Updated guide · Last checked 3 November 2026
NBI Clearance Requirements 2026: Valid IDs and What to Bring (Official List)
The NBI clearance requirements are simple once you know the ID rule. Bring your paid reference number, your proof of payment, and either your original PhilSys National ID or any two original valid IDs from NBI’s list. The fee is ₱160. Your name and details must match your NBI account. This page lists all the requirements for NBI clearance, based on NBI’s own Citizen’s Charter.
- 21 IDs from NBI’s Charter
- Checked 3 Nov 2026
- Not the NBI website
1 PhilSys ID or any 2 valid IDs
- 1 or 2PhilSys ID alone, or 2 valid IDs
- 21IDs on NBI’s list
- ₱160Fee, Charter 2025 (free for first time job seekers)
- OriginalsNo photocopies needed
Quick answer
- Original PhilSys National ID alone, or any two original valid IDs
- Reference number or QR code from clearance.nbi.gov.ph
- Proof of payment
- Account details that match your IDs exactly
Disclaimer: This is an independent guide. We are not part of the NBI and we do not process applications. Rules can change, so check the official portal before you go.
The ID rule in one minute: one PhilSys ID or any two valid IDs
NBI’s Citizen’s Charter 2025 sets the rule for Filipino applicants. You can show the original PhilSys ID (your National ID card) on its own. If you do not have it, you show any two original IDs from NBI’s list. (NBI Citizen’s Charter 2025, page 47, checked 3 November 2026.)
Many people get confused here. The portal and the NBI how to page often say “bring two valid IDs.” That is still correct for most IDs. The Charter simply adds one shortcut: the PhilSys card counts as enough by itself.
Two more rules apply to every ID:
- Bring the original card or document. Filipino applicants do not need photocopies.
- The ID must not be expired. (nbi.gov.ph how to page, checked 3 November 2026.)
Digital National ID? NBI’s list names the original PhilSys ID. It does not mention the printed ePhilID or the digital ID in the eGovPH app. To be safe, bring the card, or bring two other IDs from the list as backup.
What if I only have one valid ID?
If your one ID is the PhilSys card, you are fine. If it is any other ID, you need a second one from the list. The easiest second ID for many people is a PSA birth certificate, because it is on NBI’s list. Other common picks are the Postal ID, a Voter’s Certification of Registration, a PhilHealth ID, and a TIN ID.
List of valid IDs for NBI clearance (all 21, from NBI’s Citizen’s Charter)
These are the IDs NBI accepts for Filipino applicants. Bring the PhilSys card alone, or any two of the items below. (NBI Citizen’s Charter 2025, pages 47 to 48, checked 3 November 2026.)
Government cards
- Driver’s License (LTO)
- Passport (DFA)
- UMID (SSS or GSIS)
- PhilHealth ID
- Pag-IBIG (HDMF) IDNot the Loyalty Card on the portal
- Postal ID
- PRC License
- BIR TIN ID
- Voter’s ID or CertificationCOMELEC
- Government Employee ID
- IBP License CardLawyers
- MARINA ID
- Seaman’s Book or Seaman’s Card
Social IDs
- PWD ID
- Senior Citizen’s ID
- Solo Parent ID
Documents and special cases
- PSA or NSO Birth CertificateAuthenticated
- School IDWith your current registration card
- Security License IDSecurity guards
- DSWD Foundling certificate
- Malacañang CertificationIndigenous or tribal membership
Where to get them: the agency that issues each one, like LTO, DFA, PSA, PRC, COMELEC, BIR, or the Post Office.
The portal list is a little different. When you click Apply for Clearance, the portal shows its own Type of ID list. It adds a Certification from the Local Civil Registrar. It says the Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card does not count. It also does not show the PWD ID, IBP card, or Security License ID. Pick an ID that is on the portal list, and bring that same ID to the branch. (Portal Type of ID list, checked 3 November 2026.)
Not on the list: IDs and papers that will not count
These are not on NBI’s list of valid IDs, so do not count on them:
- Barangay clearance or barangay ID
- Police clearance
- Company ID from a private employer
- Expired IDs
- Photocopies or phone photos of your IDs
- School ID without your current registration card
The portal advisory also warns that company IDs and barangay clearance are not accepted (checked 26 October 2026).
Myth fixes
- “TIN ID is not accepted.” It is on NBI’s list.
- “School ID never works.” It works when you show it with your current registration card.
- “PSA birth certificate is only a backup.” It is a full item on the list and counts as one of your two IDs.
NBI clearance requirements by applicant type
Find your situation below. Everyone also needs the reference number and proof of payment, except first time job seekers, who pay nothing.
- First time applicant Create an account on clearance.nbi.gov.ph, fill in your details, choose a branch, and pay. Then bring the PhilSys card, or two IDs from the list. Our online registration guide shows every screen.
- First time job seeker (free under RA 11261) Bring a Barangay Certification on official barangay letterhead, with a dry seal and the signature of the Punong Barangay or an authorized officer. Add a signed Oath of Undertaking and two valid IDs, or certificates like a birth certificate or voter’s registration certificate. Register on firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph. If you cannot register online, staff at NBI registration counters can help you. (NBI First Time Job Seekers charter page, checked 3 November 2026.) Step by step: our first time job seeker guide.
- Student or under 18 Your school ID works only when you also show your current registration card. Pair it with a PSA birth certificate. NBI pages do not state a minimum age, so call or ask your chosen branch if you are under 18.
- Married, changed name, or corrected details If anything in your details changed, even one letter, you must register again with the new details. Bring IDs that show your current name. If your IDs still show your old name, also bring the PSA document that shows the change, such as your PSA marriage certificate.
- Renewing an old clearance The rules are different for renewal. Read our NBI clearance renewal guide.
- Foreign nationals in the Philippines Bring your original passport and a photocopy. New foreign applicants can only apply at the NBI Main Office on U.N. Avenue, Manila, or at an NBI Regional or District Office. (NBI Citizen’s Charter 2025, page 48.)
NBI clearance requirements for abroad
If you live outside the Philippines, you apply by mail. (nbi.gov.ph mailed clearance page, checked 3 November 2026.)
- Get NBI Form No. 5 from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate. It is free.
- Have your fingerprints rolled at the embassy, consulate, or a police station. The officer signs and seals the form.
- Prepare one 2×2 photo with a white background, taken in the last three months, and a copy of your passport biodata page.
- Register on clearance.nbi.gov.ph using a Philippine mobile number, choose the U.N. Avenue clearance center, and pay the fee shown on your payment screen.
- Mail everything to the NBI International and Foreign Transaction Section in Manila, or send it through a representative.
Processing can take up to five days after your papers arrive.
Make your details match before you go
Most people sent home have an ID problem or a name problem. Check these before your visit:
- Spelling Your online form must match your IDs letter by letter.
- Middle name Use your mother’s maiden surname, as written on your IDs.
- Married women On NBI forms, your surname is your father’s surname, and your husband’s surname goes in its own field. Use the same pattern your IDs show.
- Typos If you made a mistake, register again with the right details before you pay.
At the branch, staff show your details on a screen before printing. Read them slowly. It is your last chance to catch an error.
Walk-in, appointment and timing rules
For a regular application, do not walk in without registering. Sign up and pay online first, then go to the branch you picked. You can visit within 15 days after your status shows PAID. (nbi.gov.ph how to page, checked 3 November 2026.)
First time job seekers are the exception. NBI has a walk-in process for them at the registration counters.
NBI’s main office in Manila serves clients Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Mall and satellite branches set their own hours.
If you have no HIT, you usually get your clearance the same day. With a HIT, you come back later. The how to page says 5 to 10 working days. The Charter says 8 working days at the main office and 15 at other offices.
“Bago Ka Umalis” checklist: screenshot this before your visit
NBI clearance requirements checklist 2026
Everyone
- Original PhilSys ID, or two original valid IDs from NBI’s list
- IDs not expired
- Reference number or QR code (screenshot or print)
- Proof of payment
- Account details match your IDs
- Collared top, long pants, closed shoes (no sleeveless tops, shorts, or slippers)
- A pen
Add this if you are…
- First time job seeker: Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking
- Using a school ID: current registration card
- Married or with a changed name: PSA marriage certificate or PSA document showing the change
Checked 3 November 2026 · nbiappointmentz.com
Applicant reports, not an NBI rule: Some applicants say a branch asked for a PSA birth certificate even with two IDs. If you have yours, keep it in your bag.
FAQ about NBI clearance requirements
Ano ang requirements sa NBI clearance? In short: valid IDs, your reference number, and proof of payment. Here are the questions people ask most.
What are the requirements for NBI clearance in 2026?
Bring your paid reference number or QR code, your proof of payment, and valid IDs. Filipinos can show the original PhilSys National ID alone, or any two original valid IDs from the NBI list. IDs must not be expired. Make sure your name and details match your NBI account exactly.
Is one valid ID enough for NBI clearance?
Yes, but only if that ID is your original PhilSys National ID. The NBI Citizen’s Charter 2025 accepts it on its own. Any other ID needs a second one from the official list. A PSA birth certificate counts as one of the two, so it can complete your set.
Can I use my ePhilID or digital National ID?
The NBI Citizen’s Charter names the original PhilSys ID, the physical National ID card. It does not mention the printed ePhilID or the digital ID in the eGovPH app. To avoid a wasted trip, bring the card, or bring two other valid IDs from the official list as a backup.
Do I need to bring photocopies of my IDs?
No. Filipino applicants only need the original IDs. The NBI checks them at the counter and does not ask for copies in the regular process. Copies are needed only in special cases. Foreign applicants bring a copy of their passport, and mailed applications from abroad need a copy of the passport biodata page.
Do I need a barangay clearance for NBI clearance?
No. A barangay clearance is not on the NBI list of requirements or valid IDs. You only need a barangay paper if you apply as a first time job seeker for the free clearance. In that case, you bring a Barangay Certification and a signed Oath of Undertaking, plus two valid IDs.
What are the NBI clearance requirements for first time job seekers?
Bring a Barangay Certification on official barangay letterhead, dry sealed, and signed by the Punong Barangay or an authorized officer. Add a signed Oath of Undertaking and two valid IDs or certificates, like a birth certificate. Register on firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph, or ask at an NBI registration counter. The clearance is free.
Can I walk in at an NBI branch without an appointment?
Regular applicants should register and pay online first at clearance.nbi.gov.ph, then visit the branch they chose with their reference number. You can go within 15 days after your status shows PAID. First time job seekers have a walk in option: staff at NBI registration counters can register you on the spot.
Is a school ID accepted for NBI clearance?
Yes, with one condition. The NBI Citizen’s Charter accepts a school ID only together with your current registration card. It counts as one of your two valid IDs. Pair it with another ID from the list, such as a PSA birth certificate, Postal ID, or PhilHealth ID.
Can a 17 year old get an NBI clearance?
NBI pages do not state a minimum age for clearance applicants. If you are under 18, prepare the same requirements as everyone else. Students often use a school ID with the current registration card plus a PSA birth certificate. Ask your chosen branch before your visit if you are unsure.
What if the name on my ID is different from my NBI account?
Fix it before you go. Your online details must match your valid IDs exactly, including your middle name, which is your mother’s maiden surname. Did your name or civil status change, even by one letter? Register again with the new details. Bring IDs or PSA papers that show the change.
Can I get NBI clearance in one day?
Yes, as long as you have no HIT. With no name match, the clearance is printed within minutes after biometrics. With a HIT, the NBI must check your record first. The how to guide says 5 to 10 working days. The Citizen’s Charter says 8 days at the main office and 15 at other offices.
What are the NBI clearance requirements if I live abroad?
Get NBI Form No. 5 from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate. Have your fingerprints rolled and sealed there or at a police station. Add one 2×2 photo and a copy of your passport biodata page. Register and pay online, then mail everything to the NBI in Manila or send a representative.
How we checked this page
Written and checked by Hassan, Editor, NBI Guide PH. NBI Guide PH is an independent guide, not the NBI. Read who we are and how we work.
- On 3 November 2026, we read NBI’s Citizen’s Charter 2025 handbook (pages 47 to 51), the nbi.gov.ph how to page, the First Time Job Seekers charter page, the mailed clearance page for applicants abroad, and the official portal.
- We compared the Charter’s ID list line by line with the Type of ID list on the portal, and we show where they differ.
- NBI pages did not confirm three things. We found nothing on the ePhilID or digital ID, on any age limit, or on the current fee for the abroad route. We say so above instead of guessing.
- We update this page when NBI changes a rule. Found an error? Tell us on our contact page or at [email protected].
Changelog
- 5 November 2026: First published. ID list, rules for each applicant type and the portal ID list checked on official sources on 3 November 2026.
More NBI clearance guides
- NBI Clearance 2026: Appointment, Fee and Requirements The full process: sign up, choose a branch, pay ₱160 and visit once.
- NBI Online Registration 2026 Create your account on clearance.nbi.gov.ph with screenshots of every screen.
- NBI Clearance Renewal 2026 Renew online with delivery, in the eGovPH app or at a branch.
- NBI Clearance First Time Job Seeker 2026 Get your first NBI clearance free under RA 11261, in 12 steps.
Official links and disclaimer
- Official NBI Clearance portal: clearance.nbi.gov.ph
- How to apply for NBI clearance: nbi.gov.ph
- NBI Citizen’s Charter 2025 (PDF): nbi.gov.ph
- First Time Job Seekers charter: nbi.gov.ph
Disclaimer: NBI Guide PH is an independent website. We are not connected with the National Bureau of Investigation. We never ask for your IDs, payments, or personal details. Never pay a fixer. Read our full disclaimer.
You now have the full NBI clearance requirements. Ready to apply?