Quick answer

Apply through the official NBI Clearance portal, schedule and pay online, then personally visit the selected NBI office for identity verification, photograph, fingerprints, and signature. Bring your reference number, proof of payment, and two original, unexpired government-issued IDs or other documents accepted by the NBI.

If information is wrong, correct it before the clearance is printed. If the certificate has already been issued, request correction from the issuing NBI office or through the NBI’s official clearance contacts, supported by identification and records showing the correct entry. The NBI can correct an error in its own data, but it generally cannot change an accurate civil-registry or court record merely on request. Those source records may have to be corrected first.

A “HIT” is not automatically a conviction or proof that the record belongs to you. It means the application needs further verification. Follow the return date or Quality Control instructions given by the NBI.

How to obtain an NBI clearance

1. Use only the official portal

Go directly to clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Avoid websites, social-media accounts, agents, or “fixers” that imitate the NBI or promise a clearance without the required process.

Register or sign in using an active mobile number and email address. The current NBI procedure uses a one-time password for account verification.

2. Complete and review your profile

Enter your personal information exactly as it appears in your reliable identity records. Check particularly:

Complete first, middle, and last names, including suffixes
Date and place of birth
Sex and civil status
Current address
Parents’ names
Spacing, hyphens, compound surnames, and special characters

Do not assume that a minor spelling difference will be ignored. The NBI specifically instructs applicants to make their profile match their valid identification documents.

3. Apply, select an office, and book a slot

Choose “Apply for Clearance,” identify the government ID you intend to present, select an NBI branch, and choose an available AM or PM appointment.

The NBI’s office locator instructs applicants to apply and pay online before visiting an issuing office. Branch schedules and operating arrangements may differ, so follow the appointment details shown in your transaction.

The NBI’s current guide says a transaction marked “PAID” typically has a 15-day grace period if the applicant misses the selected date. Do not rely on that grace period when your transaction, chosen office, or an NBI advisory gives different instructions. If in doubt, contact the office before travelling.

4. Pay through the selected channel

As of the source check date, the NBI’s application guide states a basic clearance fee of ₱130, plus an e-payment service charge usually around ₱25 to ₱30. The actual service charge depends on the payment channel and should be displayed before payment.

Save the reference number immediately. Keep a screenshot or printout of:

The reference number or QR code
Appointment details
Payment instructions
Receipt or payment confirmation
The transaction page showing “PAID”

Do not pay a number sent privately by an alleged NBI employee or fixer.

5. Appear personally for biometrics

Bring:

Your reference number or QR code
Proof of payment
Two original, unexpired government-issued IDs or acceptable government records

The NBI’s current examples include a passport, driver’s license, National ID, UMID, Postal ID, and PSA birth certificate. Acceptance can depend on the document and the applicant’s circumstances, so bring the strongest consistent records available. A photocopy or phone image may not substitute for an original document.

At the branch, the NBI will capture your photograph, fingerprints, and electronic signature. The operator will also ask you to verify your encoded information. Read every entry on the screen before approving it.

6. Wait for the database result

If there is no HIT, the clearance may be printed during the visit.

If there is a HIT, the NBI conducts manual verification. Its current guide gives a usual return period of approximately five to ten working days, while the Citizen’s Charter directs applicants to follow the scheduled return date and, when required, undergo a Quality Control interview. Use the exact date and instructions given to you rather than calculating your own deadline.

The return for HIT verification should not require another clearance fee for the same transaction.

Free clearance for first-time jobseekers

Republic Act No. 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, waives the NBI clearance fee for an eligible first-time jobseeker. The statutory benefit may be used only once.

Use the dedicated First-Time Jobseekers portal rather than paying through the ordinary application route. The NBI’s First-Time Jobseeker Citizen’s Charter requires:

A barangay certification of first-time-jobseeker status, on official barangay letterhead, dry-sealed, and signed by the Punong Barangay or authorized barangay officer
Two valid government-issued IDs or acceptable certificates
The required oath of undertaking

Bring the original documents. Do not pay first and expect the payment to be refunded later unless the NBI expressly confirms that procedure.

Renewal without a branch visit

The NBI’s current guide allows online renewal with courier delivery for a clearance issued from 2014 onward when there are no changes to the applicant’s personal details.

Use a regular application or obtain NBI instructions if your name, date or place of birth, civil status, or other material information has changed. A convenient renewal should not be used to reproduce information you already know is wrong.

How to correct an application or issued clearance

Error found before printing

If the application has not yet been finalized, correct every field that the portal still allows you to edit. Review the full profile again before scheduling or paying.

If an essential field is locked, or the error appears only after payment:

Do not create several accounts or pay for several transactions without NBI instructions.
Bring the reference number, receipt, and supporting identity documents to the selected branch.
Tell the biometrics or data-verification operator about the error before approving the information.
Confirm the corrected spelling and details on the verification screen before printing.

Error found immediately after printing

Inspect the clearance before leaving the office. Check the name, birth details, civil status, photograph, date of issuance, and other printed entries.

If something is wrong:

Return immediately to the releasing or customer-assistance counter.
Show the issued clearance, payment record, IDs, and documents proving the correct information.
Ask whether the error is limited to the printed certificate or also appears in the NBI database.
Obtain a claim slip, ticket number, or receiving copy if the matter cannot be resolved immediately.
Ask whether a new certificate or payment is required. Do not rely on unofficial correction-fee schedules.

A request to correct personal data is generally distinct from a request for a newly issued clearance. The first may be an exercise of a privacy right; the second may remain subject to the lawful clearance fee.

Error discovered later or repeated in NBI records

Send a written rectification request to the issuing office or the NBI Clearance and Identification Center. Include only the information reasonably necessary to identify the record:

Full name and date of birth
Transaction reference number
Date and place of issuance
The incorrect entry
The exact correction requested
Copies of reliable supporting records
Your contact information
A request for written confirmation when the record is corrected

Keep the original documents and provide copies unless the NBI requires inspection of the originals. Ask for proof that the request was received.

Under the Data Privacy Act and National Privacy Commission guidance on rectification, a person may dispute inaccurate personal data and require the personal information controller to correct it within a reasonable period. NPC Advisory No. 2021-01 also states that no particular form is indispensable when a request contains enough information to process it.

This right does not bypass a court order, civil-registration proceeding, or another official correction process required by law. A manifestly unfounded, vexatious, or unreasonable request may also be denied.

When the source identity record is wrong

The NBI will normally need authoritative records supporting the identity you want reflected. If your PSA birth or marriage record itself contains the disputed entry, correcting only the NBI clearance may create more inconsistencies.

Republic Act No. 9048 and Republic Act No. 10172 allow local civil registrars or Philippine consuls to correct specified clerical or typographical errors and certain entries without a court order. The PSA’s administrative-correction guidance covers:

Clerical or typographical errors
Certain changes of first name or nickname
Patent clerical errors in the day or month of birth
Patent clerical errors in the recorded sex

These laws do not administratively cover every requested change. Corrections affecting matters such as nationality, age or year of birth, legitimacy, or other substantial civil-status issues may require a different proceeding or a court order. Obtain advice from the local civil registrar or a Philippine lawyer before filing the wrong remedy.

After the source record is corrected, bring the annotated or corrected civil-registry document and consistent IDs to the NBI.

When the problem is a HIT or criminal-record entry

A HIT must be handled through NBI verification, not by editing the online profile.

If the record appears to belong to a namesake

Attend the scheduled releasing or Quality Control interview. Bring your original IDs and any records the NBI asks for. Give accurate identifying information and let the NBI compare the possible match against its database.

Do not submit an affidavit denying the case as a substitute for NBI and court verification unless the NBI specifically asks for one.

If the case is yours but has been resolved

Identify the case number, court, branch, charge, and final outcome. Obtain certified records from the court or other office that controlled the proceeding, such as the dismissal order, judgment, entry of judgment, certification of finality, or another disposition document applicable to the case. The required document depends on what happened procedurally, so ask the NBI Quality Control unit which certified records it needs.

An applicant’s statement that a case was “settled,” dismissed, or already finished does not by itself update a court or NBI record.

If an active warrant may exist

Seek criminal-law assistance promptly before appearing. Applying for a clearance does not cancel a warrant. The NBI verifies possible derogatory records with the issuing court and may lawfully implement a confirmed active warrant.

Do not attempt to conceal your identity, use a different spelling, submit false records, or ask another person to undergo biometrics for you.

Evidence to preserve

Keep a secure file containing:

Screenshots of the completed profile before submission
Appointment and transaction confirmations
Reference number and proof of payment
The issued clearance or a clear copy
The return or Quality Control slip
Copies of the IDs and civil records presented
Certified court dispositions, when applicable
Written correction requests
Email delivery receipts, acknowledgments, and ticket numbers
Notes of the date, office, and unit that handled the request

An NBI clearance contains sensitive personal information. Send copies only through verified NBI channels and avoid posting an unredacted clearance, QR code, reference number, birth date, or ID online.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a look-alike website instead of clearance.nbi.gov.ph
Paying before reviewing the applicant profile
Omitting a middle name, suffix, compound name, or prior surname
Bringing only photocopies or expired IDs
Using online renewal despite a material change or known error
Treating a HIT as proof of guilt—or ignoring it as harmless
Missing the exact Quality Control or return instructions
Assuming the NBI can correct an inaccurate birth certificate or court record
Paying a fixer or

Quick answer

Apply through the official NBI Clearance portal, review your personal details carefully, schedule and pay for an appointment, then appear at the selected NBI office with your reference number, proof of payment, and two acceptable government-issued IDs or documents. The branch will capture your photograph, fingerprints, and signature before checking and printing the clearance.

If information is wrong, request correction before printing. For an error discovered after issuance, contact the issuing branch or the NBI Clearance Center and bring the clearance, transaction records, identification, and documents proving the correct entry. The NBI can correct errors in its own application or database, but it cannot simply change an accurate civil-registry or court record. Those records may have to be corrected first by the civil registrar, PSA, court, or other responsible agency.

How to obtain an NBI clearance

1. Use only the official portal

Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph, which is linked from the official NBI website. Avoid similarly named commercial websites, social-media agents, and fixers.

Create an account or sign in using an active mobile number and email address. The current NBI process uses a one-time password for account verification.

2. Complete and check your profile

Enter the requested personal, family, education, and employment information. Your identity details should match your supporting records exactly, including:

Complete first, middle, and last names
Suffix, if legally part of your name
Date and place of birth
Sex and civil status
Current address
Names used before marriage or under an earlier civil status, when the form asks for them

Do not rely on nicknames or informal spellings. Check compound names, spaces, hyphens, “Ma.” versus “Maria,” “De la Cruz” variations, and suffixes such as “Jr.” or “III.”

3. Apply, choose a branch, and schedule

Select “Apply for Clearance,” identify the acceptable government ID or document you will present, choose an NBI clearance office, and select an available morning or afternoon slot.

The NBI’s current guide says a transaction marked PAID typically has a 15-day grace period if the applicant misses the selected window. Do not assume that this overrides instructions shown in your account, payment confirmation, or branch notice. Follow the date and status displayed in the portal or confirm with NBI before travelling.

Use the official NBI Clearance Office Locator to identify an authorized site. Branch schedules may differ from those of the main clearance center.

4. Pay through the selected channel

As of August 1, 2026, the NBI’s current application guide states a basic clearance fee of ₱130, plus an e-payment service charge that is usually about ₱25 to ₱30. The exact total depends on the payment channel and should appear before payment.

Save the generated reference number and wait for the portal to show the transaction as paid. Keep:

A screenshot or printout of the reference number
The appointment confirmation or QR code
The official receipt or electronic proof of payment
A screenshot of the paid transaction status

5. Appear personally for biometrics

Bring:

The reference number or QR code
Proof of payment
Two original, unexpired acceptable government-issued IDs or documents

The NBI’s current guide gives examples such as a passport, driver’s license, National ID, UMID, Postal ID, and PSA birth certificate. Acceptance still depends on the NBI’s current rules and the condition and consistency of the documents. Bring an additional government ID if available, especially when names or other details differ.

At the branch, NBI personnel will capture your photograph, fingerprints, and electronic signature. You should be shown your encoded details for verification. Read every field before approving the record or allowing the clearance to be printed.

6. Wait for the record check

If there is no hit, the clearance may be printed after processing.

A hit means the system found a possible match requiring manual verification. It does not, by itself, establish that the applicant committed an offense. The match may involve a namesake, similar identifying information, or a record that requires review.

The NBI’s current guidance says applicants with a hit are usually instructed to return after about five to ten working days, without another clearance fee for that return. Follow the exact date given by the branch. A case sent to Quality Control may require an interview and further verification.

First-time jobseekers

Under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, Republic Act No. 11261, an eligible first-time jobseeker may obtain an NBI clearance without paying the government fee. The statutory benefit may be used only once.

Use the dedicated NBI First-Time Jobseekers portal instead of paying through the regular portal. The NBI Citizen’s Charter for first-time jobseekers requires:

A barangay certification identifying the applicant as a first-time jobseeker
Two acceptable government-issued IDs or certificates
The required oath of undertaking

The barangay certification should be on official letterhead, dry-sealed, and signed by the Punong Barangay or an authorized barangay officer. Fabricating or falsifying proof of eligibility may lead to liability under the Revised Penal Code.

Online renewal

The NBI currently permits online renewal and courier delivery for certain applicants whose earlier clearance was issued from 2014 onward and whose personal details have not changed.

Use renewal only if the old record remains accurate. A change in name, date or place of birth, or another material identity detail should be handled through the regular application or correction process so the evidence can be examined. Courier and service charges are separate from the basic clearance fee and should be confirmed in the portal before payment.

How to correct an application or issued clearance

If you notice the error before your appointment

Log in and correct every field that the portal still allows you to edit. Save the changes and check the entire profile again.

If an essential field is locked, do not create several accounts or repeatedly pay in the hope that one record will be accepted. Contact the selected branch or the NBI Clearance Center and ask how the transaction should be corrected before biometrics and printing.

If you notice the error during branch processing

Tell the biometrics or data-verification operator immediately. Show the original document proving the correct entry and ask that the screen be corrected before you confirm it.

This is the simplest stage at which to address an encoding mistake. Do not accept a printed clearance with an error merely because an employer or visa deadline is near; the discrepancy may create a larger problem later.

If the clearance has already been printed

Return to or contact the issuing office as soon as possible. Bring or submit:

The erroneous clearance
Reference number and official receipt
Appointment or transaction record
Two acceptable IDs or identity documents
The official document proving the correct information
Earlier NBI clearances, if relevant
A short written explanation identifying the incorrect and correct entries

Examples of supporting records may include a PSA birth or marriage certificate, annotated civil-registry record, passport, court order, or final court disposition. The exact documents depend on what is being corrected. Ask the NBI to confirm whether it will amend the existing record, require a fresh application, or issue a replacement certificate.

The NBI has not published a single nationwide online fee and document schedule covering every post-issuance correction. Do not rely on unofficial claims about a “correction fee.” Request an official assessment and receipt for any amount charged. Exercising the privacy right to rectify personal data is generally distinct from paying for a new or reissued clearance certificate.

Make a written rectification request when necessary

Section 16 of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the National Privacy Commission’s right-to-rectification guidance allow a person to dispute inaccurate personal data and request its correction within a reasonable period.

A useful written request should state:

Your complete name and contact details
Date of birth and enough information for NBI to identify your record
Transaction or clearance reference number
The exact entry that is wrong
The correct entry
How the mistake was discovered
The correction or reissuance requested
A list of supporting documents

Ask for a receiving copy, ticket number, or email acknowledgment. The NPC’s guidance does not require a particular standard form when the request already contains enough information to process it, although the NBI may use its own official form.

The right to rectification does not bypass a court order or another legally required government procedure. A request may also be denied if it is manifestly unfounded, vexatious, or unreasonable.

When the problem comes from another official record

The NBI generally cannot treat an applicant’s statement as authority to rewrite an accurate PSA, civil-registry, or court record.

Birth, marriage, or other civil-registry discrepancy

Under Republic Act No. 9048, as amended by Republic Act No. 10172, certain clerical or typographical errors, changes of first name or nickname, and specified errors involving the day or month of birth or sex may be handled administratively by the proper civil registrar or consul general.

Not every change qualifies. Substantial changes—including matters affecting nationality, age, legitimacy, or civil status—may require the appropriate judicial or other legal process. The PSA’s official correction guide explains where administrative petitions are filed and the supporting-document rules.

After the source record is corrected, obtain the annotated or updated official document and present it to the NBI.

Incorrect, outdated, or disputed criminal-case information

Ask the NBI Quality Control officer to identify, as far as legally disclosable, the case number, court or office, and record requiring verification.

If the case concerns you but has been dismissed, decided, or otherwise resolved, obtain certified records from the court or office that controlled the case. Depending on its status, relevant evidence may include a certified order, judgment, entry of judgment, certification of finality, or certification concerning the warrant or case. Ask the NBI which specific record it requires; a photocopy, private affidavit, or verbal claim may not be enough.

If the case belongs to another person, present identity documents showing the distinction and cooperate with the Quality Control interview. Record verification may take time because the NBI may need confirmation from the originating court.

An actual pending warrant is not cancelled by applying for a clearance or by stating that a case was “settled.” Seek a criminal-defense lawyer urgently if the record appears to involve you or if you are unsure whether a warrant remains active. The NBI has documented instances in which an active warrant confirmed during clearance processing led to arrest.

Applicants outside the Philippines

A new overseas applicant generally obtains NBI Form No. 5 from a Philippine embassy or consulate, completes it without erasures, and has rolled fingerprint impressions taken and officially certified. The application must include a recent 2×2 photograph and a copy of the passport biodata page.

The completed documents may be mailed to the NBI Mailed Clearance Section or handled by an authorized representative in the Philippines. The NBI’s official overseas procedure states that processing takes a maximum of five working days after receipt of complete documents, apart from mailing or courier time.

Only clearances issued from 2014 onward may use the overseas mail or representative renewal route described by the NBI. Older clearances are treated as new applications. If identity details require correction, contact the Mailed Clearance Section before sending the documents.

Evidence to preserve

Keep a secure copy of:

The profile as submitted
Appointment and payment confirmation
Reference number and official receipt
The issued clearance, including its identifying number or QR code
Any correction request and attachments
Proof that the NBI received the request
Branch instructions, return slip, or Quality Control schedule
Certified civil-registry or court records
Emails and follow-up records

These documents help establish whether the mistake came from the application, encoding, source record, or NBI database. Do not post an unredacted clearance, ID, fingerprint form, or QR code publicly.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using an unofficial clearance website or paying a fixer
Paying before reviewing the profile
Omitting a compound first name, suffix, or legally used surname
Bringing only photocopies or expired identification
Using online renewal despite a material change in personal details
Approving the verification screen without reading it
Assuming that a hit means conviction—or that it will disappear automatically
Ignoring the branch’s return date or Quality Control instructions
Trying to correct an underlying PSA or court record only through the NBI
Sending sensitive documents to non-nbi.gov.ph email addresses

When help is urgent

Contact the NBI promptly if the clearance error may affect an imminent employment, immigration, licensing, or deployment deadline. Ask the receiving employer or agency whether it can provisionally accept the official receipt, scheduled return slip, or written proof that correction is underway; acceptance is entirely up to that institution.

Consult a lawyer urgently when:

The record identifies an active warrant
Quality Control refers to a criminal case that may concern you
The case status differs from what the court records show
The correction requires a court order
An arrest, travel, immigration, or employment deadline is imminent

For ordinary clearance and correction questions, use the official NBI contact page. As of August 1, 2026, it lists:

Clearance landline: (02) 8524-1277
Mobile: 0939 150 2880
Email: nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph
Mailed-clearance email: mailedclearance@nbi.gov.ph

If the NBI fails to address an alleged privacy-right violation, first send the issue to it in writing and preserve proof of receipt. The National Privacy Commission generally requires this prior written notice and proof that no timely or appropriate action followed before it will entertain a complaint. Its complaint guidance explains the current exhaustion and evidence requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Does a hit mean I have a criminal record?

No. It means a possible match or record requires manual verification. The NBI may determine that the record belongs to a namesake.

Can I correct an error entirely online?

Correct any editable profile fields online before processing. Locked fields, printed-clearance errors, civil-status changes, and record disputes may require branch verification and supporting documents.

Will the NBI correct my birth certificate?

No. Civil-registry errors must be addressed through the proper civil registrar, consul, PSA process, or court. Present the corrected or annotated official record to the NBI afterward.

Do I have to pay again for a correction?

It depends on whether NBI can correct the pending transaction or requires a new or reissued clearance. Request an official assessment and receipt. Do not pay an unofficial “correction fee.”

Can another person attend the local biometrics appointment for me?

No. The photograph, fingerprints, and signature require the applicant’s personal participation. A representative may assist with the NBI’s prescribed overseas mailed-clearance procedure after the applicant’s fingerprints have been properly taken and certified.

What if I miss my paid appointment?

The NBI’s current guide says a paid transaction typically has a 15-day grace period. Check the status and instructions in your account or confirm with the branch instead of relying on the grace period automatically.

How long is the clearance valid?

Follow the validity or expiry date printed on the clearance and any more recent requirement imposed by the receiving employer, consulate, or government agency. First-time-jobseeker clearances are expressly issued with one-year validity under the applicable program guidance.

What should I do if an employer already received the erroneous clearance?

Tell the employer promptly that correction has been requested, preserve the message, and provide the corrected clearance when issued. Do not alter the certificate yourself.

This article provides general Philippine legal information, not legal advice for a particular case. Procedures may depend on the applicant’s documents, branch, transaction status, and the record being verified. Official sources and procedures were checked as of August 1, 2026.