A police clearance is one of the most commonly required documents for local job applications, business permits, and firearm license applications in the Philippines. Since the Philippine National Police rolled out the National Police Clearance System (NPCS), the process has become mostly online — you register, pick an appointment slot, and simply show up to have your photo and fingerprint taken. Here's the complete step-by-step process, current fees, and what makes it different from an NBI clearance.
This guide covers Step 1: Understand What a Police Clearance Covers (vs. NBI Clearance) and Step 2: Register on the National Police Clearance System (NPCS), with the full details below.
- Police clearance is now processed through the online National Police Clearance System (NPCS), not walk-in-only
- The official fee is ₱150, plus a small ₱10-₱30 online service/payment charge
- You need 2 valid IDs and 2 recent 2x2 ID photos on appointment day
- A police clearance is valid for 6 months from the release date
- It differs from an NBI clearance — police clearance only checks local police records in your city/municipality, not the nationwide NBI database
Step 1: Understand What a Police Clearance Covers (vs. NBI Clearance)
A police clearance is issued by your local Philippine National Police station and only checks criminal records and cases filed within that specific city or municipality. An NBI clearance, on the other hand, checks a centralized nationwide database covering the entire country. Many employers, especially local businesses and barangay-level transactions, only require a police clearance, while national job applications, overseas employment, and visa applications almost always require the more comprehensive NBI clearance instead — or sometimes both.
Step 2: Register on the National Police Clearance System (NPCS)
Go to the official National Police Clearance System portal to create your account. You'll need an active email address and mobile number, since the system sends your appointment confirmation and reference number through both. Fill in your complete personal details exactly as they appear on your government-issued ID — any mismatch can cause delays or rejection at the counter.
Step 3: Book Your Appointment Slot and Choose Your Police Station
After registering, select the police station nearest to your current address or where you are registered as a resident, then pick an available date and time slot. Slots fill up quickly in highly urbanized cities, so book a few days ahead if you have a deadline. The system will generate a printable appointment confirmation with a QR code or reference number.
Step 4: Pay the Clearance Fee Online
The official police clearance fee is ₱150. On top of this, the NPCS payment gateway typically adds a small service charge of around ₱10 to ₱30 depending on your payment method. You can pay through GCash, Maya, LandBank, or over the counter at 7-Eleven using the reference number generated by the system. Keep your payment receipt or screenshot as proof.
Step 5: Prepare Your Requirements for Appointment Day
- Two (2) original, valid government-issued IDs bearing your complete name, photo, and signature (e.g. UMID, driver's license, passport, PhilSys National ID)
- Two (2) recent 2x2 ID photos with white background
- Your printed or digital appointment confirmation with reference number/QR code
- Proof of payment for the ₱150 clearance fee
- Barangay clearance, in case the specific police station requires it as a supporting document
Step 6: Go to the Police Station for Biometrics and Verification
At your scheduled time, present your appointment confirmation and valid IDs to the front desk. Your fingerprints will be captured digitally, and your photo will be taken on-site. The staff will run your details against local police records. If there are no derogatory records under your name in that city or municipality, your clearance is usually released the same day or within a few working days.
Step 7: What Happens If You Get a 'Hit' or Flagged Record
Similar to the NBI process, if your name matches or resembles someone with a local police record, your application may be held for manual verification. You may be asked to return with additional documents, such as a court clearance or certificate of no pending case, before your clearance can be released.
Step 8: Know Your Clearance's Validity Period and Renewal
A police clearance is valid for six (6) months from its release date. If you need it for a new job application, business permit renewal, or another purpose after it expires, you'll need to go through the NPCS booking and payment process again — there is no separate 'renewal' shortcut, since each clearance issuance is treated as a new application against the current record.
Frequently Asked Questions
A police clearance only checks records within the specific city or municipality where you apply, issued by the local PNP station, while an NBI clearance checks a centralized nationwide criminal database. Employers requiring only local hiring or barangay-level transactions often accept a police clearance, but national job applications, government transactions, and most overseas employment requirements need an NBI clearance instead.
The official fee set by the PNP is ₱150, plus a small online service or payment processing charge of roughly ₱10 to ₱30 depending on whether you pay via GCash, Maya, LandBank, or 7-Eleven. There is no separate 'rush fee' — processing speed depends mainly on whether your name triggers a hit for manual verification.
Most police stations now require appointment booking through the National Police Clearance System since it standardizes queueing and biometrics capture, though some smaller municipalities may still allow walk-ins on a limited basis. It's safest to always book online first to avoid being turned away.
A Philippine police clearance is valid for six (6) months from its date of release. After that, you need to reapply and pay the fee again if you need a current clearance for a new transaction, since expired clearances are typically not accepted by employers or government offices.
A hit means your name matched a local record and needs manual verification, similar to the NBI process. You'll likely be asked to provide additional proof of identity or, if applicable, a court clearance showing any past case was resolved, before the station can release your clearance.
Generally, you should apply at the police station covering your current or permanent residence, since that station is the one that maintains local records relevant to you. Applying at an unrelated city's station may not be accepted depending on local policy.
It depends entirely on the specific employer or government agency's requirements — some ask for only one, while others, especially for security-sensitive or government positions, require both a police clearance and an NBI clearance as separate, complementary background checks. It is worth double-checking this against current, Philippine-specific sources before making a decision based on it alone.
Conclusion
Getting a police clearance in the Philippines is now a mostly digital process thanks to the NPCS — register online, book your slot, pay the ₱150 fee, and show up with valid ID for your biometrics. Just remember it only covers local records and expires after six months, so time your application around when you'll actually need to submit it.
