serving as an official certification that an individual has no derogatory criminal records. For "out-of-town" applicants—those residing in remote provinces, working abroad, or unable to visit a main regional hub—the process is governed by specific administrative protocols designed to ensure identity verification while maintaining the integrity of the database.

I. Primary Identification Requirements

Under the Integrated NBI Clearance System, an applicant must present at least two (2) valid government-issued IDs. These must be original copies, current, and contain a clear photo of the applicant.

Accepted Identifications include:

Philippine Passport
Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
Driver’s License
PhilID (National ID)
PRC License
Voter’s ID or Certificate
PSA-issued Birth Certificate (Original)

II. The "Out-of-Town" Application Modalities

Applicants located far from a major NBI Clearance Center generally fall into two categories: those within the Philippines (Provincial) and those located overseas.

1. Provincial Applicants

For individuals in municipalities without a dedicated NBI office, the following steps are mandatory:

Online Appointment: All applicants must first register via the official NBI Clearance website to secure a reference number and pay the processing fee through authorized channels (e.g., 7-Eleven, GCash, Maya).
Satellite Offices: The NBI has established satellite offices in various provincial malls and municipal halls. Applicants must physically travel to the nearest "Mobile NBI" or District Office for biometrics (fingerprinting and photo capture).

2. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) / Foreign-Based Applicants

If an applicant is literally "out of town" by being out of the country, they are exempt from physical appearance at an NBI office in the Philippines, provided they follow the NBI Form No. 5 protocol:

NBI Form No. 5 (Fingerprint Card): This form is available at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the host country.
Rolled Fingerprints: The applicant must have their fingerprints taken by an authorized officer at the Embassy or a local police agency in their current country of residence.
Authorized Representative: Since the applicant cannot submit the form in person in the Philippines, they must execute a Letter of Authorization or a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) for a representative to submit the documents to the NBI Main Office in Manila.

III. Documentary Requirements for Representatives

When an out-of-town applicant sends a representative to process their clearance, the following must be presented at the NBI office:

Original NBI Form No. 5 (duly accomplished and signed by the foreign police/embassy).
Photocopy of Passport (bio-page and stamps of last arrival/departure).
Authorization Letter or SPA.
Valid ID of the Representative.
Two (2) 2x2 photos with white background (taken within the last three months).

IV. Handling "Hits" and Delays

A "Hit" occurs when an applicant shares the same name as someone with an existing criminal record (alias/nominal match).

The 10-Day Rule: For out-of-town applicants, a "Hit" requires a mandatory waiting period (usually 10 working days) for NBI researchers to verify if the record belongs to the applicant or a namesake.
Affidavit of Denial: If the "Hit" persists, the applicant may be required to execute a notarized Affidavit of Denial, asserting under oath that they are not the person mentioned in the derogatory record.

V. Fees and Validity

Standard Fee: The basic clearance fee is ₱130.00, plus a ₱25.00 system fee for the e-payment service.
Validity: An NBI Clearance is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance.
First-Time Job Seekers: Under Republic Act No. 11261 (First-time Job Seekers Assistance Act), out-of-town graduates may obtain their first NBI clearance free of charge, provided they present a Barangay Certification stating they are a first-time job seeker.

Summary Table: Out-of-Town Application Paths

Applicant Status	Location	Requirement	Method
Provincial	Within PH	Online Reg + 2 IDs	Personal Appearance at nearest District Office
Overseas	Outside PH	NBI Form No. 5 + SPA	Mail to Representative; Submission at NBI Main
Renewing	Anywhere	Old NBI ID Number	Online Renewal (Door-to-door delivery available)