The National Bureau of Investigation is the primary agency of the Philippine Government established for investigative services and laboratory research in relation to crimes and other offenses against the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. The same agency acts as the national clearinghouse of criminal records and issues a clearance certificate for all persons without criminal convictions in the Philippines.

Applicants for the NBI Clearance Certificate living abroad can have their fingerprint impressions taken at the nearest Philippine embassy or consular office and thereafter have the Clearance Application form sent to the Philippines following the procedures outlined below.

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines is not the agency that processes NBI Clearance Certificates, but merely assists in the fingerprint impression-taking of the applicants. The foreign NBI Clearance applicant will have to send the documents and payment to the Philippines by postal mail, or request an authorized representative to hand-deliver/submit the documents to the appropriate NBI office in the Philippines.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE CONSULAR SECTION FOR FINGERPRINT IMPRESSION TAKING

NBI Clearance applicants who will have their fingerprint impressions taken at the Philippine Consulate must bring their valid passport and a photocopy of its biometric page, along with a recently-taken 2x2 color photo in white background. The applicants shall then follow the procedures below to submit the NBI Clearance application form to the NBI and pay the appropriate fees or have a friend based in the Philippines do the steps instead.

STEPS FOR NEW APPLICANTS / FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY RESIDED IN THE PHILIPPINES AND NEED AN NBI CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE

Step 1     Secure NBI Clearance Application Form (NBI Form No. 5) from the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the country where applicant resides. This Form No. 5 is furnished by the NBI upon request by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is free and not for sale.

(A relative or friend in the Philippines can also secure NBI Form No.5 from the Mailed Clearance Section, 3rd Floor, NBHI Clearance Building, UN Avenue, Manila.)

Step 2     Fill out the Form and go to the Embassy/Consulate or nearest police station for fingerprinting, which should be rolled impressions. The one who took the fingerprint impression must sign on the Form. Consular service fee may apply abroad for fingerprint impression taking.

Step 3     Attach a 2x2 picture in white background, taken within the last three (3) months prior to application, and submit a photocopy of your passport data page.

Step 4     Other than the instructions above, new applicants are also required to register online at www.nbi-clearance.com 

               An applicant is required to sign-up and to sign-in to apply for clearance where a Reference Number will appear on the computer screen.
               Copy this Reference Number which will serve as the NBI’s code in the retrieval of applicant’s data and status of application.

Step 5    Enclose money order or bank draft in the amount of two hundred fifteen pesos (P215.00), Philippine currency, negotiable in the Philippines, payable to the NBI Director. Cash is also accepted equivalent to two hundred fifteen pesos (P215.00). Clearance fee is one hundred thirty pesos (P130.00) and the remaining eighty-five pesos (P85.00) will be used to send clearance certificate back to the applicant through the Philippine Post.

Step 6    Send completed application form and support document (including your Reference Number) to:

The Officer-in-Charge
Mailed Clearance Section
3rd Floor, NBI Clearance Bldg.,
UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila

               She can also be reached at Telephone Number +63 2 523 8231 Local 5465

 NOTE:

• Processing time for applications will take a maximum of five (5) days upon receipt of documents.
• If a relative would submit/hand-deliver the documents at the NBI in the Philippines, a Letter of Authorization is required.