Getting a police clearance in the Philippines is usually straightforward. However, applicants can face delays when they bring incomplete documents, use expired identification, enter inconsistent personal details, or visit a station without completing the required online steps.

A police clearance may be required when applying for a job, passport, government identification, business registration, professional license, bank account, scholarship, internship, visa, immigration process, or overseas employment. It may also be requested for education, personal records, legal proceedings, and other official transactions.

This guide explains the police clearance documents required in the Philippines. It covers National Police Clearance applications, local walk-in applications, renewals, students, minors, first-time jobseekers, persons with disabilities, foreign nationals, and applicants using the document abroad.

Always use the official Philippine National Police National Police Clearance System portal. Avoid websites that imitate the official portal or ask for unnecessary personal information.

Most National Police Clearance applicants should prepare the following:

Depending on the applicant, station, location, or purpose, the following may also be requested:

A police clearance, also called a police clearance certificate, is an official document issued by the Philippine National Police or an authorized police clearance center.

It reports whether the applicant has matching criminal or derogatory information in the police database at the time of checking. It may also confirm that no matching record was found.

The National Police Clearance System, commonly called NPCS, uses a centralized database. This allows participating police stations to conduct a broader identity and record check than an older clearance limited only to one locality.

A police clearance does not guarantee a person’s character or future behavior. It only reports the result of the police database check conducted during the application.

Police clearance may be requested from the following applicants:

The requirements can differ depending on whether you need a National Police Clearance or a Local Police Clearance.

Requirement or feature	National Police Clearance	Local Police Clearance
Application method	Usually begins through the NPCS portal	May be processed directly at a local station
Database coverage	Uses the National Police Clearance System	May focus on local records and residency
Online account	Usually required	May not be required
Appointment	Usually booked online	Depends on the station
Reference number	Required	May not be required
Two valid IDs	Recommended and commonly required	Commonly required
Barangay Clearance	Usually not a standard requirement, except in special cases	Frequently required
Cedula	Usually not required for NPCS processing	Frequently requested
Payment	Through available online channels	Online or at the station, depending on local rules
Biometrics	Completed at the station	Completed if required by the local station
Paper form	Usually generated from the online profile	May be completed manually

Requirements can vary by municipality. Contact the selected police station before visiting if you need a Local Police Clearance.

Identification is the most important requirement. Applicants should bring two different original government-issued IDs whenever possible.

Although some PNP instructions may refer to one valid ID, other official materials and many stations require two. Bringing two originals reduces the chance of being refused or asked to return.

Each ID should:

Bring photocopies as backups, but do not rely on photocopies as your primary identification.

Proof of address confirms where the applicant currently lives.

Depending on the station, acceptable documents may include:

The document should show the applicant’s current address. When a utility bill is not in the applicant’s name, the station may request an additional residency document.

Proof of address is not always required for a standard NPCS application. It is more commonly requested for local clearance applications, foreign residents, minors, or applicants whose current address needs verification.

A birth certificate may be requested to confirm:

Filipino applicants should preferably bring a birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Older NSO-issued copies may still be accepted in some transactions, but a current PSA-issued copy is the safer option.

Foreign applicants may be asked for a birth certificate issued by their home country. A certified English translation may be required when the document is written in another language.

A birth certificate normally supports identification. It may not replace the required photo ID unless the station specifically allows it.

Applicants using the NPCS portal receive a reference number after completing the required online steps.

The reference number is used for:

Save the reference number in several forms:

Applicants must present proof that the clearance fee has been paid.

Acceptable proof may include:

The officer may check the payment status before beginning biometrics or releasing the clearance.

A Barangay Clearance is generally not one of the basic documents for an ordinary National Police Clearance application.

However, it may be required when:

• Applying for a Local Police Clearance
• Claiming the first-time jobseeker fee exemption
• Confirming local residency
• Applying without sufficient address documents
• Processing a minor’s application
• Following a station-specific requirement

A Certificate of Residency should normally be recently issued. Some offices may request a document issued within the previous six months.

A Community Tax Certificate, commonly called a Cedula, may be required for Local Police Clearance applications.

It can usually be obtained from:

A Cedula is normally not part of the standard NPCS online requirements. However, local police stations may still request it.

The police station normally captures the applicant’s photograph during biometrics. However, some local stations may request a printed photograph.

When requested, prepare a recent colored photograph with the following specifications:

Some local stations may request a 1×1 photograph instead. Confirm the exact size before visiting.

An application form records the applicant’s personal and contact information.

It may request:

The form is completed differently for online and walk-in applications.

Not every membership card, company card, or personal document qualifies as a valid government-issued ID.

Applicants should use the strongest identification available.

Commonly presented primary IDs include:

The Digital National ID may be accessed through the eGovPH application. Applicants should still bring another physical ID because station acceptance procedures may vary.

Some guides refer to newer SSS-issued card formats. Applicants should confirm that their specific card is included in the station’s current accepted-ID list.

Depending on station policy, alternative identification may include:

A school ID may need to be accompanied by:

The following may support an application but should not automatically be treated as substitutes for the required government IDs:

Before the appointment, confirm that:

A minor difference such as “Ma.” on one document and “Maria” on another can cause an identity-verification problem.

A profile mismatch does not automatically mean the application has a criminal-record HIT. However, the officer may need additional documents before confirming the applicant’s identity.

Most applicants should bring two valid IDs.

If you only have one strong government-issued ID, prepare additional supporting documents such as:

Call the selected station before your appointment. Acceptance of supporting documents can differ between stations.

Do not assume that a birth certificate or barangay certificate will always replace a second valid ID.

Applicants using the NPCS portal generally need the following information during registration:

The information must match the documents you will present at the police station.

After registration, the applicant will normally:

A person may still need to appear at the station even after completing an online application. Personal appearance is necessary for document checking, photograph capture, fingerprints, and other biometrics.

For a standard appointment-day visit, prepare:

For a Local Police Clearance processed without the NPCS portal, prepare:

Walk-in availability depends on the station. Some stations may refuse an applicant without an online appointment.

Step	Online or NPCS applicant	Local walk-in applicant
Create an account	Yes	Usually no
Enter personal information	Online	Paper form
Select police station	Online	Applicant visits local station
Book appointment	Usually required	Depends on station
Pay clearance fee	Through available payment channel	Online or cash, depending on station
Receive reference number	Yes	Usually no
Bring printed reference number	Recommended	Usually not applicable
Fill out form manually	Usually no	Usually yes
Visit police station	Yes	Yes
Submit IDs	Yes	Yes
Complete fingerprints or biometrics	Yes	When required
Complete official photo capture	Yes	When required
Wait for record verification	Yes	Yes
Receive clearance	After approval	After approval

The standard National Police Clearance base fee is ₱150.

A convenience or service fee may be added by the selected payment provider. The final total may therefore be higher than ₱150.

Applicants commonly report totals of approximately ₱160 to ₱180, but the actual amount depends on the payment channel displayed in the official portal.

Available payment methods may include:

Local stations may accept cash for a Local Police Clearance, depending on municipal procedures.

Always:

Fees and payment methods can change. Follow the amount and options shown in the official portal during your application.

Qualified first-time jobseekers may claim a fee exemption under Republic Act No. 11261, known as the First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.

The applicant should obtain a Barangay Certification confirming that the person:

The barangay may also require the applicant to have lived in the area for a specified period, commonly at least six months under applicable implementation procedures.

The fee exemption is generally available only once for each covered document or transaction.

Bring:

Without the correct barangay certification, the standard clearance fee may apply.

Students applying for police clearance should prepare:

A purpose letter may state that the clearance is required for:

Contact an NPCS-linked station before applying because additional requirements may apply to students or applicants under 18.

Applicants below 18 may be permitted to apply when they have a legitimate reason.

Prepare:

The minor should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The guardian may be required to remain with the minor throughout:

Requirements may differ according to the minor’s age and the reason for applying.

A person with disability should prepare:

Some stations provide priority seating or assistance during biometrics. Availability depends on the facility.

An applicant who needs accessibility support may contact the station before the appointment.

Foreign nationals living, studying, or working in the Philippines may apply when the selected police station offers the service.

Prepare the following:

The purpose letter may state that the clearance is needed for:

All documents should be current and original.

Foreign applicants should contact the station in advance because not every local station follows the same process.

A National Police Clearance is commonly valid for six months from its date of issuance.

Once it expires, the applicant normally completes a new application instead of receiving a simple extension of the old document.

For a new application after expiration, prepare:

The old clearance is usually optional. However, it may help officers review a previous identity-verification or HIT issue.

Before booking, update information that has changed, including:

Do not use an old payment receipt or old reference number for a new application.

A standard police clearance may not be the correct document for every foreign transaction.

Many embassies, immigration departments, overseas employers, and visa offices request an NBI Clearance instead of a National or Local Police Clearance.

Before obtaining an apostille, ask the receiving organization:

If the receiving organization accepts an apostilled police clearance, possible supporting documents may include:

The exact authentication route depends on the type of police clearance and the country where it will be used.

Countries and employers may have different requirements. This includes applications connected with Canada, Japan, Dubai or the United Arab Emirates, and other destinations.

Do not pay for an apostille until the embassy, employer, school, or immigration authority confirms that it will accept the PNP document.

These documents are not required from every applicant, but they may help resolve questions:

Step 1: Open the Official NPCS Portal

Step 2: Create an Account

Step 3: Verify Your Email

Step 4: Complete Your Profile

Enter your:

Use the same spelling and format shown on your IDs.

Step 5: Select a Police Station

Step 6: Select an Appointment Date and Time

Step 7: Generate the Payment Reference

Step 8: Pay the Clearance Fee

Step 9: Visit the Police Station

Bring:

Step 10: Complete Document Verification

Step 11: Complete Biometrics

You may be required to provide:

Step 12: Wait for Database Checking

Step 13: Receive the Result

Step 14: Verify the Clearance

The exact process varies, but a local walk-in application commonly includes the following:

Some police clearance services may be available at a city hall, municipal hall, specialized center, or mall-based government service location.

A HIT means the system found a possible match between the applicant’s name or identity information and a record in the police database.

A HIT does not automatically mean the applicant:

A HIT may occur because another person has the same or a similar name.

The police may conduct manual identity verification. The applicant may be instructed to return after several days.

Bring any requested documents that help distinguish your identity, such as:

Spelling mistakes or inconsistent profile details can create document-verification problems, but they are not the same as a criminal-record HIT.

A National Police Clearance is commonly valid for six months from the issuance date.

Check the date printed on the certificate and count six months forward.

The requesting organization may impose a shorter freshness requirement. For example, an employer or embassy may ask for a clearance issued within the previous three months.

Always follow the requesting organization’s rule even when the certificate has not reached its printed expiration date.

Processing time depends on:

An applicant with complete documents and no HIT may receive the clearance on the appointment day.

Applications requiring manual checking may take several days. Certain local or special applications can take longer.

Older guides may mention processing periods of several days to several weeks or paid expedited services. Do not pay an additional expedited fee unless it is officially posted, properly receipted, and offered by the issuing office.

Follow these precautions before your appointment:

Bring original documents for inspection.

Also prepare photocopies because some centers retain copies for their records.

A practical document folder may include:

Photocopies do not normally replace original identification.

If you lose the document:

If the station cannot reissue the document, you may need to complete a new application.

Use contact information published on the official NPCS portal.

At the time this guide was reviewed, the official portal listed:

Some third-party guides list different telephone numbers, hotline 117, email addresses, or social-media accounts. Confirm that any contact detail is still active before sharing personal information.

For updates, use:

Do not send identity documents to an unverified email or social-media account.

Use this checklist on appointment day: