Quick answer

Apply only through the official NBI Clearance portal, enter your details exactly as they appear on your government records, choose an NBI branch and appointment slot, pay through the available channel, and appear for identity and biometric verification with your reference number and two original, valid government-issued IDs.

If information is wrong, correct it before payment and biometric capture whenever the portal still permits editing. If a key field is locked, the application has already been paid, or an incorrect clearance has been printed, contact or visit the NBI instead of altering the document yourself. Bring the incorrect clearance, transaction records, IDs, and the civil or court documents proving the correct entry. Depending on the error, the NBI may require a corrected application, fresh biometrics, verification, and issuance of a new clearance.

An error in an NBI record is different from an error in a birth, marriage, or other civil-registry record. The NBI can correct information it maintains, but it cannot amend the underlying civil register.

What an NBI clearance establishes

An NBI clearance reports the result of the Bureau’s search of its criminal-record database using the applicant’s identity and biometrics. It is commonly requested for employment, licensing, immigration, travel, and other official transactions.

It is not a court judgment, proof that a person has never been accused of an offense, or a substitute for truthful answers on an application form. A clearance also does not erase a case, conviction, or other official record.

Check the validity stated on the issued document and the receiving organization’s own freshness requirement. An employer, embassy, licensing authority, or court may require a clearance issued within a shorter period even if the document has not yet reached its printed expiration date.

How to obtain a clearance in the Philippines

1. Use the official portal

Go directly to the NBI Clearance portal. Avoid look-alike websites, social-media agents, and anyone promising to remove a “hit.”

Register or sign in using an active email address and mobile number. The NBI’s current guide states that account verification may require a one-time password. Complete the applicant information form and review every field before saving or submitting it.

Match your authoritative documents, particularly your:

Complete first, middle, and last names, including suffixes
Date and place of birth
Sex and civil status
Present and permanent addresses
Spouse’s name, when requested
Parents’ names
Identifying-document numbers

Do not omit a second given name merely because you rarely use it. Do not substitute a nickname for the registered first name or put a suffix in the wrong field.

2. Choose a branch and appointment

Select an available NBI clearance center, date, and session in the portal. The NBI advises applicants to apply and pay online before visiting a clearance office. Its office locator lists available locations.

A paid appointment is generally tied to the transaction details shown in the portal. If you cannot attend, check the current transaction status or ask the NBI whether it remains usable. Do not rely on an unofficially stated grace period.

3. Pay and preserve the reference number

The NBI’s current application guide lists a basic clearance fee of ₱130, with an additional service charge that depends on the selected payment channel. The total displayed before payment controls the transaction.

Save:

The reference number or QR code
Screenshot of the appointment
Payment confirmation and official receipt
The account email address and mobile number used
Any error message or failed-payment record

Do not pay a reference number generated for another applicant.

4. Bring the required documents

The NBI requires two valid government-issued IDs. Bring the originals, not merely photographs or photocopies. The NBI’s guide gives examples such as a passport, driver’s license, Philippine Identification card, UMID, Postal ID, or PSA-issued birth certificate. Acceptance can depend on the document’s validity and condition, so bring additional supporting identification if your names differ across records.

Also bring:

Your digital or printed reference number
Proof of payment
Documents supporting any lawful name or civil-status change
Your old clearance, if relevant to a renewal or correction

5. Complete biometrics and verify the data

At the branch, the NBI captures the applicant’s photograph, fingerprints, and electronic signature. Before final processing, inspect the information displayed to you. This is the best time to stop a misspelling, transposed birth date, missing name, or incorrect civil status from appearing on the certificate.

Do not confirm that the information is correct unless it actually is.

6. Wait for database verification and release

If there is no possible database match, the clearance may be printed after verification. The NBI Citizen’s Charter lists only the agency’s processing steps; those short service times do not include queues, system outages, document problems, or record verification.

A “hit” does not by itself mean that the applicant has a criminal case or is guilty of an offense. It means the application requires further comparison or verification. Follow the return date given by the NBI. If directed to Quality Control, attend the interview and answer accurately. The NBI Citizen’s Charter confirms that applications marked “with hit” may be scheduled for later release and that some applicants must undergo a Quality Control interview concerning the possible record.

Online renewal

The NBI states that clearances issued beginning in 2014 may qualify for renewal. Its online guide describes a delivery option for applicants whose personal information has not changed.

Use renewal only when the old record remains accurate. A convenient renewal is not the appropriate route if you need to correct a name, birth detail, civil status, or other material information. In that situation, use a new or corrected application and expect identity and biometric verification.

Courier charges, coverage, availability, and delivery times are separate from the basic clearance fee and should be checked in the official portal before payment.

Free clearance for a first-time jobseeker

Republic Act No. 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, waives the NBI clearance fee for an eligible first-time jobseeker obtaining the document for employment. The benefit may be used only once, and the applicant must present a barangay certification stating that the person is a first-time jobseeker. Fabricating or falsifying that certification may result in liability under the Revised Penal Code. Read Republic Act No. 11261.

Use the official First-Time Jobseekers portal and bring:

The original barangay certification on official letterhead, signed by the Punong Barangay or authorized barangay officer and bearing the required seal
The required oath or undertaking
Two valid government-issued IDs or acceptable certificates

The waiver covers the government fee for the qualifying transaction. It does not automatically make unrelated expenses—such as transportation, photocopying, private assistance, or an optional delivery service—free. The NBI’s First-Time Jobseeker Citizen’s Charter describes the documentary and biometric requirements.

How to correct incorrect information

If the clearance has not yet been issued

Log in and review the applicant-information page. Correct every editable field before scheduling or payment. If the incorrect field cannot be edited, do not create multiple conflicting transactions or pay merely to see whether the branch will fix it.

Contact the NBI or go to the selected branch with your source documents. Ask whether the existing transaction can be corrected or whether a new application is required. Get the officer’s instructions before making a second payment.

If the clearance has already been printed

Do not erase, overwrite, laminate over, digitally edit, or handwrite a correction on the certificate. Doing so can make the document unusable and may raise authenticity concerns.

Bring or submit:

The incorrect original clearance
Your reference number, payment record, and appointment details
Two valid government-issued IDs
A PSA birth or marriage certificate, court order, annotated civil-registry document, or other authoritative proof of the correct information
Your previous correctly issued clearance, if available
A short written explanation identifying the incorrect and correct entries

Ask the NBI to correct its record and issue a properly verified clearance. A right to correct data does not necessarily entitle the applicant to a free replacement certificate; confirm whether a new application or fee is required.

Under Section 16(d) of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, a person may dispute inaccurate personal information and require the personal-information controller to correct it, unless the request is vexatious or unreasonable. The law also addresses notification of recipients when corrected data was previously disclosed. Read Republic Act No. 10173.

A useful written correction request should state:

Your complete name and contact details
NBI ID or clearance number, if available
The exact entry being disputed
The correct entry
How the error occurred, if known
The supporting documents attached
The specific action requested

Send only the information needed to prove the correction. Use official NBI channels, not public social-media comments.

If your name changed through marriage or another lawful event

A change of surname or civil status is not necessarily an “error.” Use the name you are legally entitled to use and present documents connecting your previous and current identities, such as the PSA marriage certificate, annotated civil-registry record, or final court order.

Do not use simple online renewal when the stored name or status is outdated. Apply using the procedure directed by the NBI so the new document can be tied to your existing identity and fingerprints.

If the source civil record is itself wrong

The NBI should not be asked to contradict the controlling civil-registry record without a proper legal basis. First determine whether the PSA or local civil-registry document needs correction.

Republic Act No. 9048, as amended by Republic Act No. 10172, permits specified administrative corrections through the city or municipal civil registrar—or the Philippine consul general for qualifying overseas filings. These include certain clerical or typographical errors, a permitted change of first name or nickname, and a patently clerical mistake in the day or month of birth or in the recorded sex. A correction may not use this procedure to change nationality, age, or civil status. Read Republic Act No. 9048 and Republic Act No. 10172.

Substantial corrections outside those laws may require a court proceeding under Rule 108 of the Rules of Court or another appropriate remedy. Because the correct procedure depends on the precise entry and supporting records, obtain advice from the local civil registrar or a Philippine lawyer before filing.

Once the civil record has been corrected or annotated, present the updated official document to the NBI.

If the issue is a “hit” or a record that is not yours

Attend the scheduled verification rather than repeatedly filing new applications. Bring documents that distinguish you from the person in the possible match, including IDs and civil records showing your complete name, birth information, parentage, and address history.

If the record concerns your own case but its status is outdated, obtain certified records from the court or responsible office showing the current disposition—for example, the relevant order and proof of finality when applicable. Whether those documents support issuance, and what the clearance will state, depends on the actual case status and NBI verification.

A clearance result does not relieve an applicant from separately answering an employer, licensing body, court, or embassy truthfully when asked about charges, pending cases, convictions, or other matters.

Applying while abroad

For a new overseas application, the NBI directs applicants to obtain NBI Form No. 5 from a Philippine embassy or consulate, or through an authorized representative from the NBI Mailed Clearance Section. Complete the form without erasures.

The applicant must generally:

Have rolled fingerprint impressions taken by a Philippine embassy or consulate, or by an authorized police office.
Ensure that the person taking the fingerprints signs the form, states their name and official designation, and places the office seal as instructed.
Attach a 2×2 photograph with a white background taken within the preceding three months.
Attach a photocopy of the biodata page of a valid passport.
Send the documents by mail or through an authorized representative.

The NBI’s published mailed procedure lists a ₱130 clearance fee and ₱70 mailing cost for a directly mailed application, payable in Philippine currency or its US-dollar equivalent. Because international mailing arrangements and consular services vary, confirm the current method with the relevant post and the NBI before sending cash or original documents.

All overseas applications are processed through the Mailed Clearance Section at the NBI Clearance Building on United Nations Avenue in Manila. The NBI publishes a maximum processing period of five working days after complete documents are received, but international transit and return delivery are additional. Inspect the received clearance for the embossed dry seal and place the right thumbmark in the space provided. Full instructions appear on the NBI’s Applying from Abroad page.

Evidence to preserve

Keep clear copies of:

The submitted application and profile page
Reference and transaction numbers
Appointment confirmation
Payment receipt
IDs and supporting civil documents used
The incorrect and corrected clearances
Screenshots showing the error before correction
Emails, complaint numbers, and written NBI instructions
Courier tracking and proof of delivery
Court orders or civil-registry annotations supporting a change

Preserve originals securely. Send original civil documents only when an official procedure specifically requires them.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a nonofficial website or paying a fixer
Entering a nickname instead of the registered first name
Omitting a second given name, middle name, or suffix
Confusing a middle name with a second first name
Paying before reviewing every field
Using expired, damaged, or inconsistent identification
Selecting renewal even though personal details changed
Assuming a “hit” is a finding of guilt
Missing the return date for verification
Altering a printed clearance
Trying to make the NBI correct an erroneous PSA record
Creating several accounts with inconsistent identities
Sending IDs or personal data through unofficial messaging accounts
Assuming an NBI clearance replaces a required disclosure about a case

When help is urgent

Contact the NBI promptly if:

A clearance contains another person’s identity or criminal-record information
You suspect identity theft or unauthorized use of your details
A visa, deployment, employment, or court deadline is approaching
The NBI record remains wrong despite documentary proof
A possible match cannot be resolved through routine verification
Your records involve different names, dates of birth, citizenship details, adoption, legitimacy, or a court-ordered change
An employer or agent asks you to conceal a case or submit an altered clearance

For a disputed criminal or civil-registry record, consult a Philippine lawyer. If cost is a concern, inquire with the Public Attorney’s Office about eligibility for assistance.

Official contacts and sources

The NBI currently publishes these clearance-inquiry channels:

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

Verify contact details on the official NBI website before sending personal documents.

Frequently asked questions

Can I correct an NBI clearance online?

Editable profile information may be corrected before final processing. If a core field is locked, payment has been made, or the certificate has been printed, ask the NBI whether it will amend the transaction or require a new application. Do not alter the certificate yourself.

Will I pay again for a correction?

Possibly. The Data Privacy Act gives you a right to dispute inaccurate personal data, but it does not automatically make a replacement certificate or a new clearance transaction free. Ask the NBI whether the mistake can be corrected within the existing transaction.

Does a “hit” mean I have a criminal case?

No. It means further comparison or verification is required. Follow the NBI’s return or Quality Control instructions.

Can someone else obtain my clearance for me?

Ordinary Philippine applications require the applicant’s photograph, fingerprints, signature, and identity verification. Applicants abroad may use the NBI’s designated-representative or mailed-clearance procedure after properly completing Form No. 5 and fingerprinting requirements.

Can I use an old clearance after changing my surname?

The old document remains a historical document issued under the identity shown on it, but a receiving organization may reject it if it does not match your current application or IDs. Obtain a new clearance supported by the document establishing the lawful change.

What if my birth certificate and IDs do not match?

Determine which record is legally controlling and why the discrepancy exists. The NBI may require supporting or corrected civil documents. If the civil-registry entry is wrong, pursue the appropriate administrative or judicial correction before asking the NBI to reflect a different entry.

Is an NBI clearance free for every job applicant?

Quick answer

To obtain an NBI clearance in the Philippines, register through the official NBI Clearance portal, complete your profile exactly as shown on your civil-registry records and government IDs, choose an NBI branch and appointment, pay using the portal-generated reference number, and appear personally for identity verification, photograph, fingerprints, and electronic signature.

If information is wrong, correct it before payment and biometric capture whenever the portal allows. If a key field is locked, the transaction has already been paid, or the clearance has already been printed, contact or visit the NBI with the incorrect clearance or application, reference number, payment record, and original documents proving the correct entry. Do not erase, overwrite, or digitally alter an issued clearance.

A correction to the NBI’s record is different from a correction to a birth, marriage, or other civil-registry record. The NBI can correct information it encoded incorrectly, but it ordinarily cannot change an underlying civil-registry entry merely because the applicant prefers a different name, birth date, sex, or civil status.

What an NBI clearance establishes

An NBI clearance reports the result of the Bureau’s search of its criminal-record database using the applicant’s identity and biometrics. It is commonly required for employment, licensing, immigration, travel, and other official transactions.

A clearance is not a court judgment, proof that a person has never been accused of an offense, or a substitute for disclosure required by a separate application form. If an employer, court, licensing body, or government agency separately asks about pending cases, convictions, or prior charges, answer that question truthfully even if the clearance does not display the same information.

Check the validity period printed on the certificate and the receiving organization’s own freshness requirement. Some agencies require a clearance issued within a shorter period even when the document has not yet reached its printed expiration date.

How to apply in the Philippines

1. Use only the official portal

Go directly to clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Create an account or sign in using an active email address and mobile number because registration may require a one-time password.

Avoid websites or social-media accounts that imitate the NBI portal, offer unauthorized “rush” processing, or ask for your password or one-time password.

2. Enter your identity exactly

Complete the applicant-information form using the spelling and order supported by your documents. Pay particular attention to:

Complete first name, including a second given name;
Middle name or mother’s maiden surname, where applicable;
Surname, suffix, and previous or married surname;
Date and place of birth;
Sex and civil status;
Current address; and
Names of parents.

The NBI’s current application guide instructs applicants to review their profiles and make the entries match their valid IDs. Do not shorten a compound name, substitute a nickname, or omit a suffix simply to match an informal document.

3. Choose a branch and appointment

Select an available NBI clearance office and appointment slot. The NBI’s clearance-office locator states that applicants should apply and pay online before going to the selected office.

Availability, operating hours, and local arrangements can change. Confirm them shortly before traveling, especially around holidays, system maintenance, or weather-related suspensions.

4. Pay using the generated reference number

The NBI’s published guide lists a basic clearance fee of ₱130, plus the service charge imposed by the selected electronic-payment channel. The exact total should appear in the portal before payment.

Save the reference number and payment confirmation. Do not send money to a personal account or pay anyone who promises to remove a “hit.”

5. Bring the required documents

For an ordinary application, bring:

The application reference number or QR code;
Proof of payment;
Two original, valid government-issued identification documents; and
Supporting civil-registry documents if your name, birth information, or civil status needs explanation.

The NBI identifies passports, driver’s licenses, the Philippine Identification System ID, UMID, and other government-issued credentials among acceptable documents. Its Citizen’s Charter requires two government-issued IDs. Bring originals that are unexpired and readable; a branch may reject a damaged document or an ID that does not sufficiently establish identity.

6. Complete biometrics and verify the data

At the branch, the NBI captures the applicant’s photograph, fingerprints, and electronic signature. Before the record is finalized or printed, inspect every entry shown to you. Ask for correction immediately if anything differs from your documents.

If there is no record requiring further verification, the clearance may be printed after processing. Published transaction times describe the counter process and do not include queues, system interruptions, identity issues, or additional verification.

What a “hit” means

A “hit” means that the database search found information requiring manual verification. It does not, by itself, establish that the applicant committed an offense. A namesake, similar personal details, or an actual record associated with the applicant may trigger review.

Follow the return date or instructions given by the branch. The NBI’s First-Time Jobseeker Citizen’s Charter states that applicants with a hit may be directed to return on a scheduled date and that cases marked for quality control are subject to an interview and record verification.

For an identity mismatch, bring the strongest documents available, such as:

PSA-issued birth or marriage certificates;
Current and previous passports or government IDs;
The previous NBI clearance, if any;
Documents consistently showing your complete name, suffix, birth date, and parents; and
Any written instruction issued by the NBI.

If the record concerns a case actually filed against you, bring certified court orders or dispositions relevant to its status. A dismissal, acquittal, discharge, or other court action must be established by the proper court record; it should not be assumed that an informal copy or verbal explanation will automatically update every database.

Free clearance for qualified first-time jobseekers

Republic Act No. 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, waives the NBI-clearance fee for a qualified first-time jobseeker who presents the required barangay certification. The statutory benefit may be used only once.

Use the NBI First-Time Jobseekers portal and bring:

The original barangay certification identifying you as a first-time jobseeker;
The required oath or undertaking generated or prescribed for the transaction; and
Two valid government-issued IDs or other acceptable identity certificates.

The barangay certification should be on official letterhead, bear the required seal, and be signed by the punong barangay or an authorized barangay officer. Falsifying eligibility can result in liability under the Revised Penal Code. Beneficiaries of JobStart or another law granting the same exemption may be excluded under Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11261.

A local Public Employment Service Office may assist first-time jobseekers in securing pre-employment documents.

How to correct an application or issued clearance

The correct approach depends on where the error originated.

Error found before payment or appointment

Log in and review the profile. Correct every editable field before applying or paying. If the portal does not allow the affected name or identity field to be changed, do not enter another false or incomplete version merely to continue.

Contact the NBI or take the account details and supporting documents to an NBI clearance office for instructions. Whether an unused transaction can be changed, cancelled, or must be replaced depends on its status in the system.

Error found after payment but before printing

Bring the problem to the branch’s attention before biometric capture and final data verification. Present:

The reference number;
Payment confirmation;
Two valid IDs; and
The civil-registry or other official document supporting the correction.

Do not rely on an online profile change made after payment unless the branch confirms that the paid transaction reflects it. Ask the officer to let you verify the corrected entry on screen.

Error found on an issued clearance

Do not write on, erase, laminate over, or digitally edit the certificate. An altered document may be rejected and could raise questions about authenticity.

Return to or contact the NBI promptly. Bring the original incorrect clearance, transaction details, payment record, valid IDs, and documentary proof of the correct information. Ask whether the Bureau will reprocess the existing transaction or require a new application and payment. The published NBI materials do not promise a nationwide free-replacement procedure for every applicant-caused error.

Under Section 16(d) of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, a person may dispute inaccurate personal information and require the personal-information controller to correct it, unless the request is vexatious or unreasonable. This supports correction of inaccurate NBI data, but it does not automatically entitle an applicant to a free replacement certificate or authorize the NBI to disregard controlling civil-registry records.

Change of surname or civil status

A marriage, annulment, declaration of nullity, recognition of a foreign divorce where legally effective, court-approved change of name, or similar event may require more than editing the portal profile.

Bring the document legally establishing the change, such as an annotated PSA certificate or a certified court decision with proof of finality where applicable. Preserve records connecting the former and current names. If applying for renewal, do not use a no-change renewal route when the personal information must be updated.

The birth or marriage record itself is wrong

Correct the source record first, or obtain advice about the proper civil-registry procedure. Republic Act No. 9048, as amended by Republic Act No. 10172, permits specified administrative corrections through the local civil registrar or Philippine consul, including qualifying clerical or typographical errors, certain first-name changes, and patently clerical errors in the day or month of birth or sex.

Substantial changes generally require the appropriate judicial proceeding, including proceedings under Rule 108 of the Rules of Court where applicable. The correct remedy depends on the entry and supporting records. The NBI clearance counter is not the forum for deciding a contested civil status, filiation, nationality, age, or substantial name change.

Renewal

The NBI’s published overseas guidance states that clearances issued from 2014 onward may qualify for renewal, while older clearances are treated as new applications. The NBI’s online guide also describes a delivery-based renewal option for eligible applicants whose personal information has not changed.

Use renewal only if the displayed identity information remains accurate. Submit a new or assisted application if you must change a name, birth detail, civil status, or another material entry, or if the portal cannot match the previous clearance.

Courier availability, delivery coverage, charges, and processing times are separate from the basic clearance fee and should be confirmed in the official portal.

Applying from abroad

A person abroad may follow the NBI’s mailed-clearance procedure.

For a new application:

Obtain NBI Form No. 5 from a Philippine embassy or consular office, or through an authorized representative from the NBI Mailed Clearance Section.
Complete the form without erasures.
Have rolled fingerprints taken at a Philippine embassy, consular office, or qualified police station. The person taking the fingerprints must identify themselves, sign, state their designation, and place the office seal as instructed.
Attach a 2×2 photograph with a white background taken within the preceding three months and a photocopy of the biodata page of the valid passport.
Send the documents by mail or through an authorized representative, following the NBI’s current payment and submission instructions.

The official NBI page lists a maximum processing period of five working days after receipt of complete documents, excluding international transit, return delivery, incomplete submissions, and further verification. Applications from abroad are processed through the Mailed Clearance Section at the NBI Clearance Building on United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila.

When the certificate arrives, inspect the NBI dry seal and affix the required right thumbmark. Because consular procedures and local fees vary, confirm fingerprinting appointments and requirements with the Philippine embassy or consulate serving your location.

Evidence to preserve

Keep clear copies or screenshots of:

The application profile before submission;
The transaction reference number and QR code;
The appointment details;
The payment confirmation and official receipt;
The IDs and civil-registry documents presented;
The incorrect and corrected clearances;
Emails, ticket numbers, and written instructions from the NBI;
Any scheduled return or quality-control slip; and
Certified court orders or civil-registry annotations used to support a correction.

Record the date, branch, window, and substance of any in-person instruction. Do not post an unredacted clearance, passport, birth certificate, QR code, or reference number on social media.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using an unofficial website or fixer;
Entering a nickname instead of the registered first name;
Omitting a second given name, middle name, suffix, or former surname;
Copying an error from an informal ID despite having a correct civil-registry record;
Paying before checking the entire profile;
Assuming that editing an account automatically changes an already-paid transaction;
Choosing online renewal despite a name or civil-status change;
Bringing only photocopies, screenshots, expired IDs, or inconsistent documents;
Missing a return date for a hit or quality-control interview;
Treating a hit as a conviction—or assuming it can be removed through payment;
Hand-correcting or digitally altering an issued clearance; and
Assuming an NBI correction will also amend a PSA or local civil-registry record.

When help is urgent

Contact the NBI promptly if:

The clearance displays another person’s identity or criminal record;
You suspect identity theft or unauthorized use of your details;
A hit remains unresolved beyond the date the NBI gave you;
An employer, embassy, court, or licensing agency has imposed an imminent deadline;
The NBI record conflicts with an annotated PSA record or final court order;
You are being asked to pay a fixer or unofficial account;
Your correction request is repeatedly refused without a written reason; or
A pending or former criminal case creates legal consequences beyond issuance of the clearance.

A lawyer may be necessary when the dispute involves a substantial civil-registry correction, contested identity, name change, criminal-case status, identity theft, or a court order that has not been properly reflected. For overseas applications, also contact the Philippine embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your residence.

Official contacts and sources

The NBI currently lists clearance-inquiry channels on its contact page, including (02) 8524-1277, 0939 150 2880, and nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph. Verify contact details on the official page before sending personal information.

FAQ

Can I obtain an NBI clearance entirely online?

A standard new application normally requires personal appearance for photograph, fingerprints, signature, and identity verification. Eligible renewals may offer delivery without a branch visit.

Can someone else appear for me?

An ordinary local application requires the applicant’s biometrics. A representative may assist with the special mailed-clearance procedure for an applicant abroad, subject to the NBI’s authorization and document requirements.

Will a hit prevent me from receiving a clearance?

Not necessarily. It triggers verification. Follow the return or quality-control instructions and provide any requested identity or case documents.

Can the branch correct a wrong birth date immediately?

It depends on the transaction stage and the documents. A simple NBI encoding error may be correctable after verification. If the underlying birth record is wrong or the requested change is substantial, the appropriate civil-registry or court procedure may be required first.

Is a correction free?

The Data Privacy Act gives a right to dispute and correct inaccurate personal information, but the NBI’s published guidance does not guarantee a free replacement certificate for every type of error. Ask whether the existing transaction can be reprocessed before paying again.

Can I use my married surname?

Use the surname legally supported by your records and the purpose of the application. Bring the PSA marriage certificate and documents connecting your maiden and married names. If the portal or previous clearance reflects a different surname, request assisted processing instead of forcing a no-change renewal.

What if my clearance is lost but the information was correct?

Check whether you qualify for online renewal or must submit a new application. A lost document and an inaccurate record are different problems; an affidavit of loss is not listed as a general substitute for applying through the NBI system.

Should I disclose a case even if the clearance says “no derogatory record”?

If a separate form asks about charges, pending cases, convictions, or other legal history, answer according to that form and the actual facts. Do not treat the wording on an NBI clearance as permission to give an inaccurate answer elsewhere.

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice. Procedures can vary with the applicant’s records, transaction status, NBI system instructions, and the requirements of the receiving organization. Official sources and procedures were checked as of 4 August 2026.