One line on the NBI Clearance form trips up more applicants than it should: Identifying Marks. It sits quietly next to your name and birth date, but people freeze when they reach it, unsure whether a small mole counts, whether a tattoo causes a problem, or whether writing the wrong thing can delay their clearance.
It cannot. This section exists to help confirm you are you, not to judge you. This guide explains exactly what identifying marks are, how to describe them correctly, and what to do if you genuinely have none.
Quick Answer: Identifying marks are permanent, visible features on your body, such as scars, moles, birthmarks, or tattoos, that the NBI records to help confirm your identity. Write a short, specific description like “mole on left cheek” or “tattoo on right forearm.” If you have no visible marks, simply write “None.”
What Are Identifying Marks in NBI Clearance
Identifying marks are permanent or long lasting physical features on your body that help set you apart from someone else who might share your exact name. Since many Filipinos share common first and last names, these marks act as an extra layer of confirmation alongside your photo and fingerprints.
They are not a judgment of character and they are not connected to whether you have a criminal record. A tattoo, a childhood scar, or a birthmark you were born with carries no negative meaning on your clearance. The NBI simply uses them the same way a passport uses a photo: to confirm the person standing in front of staff matches the record on file.
Why the NBI Asks for This Information
- Preventing mistaken identity. Two applicants can share the same full name and even a similar birth date. A recorded scar or mole helps staff tell them apart quickly.
- Supporting the HIT verification process. When your name is flagged for manual review, identifying marks can help confirm whether a record truly belongs to you or to someone else with a similar name. This is separate from the HIT status itself, but it can speed up how fast a mismatch gets cleared.
- Strengthening your official record. Along with your photo and fingerprints, these details become part of your permanent file, making future renewals and verifications more accurate.
Common Types of Identifying Marks
Any of the following count as valid identifying marks if they are visible and lasting.
- Scars, from injuries, surgery, or burns
- Moles, including small ones, sometimes called “nunal”
- Birthmarks
- Tattoos, of any size
- Surgical marks, such as an appendectomy or C-section scar
- Burn marks
- Dimples
- Skin discoloration or freckles, if distinct and consistent
A mark does not need to be large or unusual to count. Even a small, faint scar is worth listing if it is permanent.
How to Describe Your Identifying Marks Correctly
The goal is a short, specific description that another person could use to identify the mark without guessing.
- Check your visible areas first. Look at your face, neck, arms, hands, and any other commonly visible part of your body.
- Name the type of mark. Say whether it is a scar, mole, birthmark, or tattoo.
- State the exact location. “Mole on face” is too vague. “Mole on left cheek near the nose” is specific enough to be useful.
- Keep the description short. One clear sentence or phrase is enough. You do not need paragraphs of detail.
- Skip medical terminology. Plain language works better. “Scar on right forearm” is clearer than a clinical description of the wound that caused it.
Sample Descriptions You Can Use as a Guide
| Type | Sample Description |
| Scar | Scar on left eyebrow |
| Mole | Small mole on right cheek |
| Tattoo | Tattoo on right forearm |
| Birthmark | Birthmark on lower back |
| Burn mark | Burn mark on left thumb |
| Surgical mark | Surgical scar on lower abdomen |
| Dimple | Dimple on right cheek |
English and Tagalog Terms You Might Need
Some applicants find it easier to think through their marks in Tagalog first before writing the English description.
| English | Tagalog |
| Mole | Nunal |
| Scar | Peklat |
| Birthmark | Balat |
| Left | Kaliwa |
| Right | Kanan |
| Arm | Braso |
| Face or cheek | Mukha or Pisngi |
What to Write If You Have No Identifying Marks
If you genuinely have no visible scars, moles, birthmarks, or tattoos, write “None” in the field. Do not leave it blank, since an empty field can look like the section was skipped by mistake rather than intentionally answered.
Avoid writing “none” if you actually have a visible mark, even a small one. Leaving out a mark you clearly have does not simplify your application. It only creates a mismatch between your form and your appearance if staff notice the mark during your branch visit.
Do Tattoos or Scars Cause Any Problems With Your Application?
No. Having a tattoo, a surgical scar, or any other identifying mark does not affect your eligibility for a clearance and does not trigger a Hit on its own. These marks are treated as neutral identifying data, similar to your height or complexion, not as evidence of anything.
The only situation where a mark matters negatively is if you intentionally describe it inaccurately or omit an obvious one, since that creates a mismatch between your application and your actual appearance during biometrics.
When Are Identifying Marks Recorded
- During online registration or application, where you type the description into the identifying marks field on the form
- During your branch visit, where staff may visually confirm visible marks alongside your photo and fingerprint capture
Both the written description and what staff observe in person become part of your official record.
Can You Update or Correct an Identifying Mark Later
Yes. If you get a tattoo removed, go through surgery that leaves a new mark, or simply realize you described something incorrectly, you can typically have this updated.
- For minor text corrections, you may be able to update the field yourself by logging into your account and editing your profile information. See our login guide if you run into trouble accessing your account.
- For bigger changes, such as a removed tattoo or a new permanent scar, inform NBI staff during your next branch visit, such as a renewal appointment, so they can update your record properly.
Do Minors and First-Time Applicants Fill This Out Too
Yes. Every applicant, including minors applying with a guardian and first-time job seekers under RA 11261, needs to complete the identifying marks section accurately. There is no exemption based on age or application type.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too vague. “Scar on arm” could mean several different marks. Specify left or right, and roughly where on the arm.
- Skipping a mark you actually have. Even a small mole is worth listing if it is visible and permanent.
- Overcomplicating the description. You do not need measurements or medical terms. A plain, short phrase works best.
- Leaving the field blank. Always write something, even if that something is “None.”
- Forgetting to update it later. If a mark changes significantly, such as after surgery, mention it at your next branch visit rather than leaving outdated information on file.
How Identifying Marks Work Together With Your Photo and Fingerprints
Identifying marks are not used on their own. They form one layer in a small stack of identity checks the NBI relies on.
- Fingerprints confirm identity at the most precise, technical level and are the primary method used to match records in the database.
- Photo capture gives staff a quick visual reference during future visits, such as renewals.
- Identifying marks act as a secondary, human-readable check, useful in situations where a quick visual or manual confirmation is faster than waiting on a full biometric match, such as when two applicants share a very similar name.
None of these three checks replace the others. Together, they reduce the chance that two people with the same name, or a name typed slightly wrong, end up mixed up in the system.
Identifying Marks vs Complexion: What Is the Difference
The NBI application form usually asks for both complexion and identifying marks, and applicants sometimes confuse the two.
- Complexion describes your general skin tone, such as fair, brown, or dark. It is a broad, single-word answer that applies to your whole appearance.
- Identifying marks describe specific, localized features on your body, such as a mole on your cheek or a scar on your arm.
Complexion tells the NBI what you generally look like. Identifying marks tell the NBI what makes you different from someone who might otherwise look similar. Both fields are simple to answer honestly and neither one is meant to be difficult to fill out.
Where Identifying Marks Appear on Your Clearance Certificate
Once your application is processed, the identifying marks you provided are typically printed on your physical clearance certificate.
- They usually appear in the lower section of the document, sometimes under a heading like Remarks or Identifying Features.
- They are placed close to your basic details, such as your name, sex, civil status, and date of birth.
- The description stays brief on the printed certificate, matching what you originally entered, such as “Mole on left jaw” or “Scar on right forearm.”
This is one more reason to keep your description accurate from the start. Once printed, the certificate reflects exactly what was submitted during your application.
Real Examples Organized by Body Part
Thinking through your body area by area makes it easier to remember marks you might otherwise forget to mention.
| Body Area | Example Description |
| Face and head | Mole on left cheek near the nose |
| Face and head | Scar on right eyebrow |
| Neck | Birthmark on the left side of the neck |
| Arms and hands | Tattoo on right forearm |
| Arms and hands | Burn mark on left thumb |
| Torso and back | Surgical scar on lower abdomen |
| Torso and back | Birthmark on lower back |
| Legs and feet | Scar on left shin |
| Legs and feet | Mole on right ankle |
Working through this list area by area, rather than trying to remember everything at once, helps applicants avoid missing a smaller mark they were not actively thinking about.
How Many Marks Should You List
There is no fixed minimum or maximum number of identifying marks you need to include.
- If you have one obvious mark, such as a single visible tattoo, listing just that one is enough.
- If you have several visible marks, list each one separately with its own short description rather than combining them into a single vague sentence.
- If you genuinely have no visible permanent marks, one line reading “None” fully satisfies the requirement.
The goal is accuracy, not quantity. A single well-described mark is more useful to the NBI than several vague ones that are hard to match to a real feature.
Identifying Marks for OFWs and Foreign-Based Applicants
Applicants completing their NBI Clearance application from abroad, including through a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, still need to complete the identifying marks section the same way as applicants inside the Philippines.
- The description requirements do not change based on where you are applying from.
- If your application is processed without an in-person biometrics visit at a Philippine branch, the written description you provide becomes even more important, since staff may not have a chance to visually confirm your marks in person before your clearance is issued.
- Keep a private note of exactly what you wrote, since you may need to reference it again during a future renewal or in-person visit.
What Not to Write in the Identifying Marks Section
Beyond the common mistakes already covered, a few specific habits are worth avoiding.
- Do not write jokes, unrelated comments, or anything other than an actual physical description in this field.
- Do not describe temporary conditions, such as a bruise, rash, or a pimple that will heal, since these are not permanent and do not qualify.
- Do not use overly technical or medical language that a non-medical staff member would need to look up.
- Do not guess at a location if you are unsure. Take a moment to actually check the mark in a mirror rather than estimating from memory.
Is This Information Kept Private
Some applicants hesitate to list a tattoo or a scar, worried the detail might be shared beyond the NBI itself. In practice, this information is treated the same as your other personal application data.
- It is stored as part of your official NBI record, alongside your photo, fingerprints, and basic personal details.
- It is used internally for identity verification purposes, not shared publicly or printed anywhere beyond your own clearance certificate.
- Employers or agencies that receive your clearance typically see the standard certificate, which may include a brief identifying marks line, but this is treated the same as any other standard field on the document, not flagged as unusual or sensitive information.
Being accurate in this section does not expose anything more than what is already visible about you in person.
What Happens With Your Marks During Your Branch Visit
Even after you submit your written description online, your actual appointment still plays a role in confirming the details.
- Biometrics staff capture your photo and fingerprints as part of the standard process.
- Visible marks may be visually noted or confirmed against what you wrote during registration, particularly if a mark is clearly visible on your face or hands.
- Any mismatch is usually resolved on the spot, such as a small correction to your description, rather than treated as a serious problem.
- Your final record reflects both your written description and what staff observed, keeping the file as accurate as possible going forward.
This is another reason rushing through the identifying marks field online rarely saves real time. A careless answer often just gets corrected in person anyway, adding a small delay you could have avoided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The identifying marks section looks small, but it plays a real role in keeping your NBI record accurate and helping avoid mistaken identity with someone who shares your name. Take a minute to check your visible marks, describe them clearly and specifically, and write “None” only if that is genuinely true for you. Getting this small detail right the first time means one less thing to correct later, whether during your first application, a renewal, or a future status check.
This guide is independently written for informational purposes and is not affiliated with the National Bureau of Investigation. Always complete your actual application through the official NBI Clearance portal at clearance.nbi.gov.ph.