Police Clearance Logo
Police Clearance Philippines Guide

NBI vs Police Clearance in the Philippines: What’s the Difference

If you’re applying for a job, traveling abroad, or completing a government requirement in the Philippines, you’ll often encounter a common question:

While both documents serve as proof of good character, they are not the same, and using the wrong one can cause delays, rejection, or repeat applications. This guide explains the real differences, proper use cases, and how to choose the correct police clearance—clearly and practically.

NBI vs Police Clearance Comparison

NBI Clearance vs Police Clearance

At a glance, both clearances verify whether a person has a criminal record. However, they differ significantly in scope, issuing authority, and acceptance.

Quick Summary

Factor NBI Clearance Police Clearance
Issued By National Bureau of Investigation Philippine National Police
Coverage Nationwide Local / City-based
Used For Employment, visa, legal Local employment, permits
Online System Yes Yes
Acceptance Level High (national & international) Limited (local use)

Key Insight: If unsure, NBI Clearance is generally safer, especially for formal or international purposes.

What Is NBI Clearance?

NBI Clearance is a national-level document issued by the National Bureau of Investigation, confirming whether an individual has any criminal record anywhere in the Philippines.

Core Characteristics

  • Nationwide criminal database check
  • Used for employment, immigration, visas, legal documents
  • Often required by embassies, courts, and national agencies
  • Issued only after biometric verification

Think of NBI Clearance as a country-wide background check.

What Is Police Clearance?

Police Clearance is issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP), and it's essential to prepare the required documents for police clearance before visiting your local station.

Core Characteristics

  • Local or city-level record verification
  • Often required for local jobs, permits, barangay or LGU requirements
  • Faster and easier to obtain
  • Based mainly on local police records

Police Clearance checks where you live, not the entire country.

Scope of Background Checking

One of the most critical differences lies in how deep and how wide the background check goes.

Clearance Type Database Scope
NBI Clearance Nationwide criminal records
Police Clearance Local police station jurisdiction

Example:

If a person has a record in another province:

  • Police Clearance may not detect it
  • NBI Clearance likely will

This is why employers and embassies prefer NBI Clearance.

Acceptance & Validity Differences

Where Each Clearance Is Accepted

NBI Clearance

NBI Clearance Is Accepted For:

  • Local & overseas employment
  • Visa applications
  • Immigration processing
  • Court requirements
  • Government offices
  • Professional licensing
Police Clearance

Police Clearance Is Accepted For:

  • Local employment
  • Barangay requirements
  • Small business permits
  • School or internship needs (local)
  • Community-level verification

Rule of Thumb: The higher the requirement, the higher the clearance needed.

Validity Period Comparison

Clearance Validity
NBI Clearance 1 year
Police Clearance 6 months to 1 year (depends on LGU)

Important: Some employers require clearances issued within the last 3–6 months, regardless of validity.

Processing Time & Convenience

Processing Speed

Factor NBI Clearance Police Clearance
Application Online + appointment Online or walk-in
Average Time Same day (no HIT) Same day
Delays Possible if “HIT” Rare

Insight: Police Clearance is usually faster, but NBI Clearance is more thorough.

“HIT” Explained: NBI Clearance vs Police Clearance

A “HIT” occurs when your name matches or resembles a name in the national criminal database. This is much more common with NBI Clearance because it checks the national database, unlike Police Clearance which checks a smaller, local database.

Why HITs Happen:

Common Names

Sharing a name with many other Filipinos (e.g., Jose Cruz).

Similar Birthdates

Having a birthdate close to someone with a criminal record.

Name Variations

Spelling differences or clerical errors in records.

Important: A HIT does NOT automatically mean you have a criminal case. It often just means your name is similar to someone who does.

Fees Comparison

Knowing the cost difference can help you prepare the right amount.

Clearance Type Typical Fee
NBI Clearance ₱130 – ₱150
Police Clearance ₱100 – ₱200 (varies by city)

Note: Police Clearance fees vary depending on the Local Government Unit (LGU). Always check with your local municipal hall or police station for the exact rate.

Which Clearance Should YOU Get?

Use this decision guide to determine the right clearance for your specific need.

Get NBI Clearance If:

  • By applying for a job (local or abroad)
  • Traveling or applying for a visa
  • Dealing with courts or legal matters
  • Submitting to national government agencies
  • You are unsure which clearance is required

Get Police Clearance If:

  • Applying for a local job requesting it
  • Completing barangay or LGU requirements
  • Needing fast, local verification
  • Specifically instructed to submit Police Clearance

Quick Decision Guide

Travel ➝ NBI
Local Job ➝ Police
Not Sure ➝ NBI

Can You Use One Instead of the Other?

Knowing when one clearance can substitute for the other helps you save time and avoiding valid requests.

Police Clearance

Cannot always replace NBI Clearance

Because its scope is limited to a specific town or municipality, it is rarely accepted for national, legal, or international requirements.

NBI Clearance

Can usually replace Police Clearance

Since it covers the entire Philippines (national scope), most local employers will accept it even if they initially asked for a Police Clearance.

Practical Advice: If a requirement simply says “clearance,” ask first—but NBI Clearance is almost always accepted as the gold standard.

Employer & Agency Preferences

Why do some organizations insist on one over the other? Here is the breakdown.

N

Why Employers Prefer NBI Clearance

  • Broader background coverage (National)
  • More reliable criminal verification
  • Standardized national process
P

Why Some Employers Accept Police Clearance

  • Local hiring requirements
  • Faster onboarding timeline
  • Lower cost for the applicant

Risk of Rejection – Using the Wrong Clearance

Applying with the incorrect document can lead to significant setbacks.

Format & Application Risks

Delayed application
Rejected documents
Additional costs
Missed deadlines

Best Practice: Always clarify the specific requirement before applying. If in doubt, NBI Clearance is the safer bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about NBI and Police Clearances answered simply.

For most formal purposes, yes. It covers a national scope and is preferred for employment, legal matters, and government transactions across the Philippines.

Usually no. Most embassies and international agencies require NBI Clearance because it provides a nationwide criminal record verification, whereas Police Clearance is often limited to local jurisdictions.

Rarely. Most people only need one, depending on the specific purpose. However, some companies or government offices might specifically request both for extra thorough background verification.

Police Clearance is usually faster to obtain, often available within the same day with a walk-in or minimal online processing. NBI Clearance can also be same-day if you don't have a "HIT," but it requires a scheduled appointment.

NBI Clearance offers broader verification as it checks criminal records across the entire Philippines database. Police Clearance is primarily based on local police station records, though the PNP is working on making it more centralized.

Final Comparison Verdict

A quick decision guide to help you choose the right clearance.

Situation Recommended Clearance
Employment NBI Clearance
Overseas Work NBI Clearance
Visa Application NBI Clearance
Barangay/LGU Needs Police Clearance
Unsure Requirement NBI Clearance

Verdict: When in doubt, prioritize getting an NBI Clearance as it is the most universally accepted proof of good standing.

Final Summary

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between NBI Clearance and Police Clearance can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. While both documents verify good standing, they serve different purposes and are not interchangeable in all situations.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, prioritize getting an NBI Clearance. It is the most widely accepted and comprehensive criminal record check in the Philippines.