Published: January 17, 2020 | Updated: February 9, 2021 | Posted by: Venus Zoleta | Government Services
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’ll use this clearance for, you need to have yours renewed if it’s already expired or about to expire.
Read More: NBI Clearance Online Application: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Read on to find out more about how you can renew your NBI Clearance the easiest way possible.
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The requirements for renewal depends on the year the NBI clearance is issued.
If you got your latest NBI Clearance only recently (from 2014 to present), only one valid government-issued ID is required. However, you’ll have to surrender the copy of your most recently issued NBI Clearance.
The NBI website (1) lists down the following IDs as acceptable for NBI renewal:
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.
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If you got your old NBI Clearance in 2013 or earlier, the requirements you need to present are the same with first-time applicants: two valid government-issued IDs. Refer to the NBI’s list of accepted IDs above.
Read more: Complete List of Valid IDs in the Philippines
You have two options when renewing your clearance:
Both NBI Clearance renewal processes are done online using any mobile device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection.
NBI’s Quick Renewal service is the hassle-free way to get a new NBI Clearance. No need to make a personal appearance at an NBI branch. All steps—from filling out forms to paying the fee—are done online and in just one sitting. Then you’ll just have to wait for your new clearance to arrive at your doorstep.
Thus, the Quick Renewal service is ideal for busy professionals who want to save time by skipping the queues.
However, you can use this online NBI renewal service only if you got your latest clearance any time from 2014 to the present. Also, it’s not necessarily the faster method for NBI renewal. Waiting for the delivery of your new clearance may take around five to 10 days.
This traditional renewal method is the better option if your budget is limited for processing your pre-employment documents, including the NBI Clearance. Your clearance certificate may be released faster, in as early as within the same day (depending on the NBI renewal center you book an appointment with and if you have no hit).
Sometimes, the Quick Renewal service becomes temporarily unavailable (For instance, this online service is down as of January 15, 2020). When that happens and you need to renew your NBI Clearance immediately, you have no choice but to go through the regular renewal process.
If you’ve already registered for an NBI account online, you can skip this step and proceed with setting an appointment.
However, if you’re renewing your clearance to correct any information on your old clearance, you have to sign up again for an online account. Here are the steps:
Set a schedule for your personal appearance at an NBI branch. Choose an NBI branch from the drop-down menu. Then choose your preferred date and time (either AM or PM option) by clicking on the corresponding button on the calendar.
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No. 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., Ermita, 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 PHP 330 (PHP 130 processing fee + PHP 200 express delivery fee), plus a PHP 25 e-payment service fee, for a total of PHP 355. The express delivery fee may be higher depending on your delivery address.
If you’ll go through the regular NBI renewal process, the total fee is cheaper at PHP 155 (PHP 130 processing fee + PHP 25 system fee for the e-payment service).
You can pay the renewal fee over the counter at any partner bank, Bayad Center outlet, ECPay outlet, or 7-Eleven store. The quickest payment method for is through your bank’s online banking facility.
Read more: NBI Clearance Fee Payment Channels and Steps
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The NBI doesn’t accept Barangay Clearance, company ID, and other IDs that are non-government issued for NBI Clearance application and renewal. Only valid IDs issued by a government agency (SSS, PhilHealth, BIR, PRC, LTO, etc.) are required for renewal processing.
To renew your NBI Clearance online, you need to have your NBI ID Number (which you can find on the top portion of your latest clearance). This eight-digit number is one of the details you must enter into the online form to register for an account.
If you don’t have your NBI ID Number or lost your previous clearance, you can’t renew it. Instead, you’ll have to go through the NBI Clearance application process again.
You might have entered your NBI ID Number incorrectly. Type the eight-digit 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.
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Overseas Filipinos who can’t return to the Philippines yet but need to renew their clearance can do so through the NBI’s Quick Renewal online service.
However, if an OFW’s previous clearance was issued before 2014, a new application must be filed. Here’s how to do it:
Expats follow the same procedures as Filipinos for clearance renewal. However, there are some differences in terms of the NBI Clearance center where the renewal is processed and the requirements.
When setting an appointment at the Online Services site, choose only the main office in Manila where your renewal will be processed. Also, choose “Local” for the Purpose and “BID Requirement” (immigration requirement) for the Purpose Details.
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.
NBI renewal in the Philippines is now more convenient for those who need an updated copy of their NBI Clearance. The process is, of course, faster than a first-time application. We hope this guide would help you secure your new clearance without any delay or hassle.
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Venus is the Head of Content at Moneymax, with over 15 years of combined experience in digital marketing, corporate communications, PR, and journalism. She invests in stocks, mutual funds, VUL, and Pag-IBIG MP2. Outside of work, she’s crazy about cats and Korean dramas. Follow Venus on LinkedIn.