Quick answer

Apply only through the official NBI Clearance portal, complete your profile exactly as shown in your supporting records, choose a branch and appointment, pay the displayed amount, and appear for identity verification, photograph, fingerprints, and signature.

If information is wrong, act before the clearance is printed:

Correct an editable online-profile error before paying or booking.
If the field is locked, or the transaction is already paid, ask the NBI branch to review the error before biometrics and printing.
If a clearance has already been issued, do not alter it yourself. Request correction or reissuance from the NBI and present documents proving the correct information.
If the supposed “error” also appears in your PSA or local civil-registry record, the NBI normally cannot treat a different entry as legally correct merely on request. The civil-registry record may first need administrative or judicial correction.

A “HIT” is different from a typographical error. It means the NBI must conduct additional verification; it does not, by itself, establish that the applicant has been convicted of a crime.

How to obtain an NBI clearance

1. Prepare your records before registering

Have these ready:

An active email address and mobile number, because the portal uses one-time-password verification.
Two original, unexpired government-issued IDs or acceptable government certificates.
The exact spelling and order of your name, birth details, address, civil status, and other personal information shown in your reliable records.
Supporting civil documents if your current name or status differs from older records—for example, a PSA birth certificate, PSA marriage certificate, annotated civil-registry document, or court order, as applicable.

The NBI’s current application guide gives passports, driver’s licenses, the National ID, UMID, Postal ID, and PSA birth certificates as examples of documents applicants may present. The branch may require the particular IDs selected or declared during online application. See the NBI’s official application guide.

Before submitting anything, compare each entry character by character. Pay particular attention to:

First, middle, and last names;
Suffixes such as Jr., Sr., II, or III;
Hyphens, compound surnames, and spaces;
Date and place of birth;
Sex and civil status;
Maiden and married names; and
Parents’ names.

An online typo can become part of the printed clearance and may also complicate later applications.

2. Register and complete the online application

Go directly to https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/. Avoid links sent by unknown persons or pages that imitate a government portal.

Select “Apply for Clearance.”
Identify the government ID you intend to present.
Choose an NBI branch.
Select an available date and time slot.
Choose a payment channel.
Save the reference number and proof of payment.

The NBI currently states that the basic clearance fee is ₱130, with an additional electronic-payment service charge commonly around ₱25 to ₱30. The amount and available payment channels shown in the live portal control because service charges and channels may change.

The NBI’s current guide also describes a 15-day grace period for a transaction already marked “PAID” when an applicant misses the selected appointment window. Do not assume that every branch or transaction will be handled identically: check the status and instructions in your account, and contact the selected branch if you cannot appear as scheduled.

3. Appear at the branch

Bring:

The reference number or QR code;
Proof of payment;
Two original, unexpired government-issued IDs or acceptable certificates; and
Any document needed to explain a name, civil-status, or birth-record discrepancy.

At the branch, the NBI will capture your photograph, fingerprints, and electronic signature. You should be asked to verify the encoded information before printing. Treat this as the final opportunity to catch a simple error.

Do not approve the record merely because the queue is moving quickly. If anything is wrong, tell the encoder before the clearance is printed.

4. Wait for verification and release

If the search produces “No HIT,” the clearance can ordinarily proceed to printing after processing.

If the result is “With HIT,” follow the return date or further instructions issued by the branch. The NBI’s current public guide describes a usual additional verification period of approximately five to ten working days, but the actual period depends on the record and any quality-control review. The NBI Citizen’s Charter also provides for an interview and verification when an application is referred to quality control.

A HIT may result from a similar or identical name, but it may also require examination of an actual record connected with the applicant. Do not represent a HIT as proof that the applicant has a criminal case—or assume that it must be a namesake problem.

How to correct an error

If the online profile is wrong but you have not paid

Use the portal’s available edit controls and correct the information before continuing. Make the entry conform to your reliable government records.

If the field cannot be edited, stop the transaction and contact the NBI instead of creating multiple inconsistent profiles or paying repeatedly. The official NBI clearance inquiry channels are listed below.

If you have paid but the clearance has not been printed

Attend the appointment with the reference number, IDs, and supporting civil documents. Tell the NBI personnel about the error before biometrics or data confirmation.

Whether the branch can correct the existing transaction or requires a fresh application depends on the field involved and the transaction’s status. A branch officer—not a fixer or unofficial social-media account—should confirm what must be done and whether another payment is required.

Preserve:

Screenshots of the incorrect profile or transaction;
The reference number;
The electronic or official receipt;
Appointment details;
Copies of the IDs and records showing the correct entry; and
The name, office, date, and substance of any instruction received from the NBI.

If the printed clearance is wrong

Do not use correction fluid, overwrite the entry, edit a scanned copy, or manipulate the QR code or security features. An altered document can be rejected and may create a more serious problem than the original error.

Contact or return to the issuing branch promptly. Bring:

The original incorrect clearance;
The application reference number and receipt;
Two valid IDs;
The civil or official record proving the correct entry; and
A short written correction request identifying the incorrect and correct information.

Ask the branch to state whether it will correct the underlying NBI profile, cancel or annotate the faulty issuance, or require a new application and clearance. The NBI does not publish a single nationwide post-issuance correction procedure covering every type of error, so obtain branch-specific instructions and keep written proof of the request.

If the NBI data is inaccurate but your source records are correct

The Data Privacy Act and its implementing rules recognize a data subject’s right to dispute inaccurate personal data and request its correction. The right is not absolute: a request may be denied if it is manifestly unfounded, vexatious, or unreasonable, and special legal processes still govern corrections that require action by a court or another government authority. Personal data used for criminal, administrative, or tax investigations may also be subject to lawful limitations.

Make the request specific. Identify:

The exact data entry being disputed;
Where it appears;
Why it is inaccurate;
The correct entry;
The documents establishing the correction; and
The action requested, such as correction of the profile and reissuance of the clearance.

The National Privacy Commission explains the right to rectification and the relevant rule appears in Section 34(d) of the Data Privacy Act Implementing Rules and Regulations.

If the NBI does not act within a reasonable period, request a written response and use the agency’s complaint channels. A complaint to the National Privacy Commission may be considered for an unjustified refusal to correct personal data, but it cannot replace a required civil-registry or court proceeding.

When the source record itself is wrong

An NBI correction request is not a substitute for legally correcting a birth, marriage, or other civil-registry record.

Under Republic Act No. 9048, certain clerical or typographical errors and qualifying changes of first name or nickname may be handled administratively by the appropriate city or municipal civil registrar or Philippine consul. Republic Act No. 10172 extended the administrative remedy to patently clerical errors involving the day or month of birth and a person’s sex, subject to statutory evidence and publication requirements.

The Supreme Court has explained that:

Qualifying clerical errors, changes of first name or nickname, and patently clerical errors in the day or month of birth or sex must generally go through the statutory administrative procedure first.
A change of surname, or of both first name and surname, may require a petition under Rule 103.
Substantial corrections in civil-registry entries may require Rule 108 or another proper proceeding.

See the Supreme Court’s discussion in Republic v. Gallo, G.R. No. 243288, August 28, 2019 and Rules 103 and 108 of the Rules of Court.

The proper remedy depends on what is wrong, why it is wrong, and which public record is legally controlling. Obtain advice from a Philippine lawyer or the local civil registrar before filing if the requested change affects surname, nationality, age, civil status, filiation, legitimacy, or another substantial matter.

After the civil record is corrected, obtain the annotated or corrected certificate and present it to the NBI. Keep both the official correction document and the new clearance.

Changes after marriage or another lawful status change

A lawful change in the name being used is not necessarily an NBI encoding error. The applicant must show the legal and documentary basis for the new information.

If your name or civil status has changed:

Do not use a quick online-renewal route that assumes there are no changes.
Gather the old NBI clearance, current IDs, and the relevant PSA certificate, annotated record, or court order.
Ask the branch to verify the correct form of the name before printing.
Ensure that the name used is consistent with the application or institution for which the clearance is required.

For applications from abroad, the NBI expressly instructs applicants renewing by mail to write a change of address or civil status on the old clearance. It also provides a specific order of entries for married female applicants on NBI Form No. 5. Follow the NBI procedure for applicants abroad rather than assuming the domestic online process applies.

Renewal when no correction is needed

The NBI’s current guidance says a clearance issued from 2014 onward may qualify for online renewal when there is no change in personal information. Eligible users may also access NBI eClearance renewal through the eGovPH Super App, according to the NBI’s July 6, 2026 announcement.

Use a new or in-person application when information must be changed. A faster renewal route is inappropriate if it would reproduce an old error.

A receiving employer, embassy, licensing body, or other institution may impose its own recency requirement. Confirm how recently the clearance must have been issued instead of relying only on a general assumption about validity.

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, subject to the law’s conditions. The benefit may be used only once.

Use the dedicated First-Time Jobseekers portal and bring:

A barangay certification on official barangay letterhead, bearing the required seal and signature, stating that you are a first-time jobseeker;
The required oath or undertaking; and
Two valid government-issued IDs or acceptable certificates.

The benefit is generally available for one year from issuance of the barangay certification. The NBI’s First-Time Jobseeker Citizen’s Charter provides the agency-specific documentary and processing requirements.

Do not submit a fabricated certification or false undertaking. RA 11261 expressly states that a person found guilty of fabrication or falsification is liable under the Revised Penal Code.

Applicants who are abroad

A new overseas applicant should obtain NBI Form No. 5 from a Philippine embassy or consular office. The form must bear the consular seal. The applicant must complete rolled fingerprint impressions before the embassy, consulate, or nearest police station, with the fingerprinting officer’s name, signature, designation, and office seal.

The NBI also requires:

A recent 2×2 photograph with a white background;
A photocopy of the passport biodata page; and
Submission by mail or through an authorized representative.

The official overseas procedure lists a ₱130 clearance fee and, for the described mailed-clearance arrangement, ₱70 mailing cost. It states a maximum processing period of five working days after receipt of complete documents, excluding international transmission and delivery time. All overseas mailed applications are processed at the NBI Clearance Building on United Nations Avenue in Manila.

Because consular and delivery arrangements can vary by country, confirm the current procedure with the Philippine embassy or consulate and the NBI’s Mailed Clearance Section before sending original documents or payment.

Evidence to preserve

Keep secure copies of:

The completed application profile;
Reference and transaction numbers;
Appointment confirmation;
Payment receipt;
IDs and supporting civil records;
The original clearance, including any incorrect version;
Screenshots of portal errors or transaction status;
Emails and written correction requests;
Branch instructions and return-date slips; and
Documents resolving any actual case record.

If a HIT involves your own dismissed, archived, or completed case, obtain the appropriate certified records—for example, the prosecutor’s resolution, court order, entry of judgment, dismissal or acquittal order, proof of compliance, or warrant-recall order, depending on the case. The NBI will determine what is needed for database verification; an ordinary photocopy or verbal explanation may not be enough.

Common mistakes

Registering through an unofficial website or paying a fixer.
Typing a nickname instead of the name supported by official records.
Omitting a middle name or suffix without a documented basis.
Using an expired ID or bringing only a screenshot of an ID.
Failing to save the payment reference number.
Confirming incorrect information at the branch.
Using online renewal even though personal information has changed.
Altering a printed clearance.
Treating a HIT as either a conviction or an automatic namesake error.
Paying for another application without first asking how the existing paid transaction will be handled.
Asking the NBI to contradict an uncorrected PSA or civil-registry record.
Missing the HIT return date or quality-control interview.
Sending personal documents to unofficial email addresses or social-media accounts.

When help is urgent

Contact the NBI immediately if:

An incorrect clearance is about to be submitted for employment, immigration, licensing, or travel;
The portal or clearance appears to link you to another person’s criminal record;
A HIT relates to an actual pending case, warrant, or unresolved disposition;
Your identity documents have been lost, stolen, or used by another person;
The NBI refuses to correct an apparent data error despite substantial documentary proof; or
Your NBI details conflict with PSA records and the difference concerns surname, civil status, filiation, nationality, age, or another substantial entry.

Consult a Philippine lawyer promptly if there may be a warrant, an active criminal case, identity theft, or a need for judicial correction. Do not ignore a return instruction or attempt to solve an actual criminal-record issue by submitting a different spelling or creating another profile.

Official contacts and links

NBI Clearance application portal
NBI application guide
NBI clearance-office locator
NBI contact page
Clearance inquiries: (02) 8524-1277, 0939 150 2880, or nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph
Mailed-clearance inquiries: 0915 689 3113, 0920 122 3327, or mailedclearance@nbi.gov.ph
National Privacy Commission data-subject rights

Verify contact details on the official NBI website before transmitting IDs or sensitive personal information.

Frequently asked questions

Can I correct an NBI clearance online?

An editable profile entry may be corrected before the transaction advances. If a field is locked, payment has been made, biometrics have been captured, or the clearance has been printed, contact the NBI and follow the branch’s instructions. Do not assume that changing the visible profile will also correct an already-issued certificate or backend record.

Do I need to pay again for a correction?

It depends on when the error is discovered, who caused it, and whether the NBI requires a new application or reissuance. The NBI does not publish one universal fee rule for every post-issuance correction. Ask the issuing branch for a written or receipted instruction before paying again.

Does a HIT mean I have a criminal record?

Not necessarily. It means additional verification is required. Follow the return-date or interview instructions and bring any documents the NBI requests.

Can an employer reject an incorrect clearance?

An employer or receiving institution may refuse a document whose identifying details do not match the applicant or its submission requirements. Explain the issue promptly and provide proof that correction is being processed, but the institution decides whether it will extend a deadline or accept temporary evidence.

Can I use my old clearance while waiting for correction?

Only if the receiving institution accepts it and its information is accurate enough for the stated purpose. Do not submit a document you know materially misidentifies you without disclosing the problem.

Can the NBI change my name if my PSA birth certificate is wrong?

The NBI cannot replace the statutory process for correcting a civil-registry entry. Determine whether RA 9048, RA 10172, Rule 103, Rule 108, or another proceeding applies, complete that process, and then present the corrected or annotated record to the NBI.

Is an NBI clearance permanently valid?

Receiving institutions often impose their own recency rules. Check the date or validity information on the issued clearance and ask the employer, embassy, licensing authority, or other recipient how recent the document must be.

Can someone abroad authorize a representative?

Yes, the NBI’s overseas procedure permits submission through a designated representative, subject to registration, authorization, identification, fingerprinting, and documentary requirements. Follow the official mailed-clearance instructions exactly.

This article provides general Philippine legal information, not legal advice or a guarantee that an application will be approved or corrected. Procedures can depend on the portal status, branch instructions, supporting records, and facts of any HIT or civil-registry discrepancy. Official sources and procedures were checked as of August 26, 2026.