NBI Clearance Requirements 2026: Complete List of Documents, Valid IDs & Eligibility
One missing document or one expired ID is all it takes to lose your appointment slot and walk out empty-handed. This guide breaks down exactly what you need, which IDs the NBI actually accepts, how requirements differ depending on your applicant type, and what to do if you run into a HIT or a missing document along the way, so you can walk into your branch prepared and walk out with your clearance the same day.
What Do You Need for NBI Clearance?
At minimum, every applicant needs to meet these basic NBI requirements:
- An NBI online account
- A booked appointment
- Two valid, original, government-issued IDs
- Payment for the clearance fee
- Personal appearance for biometrics and photo capture
Special cases, like renewals, name changes, first-time job seekers, and foreign nationals, may need one or two extra documents on top of this baseline. Those are covered in detail further down.
NBI Clearance Requirements Overview
NBI Online Account
You’ll need to register an account on the official NBI Clearance portal using a working email address. This account is where you complete your applicant profile, book your appointment, and later check your status or download your clearance.
NBI Appointment
Registration alone doesn’t complete your application. You still need to book a branch appointment for the in-person part of the process, biometrics and photo capture, so pick a branch and time slot that realistically works with your schedule.
Valid Government-Issued ID
You need two valid, original, government-issued IDs, not one. Both should show your full legal name matching how you entered it in your online application, since a mismatch is one of the more common reasons applicants get flagged for correction at the branch.
Payment and Reference Number
Pay your clearance fee through one of the accepted channels before your appointment, and hold on to your payment reference number. Staff use this to confirm your transaction if it hasn’t synced with the system yet by the time you arrive.
Personal Appearance and Biometrics
Even though registration, ID selection, and payment happen online, you still need to show up in person at your chosen branch. This is where your fingerprints and photo are captured, and it’s a step that can’t be skipped or done remotely.
Valid IDs Accepted for NBI Clearance
PhilSys National ID
The PhilID or ePhilID is accepted as a primary ID and is increasingly the preferred choice, since it’s directly linked to your national registry record.
Philippine Passport
A valid, unexpired Philippine passport is accepted as a primary ID and is especially useful if you’ll need your clearance for travel or visa purposes anyway.
Driver’s License
An unexpired driver’s license issued by the LTO is accepted as a primary ID.
UMID
The Unified Multi-Purpose ID, issued through SSS or GSIS, is accepted as a primary ID.
PRC ID
A current Professional Regulation Commission ID is accepted for licensed professionals.
Postal ID
Only the current format Postal ID is accepted. Older versions that have since been phased out may not be honored at the branch, so check that yours reflects the updated design before relying on it.
SSS and GSIS IDs
Aside from the UMID, standalone SSS and GSIS identification documents are generally accepted, though the UMID is the more commonly used version among applicants who have one.
Other Accepted Government-Issued IDs
The Voter’s ID and PhilHealth ID round out the list of commonly accepted primary IDs. Beyond these, several other government-issued IDs are also accepted, including the Senior Citizen ID, PWD ID, Solo Parent ID, OFW ID or Seaman’s Book, and OWWA or iDOLE ID. A school ID or barangay ID typically only works as a backup or secondary document, not as one of your two required primary IDs.
Other Documents You May Need
Birth Certificate
A PSA-issued birth certificate isn’t required for a standard application, but it can help resolve discrepancies if your name or birthdate doesn’t match cleanly across your other documents.
Supporting Documents for Name Changes
If your current legal name differs from what’s on an older record, bring your PSA-certified marriage certificate or court order confirming the change.
Documents for Special Cases
Applicants with unique circumstances, such as a legal name correction, dual citizenship, or a previously merged record, should bring whatever official document explains the discrepancy, since staff will need something on hand to update your file correctly.
Documents for Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals typically need an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) or a valid passport along with visa documents, in addition to any other ID they can provide.
Requirements by Applicant Type
First-Time NBI Clearance Applicants
First-time applicants need the full standard set: online registration, two valid IDs, a booked appointment, payment, and personal appearance for biometrics.
First-Time Job Seekers
Under RA 11261, first-time job seekers can get their first NBI Clearance for free with a barangay certification confirming their first-time jobseeker status, on top of the usual valid ID and application form. Some branches also ask for a signed Oath of Undertaking alongside the barangay certification. Since the waiver is applied at the counter rather than at checkout, skip the online payment step and present your certification directly to branch staff instead. This waiver only applies once and doesn’t carry over to renewals.
NBI Clearance Renewal Applicants
Applicants renewing an existing clearance need their old NBI ID number instead of going through full registration again. The same two valid IDs are still required, and a branch visit may still apply depending on whether biometrics need updating. If you’ve misplaced your old physical clearance and can’t recall your NBI ID number, a notarized Affidavit of Loss can help staff recover your record. Renewals processed through a consular or embassy route may also ask for a recent 2×2 photo on top of the standard requirements.
Minors and Students
Minors aged 15 to 17 can apply in specific cases with a guardian’s consent. A school ID can support the application but generally isn’t accepted as one of the two required primary IDs on its own.
OFWs and Filipinos Abroad
OFWs and Filipinos abroad can complete registration and payment from anywhere, though they’ll need a valid passport as one of their IDs and should confirm delivery options for their location if they can’t return to the Philippines for a branch visit. If a branch visit truly isn’t possible, applying through the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate is the alternative route: this involves having your fingerprints taken on an NBI Fingerprint Card (Form No. 5), along with recent 2×2 photos, then having the embassy mail the completed form to the NBI’s Mailed Clearance Section in Manila for verification.
PWDs and Senior Citizens
Applicants with a PWD ID or Senior Citizen ID can use either as one of their two valid IDs. Some branches offer priority lanes for these applicants, so it’s worth asking at the branch entrance if one is available on the day of your appointment.
Foreign Nationals in the Philippines
Foreign nationals applying for an NBI Clearance while residing in the Philippines typically need an ACR I-Card or passport with valid visa documents, and should expect additional identity verification compared to Filipino applicants. Some branches also request proof of local residency, such as a lease agreement or a utility bill under your name, to support your application.
NBI Clearance Requirements for Applicants With a HIT
What Is an NBI HIT?
A HIT means your name matches or closely resembles a record already in the NBI database. It doesn’t automatically mean you have a criminal record, it just means someone needs to verify the match manually before your clearance can be released.
What to Bring for HIT Verification
Bring the same two valid IDs you used in your original application, along with any supporting document that helps confirm your identity is distinct from the flagged record, such as a birth certificate if your name is a common one.
What Happens After a HIT?
Your application goes into manual verification, which typically takes 3 to 5 working days, or 10 to 20 days for more complex or overseas cases. You’ll be notified once your status updates to “For Release.”
Does a HIT Require Additional Documents?
Not always. Many HITs clear through manual comparison of your existing file without you needing to submit anything extra. If staff do need something specific from you, they’ll typically ask directly when you follow up on your status.
Do You Need to Print the NBI Clearance Application Form?
Printing isn’t strictly required, but it’s recommended. A printed copy of your application form and reference number lets branch staff pull up your record quickly instead of searching manually by name.
What You Should Bring to Your Appointment
Bring your two valid, original IDs, your printed or screenshotted application form, and your payment reference number.
Reference Number and Appointment Details
Keep your reference number accessible in more than one place, such as a screenshot on your phone and a printed copy, since you’ll need it both to confirm your appointment and to resolve any issues that come up at the branch.
NBI Clearance Fees and Payment Requirements
Standard NBI Clearance Fee
The standard fee runs approximately ₱155 to ₱160, covering the base clearance fee plus a service charge. Delivery or apostille needs come with additional charges on top of this.
First-Time Job Seeker Fee Waiver
Under RA 11261, first-time job seekers can have this fee waived entirely with a barangay certification, though this only applies to their very first clearance.
E-Payment or Convenience Charge
Paying through GCash, Maya, or similar apps adds a small e-payment service charge, generally in the ₱25 to ₱30 range, on top of the base fee.
Payment Confirmation
Keep your payment confirmation or receipt until you’ve claimed your clearance. If your payment doesn’t reflect right away, give it a few hours to sync before contacting support with your reference number.
NBI Clearance Appointment Requirements
What to Bring to the Branch
Two valid, original government-issued IDs, your appointment reference number, and your payment confirmation.
Personal Appearance
Personal appearance is mandatory for every applicant, since biometrics and photo capture can only be done in person, regardless of how much of the process you completed online.
Biometrics and Photo Capture
Staff take your fingerprints and photo on site. Dress in plain, collared attire without accessories that could obscure your face, since this photo becomes the official image on your clearance.
What Happens During the Appointment?
Staff verify your submitted ID against your application, capture your biometrics and photo, and process your clearance on the spot if you come back “No Hit.”
Common NBI Clearance Requirement Problems
Expired or Unaccepted ID
Bring an ID that’s still valid and on the accepted list. An expired ID, or one like an old-format Postal ID, is a common reason applicants get turned away and asked to reschedule.
Name Mismatch
If your ID and your online application don’t match exactly, staff may ask for a supporting document, such as a marriage certificate, before proceeding.
Missing Supporting Documents
For special cases like name changes or HIT verification, forgetting the relevant supporting document usually means rescheduling rather than being processed on the spot.
Incorrect Personal Information
Small errors, like a typo in your address, can usually be corrected through your account before your appointment. Bigger corrections need to be flagged with branch staff directly.
Payment Not Reflected
Give your payment channel a few hours to sync with the NBI system. If it still hasn’t reflected after that, contact NBI support with your reference number.
No Appointment Slot Available
Check back regularly, since slots open up when other applicants reschedule or cancel. Smaller satellite branches, like those inside malls, often have more availability than busier main branches.
Quick Checklist Before Your NBI Appointment
Valid ID
Two valid, original, government-issued IDs that match the name on your application.
Application and Appointment Details
Your printed or saved application form, along with your booked branch, date, and time.
Payment Confirmation
Proof of payment or your reference number, in case your transaction hasn’t synced yet.
Supporting Documents
Any relevant document for your specific situation, such as a marriage certificate for a name change or a barangay certification for a fee waiver.
Reference Number
Your appointment reference number, saved in at least one backup format like a screenshot.
Conclusion
Most NBI Clearance requirement problems come down to the same few things: bringing the wrong ID, mismatched personal details, or missing a supporting document for a special case. Nail down your two valid IDs, book your appointment early, and keep your reference number handy, and the rest of the process moves quickly whether you’re a first-time applicant, renewing, or sorting out a HIT.
This guide is independently written for informational purposes and is not an official publication of the National Bureau of Investigation. The two-valid-ID requirement reflects the NBI’s published Citizen’s Charter; other details reflect commonly reported 2026 practice and may vary by branch or change over time. Always verify current requirements on the official NBI website, nbi.gov.ph, or the NBI Clearance portal, clearance.nbi.gov.ph, before your appointment.