national bureau of investigation (nbI ) clearance
In need of an NBI Clearance while abroad?
Secure and accomplish an NBI Fingerprint Card Form available at the Philippine Consulate and send it to the NBI in the Philippines to obtain the clearance.
For First-Time Applicant
Secure a Fingerprint Card Form from nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Fingerprint Card Forms are available in any Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Fill out the form.
Fill it out truthfully and legibly, supplying all the required information on both sides of the form.
For married women, please write your name in the following order: maiden surname (father’s surname), husband’s surname, first or given name, and maternal surname (mother’s family name).
Attach one most recent 2" x 2" colored photo with white background.
The photo must be taken within three months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low quality photos are not accepted.
Have fingerprints impressed.
Have your fingerprints impressed (ROLLED IMPRESSION) on the appropriate spaces. The officer or person who “fingerprinted” you should sign his name and state his official designation on the space provided for the purpose on the card.
Have the form notarized by the Philippine Consulate or Embassy
The duly accomplished form needs to be notarized by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate so that it can be considered legal for use in the Philippines. The notarization fee is US$ 25.00 in cash or money order payable to the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
Send the notarized Fingerprint Card form to the NBI for issuance of clearance.
You can send the form to the NBI either by mail or through a representative. Please refer to sending instructions below.
For Renewal of the NBI Clearance
If you have your original Personal Copy of your NBI clearance issued from 1998 onwards, simply send the following to the NBI Office. (Please refer to sending instructions below).
1. Original NBI clearance, with updated information for address and purpose of clearance indicated; otherwise, write “Same Data”, if none
2. One (1) 2″ x 2″ colored photo with white background taken 3 months before date of application.
3. Photocopy of passport with date stamped proving presence abroad.
4. Duly accomplished and notarized Fingerprint Card Form (Please refer to Steps 1 – 6 for first-time applicant).
5. Photocopy of birth certificate and/or marriage certificate (in case there are changes in name, date of birth, or place of birth)
Note: If NBI clearance was issued prior to 1998, or you have lost your personal copy of the certificate, follow the instructions for First Time applicants from abroad.
Sending Instructions
BY MAIL
Mail to the NBI Office the following:
- Accomplished and notarized Fingerprint Form
- Money Order* in the amount of Php 200.00 or bank draft, which is negotiable in the Philippines, payable to the Director, National Bureau of Investigation, Taft Avenue, Ermita 1000 Manila, Philippines.
* Accredited banks of NBI are Philippine National Bank (PNB), Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Co. (HSBC), ANZ – A New Zealand Bank, METROBANK, and Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI)
Address your mail to:
Identification and Records Division – Mailed Clearance Section
National Bureau of Investigation
Taft Avenue, Ermita 1000 Manila
Philippines
The NBI will mail to you the corresponding clearance certificate after it has been processed.
Processing takes a maximum of three (3) days, excluding days of transit.
THROUGH A REPRESENTATIVE
Send the following to your representative in the Philippines:
- Accomplished and notarized Fingerprint Form
- Signed Letter authorizing your representative to transact business on your behalf.
Your representative proceeds to the NBI office indicated below to submit the form and pay the appropriate fee:
Electronic Data Processing Division (EDPD)
National Bureau of Investigation
Taft Avenue, Ermita 1000 Manila
Philippines
Upon receipt of your clearance certificate, please examine it for the presence of the embossed NBI DRY SEAL at its lower left portion.
The clearance is invalid without it. You must also affix your clear and properly taken THUMBPRINT on the space provided for on the clearance certificate with the assistance of any local police in your area before submitting it to the end-user.