NBI Clearance Requirements List in 2026; A Best Guide 2026

Are you a citizen of the Philippines or a foreign visitor staying in the Philippines? In every situation, the topmost document required for travel, work, business permit, and visa process, etc., is the NBI Clearance. While obtaining the NBI Clearance is, to some extent, a complex process for the applicants. They may be confused in the selection of the right documents, like IDs, name verification, valid or expired IDs, and the type of ID for the purpose you need to get the NBI Clearance.

This comprehensive guide about “NBI Clearance Requirements” is composed after cross-checking from the official NBI website and personal experience of which documents are required, considering the purpose of NBI Clearance.

Requirements for NBI Clearance

To fulfil NBI Clearance Requirements, you have to get an appointment online from the NBI official website and select your nearby or convenient NBI Center. And later, you have to visit the NBI center with the required documents. For this whole process, you need valid government-issued and attested documents. These documents vary from person to person according to their specific need to get the Clearance. As it varies by your specific needs, like for local employment, Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), first-time Jobseeker, business license, child adoption, residency, and for educational purposes.

Requirements for NBI Clearance Categories

There are several need-based NBI Clearance categories. So, not every applicant has to submit the same documents in the application. Here’s a complete analysis of NBI Clearance requirements.

1. First-time Jobseeker NBI Clearance Requirements

If you intend to get an NBI Clearance to seek a job for the first time, you can get an NBI Clearance for free under the RA 11261 (First-Time Job Seekers Assistance Act). To avail this assistance, you must follow the criteria below:

You must be a Filipino.
Your age must be 18 years till the time of application submission.
Online appointment for NBI Clearance.

NBI Clearance Requirements:

Government-authorized valid ID card.
Barangay certificate to verify residency of Philippines.
An online application form from the NBI official website in printed form.
Birth certificate issued by PSA (Philippines Statistics Authority).

Alternative Documents:

You can provide a Driving Licence, PhilHealth ID, or Voter ID if you’re missing your National ID card at the spot.

2. First-time NBI Applicants

If you’re applying for NBI Clearance for the first time, you must provide accurate information to avoid any complications later on.

Requirements:

Original Valid National ID card with a copy.
Accurate biodata.
Online NBI registration reference number.
Printed payment challan.

Steps to Do:

Register with your account on the NBI official website with accurate personal information.
Select the NBI center and pay the dues of about ₱130 to get an appointment schedule.
Visit the selected NBI branch as per the schedule.
Present your documents and proceed with biometric verification.

3. NBI Clearance Renewal Requirements

If your previous NBI Clearance has expired, you can renew your Clearance. The NBI Clearance renewal requirements are listed below:

Previous NBI Clearance (Optional)
Valid ID card
Personal details
₱355–₱510 (including services) Payment for the online renewal process living at home
₱160 charges for a personal approach for renewal

NBI Renewal Process:

Go to the official NBI website and select the renewal option.
Enter your old NBI Clearance ID, and your personal information will appear.
Review your personal information, such as name, middle name, last name, and date of birth.
The renewal page will require some details; fill them in, like your old NBI Clearance number, contact number, and name.
Confirm NBI renewal
Select the NBI branch
Select the payment method, e.g., GCash, 7 – Eleven, PayMaya, Bayad Centers, and pay the dues
Receive your renewed NBI Clearance

4. Overseas NBI Clearance Applicants

Overseas Filipinos have to go through a different process to get an NBI Clearance from abroad. The overseas requirements for NBI Clearance are listed below:

NBI fingerprint card, known as NBI Form No. 5
Two 2×2 ID photos with a white background
Photocopies of a valid passport and ID card
Fingerprint impressions from the embassy or local police station
Authorization letter of a representative in the Philippines

Process of Application:

Download the application form from the NBI official website or visit the Philippine Embassy.
Fill this form with accurate information and notarized by the embassy or consulate.
Attach 2 passport-sized photos, a copy of a valid passport, and a copy of the old NBI Clearance.
Post compiled documents and fee via international courier service to “Mailed Clearance Section 3rd Floor, NBI Clearance Building, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines.”
For fast processing, mail these documents to your family member or representative to submit to the NBI Center with their authority letter and fee.
Receive your renewed NBI Clearance by email or courier.

5. Requirements for NBI Clearance for Travel and Immigration

When you plan to travel to Europe or America for a business trip, you need an NBI Clearance for visa processing. To get an NBI Clearance for a travel visa, you require the following documents:

Valid ID card
Valid passport (At least 6 months remaining in expiry)
Photocopies of flight or hotel booking tickets
ACR I-Card (If you are a foreign visitor and staying for a long time under legitimate causes)

Keep in view that some countries do not acquire NBI Clearance for visa processing. So, confirm the requirements for a visa from the relevant embassy.

6. Requirements for NBI Clearance for Child Adoption

NBI Clearance is required for child adoption to ensure your life is happy, secure, and legally safe. To get an NBI Clearance for child adoption requires these documents:

Applicants must be a couple, as a marriage certificate is necessary.
National ID card, or any of the driving license, voter ID, or passport.
Recent photos of both husband and wife.

How to Apply?

Visit the NBI Online portal and create your account by entering the details
The purpose of Clearance must be “ADOPTION.”
Pay the fee and get an appointment schedule
Visit the NBI center with valid documents and let officials capture your biometrics and pictures

Special Cases of NBI Clearance Requirements

Requirements for NBI Clearance under special cases are described below:

1. Lost NBI Clearance

In the case you lost your Clearance, you need to replace your NBI Clearance through clearance renewal. Follow these steps to renew your lost Clearance in NBI:

Open the online NBI portal to get an appointment.
Enter the details of your name, address, and select “Replacement of Lost Clearance.”
Pay the fee of ₱130 and ₱25 for e-payment service via GCash, or any other suitable method, to get an appointment scheduled.

Visit the office on the date with the above-mentioned documents.
NBI staff will capture your photo and fingerprints

NBI Clearance Requirements for Minors (Under 18 years)

NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) in the Philippines authorizes the Clearance to students or individuals under the age of 18 years. The NBI Clearance helps the minors to avail the opportunity of scholarship, special employment, or travel abroad. Here’s the method to apply:

Create an account on the NBI portal as a guardian and enter the name details of the minor.
Both guardian and minor must visit the NBI center on the scheduled date with a PSA birth certificate, school ID, guardian’s valid ID, and a consent letter.
NBI staff will capture the photo of the minor and fingerprints.

Requirements of NBI Clearance for Name Change

If you want to change your name in NBI (after marriage or legal petition), you need to create a new account on the NBI portal rather than the old one. Follow these steps:

Register on the NBI portal using the new name.
Select the “New Application” option and pay the fee to get an appointment schedule.
Visit the center on the date with a valid ID card having an updated name, a marriage certificate from PSA, or a court order.

What is NBI Clearance HIT?

Hit in NBI clearance is a situation when a name matches completely or with a minor difference with the name who has a criminal record and is unresolved in the NBI database. This means not to stop your Clearance; however, it takes some extra time to identify the issue.

How Can I Remove an NBI Clearance Hit?

If you get a Hit status on your name, you will be asked to visit the NBI office later to verify yourself. The things to do for you are:

Bring a valid ID card and a passport. (Any of the government-issued IDs)
Wear a proper suit to look socially acceptable while attending the Quality Control Interview in the NBI center
If you have name related issue, then you have to submit an Affidavit of Denial
Take an oath of your innocence in front of the NBI occupant lawyer
Submit court orders about your past resolved case (If you have any)

The above-mentioned guidelines help to prove you have no pending case, or you’ve resolved all the cases if you have any in the past.

Conclusion

NBI Clearance requirements vary depending on the purpose of the applicant. So, the guidelines prior to application are must to read to avoid putting the cart before the horse.

FAQs

Requirements for NBI Clearance are an original government-issued identity card is the most important requirement for NBI Clearance verification.

No, NBI staff reject the photocopies of the IDs in the personal identification.

It usually takes 5 to 10 days to process the NBI Clearance with a name hit status.

Only one valid ID is required for confirmation. However, one extra government-issued ID is recommended as a backup if one is rejected.

NBI Clearance hit status means your name has matched with the name of someone who has a pending criminal case. If you have not committed a crime, you need to clarify your record, which takes 5 to 10 working days.

NBI Clearance Requirements List in 2026; A Best Guide

Requirements for NBI Clearance

Requirements for NBI Clearance Categories