Forgot NBI Clearance Number? How to Get It Back
If you forgot NBI clearance number details, you can usually recover them in a few minutes. Your old clearance, your NBI online account, and your email are the fastest places to check. If those fail, NBI clearance support can search your record.
This guide shows each method in order. It also covers what to do if you lost your email too, and what happens if you cannot find the number at all.
Quick answer: If you forgot NBI clearance number, check the upper right corner of your old clearance first. No paper copy? Log in at clearance.nbi.gov.ph and open Transactions, then search your email for NBI messages. Still stuck? Email nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph or visit the NBI Clearance Center with two valid IDs.
Which NBI Number Did You Forget?
People use three names for different things. Mixing them up wastes time.
| What you lost | What it is | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| NBI ID number (also called old NBI number or clearance number) | The code tied to your record. Quick Renewal asks for it. | Printed on your old clearance. Guides report it is 18 characters. |
| Reference number | A temporary code to pay for and track one application | Email, SMS, payment receipt, Transactions tab |
| Account email and password | Your login for clearance.nbi.gov.ph | Your inbox, or the Forgot Password link |
Most people searching for this need the first one. This guide focuses on it.
Where Is the NBI Number on the Clearance?
Look near the top of the certificate. Most guides report the upper right corner.
- Photograph the number and zoom in before you type it.
- The format can differ by the year your clearance was issued.
- Do not confuse it with the reference number on your payment slip.
Recover a Forgot NBI Clearance Number Online
Try these in order. Each one is free and takes minutes.
Log in and open Transactions
- Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Use only this address.
- Log in with your registered email and password.
- Open the Transactions tab.
- Open each past application and read the numbers listed.
Transactions always shows reference numbers. Some applicants also find their old NBI number in their account. If you do not see an ID number, move to the next method.
Reset a forgotten password
- Click Forgot Password on the login page.
- Enter the email you registered with.
- Open the reset link and set a new password.
- Check your spam folder if the email does not arrive.
Search your email and payment receipts
- Search your inbox for “NBI”, “clearance”, “reference number”, and “appointment”.
- Check spam and promotions folders. Automated mail often lands there.
- Open GCash, Maya, and 7-Eleven receipts from your old payment.
Receipts show the reference number. That helps you find the right application in your account. It is not always your NBI ID number.
Check your gallery, cloud storage, and copies you submitted
- Search your phone photos for “NBI” or “clearance”. Most photo apps read text inside images.
- Search Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive.
- Ask your employer’s HR office for the copy you submitted.
- Check school, bank, embassy, or visa files where you handed in a copy.
What If You Forgot the Email You Registered With?
This is the hardest case. Work through it in this order:
- List every email you have used, including old work and school emails.
- Search each inbox for NBI messages.
- Use your email provider’s account recovery to regain old addresses.
- If nothing works, contact NBI support or visit a clearance center.
Do not create a new account yet. A new account has no history. Guides report that this blocks Quick Renewal and can create a duplicate record.
How to Email the NBI Helpdesk
The NBI contact page lists nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph for clearance inquiries. You can also call (02) 8524-1277 or 0939 150 2880.
Include these details in your email:
- Full name, including middle name
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Approximate date and branch of your last clearance
- The email you think you registered with
- A clear scan of one valid government ID
Use this template:
Subject: Request to identify my old NBI ID number
Good day. I forgot the NBI ID number from my previous clearance. I need it for renewal.
Full name: [your name] Date of birth: [date] Place of birth: [place] Last clearance: [month and year, branch] Registered email: [email]
I attached a copy of my valid ID. Please advise how I can get my old NBI ID number. Thank you.
NBI may ask for more proof. It does not publish a response time, so follow up by phone if a week passes.
How to Recover Your Number at an NBI Clearance Center
The NBI Clearance Center is on United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila. It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Bring:
- Two valid original government IDs
- A PSA birth certificate, if you have one. Staff search by name and birth date.
- Any partial details, like your last application date or branch
Tell the staff you lost your old NBI ID number and need your record located. Call first to ask if your nearest center can search records. NBI has no published retrieval procedure or fee. This process comes from applicant reports.
Can You Use an FOI Request to Get Your Old NBI Number?
You can file one at foi.gov.ph, but it is not the best route. Two reasons:
- FOI requests are public. Anyone can read them on the site.
- In a 2023 reply, the NBI FOI team sent a clearance request to the clearance support channels instead.
Never write your birth date, ID numbers, or address in an FOI request. Use email or a center visit first.
Forgot NBI Clearance Number While Abroad?
You can still ask by email. Send the same details to nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph.
For applicants abroad, the NBI Mailed Clearance Section handles requests:
- Email: mailedclearance@nbi.gov.ph
- Phone: 0915 689 3113 or 0920 122 3327
Also ask your employer, school, or visa agency abroad for the copy you submitted before.
Can You Renew Without the Old Number?
Not with Quick Renewal. If you forgot NBI clearance number details and cannot recover them, you must file a regular application.
| With your old NBI ID number | Without it | |
|---|---|---|
| Application type | Quick Renewal | Regular application |
| Eligibility | Reported for clearances issued from October 16, 2016, with no changes and no HIT | Anyone |
| Branch visit | Usually not needed | Appointment and biometrics |
| Record link | Linked to your existing record | Can look like a second record |
Try recovery first. A duplicate record can raise the chance of a HIT, according to applicant guides.
Why Your NBI Number Is Not Accepted
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Record not found | Typo, or you entered the reference number | Retype from a zoomed photo. Confirm it is the ID number. |
| Letters look wrong | O and 0, or I and 1 mixed up | Zoom in and type slowly |
| Quick Renewal button missing | Older clearance, changed details, or a HIT | Contact NBI support or file a regular application |
| Details do not match | Name or civil status changed | Contact NBI support before applying |
Scams and Fake Recovery Sites
Many copycat sites offer to “retrieve” your number for a fee.
- Use only clearance.nbi.gov.ph and nbi.gov.ph.
- Never pay a fixer or a website to find your number.
- Never post your NBI number or ID photos in public groups.
- Check any phone number against nbi.gov.ph/contact.
This site is not the NBI. We cannot see your record or look up your number.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Only Reported
Confirmed on official NBI pages:
- Clearance inquiry numbers and the nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph email
- Clearance Center address and hours
- Mailed Clearance Section contacts for applicants abroad
Reported by applicants and guides, with no official page found:
- The 18 character format and upper right placement
- The October 16, 2016 Quick Renewal cutoff
- Record lookup steps at a center
- No fee for lookup
Last checked October 3, 2026. Confirm time sensitive details with NBI before you act.
How to Never Lose Your NBI Number Again
- Photograph your clearance the day you get it.
- Save the photo in a cloud folder named “Government IDs”.
- Store the number in a password manager.
- Use one email for all government portals.
- Write down the month and branch of each clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
A lost NBI number is fixable. Start with your old clearance, your NBI account, and your inbox. Then move to NBI support or a clearance center. Skip any site that asks for money. Once you have the number, photograph it and store it safely for your next renewal.