A National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance has plenty of uses in the Philippines. This simple piece of blue paper is often a requirement for job and visa applications. It's also honored as a valid ID for postal ID application, voter's registration, and DTI business name registration.
Regardless of what you plan to use this clearance for, you need to renew yours if it's already expired or about to expire. Read on to find out more about how to renew your NBI Clearance in the easiest way possible.
Fortunately, you can easily collate the requirements for NBI renewal. First, you need a copy of your old or expired NBI Clearance.
You also need up to two valid IDs, depending on the type of renewal procedure. The following IDs are acceptable for NBI renewal:
Note: Make sure to present an original copy of your valid ID in good condition. Photocopied, damaged, and/or expired IDs are not honored for NBI Clearance renewal.
How to renew an expired NBI Clearance? You have two options.
First is the Quick Renewal service, which is more convenient but more expensive. Second is the Regular Renewal process, which is cheaper but requires your personal appearance at the issuing NBI office.
Wondering, "Can I get an NBI clearance without making an appearance?" Yes, you can—through the hassle-free Quick Renewal service.
All steps—from filling out forms to paying the fee—are done online and in just one sitting. You'll just have to wait for your new clearance to arrive at your doorstep.
Remember, though, that the Quick Renewal service applies only to applicants whose clearances were released from October 16, 2016 onwards.
Here's how to apply for NBI Clearance renewal online this 2025:
Note: If you don’t get a hit, your renewed clearance will be delivered to you in three to seven working days, provided that you live in Metro Manila or Luzon. But if you live in Visayas or Mindanao, you’ll get the clearance between seven and 10 working days.
This traditional renewal method is the better option if your budget is limited. Your clearance certificate may also be released faster, as early as within the same day (depending on the NBI renewal center you book an appointment with and if you have no hit).
Here's what you need to do for your NBI renewal appointment:
If you already have an online NBI Clearance account, you can skip this step. Simply go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph and sign in using your email address and password (on the upper-right corner of the page) to proceed with setting an appointment.
However, if you lost your old NBI Clearance or forgot your password, simply create a new account. Signing up for a new online account is also a chance to correct or update any information on your old clearance.
Here's how to register for an NBI Clearance account online:
Here's how to make an appointment for NBI clearance renewal:
The payment box is found right next to the appointment section. Pay for renewal through the following steps:
Make sure to go on your appointed schedule. If you make a non-appearance on your NBI Clearance appointment, you'll have to go through the entire process all over again.
Note: If you have no hit, your NBI Clearance will be issued to you after your biometrics capture is done. However, if you get a hit, your application will go through record-checking. In such a case, your NBI Clearance will be released in more or less 10 working days.
While the NBI renewal process is straightforward, you may still have some questions in mind. Check out the following to learn more.
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Unfortunately, walk-in applications, whether first-time or not, are not accommodated. Only applicants with an online appointment can proceed with their clearance processing at the NBI branch.
Everyone who needs to renew with the NBI must set an online appointment and then pay for the NBI Clearance fee first. Only after accomplishing these two steps can you go to your chosen renewal center for processing.
If you don't have internet access, you can go to the NBI main office along Taft Ave. in Manila or any regional office with computers to register, set an appointment, and pay online for free. Afterward, you can proceed with your NBI Clearance renewal processing.
The NBI Clearance Quick Renewal fee is ₱350, plus a ₱160 clearance fee, for a total of ₱510. You might pay more for the express delivery fee depending on your address.
If you go through the regular NBI renewal process, the total fee is cheaper at ₱160 (₱130 processing fee + ₱30 system fee for the e-payment service).
You can pay the fee over the counter at any of these NBI Clearance payment channels:
The NBI doesn't accept Barangay Clearance and non-government-issued IDs, such as company IDs. Only valid IDs issued by a government agency (SSS, PhilHealth, BIR, PRC, LTO, etc.) are required for renewal processing.
If you have your old NBI Clearance with you, you can find your NBI ID number on the upper left portion of the document, above your family name.
Unfortunately, you still need the NBI ID number, which is found on the lost document.
So how to renew a lost NBI clearance? You can't. Instead, you'll have to go through the NBI Clearance application process all over again.
You might have entered your NBI ID number incorrectly. Type the number again and double-check it against the number printed on your previous NBI Clearance.
If that still doesn't work, there's no way you can proceed with your renewal. Instead, you'll have to register a new account so you can file for a new application.
If you get that error message, it means one of the details you entered is incorrect. For example, if you're a married woman, entering your husband's surname as your surname on the NBI online form will result in "Invalid Information." In that case, you should input your family name (as indicated on your NBI Clearance), which is the surname you used when you were single.
To check if your NBI Clearance is ready for pickup, call the hotline at 8524-1277 and/or 8523-8231 local 5509.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who can't return to the Philippines yet but need to renew their clearance can do so through the following steps:
Here are the NBI renewal requirements for Filipinos abroad:
Secure an online appointment via the NBI Clearance Online Registration and Application Services website and pay the required fees.
If you have an authorized representative, send all the requirements listed above to them, so they can process it. Note that only the main NBI office in Ermita, Manila accepts renewal applications from abroad. If you don’t have a representative, you can just directly mail the requirements to the NBI office address[2] below. You don’t have to enclose your authorization letter.
Ms. Sandra P. Sobida
IRD – Mailed Clearance Section
National Bureau of Investigation
Taft Avenue, Ermita 1000 Manila, Philippines
Note: If your old clearance was issued from 2014 onwards, you don’t need to secure an NBI renewal appointment online. Your representative can directly go to the NBI’s main office.
The NBI will deliver the renewed clearance to your address abroad. It may take up to two months before you receive this document. But this delivery timeframe is subject to change, depending on where you are in the world.
Read more: How to Get a Passport: DFA Passport Appointment Online Guide
Expats follow the same procedures as Filipinos for clearance renewal. However, there are some differences in terms of the center where the renewal is processed, and the NBI renewal requirements.
If you’re in NCR, choose the main office in Manila when setting an NBI renewal appointment via the online services site. But if you’re outside NCR, you can choose to book with the NBI branch in the province you’re currently in. Just remember that the waiting time can be longer (up to 15 days), as your application will be sent to the Manila office for processing.
Here are the NBI renewal requirements for foreign nationals in the Philippines:
On the appointment date, proceed to the Alien Registration Office to fill out the Alien Registration Form No. 5, have the fingerprint and signature captured, and submit the above requirements.
Now that you know what the NBI renewal requirements are and how to renew your clearance, don't you find the process convenient? It is, of course, faster than a first-time application. We hope this guide helps you secure your new clearance without any delay or hassle.
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