If your NBI Clearance has multiple hits, do not panic. A “hit” usually means the National Bureau of Investigation found one or more possible matches between your name or identifying details and records in its database. It does not automatically mean you have a criminal case. What matters is whether the hit is only a namesake issue, an old record, a pending case, or a record that really belongs to you.

What “Multiple Hits” Means in an NBI Clearance

An NBI Clearance “hit” means your application cannot be released immediately because the NBI needs to verify a possible match.

A multiple hit means there is more than one possible match. This commonly happens when:

You have a common Filipino name
Your surname, middle name, or birthday is similar to another person’s record
You previously had a case, complaint, arrest record, or court record
A namesake has a pending warrant or criminal case
Your old record has not been updated after dismissal, acquittal, or case termination
Your identity details changed, such as after marriage, correction of birth certificate, or use of aliases

For example, “Juan Santos Cruz” may match several persons in the NBI database. The NBI must manually check whether the record belongs to you before issuing the clearance.

Legal Basis for NBI Clearance and Verification

The NBI’s authority comes mainly from Republic Act No. 157 (1947), which created the Bureau of Investigation, and Republic Act No. 10867 (2016), the National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act.

Under RA 157, the NBI functions as a national clearing house for criminal and identification records and assists law enforcement agencies and courts. You can read the law on Lawphil’s copy of RA 157.

Because NBI Clearance involves personal and sensitive personal information, the processing of your records is also affected by Republic Act No. 10173 (2012), or the Data Privacy Act. This law protects personal information in government and private systems. See the Data Privacy Act on Lawphil.

For first-time jobseekers, Republic Act No. 11261 (2019) may allow free issuance of certain government documents, including NBI Clearance, if the applicant qualifies and presents the required barangay certification. See RA 11261 on Lawphil.

Is an NBI Hit the Same as a Criminal Record?

No. A hit is only a flag for verification.

There are generally two kinds of hits:

Type of hit	What it usually means	Usual result
Namesake hit	Someone with the same or similar name has a record	Clearance may be released after verification
Derogatory record hit	The record may actually relate to you	NBI may require further checking, interview, or court documents

The NBI Clearance is not a court judgment. Only a court can determine guilt. Under the Constitution, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

What to Do If Your NBI Clearance Has Multiple Hits

1. Check the release date on your NBI receipt

After biometrics and photo capture, the NBI staff will usually tell you to return on a specific date. For many hit cases, the waiting period is commonly around 5 to 10 working days, but multiple hits or derogatory records may take longer.

Do not lose your:

NBI reference number
Official receipt or payment proof
Appointment confirmation
Valid IDs used during application

2. Return to the same NBI branch on the scheduled date

In many cases, you must return to the same branch where your biometrics were taken. Bring:

Original receipt
At least two valid government IDs
Appointment slip or reference number
Old NBI Clearance, if available

If the hit is only a namesake issue, the clearance may be released after the NBI confirms that the record does not belong to you.

3. Prepare for possible Quality Control interview

If the NBI needs more information, you may be referred for Quality Control. This is an interview or verification process where the NBI checks whether the record belongs to you.

Be ready to answer questions about:

Full name, including middle name
Date and place of birth
Parents’ names
Previous addresses
Previous employment
Old cases, if any
Use of aliases or married name

Answer truthfully. Do not guess. If you do not know the status of an old case, say so and ask what document is needed.

4. Secure court documents if the record may belong to you

If the hit is connected to an actual case, the NBI may require documents from the court, prosecutor’s office, or law enforcement agency.

Common documents include:

Situation	Document usually needed	Where to get it
Case dismissed	Certified true copy of dismissal order	Court that handled the case
Acquitted	Certified true copy of decision or judgment	Court
Case archived	Court order showing archived status	Court
Case still pending	Certification of case status	Court or prosecutor
Warrant recalled	Order recalling/lifting warrant	Court
Mistaken identity	Affidavit of denial, IDs, supporting documents	Notary public, NBI, court if needed

Always request certified true copies, not just photocopies. Some NBI offices may also ask for the document to show the court seal, case number, branch, and date of issuance.

5. If it is a namesake problem, bring identity documents

For multiple namesake hits, identity documents help the NBI distinguish you from other persons.

Useful documents include:

PSA birth certificate
Passport
UMID
Driver’s license
PRC ID
SSS, GSIS, or PhilHealth records
School records
Marriage certificate, if your name changed
Old NBI Clearance showing “No Derogatory Record”

If your name, birthdate, or gender was corrected through PSA or court proceedings, bring the annotated PSA document.

Common Reasons for Multiple Hits

Common Filipino names

Names like “Maria Santos,” “Jose Reyes,” “John Paul Garcia,” or “Rogelio Dela Cruz” often trigger hits because many people share similar names.

Old dismissed case still appears

Even if a case was dismissed years ago, the database may still show a record unless the NBI receives proper documentation.

Pending case or warrant

If there is a pending criminal case or warrant, the NBI may not release a clean clearance until the issue is properly resolved or clarified.

Same name but different person

This is common. The NBI must compare biometrics, birth details, address, and other identifiers.

Foreigners with Philippine records

Foreigners who stayed, worked, studied, or were involved in legal matters in the Philippines may also receive hits. They may need passport copies, visa records, Alien Certificate of Registration details, or court documents.

What Not to Do

Avoid these mistakes:

Do not pay a fixer
Do not submit fake court documents
Do not ignore the return date
Do not lie during Quality Control
Do not assume a hit means you are guilty
Do not rely only on photocopies if certified true copies are required
Do not create multiple online accounts with different spellings of your name

Using fixers or fake documents can create bigger legal problems, including possible criminal liability for falsification under the Revised Penal Code.

Documents to Bring for Multiple Hits

Document	Why it helps
Valid government IDs	Confirms identity
NBI receipt/reference number	Needed for tracking
PSA birth certificate	Confirms full legal name, birthdate, and parents
Marriage certificate	Explains change of surname
Old NBI Clearance	Shows prior clearance history
Court orders	Proves dismissal, acquittal, archived case, or warrant recall
Prosecutor certification	Helps show status of complaint or preliminary investigation
Affidavit of denial	Useful in mistaken identity cases
Passport/visa records	Helpful for foreigners or OFWs

Practical Timeline

Stage	Usual timeline
No hit	Same day or scheduled release
Simple namesake hit	Around 5–10 working days
Multiple namesake hits	May take longer depending on verification
Hit with court record	Depends on how fast you secure court documents
Overseas applicant	Longer due to mailing, authentication, or representative processing

Timelines vary by branch, workload, holidays, system downtime, and whether the record needs checking with a court or another agency.

If You Are Abroad or an OFW

If you are outside the Philippines, check the official NBI process for mailed clearance or overseas applicants through the NBI website.

You may need:

Accomplished NBI fingerprint card
Passport copy
2x2 photo
Authorization letter if using a representative
Payment
Consular authentication or apostille, depending on the document and country
Mailing envelope or courier details

If a hit appears while you are abroad, you may need a trusted representative in the Philippines to help secure court documents. The representative may need a Special Power of Attorney, valid IDs, and sometimes notarization or consular acknowledgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my NBI Clearance have multiple hits?

It usually means the NBI found several possible matches with your name or identifying details. It may be due to namesakes, common surnames, old records, pending cases, or incomplete database matching.

Does multiple hits mean I have a criminal case?

Not automatically. Many hits are caused by namesakes. The NBI must verify whether the record actually belongs to you.

How long does it take to clear multiple hits?

Simple namesake hits may be resolved in about 5 to 10 working days. If the hit involves court records, warrants, or old cases, it may take longer because you may need certified court documents.

Can I get my NBI Clearance if I have a dismissed case?

Yes, but you may need to present a certified true copy of the dismissal order or court certification. The NBI may need proof that the case was dismissed before updating or releasing your clearance.

What if the hit belongs to someone with the same name?

Bring strong identity documents such as PSA birth certificate, valid IDs, passport, and old NBI Clearance. The NBI will compare your details and biometrics with the record.

Can I send someone else to fix my NBI hit?

For some document-gathering tasks, yes, if properly authorized. But for biometrics, identity verification, and certain Quality Control steps, personal appearance may be required.

Will my employer know I have a hit?

Usually, the employer only sees the clearance you submit. However, delays may make them ask why your clearance is not yet available. You can simply say it is under NBI verification.

Can I remove an old NBI record?

You cannot simply erase a lawful record by request. But if the case was dismissed, you were acquitted, the warrant was recalled, or the record is a mistaken identity, you can present official documents so the NBI can properly update or annotate its records.

What if I lost my receipt?

Go back to the NBI branch and bring valid IDs, your reference number if available, payment proof, and appointment details. Replacement or retrieval depends on the branch’s records and procedure.

Is NBI Clearance different from Police Clearance?

Yes. Police Clearance is usually local and issued through police systems. NBI Clearance is national and checks against NBI-maintained criminal and identification records.

Key Takeaways

A multiple hit on your NBI Clearance is a verification issue, not automatic proof of a criminal record.
Most hits are caused by namesakes, especially if you have a common Filipino name.
Return to the NBI branch on the scheduled date with your receipt and valid IDs.
If the hit may relate to an actual case, secure certified true copies of court or prosecutor documents.
Never use fixers or fake documents.
For dismissed cases, acquittals, recalled warrants, or mistaken identity, official court records are the most important documents.
OFWs and foreigners may need extra documents, representative authority, mailing, notarization, consular acknowledgment, or apostille depending on the situation.