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| If you need a police clearance for employment or other purposes, you can apply online through the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) portal. |
(UPDATED) If you're applying for a job or a business permit, you'll need to obtain a police clearance. This requirement applies to many entities, including government agencies and private offices. Additionally, a police clearance serves as a supporting document for obtaining government-issued IDs and certificates.
Fortunately, it's now possible to obtain a police clearance online through the Philippine National Police (PNP) - National Police Clearance System (NPCS). This system offers a comprehensive, fast, convenient, and reliable way of obtaining a police clearance nationwide. To apply for a police clearance, visit the web portal at www.pnpclearance.ph.
Moreover, the NPCS enables users to check or verify the police clearance issued to them. If you need to know how to obtain a police clearance, including the requirements, check the information in this blog post.
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What is National Police Clearance?
The National Police Clearance is a document issued to individuals to certify that they have no criminal records. It is required by most employers in the Philippines, aside from a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation.
Usually, a police clearance can be obtained at a Philippine National Police (PNP) precinct or station. Individuals are advised to apply online through the National Police Clearance System because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contents of the National Police Clearance include complete name, address, date of birth, place of birth, civil status, nationality, purpose, and findings of their derogatory record on file. The validity of the police clearance lasts for six months.
What are the requirements to get a National Police Clearance?
Only two valid government-issued IDs are needed to get a police clearance. Here's the complete list of valid IDs that can be presented:
- Valid or Latest Passport
- Driver's License issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
- Philippine National ID (PhilID)
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
- Social Security System (SSS) ID
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
- Postal ID
- Voter's ID or Certificate of Registration
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
- Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB)
- Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) or Immigrant Certificate of Registration (ICR)
- Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) e-Card
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
- Police Clearance issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Barangay Clearance/Certificate of Residency issued by the Barangay
- Senior Citizen ID
- Person with Disability (PWD) ID
- Solo Parent ID
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ID
- Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) ID or Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card
- Company ID issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP, SEC, or IC
If you are able to schedule a date for your National Police Clearance appointment, you need to bring two of the valid IDs mentioned above for verification. Make sure that your valid IDs are non-expired, and show your complete name and signature.
How to get a National Police Clearance online?
To get a police clearance online, you must register for an account at www.pnpclearance.ph. Log in to your account after verifying your email address. Click the "CLEARANCE APPLICATION" button and select the police station where you will get your police clearance.
Pick the appointment date from the available schedule and pay the processing fee online. On the day of your appointment, you must bring two valid IDs, the application reference number, and the payment receipt to the police station. Once your data is captured and verified, you'll get your police clearance.
You may also follow the steps below on how to get a National Police Clearance:
Step 1 - Go to https://pnpclearance.ph/ and click the "register" button
Note: For first-time applicants, account registration is required. Fill up the necessary information required to create an account. Your email address will be upon logging in to the NPCS portal.
Step 2 - Agree with the terms and policies, then complete the application form
To start your online application for police clearance, you must agree with all the terms, conditions, and policies by ticking the corresponding boxes. Click on the "Next" button to continue once you're done.
After you agree with the terms and conditions, fill out the online application form with the following information: email address, password, complete name, qualifier/suffix (if applicable), gender, and date of birth. Tick the box next to terms and conditions, then click the "Register" button to proceed.
Note: A valid and existing email address is required since it will be used as your login details to the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) portal.
After completing the registration, check your email, and click the message from NPCS to verify your account. Once verified, you may set an appointment date to get your police clearance in your selected precinct or station.
Step 3 - Log in to your account, verify your details, and set an appointment date
Using your registered email address, you must log in to your account on the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) portal. Just go to https://pnpclearance.ph/login and then click on the "SIGN-IN" button after you type your email address and password.
You must check your profile and verify the details before completing your application for police clearance. Just click the "EDIT PROFILE" button and supply all the required information to process your police clearance.
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| Upon editing your profile, input all the necessary information in the required fields. PHOTO: NPCS |
Review any misspelled information, and click on the "SAVE PROFILE" button once you're done.
You may now set an appointment date if all the information is correct. Click on the "Clearance Application" button beside the "Edit Profile" button, then choose the police precinct or station where you will get your clearance. Select the date from the available schedule list and click "next" once you're done.
You will be asked to pay the processing fee of Php 150 for your police clearance. For the payment, you will be redirected to the LBP e-payment portal. You can select the payment options from BancNet, Landbank, or GCash.
After paying the processing fee, you must click the "save appointment" button and save your reference number or print the transaction details.
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| You must save the reference number or print the transaction detail because it must be presented to the precinct for police clearance. |
Step 4 - Go to your selected precinct and present the necessary documents.
On the day of your appointment, you must proceed to your selected police station. You will be required to present two (2) valid IDs. If only one valid ID is available, you can show it with a Certified True Copy of your Birth Certificate with the original Official Receipt.
Aside from two valid IDs, you must show the reference number of your appointment and the official receipt of payment. Before the release of police clearance, applicants must have their biometrics, signature, and photo captured.
Note: Valid IDs must be: (1) not expired, (2) original and not photocopied, (3) with clear photo and signature of the applicant, and (4) bear full name.
Step 5 - Wait for the verification to be completed before you get your police clearance.
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| Actual police clearance certificate released from a precinct in Tacloban City. PHOTO: ITACLOBAN |
After your data is captured, wait for your name to be called for the release of your police clearance. You will quickly get your police clearance if your application has no "hit" status. If your police clearance application has a "hit" status, wait for the advice of the Verification Officer for the verification process. Once settled, your police clearance will be released.
Is police clearance different from NBI clearance?
Police clearance and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance are two types of documents used in the Philippines to certify that an individual has no criminal record or liability in the country. The main difference is that police clearance is issued by the Philippine National Police, while NBI clearance is issued by the National Bureau of Investigation.
In the past, some criminals could exploit the limited scope of a police clearance by obtaining it from a police station in a different jurisdiction where they had no criminal liability. However, this is no longer possible as all police records are now integrated nationwide, and a person's criminal liability can be verified instantly.
Although both documents serve the same purpose of indicating whether the holder has a criminal record or liability elsewhere in the country, they differ in how a "hit" status is handled by the two institutions. If an NBI clearance application has a "hit" status, it may take weeks to be verified, whereas a "hit" police clearance can be validated immediately.
What is the purpose of a police clearance?
Police clearance is a document used to certify that an individual has no criminal record or liability in the country. Employers often require it as part of their background check process to ensure that the person they are hiring is a law-abiding citizen.
Obtaining a police clearance can be time-consuming and rigorous, involving various steps such as filling out forms, providing identification documents, and undergoing fingerprinting and background investigation. However, it is an important way for individuals to demonstrate their responsibility, integrity, and willingness to comply with the law.
How do I get a police clearance for first-time job seekers?
If you are a first-time job seeker, you can apply for a police clearance for free. Present a Barangay Clearance or Certification indicating that you are a first-time job seeker. Since the validity of availing benefits for first-time job seekers is one year from the issuance of the Barangay Certificate, you need to process government-issued documents immediately.
A first-time job seeker may be a high school graduate, an associate degree or bachelor's degree holder, and a completer of a technical-vocational course. First-time job seekers may only avail of the benefits once.
Conclusion
Because of the National Police Clearance System (NPCS), it has become easier to obtain a police clearance. Individuals just need to register on the NPCS website and set an appointment date at the police station where they will get their clearance.
It is incredible that a government institution has stepped up to have a centralized and organized system that helps individuals who want to get a document right away.
For other information and inquiries related to the National Police Clearance online registration and application, you may contact PNP's Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management at these hotlines: (02) 723-0401 and 8815 (local). —iTacloban