The Philippines National Police clearance online certificate is a necessary document for individuals applying for Jobs, starting a business, or conducting a bank transaction. Getting the Police clearance certificate has been simplified with the online application, and you no longer need to be in long queues. While the process has become easier, the applicant still faces challenges. 

This guide helps the applicant of a police clearance certificate and provides assistance on the application process. This guide will help you understand how you can get your police clearance certificate online, the challenges you may face, and solutions to them. Following the steps in this guide will make your application process smoother and hassle-free.

What is National Police Clearance?

National Police Clearance is the official document issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The National Police clearance certificate indicates whether an individual has any criminal record or pending case in the PNP’s national database. The NPC online system was launched in 2018, which provides nationwide verification. This system is faster and more convenient than the localized old systems.

The Police clearance certificate is the primary requirement for government or private job applications, visa applications, scholarship applications, business permits, bank transactions, credit card applications, and obtaining a driving license. 

National Police Clearance Online System

National Police Clearance Online Application

To get your certificate, follow the step-by-step process below. 

Visit the Official NPSC Website

Go to the Philippines National Police PNP clearance official website at 

Register or Log in to Your Account

New Applicant: If you are first time application, click on Register. Agree to the terms and conditions and to start your registration. 

Once you have agreed, the New Applicant Registration form will appear. Enter the required information below.

• Valid and active email address.
• Enter the Strong password as per the required password criteria. 
• Enter your first Name.
• Enter your Middle Name if any
• Enter your last Name
• Select Qualifier (Optional)
• Select Gender
• Select Birthdate

Review the entered details and click on register. 

Returning Applicant: Use your registered email and password to log in

Complete your Profile Information

After logging in, click the edit profile” and fill in the details to ensure correct information for the application. 

Personal Information (Avoid Mistakes): Enter your name exactly as it appears on your valid IDs. Use your full middle name, not just an initial, to avoid “HIT” issues. Double-check your birthdate, birthplace, and address.

Edit Your Profile If You Made an Error: You can edit your profile from your dashboard before you apply for a clearance. Once a clearance is issued, corrections are difficult, so double-check everything first

Select Type of Clearance: The Philippines national police provides two types of police clearance certificates, one is a local police certificate, which is valid for a specific area, and the other is a National police clearance, which is valid nationwide. So, select the NPC National police clearance, and it will be valid anywhere in the Philippines. 

Choose Clearance Purpose & Schedule Appointment

From your dashboard, click on “Apply for the Clearance” and select the nearest police station to you. If your local station isn’t on the list, pick another nearest station on the list. 

Pick an available date and time slot. The Green boxes on the calendar indicate available slots based on the station’s availability.

Pay the clearance processing fee

Log in to your Landbank online account. Go to the bill payment section and select the NPCS to pay the processing fee. Pay the fee and save the payment slip and the reference number generated after the payment. 

For other payment options, check our guide on the police clearance processing fee.

Attend The Appointment At Police Station

On your appointment day and scheduled time, visit the Police station for the biometric and picture capture. Visit the police station with two government-issued IDs, a payment slip, NPCS reference number, and Bangary Certificate (Bangary Certificate For First-time Job Seekers). 

To finalise the clearance application and for the biometric and picture capture, you are required to visit the police station. The online portal is for registration and appointment purposes only. 

If you visit the police station for clearance without a scheduled appointment, you will not be entertained.

Release of Police Clearance

“No Hit” Status – Immediate Release Process

If you have No Hit, your clearance is usually printed and released within 30 minutes to an hour on the same day. Wait for your name to be called.

“Hit” Status – Clearance Release Timeline

If you receive a ‘Hit’ status, you will not get your clearance on the same day. Further verification may be required, and you will be given another appointment to visit the police station. You must wait until the verification process is completed. Once your clearance is ready for pickup, you will receive an SMS or email notification.

Download and Print Your Police Clearance Online

Once your certificate is released, you can log in to the NPCS website and download a copy of your clearance certificate from there. The digital version is official and can be printed. 

Types of Philippine Clearance Certificates

The following are the documents issued for the good conduct of an individual.

NBI clearance: The clearance certificate issued by the National Bureau of Investigation. It is the document that is used for international purposes. The document confirms that the person has no criminal record based on a search of the NBI’s national database, which includes records from courts, prosecutors, and other law enforcement agencies. It is essentially a Certificate of No Criminal Record.

Police Clearance: The certificate is issued by the Philippines National Police. The document confirms that the person has no criminal records or pending cases in PNP’s national database at the time of issuance.

Local Police Clearance: Before the National Police clearance, you have to get the clearance certificate from the local police station, and was acceptable only in that specific city or municipality. This has been replaced with the national police clearance, which is acceptable anywhere in the country. A few local permits still require local clearance.

Barangay Clearance: The certificate is issued by the barangay hall, which confirms individual residency and certifies the individual for good conduct. This is not the requirement to get the clearance certificate. If you don’t have any valid ID, you can provide this document to get your clearance. If you are a first-time job seeker, you can present the barangay certificate to get the free clearance. 

Police Clearance Online Fee Payment

After the registration and selecting the appointment slot, you will proceed to the payment. Once you click the “Pay” button, a slip will appear on your screen. Copy the reference number from the receipt. 

Click on “Pay to LANDBANK”

The payment portal offers various payment options like:

• GCash (Fast & Easy) 
• PayMaya 
• BancNet online banking
• 7-Eleven

You will need to enter the payment reference number for the selected payment method to retrieve the payment details and the payable fee. 

You can also pay the fee online, visit any Landbank branch, fill out a deposit slip, and pay at the counter. Provide your Application ID or Reference Number.

Police Clearance fee

• Base Fee: Php150.00.
• Service Fee: Php10.00 to Php30.00 (depending on payment channel).
• Total Estimated Cost: Php160.00 to Php180.00 

Requirements for Police Clearance

To get your clearance certificate, you should have the following.

• Scheduled Appointment: You must be registered with the National police clearance system website and have scheduled an appointment. 
• Valid Government IDs: Applicants must have 2 valid government-issued IDs. The IDs must be original, with a clear picture and signature, and must not be expired. Make sure to bring the original IDs along with their photocopies. 
• Reference Number: Application Reference number generated at the time of registration. 
• Proof of Payment: A payment receipt confirming payment of the processing fee. 
• Phone Number: An active phone number of the applicant. 
• Barangay Certificate for first-time job seekers.
• Community Tax Certificate (Original)
• 2x photocopies of IDs

Valid IDs Accepted for Police Clearance

You must present any of these two valid IDs, which include the Philippines National ID, Philippine Passport, Driving License, UMID (SSS/GSIS), PRC License, Voter’s ID, Postal ID, PAG-IBIG ID, PhilHealth ID, IBP ID, BFP ID, TIN ID (with photo), Senior Citizen ID, PWD ID, School ID (with current registration form).

Requirements for Minor Applicants and Students

Minors typically need a police clearance for purposes like scholarship applications or househelp employment. They are required to provide.

• Valid School ID (with current registration form).
• PSA Birth Certificate (original).
• Valid ID of a Parent or Guardian who must accompany the minor during the appointment. 

Requirements for Foreign Nationals Living in the Philippines

Foreign nationals can apply for a National Police Clearance, which is often required for alien registration and employment. They are required to provide.

• Valid Passport (with visa).
• Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card).
• The same online registration and appointment process applies. Biometrics will be captured in the police station.

What If You Don’t Have Any Valid ID

If you don’t have any valid ID, you can present the Barangay Certificate of Residency, which is acceptable by the police station. If you have only 1 valid ID, you can represent your PSA Birth Certificate (original and photocopy).

Who is Eligible for National Police Clearance?

There is no specific eligibility requirement for the National police clearance. If you need the document for a legitimate purpose, you can apply. While depending on the age and nationality, the requirements can vary. 

• Filipino Citizens: At least 18 years old (or minors with specific requirements).
• Foreign Nationals: Legally residing in the Philippines with a valid visa and ACR I-Card
• Students: Students who need clearance for scholarship applications.

Senior Citizen and PWD Requirements & Discounts

Senior Citizens: Senior Citizens must represent the Senior Citizen ID. With the valid ID they can avail the discount on the fee, though the base PNP fee may remain, so confirm the total amount upon payment.

Persons with Disabilities (PWD):  Must present a valid PWD ID. During online registration, mark the PWD checkbox and provide your PWD ID number to access the priority lane and avail the applicable discounts. 

Difference between LPC, NPC, and NBI Clearance

All three of these documents are issued for the individual’s good conduct. The key difference between these three is the scope of validity. The following table will clear the difference of these documents. 

Type of Clearance	Issuing Body	Scope	Duration of Validity	When You Need It
Local Police Clearance	City/Municipality local police station	Valid for a specific city or municipality only	6 months	Employment (local/overseas), firearm registration, and local transactions.
National Police Clearance	Philipines National Police	Valid nationwide	6 months	Barangay requirements, local employment within the city, and business permits.
NBI Clearance	National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)	Valid internationally	1 Year	Government employment, visa applications, international adoption, and some local companies that prefer a more comprehensive check.

How to Apply for Local Police Clearance

To obtain local police clearance, you must visit the local police station in person. Follow the steps below to get your local police clearance. 

Visit Police Station: Visit the police station and attend the clearance section of the police station or municipality. 

Request Requirement: Request the local clearance requirements. The requirements generally include.

• Valid IDs (National ID, Passport)
• Filled out the application form provided by the station.
• Proof of Residency generally includes the utility bills, bank statement, or barangay certificate. 
• Processing Fee 

Submit Requirements and Pay Fees: 

Submit the application form and a valid ID to the officer for verification. Pay the application fee via online banking and provide the payment receipt. 

Undergo Biometrics:

After payment, your fingerprints and photo will be taken for their local records Claim Your Clearance: Wait for your clearance to be processed. It is often released on the same day, and you may need to stamp your thumbmark on it before receiving the physical document.

Conclusion

Applying for a National Police Clearance in the Philippines is now quick and convenient thanks to the online system. By registering, scheduling your appointment, and completing payment online, you can avoid long queues and save time. Just make sure your details are accurate and your documents are ready before your visit. Understanding the process, including possible “Hit” status, helps prevent delays. Whether for jobs, business, or travel, this document is essential. Follow the steps properly, and your application will be smooth and stress-free.

FAQs