National Police Clearance Philippines 2026 — Complete Online Application Guide
Apply for your PNP Police Clearance fully online. Step-by-step guide covering requirements, fees, appointment booking, GCash payment, and everything you need.
How to Get Your National Police Clearance — 10 Steps
Do the online steps at home first, then visit the station once on your appointment day.
What is a National Police Clearance?
A National Police Clearance is an official certificate issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirming that you have no pending criminal case or record anywhere in the Philippines. Unlike a local police clearance — which is only valid within your city or municipality — the national clearance is accepted throughout the entire country and abroad.
Here are the most common reasons Filipinos apply for one:
- Employment — most companies require it before hiring, locally and abroad
- OFW deployment — required by POEA and most foreign employers
- Visa applications — US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Europe and more
- Government transactions — business permits, licences, government applications
- Legal matters — court filings, adoption, name changes
- Scholarship & education — some universities and scholarship bodies require it
| Issuing Authority | Philippine National Police (PNP) via NPCS |
| Official Website | pnpclearance.ph |
| Who Can Apply | All Filipino citizens and foreign nationals in the Philippines |
| Clearance Fee | ₱150 (plus ₱10–₱30 convenience fee depending on payment method) |
| Validity | 6 months from date of issue |
| Application Mode | Online registration and appointment via NPCS portal |
| Processing Time | 10–30 minutes at the police station (if No HIT) |
| Walk-in Allowed | No — online appointment is required first |
National Police Clearance Requirements 2026
For Online Registration & Appointment Booking
- A valid, active email address (you’ll receive a verification link)
- An active mobile number
- Personal details — full name, date & place of birth, civil status, nationality
- Complete residential address in the Philippines
- Family background info (parents and spouse details)
- Bank account or e-wallet for online payment
For Your Station Appointment — Bring These
- Your NPCS reference number (screenshot or write it down)
- Fee payment receipt (print or save on your phone)
- Two (2) original valid government-issued IDs — see full list below
- Barangay Certificate — First Time Job Seekers (FTJS) only
- PWD ID or Certificate — PWD applicants only
Complete List of Valid Government IDs
Full Step-by-Step Application Guide (2026)
How to Pay — All Payment Methods
The National Police Clearance fee is ₱150. You can pay using any of the following methods through the NPCS portal. Some payment methods charge an additional convenience fee of ₱10–₱30.
| Payment Method | How to Access | Convenience Fee |
|---|---|---|
| GCash / Maya / ShopeePay / GrabPay | Via MYEG on NPCS portal | ₱15–₱25 |
| Landbank / OFBank ATM Card | Direct debit on NPCS portal | Minimal |
| BPI | Via PCHC PayGate | Standard bank fee |
| UnionBank | Via PCHC PayGate | Standard bank fee |
| PSBank / RCBC / Robinsons / Asia United Bank | Via PCHC PayGate | Standard bank fee |
| Cash Payment | At selected payment centres | Varies |
What is a “HIT” in National Police Clearance?
When the PNP processes your background check, they search the national database for records matching your personal details. If a possible match is found, it is called a HIT.
No HIT — Clean Record
This is what most applicants receive. It means no criminal record was found matching your name and details. Your clearance will be printed and released within 10–30 minutes at the station.
HIT — Possible Record Found
A HIT does not automatically mean you have a criminal record. Here is what happens next:
- The officer will ask for additional verification documents
- You may be called for a one-on-one interview to clarify the HIT
- If confirmed as mistaken identity → clearance released with No HIT
- If your criminal record is confirmed → clearance issued with the HIT clearly written on it
Who Can Get Free National Police Clearance?
Not everyone has to pay the ₱150 fee. Two groups of applicants can get their National Police Clearance completely free of charge.
1. First Time Job Seekers (FTJS)
Under Republic Act No. 11261 (First Time Job Seeker Assistance Act), Filipino citizens applying for a job for the very first time can get their National Police Clearance for free — one time only. To avail this benefit:
- Tick the FTJS box in your NPCS online profile when applying
- Bring a valid Barangay Certificate confirming you are a first time job seeker
- Note: future renewals will require the standard ₱150 fee — this waiver is one-time only
2. Persons with Disability (PWD)
PWD applicants can get their National Police Clearance for free — not just once, but every time they apply or renew for life.
- Tick the PWD box in your NPCS online profile when applying
- Bring your valid PWD ID and PWD Certificate to the appointment
- The free clearance applies to both new applications and all future renewals
How to Renew National Police Clearance Online
Since the clearance is only valid for 6 months, you will need to renew it when it expires. The great news is that renewal can often be done entirely online — without visiting the police station again.
- Log in to your existing NPCS account at pnpclearance.ph
- Click Clearance Application and select your purpose
- Choose Police Clearance (Without Appearance) if you qualify
- Pay the ₱150 fee online using your preferred payment method
- Download your renewed clearance as a PDF directly from your NPCS account
National vs Local Police Clearance — Key Differences
Many people confuse the two. Here is a clear side-by-side comparison so you know exactly which one you need.
| Factor | National Police Clearance | Local Police Clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | PNP via NPCS system | Local city/municipality police |
| Coverage | Nationwide + valid abroad for OFWs | Within city or municipality only |
| How to apply | Online at pnpclearance.ph | Walk-in at local police station |
| Fee | ₱150 (fixed nationwide) | ₱50–₱150 (varies by city) |
| Validity | 6 months | 6 months |
| Accepted for OFW/visa | ✓ Yes | ✗ Generally not accepted |
| Accepted by employers | ✓ All employers | Local employers only |
Other Guides You May Need
Frequently Asked Questions — National Police Clearance 2026
The standard fee is ₱150. An additional convenience charge of ₱10–₱30 may apply depending on your payment method. PWD applicants and First Time Job Seekers can apply for free.
No. Walk-in applications are no longer accepted. You must register and book an appointment online at pnpclearance.ph before visiting any police station.
The clearance is valid for six (6) months from the date of issue. After it expires, you must renew it through the NPCS portal.
Yes, but only BEFORE you pay the fee. Once you have paid the ₱150, you cannot change your station or appointment date. Choose carefully before paying.
Your application is cancelled. Log in to the NPCS portal and book a new appointment. Your ₱150 payment is generally non-refundable so you may need to pay again.
If your result is No HIT (no criminal record), you receive your clearance within 10–30 minutes. If there is a HIT, additional verification is needed and may take 2–3 days.
Yes. Renewal can be processed online through the NPCS portal. In many cases you can complete the renewal without visiting the station and download your clearance as a PDF.
A HIT means the system found a possible matching record. It does NOT automatically mean you have a criminal record. Many HITs are due to common Filipino names. Additional verification usually resolves it in your favour.
Wear conservative casual clothing. No sleeveless tops, crop tops, shorts, or mini-skirts. Collared shirts, plain t-shirts with sleeves, slacks, or jeans are all acceptable. Dress code is strictly enforced.
Yes. All foreign nationals legally living or working in the Philippines can apply. You will need a valid Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) as one of your two valid IDs.
No — they are different documents from different agencies. The PNP issues the National Police Clearance. The NBI issues the NBI Clearance. Many employers and embassies require both.
Try again during weekday business hours (8am–5pm). The portal sometimes goes down for maintenance on weekends or late evenings. Check the official PNP Facebook page for announcements if the issue persists over 24 hours.
Fake police clearance websites exist online to steal your personal information and money. The ONLY official website is pnpclearance.ph. Never pay fees to unofficial Facebook pages, third-party apps, or any site that is not pnpclearance.ph. The PNP will never ask you to pay via personal GCash numbers or third-party bank accounts.