1) Why “Court Clearances” Matter in an NBI Job Application

For many government and law-enforcement–adjacent positions—especially within the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other agencies that handle sensitive information—applicants are often asked to submit proof that they are not currently facing criminal cases in court. Two commonly requested documents are:

METC/MTC/MCTC Clearance (first level courts), and
RTC Clearance (second level courts).

These clearances are usually meant to show whether you have a pending criminal case (or sometimes any case, depending on local practice) filed in the courts within a specific locality.

Important: These are not the same as an NBI Clearance. NBI Clearance is a national name-check result; court clearances are court-issued certifications based on court records within the court’s jurisdiction.

2) The Courts Involved: METC vs RTC (and Similar First-Level Courts)

a) METC (Metropolitan Trial Court)

The METC exists in Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas designated by law. It is a first-level court.

b) Other First-Level Courts You Might Encounter

Depending on where you live or where the requirement points you, the “first-level court clearance” might come from:

MTC (Municipal Trial Court),
MCTC (Municipal Circuit Trial Court), or
MeTC (Metropolitan Trial Court; often written as METC).

In everyday requirements lists, people may loosely say “METC clearance” even if the proper court in the area is MTC/MCTC.

c) RTC (Regional Trial Court)

The RTC is a second-level court. It is organized into judicial regions, and each station covers specific cities/municipalities.

3) What These Clearances Typically Certify

A court clearance usually states something like:

You have no pending criminal case (and sometimes no record of criminal case) in that court, or
It may reflect the existence of a case and the case details (docket number, title, status), depending on what the court’s records show and what the clearance format provides.

Key point: A clearance is only as broad as the records searched. Many clearances are station-based (a specific court station), not nationwide.

4) Common Types of Court Clearances You May Be Asked For

In practice, employers may request any of the following, and terminology varies:

RTC Clearance (from the RTC Office of the Clerk of Court / OCC)
METC/MTC/MCTC Clearance (from the first-level court’s Office of the Clerk of Court)
Certificate of No Pending Case (a common phrasing)
Certificate of No Criminal Case / No Record (language differs per station)

If your NBI job application instructions are specific, follow the exact wording. If they are vague (e.g., “Court clearance”), the usual interpretation is RTC + first-level court for your place of residence and sometimes for places where you lived previously.

5) Where to Apply (Office and Window)

Court clearances are typically processed by the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) of the relevant court.

For METC/MTC/MCTC Clearance: Go to the Office of the Clerk of Court of the relevant first-level court station.
For RTC Clearance: Go to the RTC Office of the Clerk of Court (often also called the Branch Clerk of Court for branch matters, but clearances are usually handled by the OCC at the station level).

Practical note: Some court stations have a designated “Clearance/Certification” window.

6) Jurisdiction: Which Court Station Should Issue Your Clearance?

This is where applicants most often get stuck.

a) The “Correct” Station Depends on the Requirement

Usually, the requirement expects clearances from courts that cover:

Your current residence, and sometimes
Your previous residence(s) for a specified number of years, or
Your place of birth, or
Your place of employment, if the employer states so.

If the instruction simply says “METC and RTC clearances,” the safest compliance approach is to secure:

First-level court clearance (METC/MTC/MCTC) for your city/municipality, and
RTC clearance for the RTC station covering that city/municipality.

b) If You Lived in Multiple Cities/Municipalities

Some agencies want coverage for all places you resided within a period (e.g., last 5 years). If so, you may need multiple clearances (per locality).

Tip: Even if not explicitly required, being proactive can prevent delays if HR later asks for additional coverage.

7) Documentary Requirements (Typical)

Requirements vary by court station, but commonly include:

Valid Government ID (original + photocopy)
Request form (provided by the court) or a written request letter
Purpose (state: “NBI job application” / “employment requirement”)
Personal details: full name, date of birth, address, and sometimes mother’s maiden name
Payment of legal fees (amount varies)

Some courts may ask for:

Barangay Certificate / Proof of Address (occasionally)
Authorization letter + IDs if a representative will request for you

8) Name Matching: Why Errors Happen

Court clearances typically rely on records indexed by names. Problems arise due to:

Similar names (false positives)
Name variations (middle name, suffix, typographical differences)
Change of surname due to marriage
Different spellings across IDs/documents

Best practice:

Use the exact name as in your PSA birth certificate and primary ID.
If married and using married name, consider bringing documents showing name history (e.g., marriage certificate) in case the court asks.

If the court finds a “hit,” you may be asked to provide more identifiers to confirm whether the record belongs to you.

9) Fees: What You Pay and Why

Courts charge fees for certifications/clearances as part of legal fees. The total can include:

Certification fee
Documentary stamp (or equivalent court assessment)
Miscellaneous fees

Because practices differ per station, you should be prepared for cash payment and ask for an official receipt.

10) Processing Time and Release

Processing time depends on:

Court station workload
Whether records need manual verification
Whether there is a “hit” requiring validation

Many stations can release within the day; others require next-day or several days.

If there is a record/hit: Release may take longer because staff must confirm details and status.

11) If There Is a Pending Case or Record: What Happens

If the court finds a record under your name:

The clearance may reflect the existence of the case, or
The court may require further verification before issuing a clearance.

You may be asked to:

Provide additional identifying details
Secure a case status certification from the branch handling the case
Obtain proof of dismissal/termination if the case was resolved

Important legal nuance: A case may be filed but later dismissed, archived, withdrawn, or terminated. Clearances can vary in whether they show historical records or only pending cases. If your purpose is employment screening, employers typically focus on pending cases.

12) Practical Checklist: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Identify the proper stations

Determine your city/municipality of residence.
Identify:
- the first-level court station (METC/MTC/MCTC), and
- the RTC station that covers the same locality.

Step 2: Prepare documents

Bring at least 2 valid IDs if available.
Bring photocopies.
Bring supporting documents if you have name changes.

Step 3: Apply at the Office of the Clerk of Court

Request the clearance/certification form.
Fill out accurately.
State purpose: NBI job application.

Step 4: Pay assessed fees

Obtain the official receipt.

Step 5: Claim the clearance

Verify your name, date, and court station details.
Check for stamps/seals and signature.

13) Validity Period and Use

Courts may not print an explicit validity period, but employers often treat clearances as “recent” only if issued within a certain window (commonly 3–6 months as an HR practice).

To avoid repeat trips:

Secure clearances close enough to the application deadline to be considered recent, but not so late that any delay jeopardizes submission.

14) Special Situations

a) You Are Residing in Metro Manila

You may deal with METC (as labeled) for the city where you live (e.g., Manila, Quezon City, etc.) and the corresponding RTC station.

b) You Live Outside Metro Manila

Your first-level court is more likely MTC or MCTC (even if a checklist says “METC”). In such cases, what matters is that you obtain the first-level trial court clearance for your locality.

c) You Cannot Personally Appear

Some courts allow a representative with:

Authorization letter,
Your ID copy,
Representative’s ID.

But because practices differ, personal appearance is generally safer.

d) You Previously Worked or Studied Elsewhere

If HR later requests additional coverage, you may need additional clearances for prior residences. Keep copies and receipts.

15) Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Going to the wrong station Fix: Confirm the locality coverage (city/municipality) and court station before going.
Using inconsistent names Fix: Use one consistent legal name; bring documents for name changes.
Assuming “METC” literally applies everywhere Fix: Outside metro areas, obtain the equivalent first-level court clearance (MTC/MCTC).
Not checking the clearance details before leaving Fix: Check spelling, stamps, seal, signature, date, and purpose.
Waiting until the deadline week Fix: Apply earlier to buffer delays due to “hits” or staffing constraints.

16) How Court Clearances Relate to Criminal Procedure, in Plain Terms

First-level courts (METC/MTC/MCTC) generally handle less serious offenses and specific matters assigned by law.
RTC handles more serious offenses and has broader jurisdiction.
A “pending case” means there is an active case that has not yet been finally resolved.
A “record” may include cases filed in the past, even if dismissed, depending on how the station issues certifications.

For employment screening, agencies typically care about whether an applicant has pending criminal cases, or cases that may affect suitability for public service.

17) What to Keep for Your Records

Photocopies/scans of each clearance
Official receipts
Notes on where you obtained them (court station, address, contact numbers if available)

This helps if the employer asks for revalidation or if you need to obtain additional related documents (e.g., case status certification).

18) When to Consult a Lawyer

Consider legal advice if:

You discover an unexpected case record under your name
You suspect identity confusion (someone else’s record)
You need guidance obtaining proof of dismissal, expungement-like relief (note: the Philippines does not have U.S.-style expungement), or correcting court record issues
There is an ongoing case that may affect employment eligibility

19) Bottom Line

For an NBI job application, “METC and RTC court clearances” generally mean:

Obtain first-level trial court clearance (METC/MTC/MCTC) for the locality relevant to your residence (and sometimes prior residences), and
Obtain RTC clearance from the corresponding RTC station,
Ensure accurate name matching, pay assessed fees, and secure properly signed/sealed documents.

If you tell me your current city/municipality (and any prior cities/municipalities you lived in during the last few years), I can map out exactly which court levels you’ll typically need to cover and a clean document checklist you can print.