If you are 18 years old, looking for a job, having an immigration plan, or going to study abroad, then the police clearance online portal is one of the websites you must visit.
By launching the system in 2018, the PNP (Philippine National Police) enables Filipino citizens to have this important document within 15 minutes with just a few steps!
Table of Contents
What Is Police Clearance And Who Can Make It?
What Is Police Clearance?
The police clearance indicates that you do not have a derogatory or criminal record in the Philippines. It is a strong proof proving that you have not committed any illegal activities in a certain period.
The certificate is used for various purposes, from job employment to traveling abroad, immigration, etc. The applicants will then use the document to submit to the organization that requires it.
It is also considered a valid ID in several cases, such as creating credit cards. However, it will be rejected by the Department of Foreign Affairs when you apply for passport registration or renewal.
Who Can Make A Police Clearance?
Filipino citizens who are 18 years old or above and reside in their area for at least 12 months are eligible for a police clearance. Since the police clearance validity is six months, the certificate will suit those who need it within the allowable timeline.
Types Of Police Clearance
Depending on your needs, two types of police clearance are available for Filipinos:
National Police Clearance (NPC)
With NPC service, the officials will retrieve the information from the master data to see whether you have illegal activities. The inspection will not only be conducted in the applicants’ locality but also nationwide.
Since the process is complicated, it will require an online appointment, and there are only a few police stations offering this service.
Local Police Clearance (LPC)
The LPC is a clearance that shows whether an individual has adhered to the law within a city. Hence, it is suitable for those who are studying or looking for employment in a local area.
However, its drawback is that it has limited coverage, so you must check with the document requesters carefully to know whether an LPC or NPC is necessary before proceeding and applying for one.
Prepare Necessary IDs
Get your two valid IDs ready in advance. Both IDs should be original, not expired, untampered, and readable, clearly showing your photo, name, and signature.
Below is the list of valid IDs. Choose two of them for the application.
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Postal ID
- Senior residents ID
- Voter ID
- Overseas Filipino Worker ID
If you lost one of them, you can replace it with a PSA-certified copy of your birth certificate along with the lawful ID. This way is acceptable to the police.
Create An Account
To make a police clearance online, you must access the National Police Clearance System’s website at https://pnpclearance.ph/ (NPCS). Click the Register box if you are registering for the first time; otherwise, choose Log In and sign in to the system with your account.
If you select Register, A Terms and Conditions window will pop up. Please read them carefully and tick each box on the left side of each page to show your acceptance. Once you get to the final page, press the I Agree term.
An application form will appear when you have done all the steps mentioned earlier. You must fulfill the compulsory information with an asterisk mark, including your email address, nominated password, first name/surname, gender, date of birth, etc.
Remember to use your active email address because there will be verification steps afterward. When finishing inputting, tick the Terms and Conditions box, then click on the Register button.
It has not been done yet. An alert message box will show up, reminding you to recheck the information again to ensure that there are no typos or incorrect details. Once you have done the verification, proceed by clicking “Save .”In case you are not certain, press “Cancel”.
Done! Your new applicant registration is now submitted to the PNP.
You will receive a confirmation from NPCS with a link to verify your account. As it is an automatic email that contains an unknown connection, you should check your Spam box if you cannot find it in your Inbox.
Open the email and tick the verification link; it will take you to the NPCS login window. Then, input your registered email and password to sign in to the system. Now, you have accessed the portal successfully. Go to the next step to make an appointment online.
Fill in the Application Form
After logging in to the portal, click the Edit profile to enter the necessary information in the application form first. You must declare your birth date, address, nationality, telephone/mobile number, family background, etc.
You will see a box that states, “Please check if you are a PWD.”If this is the case, tick the box and provide your PWD number.
There is also a “Please check if you are a First Time Job Seeker” checkbox for first-time job finders. It indicates that if you are a fresh graduate who is applying for a job for the first time, the clearance charge will be waived, following RA 11261 of the First Time Job Seeker Assistance Act.
The same goes for registration steps; ensure that you input the correct information with no spelling mistakes or data missing. Review all the details, and press “Save profile.”
Make An Appointment
To settle an appointment with the PNP, click the “Clearance application” button. The first row will require you to declare the purpose of the meeting.
If you need the police clearance certificate for employment, choose “General Option.”Otherwise, select other options in the scroll-down list that suit you.
After that, select the police station you wish to come to as well as the date and time you prefer, which are displayed in the available schedule. Then choose Next.
Pay The Fee
Choose the “Landbank of the Philippines,” and payment details will appear with its reference number. You should note down that number as needed to settle the payment.
You must pay 150 PHP to confirm your appointment. However, first-time job seekers can make an appointment free of charge.
On the right, click the green box that shows “Pay to Landbank.” Then, choose the payment types you opt for, like bank transactions, counter payment at 7-Eleven, or E-wallet using Gcash.
You should review your transaction thoroughly to confirm everything is correct before submitting. You need to complete the payment at least two days before your appointment; otherwise, it will be automatically canceled.
Get The Police Clearance
Bring the two valid IDs, the reference number and the payment receipt, to the selected police station at the scheduled time. Present the officials with all the documents.
Then, they will take your photo, fingerprints, digital signature, and biometrics. When all these steps are finished, you need to wait for the verification process. It will not take long as all the information is available on the PNP’s system.
Once the officials confirm your legal status, you can obtain a police clearance and return home.
FAQs
How Long The Police Clearance Will Be Valid?
The police clearance in the Philippines has validity for six months. After that time, the document is invalid, and applicants will have to apply for a new one.
Each clearance will have its specific QR code to increase the authority, ensuring that you will only have one certificate when you use it.
How Long Does It Take To Make Police Clearance?
Different from the DFA passport, which requires at least one week for passport delivery, the police clearance process is simpler and needs less time as long as you have booked an online appointment in advance.
The process from capturing your picture to getting your fingerprints, digital signature, biometrics, and verification on PNP’s system takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Can I Extend My Police Clearance Period?
You cannot extend or renew your police clearance. It means that once your certificate is past the six-month period, you must go to the police office to make a new one.
The process is similar:
- Book an online appointment via the NPCS system
- Make a payment
- Go to the intended police station
- Get your document within 15 to 20 minutes.
Conclusion
Applying for a police clearance online is not as challenging as some people think. The National Police Clearance system has a simple and friendly user interface, which enables non-tech savvy people to manipulate it with ease.
Follow the recommended steps above to get your certificate faster and avoid long waiting lines.
