Police Clearance vs NBI Clearance – What’s the Difference?
Police clearance vs NBI clearance is a common point of confusion for many Filipinos and foreigners in the Philippines. Both documents are used to certify that the holder has no criminal record, but they differ significantly in scope, purpose, and the issuing authority.
Let’s understand the difference between them below:
Scope of Police Clearance vs NBI Clearance
The biggest and most prominent difference between the two is the issuing authority. The local police station issues the Police Clearance while the NBI clearance is issued by the National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines.
- Police Clearance Certificate: It ensures that the person has no criminal record in the area (locally) that he/she is residing in.
- NBI Clearance Certificate: It ensures that the person does not have a criminal record nationwide.
This shows that the scope of the NBI clearance certificate is broader as compared of the police clearance certificate.
Difference between Police Clearance vs NBI Clearance Philippines
There are some major differences between the two legal documents. These are represented in the table below:
| Police Clearance | NBI Clearance | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Local police station in the vicinity | National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines |
| Purpose | Barangay level employment, local business and smaller/ local permits. | Employment (local and foreign), business permits, visa applications, passport applications and legal and government transactions. |
| Scope | Limited to just local jurisdiction | National wide coverage. |
| Validity | 6 months | Up to 1 year |
| Processing Fee | PHP 100-150 | PHP 130-500 |
| Processing Time | Quicker – easier to obtain as fewer steps and requirements involved | Systematic but time-consuming. |
Similarities between National Police Clearance vs NBI Clearance
Knowing the similarities between both will help understand why people get confused between the two documents so easily.
1. Purpose
Both documents are used to conduct background checks on the holder. The documents are required when you are applying for:
- Visa applications
- Employment
- Landlords
- Business permits
- Government transactions
2. Basic Requirements
The basic requirement for getting both documents is the same. You require:
- A Valid ID
- 2 passport-sized photos. The police and NBI clearance photos should be professionally taken.
- Application form
- Payment receipt
Why Do You Need Police Clearance and NBI Clearance
If you are applying for a small-scale, barangay-level job, it is a good idea to opt for a police clearance certificate. Similarly, for obtaining local permits, going for an NBI clearance is going to be a waste of time, money and resources.
On the other hand, the following situations call for an NBI clearance certificate:
- Visa processing
- Passport issuance
- Employment outside the locality or with larger companies
- Foreign employment
- Background checks for universities, colleges and sensitive industries like legal, police etc.
- Background checks for government positions.
How to Apply NBI vs Police Clearance
Here’s how you can apply for NBI clearance as well as Police clearance in the Philippines:
NBI Clearance Application Process
- Register online at clearance.nbi.gov.ph
- Fill out the application form and set an appointment at your preferred branch.
- Choose a payment method and pay the fee (around PHP 155 total).
- Go to your scheduled appointment with a valid ID and reference number.
- Undergo biometrics and photo capture at the NBI center.
- Wait for clearance release:
- No “hit”: Same-day release.
- With “hit”: Return on the advised date.
- Claim your NBI Clearance once cleared.
Police Clearance Application Process
- Register online at https://pnpclearance.ph and create an account.
- Log in and complete the application form with accurate personal details.
- Set an appointment by choosing your preferred police station, date, and time.
- Pay the clearance fee (around PHP 150) through the listed payment channels (e.g., Land Bank).
- Go to the selected police station on your appointment date, bringing:
- 2 valid government-issued IDs
- Official receipt or reference number
- Undergo biometrics, photo capture, and record verification at the station.
- Claim your Police Clearance — usually issued on the same day if there are no record “hits.”
Pros and Cons of Police Clearance vs NBI Clearance
Here’s a clear breakdown of pros and cons of Police clearance vs NBI Clearance to help you understand which one suits your needs better:
Police Clearance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quick processing time – often cleared on the same day | Limited to checking criminal records within the local area |
| Easier to obtain for local or barangay level transactions | Not accepted for national/international purposes in a variety of cases |
| Cheaper than NBI clearance | Additional clearances may be needed for national/international use |
| Recognized as a valid ID for selected local purposes | Less comprehensive background check |
NBI Clearance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Covers the entire country — valid nationwide | Takes more time to process, especially with a “hit” |
| Widely accepted by government agencies, embassies, and institutions | Requires online registration and appointment scheduling |
| Includes background checks from multiple national law enforcement units | May involve long queues in busy NBI branches |
| Suitable for employment, visa, travel, and official legal transactions | Slightly more expensive than police clearance |
Can I use NBI Clearance instead of Police Clearance?
If both the documents are used for background checks and NBI clearance has a nation-wide scope, the question arises if the NBI can be used instead of Police Clearance.
It might be true in most cases because the use of police clearance is highly limited. However, for very localized jobs, barangay employment and local permits, a police clearance is required.
Always check the requirements of the job or the work you have to do!
Read Barangay Clearance Guide here.
Conclusion
Both the National Police and NBI Clearance certificates are important, legal documents in the Philippines that are used for background checks. However, they both differ in the scope, purpose, validity, processing time and processing fee. Moreover, each one is required for different purposes.
If your scope of application is wider, it is a good idea to go for NBI Clearance. On the other hand, for localized purposes, a Police clearance is enough.
The key is to check the specific requirements of the agency/firm/employer or work that you need the clearance for. It will save you time and money!
