How To Get A Police Clearance Online In The Philippines

4 min read By eCompareMo on November 27, 2019

A police clearance serves as proof that, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP), an individual has not committed any legally undesirable act.

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If you look at it, you will be able to read the following phrase:

“This is to certify that the person, whose name, picture, signature, and right thumbprint appear hereon, has passed the records verification which was conducted by this station.”

This proves that, as far as the PNP is concerned, you have never committed a criminal act or broken a law of the land.

This supporting document may be used for employment, government ID application, and the likes.

If you are wondering how you can acquire this document, read on and we will tell you how to easily get a police clearance in the Philippines.

The difference between a police clearance and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance

Though both serve the same function, which is to clear a person against criminal cases, right now, a police clearance has a more limited coverage compared to the NBI which has national coverage.

In 2018, however, the PNP introduced the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) which is a united database bearing criminal offense records of individuals all over the country. It will soon substitute the function of the NBI clearance system but, both will remain a separate document until PNP announces otherwise.

Additionally, take note that both NBI and Police Clearances only hold records of a criminal offense. Civil suits and other acts that seek for a monetary settlement are not included.

(Read: Government Documents Now Free For First-Time Job Seekers)

What is the use of a police clearance?

Police clearance is issued as a single certificate with a validity of six months.

You may use this for the following purposes:

• Application to carry firearms
• Application to be enlisted in the PNP
• Application to be enlisted in the (Armed Forces of the Philippines) AFP
• Credit Card Application
• Adoption requirement
• Drug use rehabilitation treatment
• Filipino citizenship naturalization requirement
• As a travel requirement overseas
• Serves as identification for NBI clearance

Requirements for a police clearance

1. Two valid IDs bearing your full name, photo, and signature. If you only have one valid ID, you may provide a Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate and its original Official Receipt.
2. Reference number obtained from the online application.
3. Payment and official receipt.

Police clearance online application process

1. Visit the NPCS and create an online account. To register, click here.
2. For first time applicants, click the Register button. Tick the “Agreement” and “Privacy Policy” button on the next page. Click “Next” to continue.
3. On the Terms and Condition page, carefully read each section then tick the boxes and click “Next”. In the last part, click “I Agree” to proceed.
4. Duly fill your necessary details on the “New Applicant Registration” section. After reviewing your answer, click “Terms and Condition” and click “Register”.
5. An email from NPCS will be sent to your registered email to verify your request. Check your inbox or spam then click the link that will direct you to the official website of NPCS.
6. Log in with your email address and password then click “Sign In”.
7. Select the “Edit Profile” button then fill in with your information. Review the details you provided then click the “Save Profile” button.
8. Click “Clearance Application” then choose your preferred police station together with the date and time on the drop-down list.
9. Click “Next”.
10. Under “Payment Options”, select “Land Bank of the Philippines”.
11. A police clearance fee amounting to P150 will appear with a P10 transaction charge. Click “Next”.
12. Click “Save Appointment”. A reference number will be shown that will be used to pay for your request.
13. On the next page, select “Click here to Pay”. The LandBank of the Philippines (LBP) ePayment Portal will open displaying payment options such as LandBank, Gcash, and Bancnet. Select from the mentioned settlement option then log-in with your account number and PIN to complete your transaction.
14. On the day of your appointment, proceed to your selected police station and submit your requirements, reference number and official payment receipt to the Clearance Police Non-Commissioned Officer (PNCO).
15. Your photo, fingerprints, and digital signature will be recorded. It will be checked using the PNP database for criminal files.
16. Wait for your name to be called. Note that if you have a “HIT” status (your namesake recorded a criminal offense) it may take fifteen to thirty minutes for your clearance to be released as your files will be checked again for confirmation.

(Read: Guide To The Most Powerful IDs In The Philippines – And How To Get Them)

Important notes to remember

• If you’re an employer, you may verify it’s a police clearance’s authenticity on the NPCS website. Just type in the surname of the applicant and his/her clearance number then tick the captcha box and select “Verify”.
• The PNP only caters to applications during the weekends. Setting your appointment in the middle of the week is highly suggested as you can get it as fast as ten minutes.
• Always review your information on the online application form as minor errors will void the document. Furthermore, if it is printed with inaccurate details, you need to repeat the whole process and pay the transaction and clearance fee again