Last verified: October 5, 2026
Independent guide. We are not affiliated with the NBI, the DFA, or any Philippine embassy. Procedures and fees at consular posts change — always confirm with the post that serves you before you go.
Quick answer: If you are outside the Philippines, you get your NBI clearance through the mailed clearance route: secure NBI Form No. 5 from the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate, have your rolled fingerprints taken there (or at a local police station), attach a 2×2 photo and passport copy, and mail everything with the ₱200 fee to the NBI’s Mailed Clearance Section in Manila. Processing takes up to 5 working days once received, plus courier time both ways — plan for 3–6 weeks total. Alternatively, authorize a representative in the Philippines to process and claim it for you.
Who this guide is for
- OFWs who need a fresh NBI clearance for employment, visa, or residency requirements
- Filipinos residing abroad applying for permanent residency, work permits, or background checks
- Foreign nationals who previously lived in the Philippines and now need a Philippine police clearance
One important note: the embassy or consulate does not issue the clearance itself. It assists with fingerprinting and certifying your Form No. 5. The clearance is issued only by the NBI in Manila — all applications from abroad are processed at the NBI Main Office through the Mailed Clearance Section. No branch or satellite office handles them.
Your two options at a glance
| Option 1: Mailed clearance | Option 2: Authorized representative | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | You mail Form No. 5 + documents + fee to NBI Manila | Someone in PH submits and claims for you |
| You must visit | Embassy/consulate or police station (fingerprints) | Nothing — but your representative visits NBI |
| Best for | Most applicants abroad, first-timers | Those with a trusted person in the Philippines |
| Total time | 3–6 weeks (mostly courier) | 1–3 weeks + shipping to you |
| NBI fee | ₱200 (₱130 clearance + ₱70 mailing) | ₱155 online + representative’s expenses |
Option 1: Mailed clearance with NBI Form No. 5 (step by step)
Step 1 — Get NBI Form No. 5. Secure the fingerprint card from the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate. The form itself is free, but posts charge their own service fee (examples reported: US$25 in New York, AED 100 in the UAE — confirm your post’s current fee). If you cannot visit, some posts mail the form to you if you send a request letter with a return self-addressed stamped envelope. Make sure the form bears the consular seal.
Step 2 — Fill it out carefully. Complete every field with no erasures. Use the exact name format on your passport and PSA birth certificate — mismatches are the top cause of delays and HITs.
Step 3 — Have your fingerprints taken. Get rolled (not plain) fingerprint impressions taken at the embassy/consulate or your nearest police station. The officer who takes them must write their name, signature, designation, and office seal on the form — a form without these is rejected.
Step 4 — Attach your documents:
- One recent 2×2 colored photo (white background, taken within the last 3 months) affixed to the form
- Photocopy of your passport biodata page
- Photocopy of a valid government ID
- Your old NBI clearance if you have one (helps record matching, especially for renewals)
Step 5 — Enclose payment. ₱200 total: ₱130 clearance fee + ₱70 return mailing. Pay by money order or bank draft in Philippine pesos, negotiable in the Philippines, payable to the NBI Director — cash in the equivalent amount is also accepted. Do not send foreign-currency cash.
Step 6 — Mail everything to:
National Bureau of Investigation
Mailed Clearance Section
3rd Floor, NBI Clearance Building
UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000
Use a trackable courier and keep your tracking number.
Step 7 — Wait and receive. The NBI processes mailed applications within 5 working days of receipt. The clearance is then mailed back to your overseas address. When it arrives, check the embossed dry seal and affix your right thumbmark in the designated space.
Option 2: Authorize a representative in the Philippines
If you have a trusted family member in the Philippines, this is often faster:
1. Execute an authorization letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA). For NBI and DFA transactions, a consularized SPA (signed before and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate) is the legally robust option — some offices strictly require it.
2. Send your representative: the SPA/authorization letter, a copy of your passport biodata page, your completed NBI Form No. 5 (if new applicant) or old clearance details, 2×2 photo, and their own valid ID.
3. Your representative registers/pays through the NBI online portal if required, submits at the NBI Main Office, Mailed Clearance Section, and claims the issued clearance.
4. They ship it to you via international courier (DHL, FedEx, or similar).
What it costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| NBI clearance fee (mailed route) | ₱200 (₱130 clearance + ₱70 mailing) |
| Embassy/consulate service fee | Varies by post (confirm before going) |
| Courier to Manila | Varies by country |
| Return courier / representative shipping | Varies |
| DFA apostille (if needed) | ~₱100–₱200 per document (confirm on the DFA portal) |
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Embassy visit (form + fingerprints) | 30–45 minutes on site |
| Courier to Manila | 1–2 weeks depending on country |
| NBI processing | Up to 5 working days upon receipt |
| Return mailing to you | 1–2 weeks |
| Total | 3–6 weeks — apply early |
Philippine holidays, payment issues, and HIT verification add time. Do not book flights or visa appointments against the best case.
If you get a HIT while abroad
A HIT means your name matched a record needing manual verification — it is not a criminal finding by itself (see our HIT explainer). From abroad, a HIT is harder to clear because resolution normally requires personal appearance. What you can do:
- Your representative can follow up at the NBI with supporting documents on your behalf: PSA birth certificate, court clearances, or an affidavit of denial/explanation, depending on what the NBI asks for.
- Expect the timeline to extend well beyond the standard 5 working days.
- Do not attempt to “fix” a HIT through anyone outside the NBI — fixers’ documents are void and can create legal trouble.
Using the clearance abroad: DFA apostille
If the foreign employer, embassy, or immigration office requires an authenticated clearance, you need a DFA apostille:
- The Philippines has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since May 2019. For member countries, a DFA apostille is all you need — no further legalization.
- The DFA is the competent authority. Book through the DFA apostille portal (apostille.gov.ph) — walk-ins are not allowed; an online appointment is mandatory.
- Since April 2025 the DFA runs a dedicated online flow for NBI clearances: upload a copy, book, then claim the apostilled clearance.
- The DFA only apostilles an NBI clearance bearing the dry seal — submit the original.
- Fee is around ₱100–₱200 per document depending on processing speed — confirm the current fee on the DFA portal when booking, as it has changed over time.
- For countries not in the Convention (examples: UAE, Qatar, Kuwait), the apostille is only step one — that country’s embassy in Manila must also legalize the document.
- Your representative in the Philippines can handle the DFA appointment for you with a consularized SPA.
Note: an apostille certifies the signature and seal of the NBI official, not the contents. Many foreign offices also require the underlying clearance to be recent (often issued within 3–6 months) — that is their rule, not the apostille’s.
Buod sa Tagalog
Kung nasa abroad ka, hindi mo kailangang umuwi para kumuha ng NBI clearance. Kumuha ng NBI Form No. 5 sa pinakamalapit na Embahada o Konsulado ng Pilipinas, magpa-fingerprint (rolled impressions), maglakip ng 2×2 litrato at kopya ng pasaporte, at ipadala lahat kasama ang ₱200 bayad sa Mailed Clearance Section ng NBI sa Maynila. Ang proseso ay hanggang 5 working days pagkatanggap, pero maglaan ng 3–6 na linggo kasama ang courier. Puwede ring magpadala ng katiwala sa Pilipinas na may SPA. Kung kailangan sa ibang bansa, ipa-apostille sa DFA.
Troubleshooting
My documents were lost in the mail. Contact the Mailed Clearance Section with your courier tracking number, payment receipt, and reference details to ask about re-processing or re-mailing. This is why a trackable courier matters — regular post offers no recourse.
My fingerprints were rejected (poor quality). Have them retaken — insist on rolled impressions (nail-to-nail rolling), not flat presses. Dry or worn fingertips print badly; the officer may ask you to moisturize or try again. Make sure the officer signs with name, designation, and seal.
The issued clearance has wrong details (name, birthdate). Do not use it — contact the NBI with your PSA birth certificate and supporting documents to request correction. Depending on the error, you may need to file a new application. Double-check every field on Form No. 5 before mailing; prevention is far cheaper than correction.
Payment did not reflect / I am unsure the fee arrived. Keep your money order/bank draft receipt or courier proof of delivery. If you used a representative, have them confirm payment at submission. Never send a second payment until the first is traced — double payments are hard to reverse.
The embassy says they do not forward documents to the NBI. Not all posts offer forwarding — most only do fingerprinting and certifying Form No. 5. In that case, mail the packet yourself via courier or use the representative route.
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Related guides: NBI Clearance: The Complete 2026 Guide · How to Renew NBI Clearance Online · What Is “HIT” in NBI Clearance?
Last verified: 2026-10-05. Official source: clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Mailed-clearance fee (₱200 = ₱130 + ₱70) and Mailed Clearance Section address per NBI via 2026 guides; apostille steps and fees per DFA via 2026 guides — confirm current figures on the official portals before paying. Embassy service fees vary by post.
Always confirm details on the official government portal:
Visit the official NBI portalFrequently asked questions
Can I get an NBI clearance without going back to the Philippines?
Yes. Use the mailed clearance route: NBI Form No. 5 from the embassy/consulate, rolled fingerprints, 2x2 photo, passport copy, and the ₱200 fee mailed to the NBI Mailed Clearance Section in Manila. Or authorize a representative to process it for you.
How much is the NBI clearance fee from abroad?
₱200 total for the mailed route — ₱130 for the clearance plus ₱70 for return mailing — payable by money order or bank draft in Philippine pesos to the NBI Director. Embassy service fees and courier costs are separate.
How long does it take to get NBI clearance from abroad?
The NBI processes mailed applications within 5 working days of receipt, but with courier time both ways and consular steps, plan for 3–6 weeks total. Start early.
Can my relative in the Philippines get it for me?
Yes. Give them a consularized Special Power of Attorney (or authorization letter), your passport copy, completed Form No. 5 or old clearance details, a 2x2 photo, and payment. They submit at the NBI Main Office and ship the issued clearance to you.
My last NBI clearance was issued years ago in the Philippines. Can I just renew online from abroad?
If it was issued in 2014 or later and your details have not changed, try the online renewal — but note that Quick Renewal delivery currently covers Philippine addresses only, so from abroad you will still need the mailed route or a representative to receive it.
Do I need a DFA apostille on my NBI clearance?
Only if the foreign office asks for it. For Hague Convention countries, book a DFA apostille appointment online (walk-ins are not accepted). For non-member countries like the UAE, you need the apostille plus legalization by that country's embassy in Manila.