Last verified: October 5, 2026
Independent guide. We are not affiliated with the National Bureau of Investigation. Bring originals — photocopies alone are generally not accepted for identity verification.
Quick answer: Bring your reference number (from your online application), your payment receipt, and at least one valid government-issued photo ID (two is safer). First-time jobseekers claiming the free clearance must also bring a barangay certification. That is the whole list for most applicants — the sections below cover renewals, OFWs, and special cases.
Printable packing checklist (screenshot this)
Every applicant — bring all of these:
- [ ] Reference number / appointment slip (printed or screenshot — the QR code is your gate pass)
- [ ] Payment receipt (₱155, or proof of first-time-jobseeker exemption)
- [ ] At least 1 valid government-issued photo ID (bring 2 if you have them)
- [ ] A pen (forms still exist at some counters)
First-time jobseeker (free clearance) — add:
- [ ] Barangay certification: first-time jobseeker status + at least 6 months residency (original, with letterhead and dry seal)
Renewal via appointment — add:
- [ ] Your old/expired NBI clearance (helps staff retrieve your record fast)
Valid IDs accepted
Any one of these government-issued photo IDs is accepted; two is the safer play in case one is questioned:
- Philippine passport
- Driver’s license (LTO)
- UMID (SSS/GSIS)
- PhilID / National ID (PhilSys)
- PRC ID
- Voter’s ID / voter’s certification
- Postal ID
- BIR TIN ID
- PhilHealth ID
- Pag-IBIG ID
- Senior citizen ID
- PWD ID
What does NOT count: company IDs, school IDs, and barangay IDs are generally not accepted as the primary valid ID (the barangay certification is a separate document for the jobseeker exemption, not an ID substitute).
Per applicant type
First-time applicants
The standard list above is everything. Register online first at clearance.nbi.gov.ph — walk-ins are not accommodated. Full walkthrough: online appointment guide.
Renewal applicants (walk-in route)
Bring your old NBI clearance plus the standard list. If your data changed (married name, corrected birthdate), bring the supporting PSA document too — and expect to be processed as a new application. Quick Renewal (no visit at all) may be available instead: renewal guide.
First-time jobseekers (RA 11261 — free)
Republic Act No. 11261 waives the ₱130 NBI fee for first-time jobseekers, once in a lifetime. You need:
1. A barangay certification stating you are a first-time jobseeker and have resided in the barangay for at least 6 months (original copy, official letterhead, dry seal).
2. Select the first-time-jobseeker option during online registration.
3. Present the certification at the branch.
Note: the waiver covers the clearance fee; confirm on the portal whether the ₱25 system fee still applies to your transaction.
OFWs and applicants abroad
Different process: NBI Form No. 5 (fingerprint card) from the embassy, rolled fingerprints, 2×2 photo, passport copy, and a representative in the Philippines. Full detail: NBI clearance abroad / HIT guide.
Filling Out the NBI Form: Complexion, Identifying Marks, and Other Fields
Two fields on the NBI online form confuse almost every first-timer. Here is what they actually mean.
Complexion simply means your natural skin tone — not tanning, not makeup, not lighting. The form offers general categories such as Fair (naturally light), Light, Medium (average), Brown (morena/moreno), and Dark (deeper brown). Pick the closest match to your natural skin color and do not overthink it.
Why does the NBI ask? With thousands of Filipinos sharing the same names, physical descriptors help officers tell applicants apart — especially when a name produces a HIT. Your complexion has zero effect on approval: it is identification data, not a screening criterion, and a slightly-off choice will not cause rejection. If it was recorded wrong, staff can correct it when you renew.
Identifying marks means permanent, visible physical features — a scar, tattoo, mole, or birthmark that will still be there in a year. Describe each one specifically (e.g., “mole on left cheek,” “tattoo on right forearm”). If you have none, write NONE — leaving the field blank can hold up your form, while a plain NONE is a complete answer. Do not list temporary marks (bruises, rashes, healing wounds), and stick to marks ordinarily visible.
Other physical fields (height, weight, build, hair, eyes): give honest approximations — nobody measures you at the counter.
Foreign nationals
Bring your ACR (Alien Certificate of Registration) or passport with valid visa plus the standard requirements — confirm the current list with your chosen branch before going, as policies change.
Minors
Minors apply with a parent/guardian: bring the minor’s PSA birth certificate plus the guardian’s valid ID. Confirm with your branch before your appointment, as policies change.
Buod sa Tagalog
Dalhhin sa appointment: reference number (screenshot), resibo ng ₱155, at kahit isang valid government ID (mas mainam kung dalawa). Para sa libreng clearance ng first-time jobseeker, magdala rin ng barangay certification (6 buwang residency). Orihinal ang dalhin, hindi photocopy lang. Para sa renewal, dalhin ang lumang NBI clearance.
Troubleshooting
I arrived but forgot my reference number. Log into clearance.nbi.gov.ph on your phone — it is in your dashboard. Screenshot it before leaving home next time.
The counter rejects my ID. Ask specifically what is wrong with it (expired? name mismatch? not on the accepted list?) — then check the valid ID list above and return with a qualifying one rather than arguing the point.
My payment receipt didn’t print. The e-wallet transaction history on your phone counts as proof — show it at the counter. For 7-Eleven CLiQQ, the machine receipt is your proof; photograph it immediately since thermal receipts fade.
Barangay won’t issue the jobseeker certification. The certification is a standard barangay service under RA 11261. Ask for the barangay secretary and cite the First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act; some barangays ask for a valid ID and proof of residency first.
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Related guides: NBI Clearance Hub · Online Appointment · Fee · Renewal · HIT Meaning
Last verified: 2026-10-05. Official source: clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Accepted-ID list and jobseeker requirements per respicio.ph 2026 commentaries; RA 11261 per Republic Act No. 11261 (First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act). Foreign-national and minor policies change — confirm with your branch before going.
Always confirm details on the official government portal:
Visit the official NBI portalFrequently asked questions
Is one valid ID enough?
Officially yes, but bring two if you can. If the counter questions one ID (expired, damaged, name mismatch), the second one saves your trip.
My ID is expired. Will they accept it?
Generally no — bring a currently valid ID. If you have none, secure one first (postal ID and PhilID are the most accessible).
Do I need to bring passport-size photos?
No. Your photo is taken digitally at the branch. Photos are only required for the mailed/abroad application.
What if my name on the ID differs from my birth certificate?
Bring the PSA document that explains the difference (e.g., marriage certificate for a changed surname). For women who married: write your name in the order — maiden surname, husband's surname, first name, maternal surname — and carry the marriage certificate.
I lost my old NBI clearance. Can I still renew?
Yes, if your record is retrievable — your NBI ID number is the key. Try the portal's renewal flow, or ask the branch's information desk.
Does the barangay certification for jobseekers expire?
It is generally valid for one year from issuance. Get it close to your application date, not months ahead.
What is "complexion" in the NBI form?
Your natural skin tone. Choose the closest category — Fair, Light, Medium, Brown, or Dark — based on your natural color, not tanning or makeup. It is recorded for identification only and does not affect whether your clearance is approved.
What should I put under "identifying marks" in NBI?
Permanent, visible features only: scars, tattoos, moles, birthmarks. Describe each specifically. If you have none, write NONE — do not leave the field blank, and do not list temporary marks like bruises.
Is there a dress code (attire) for NBI clearance?
Yes — dress smart casual. Avoid sleeveless shirts, shorts, and slippers; branches can turn you away or refuse biometrics for improper attire. You will also be asked to remove eyeglasses for the photo.