Where to Get NBI Clearance in the Philippines

Last night I frantically search on how and where to get NBI clearance in Manila since I will be needing it for my application for a Chinese visa. I am searching if the satellite branches will serve NBI clearance application for change status and surname and the National Bureau of Investigation website didn’t help one bit.

After hours of tweeting and asking friends, I finally decided to gamble my chances at Robinson’s Galleria NBI Satellite branch. Please note that Robinsons Galleria only serves 500 applicants a day. They distribute numbers at the EDSA entrance of the mall at around 6:30AM Monday-Friday. I advise you to come early since the line can be long in fact by 9:30AM all 500 numbers were taken. I also learned that NBI clearance application is now back to zero because they changed their system and all applications are treated as NEW- no more renewal (unless you had your first application with the new system, of course).

Here’s my experience and some tips on getting NBI Clearance in Robinsons Galleria: 

1.  My assistant went to queue for me at 6AM and the line was already long. She got number 238 by 7:30AM.  The first 200 applicants were  allowed to enter the mall to start their processing and the rest of the batches were asked to come back by:

2nd batch (201-270)- 10AM

3rd batch (271-399)- 10AM

4th batch (400-500) – 12NN

2. By 10AM the mall opens. All applicants must proceed to the Lower Ground Level of Robinson’s Galleria, fronting Netopia and Luxe Nail Salon. A security guard will allow 2nd batch applicants to sit in a waiting room and the 3rd batch to a different sitting area (stairs). 4th batch is asked to come back by 12NN.

3. 2nd batch applicants will be seated according to their numbers and a corresponding application form will be given to them (by the security guard once everyone is seated and arranged). Fill out the application form and note the following:

– read the form carefully especially for married women. Fill out SURNAME as your maiden name and write your married name on the blank after HUSBAND’S SURNAME.

– your mother’s name is asked, write your mother’s maiden name

– prepare your valid ID (any of the following):

* PRC ID, Driver’s license, NSO, company ID, Passport, postal ID, SSS, TIN

*it’s possible that they will ask for a second ID when you present cedula, school ID, other company ID

*the old NBI clearance is not deemed valid and will not be accepted

Tips:

– bring your own pen, no pens provided on the waiting room

– bring a book to keep you occupied (companions are not allowed inside the waiting room)

– bring water and light snack (especially if you’re 2nd batch)

4. The guard will call you by batches to queue in the processing area. There are 4 steps and it’ll be a breeze:

Step 1. Payment – prepare your application form, ID and P115 (for travel abroad, local employment), P165 (for change of name,status,address,etc) and P465 (for Validation of ACR, etc)

Step 2. Encoding- present your application form and the receipt. Make sure you look at the monitor as your information is filled out.

Step 3. Biometrics- finger printing and photo

Step 4. Releasing- if you’re lucky you will just wait few minutes and you’ll have your clearance but if not, they will ask you to come back another day. Mine was released in 10 mins or so.

Basically the process is a breeze, it must have been the long queuing and waiting for the mall to open that took so much of the time.

NBI Offices where you can apply for NBI Clearance in the Philippines:

NBI MAIN OFFICE, TAFT AVENUE MANILA

– I was told that they do not provide shed for people queuing so you will be under direct sunlight while waiting for your turn. I hope they improved on it soon.

ROBINSONS PLACE ERMITA

(BASEMENT 1) M. ADRIATICO COR. PEDRO GIL ST. ERMITA, MANILA

 

ROBINSONS OTIS

(LEVEL 2) DR. PAZ MENDOZA GUANZON ST., PACO, MANILA

 

ROBINSONS GALLERIA

(EAST LANE, BASEMENT 1) EDSA COR. ORTIGAS AVENUE, QUEZON CITY

 

ROBINSONS METRO EAST PASIG

(LEVEL 4) MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. DELA PAZ, PASIG CITY

ROBINSONS CAINTA

(LEVEL 2) ORTIGAS AVENUE EXTENSION, JUNCTION CAINTA, RIZAL

 

Ever Gotesco Grand Central

(3rd floor, Cinema 5) Rizal Avenue Extension (Monumento), Caloocan City

 

Ever Gotesco Manila Plaza

(3rd floor, Cinema 3) C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila

 

Ever Gotesco Commonwealth

(2nd floor, Cinema 1) Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City

QUEZON CITY HALL

 

MANDALUYONG CITY HALL

 

MUNTINLUPA CITY HALL

 

CENTRAL LUZON REGIONAL OFFICE

Capitol Compound, San Fernando City, Pampanga

 

CALABARZON REGIONAL OFFICE

Capitol Site, Batangas City

LAGUNA DISTRICT OFFICE

City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna

 

CENTRAL VISAYAS REGIONAL OFFICE

Capitol Site, Cebu Citry

 

EASTERN VISAYAS REGIONAL OFFICE

Sto. Nino Extension, Tacloban City

 

WESTERN VISAYAS REGIONAL OFFICE

Fort San Pedro, IloIlo City

 

SOUTHEASTERN MINDANAO REGIONAL

OFFICE

J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City

NORTHEASTERN MINDANAO REGIONAL

OFFICE

Provincial Capitol Compound, Cagayan de Oro City

 

DAGUPAN DISTRICT OFFICE

A.B. Fernandez West, Dagupan City, Pangasinan

 

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONAL

OFFICE

125 Upper Session Road Baguio City

CAGAYAN VALLEY REGIONAL OFFICE

Carig Regional Center, Tuguegarao City

 

CARAGA REGIONAL OFFICE

2nd Flr, FCB Building, J. Rosales Ave., Butuan City

 

LEGAZPI DISTRICT OFFICE

Quezon Avenue, Legazpi City

 

SARANGANI DISTRICT OFFICE

San Pedro St., Lagao, General Santos City

 

TUBURAN MUNICIPAL OFFICE

Tuburan, Cebu

 

I hope this has helped you on how to get your NBI Clearance in whatever part of the Philippines you may be.

Update: You can also try and visit nbi.gov.ph website and do their online application process which saves you time queuing but it will still require you to go to their office for photo, prints and release.

UPDATE: 9/23/12

For updated list of NBI Satellite Office and their exact location please open.

FAQ NBI
Source: http://www.nbi.gov.ph/nbcs/FAQ.pdf

This entry was posted in Uncategorized.

About the author

Renz
Mom to 2 beautiful girls, Peaches & Luzy. WAHM for 13 years and then I opened a small condo and office cleaning business. That's just the start. Follow me as I walk along my entrepreneurial journey. I hope you'll learn a thing or two from my experiences.

107 comments

  3. marshatlgn says:

    hello. i would like to ask if its true that there is no nbi application anymore in robinsons metro east pasg?i hope for the urgent responds from you! thank you very much!

    Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi Marsha,

      More information:
      ROBINSONS METRO EAST PASIG (LEVEL 4)
      MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. DELA PAZ, PASIG CITY
      MONDAY TO FRIDAY – 8:00AM TO 5:00PM
      No. of applicants that can be accommodated: 500 persons

      I haven't heard of this news yet but better call NBI and double check- 523 8231 to 38

      Robinson's Otis I heard is pretty fast you might want to try that?

      Good luck!

      Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi there,

      From what I heard the waiting area in Taft does not have a roof on it so you will be standing or sitting under the sun for hours. I'm not sure though if they improved that already.
      Also, try checking the NBI.gov.ph website because they're now offering online application. This I think will lessen your waiting hours but would still require you to go to their office for signature, picture taking and prints.

      Hope this helps!

      And good luck on your Chinese visa! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jewel says:

    Hi, thanks so much for this post.:) Helped me a lot. 🙂 I'm thinking though if their online system is good or not, but the booking system is also very attractive since the theory there is you won't need to line up for a long time anymore. Anyway, thanks again!:)

    Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi Jewel,

      I haven't tried the online system yet but you're correct, you won't be lining up if you come in your appointment date.
      Let us know!

      Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi Bert,

      Ang options mo po:

      1. Online appointment para di ka na pumila nang matagal sa NBI offices. Pag online po sa NBI Taft ka mag cclaim.

      2. Punta sa pinaka malapit na NBI Mall based satellite.

      sa mga naririnig ko po mabilis daw po sa Robinson's Otis kasi konti lang mga nakapila.

      Good luck!

      Reply
  12. cris1015 says:

    Very informative..compare s mga nabasa ko today..eto lang ang makakasigurado ako na tama.haha Thank you!

    Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi PJ,

      It\’s on the EDSA entrance. They start giving out numbers at 8AM but the lines are long by that time so you would want to go there earlier.

      Reply
  18. mommycuddlediary says:

    Hi! Just want to ask if yung online appointment sa nbi pwede if i change my marrital status/surname? Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi MommyCuddle,

      It should because all of our NBI clearances are deemed back to zero. You have to start from scratch, the old NBI (regardless if you were single or married at the time) will be deemed invalid.

      I will advise you to bring necessary papers to prove you\’re married though 😀

      Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi Gege,

      Not sure po pero dala ka na lang nang Birth Certificate mo.
      I\’ll try to double check later sa announcement nang Robinsons\’ Galleria NBI Satellite if acceptable ang SSS E1.

      Reply
  25. chariza ursua says:

    grabe s nbi dagupan ang hirap pong kumuha ng clearance pag nag brown out wala cla generator madaling araw andun n kami ang layo pa pinang galingan nmn taz mag brown out alang generator ang dami daming kumukuha ng nbi clearance araw araw sana nmn po mabigyan nio po ng attention sa NBI DAGUPAN o di po kaya sana mag ka branch n po keu sa urdaneta or rosales salamat po.

    Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi Chariza,

      Nakakinis nga yung nangyari sa inyo. Sana nga din mag bago na yung sistema nang NBI Dagupan.

      Reply
  27. shelieza says:

    hi! thank you sa info.. ask ko lang kung active pa rin yung sa victory mall or if not san merong malapit dito sa north caloocan.. ask ko lang din kung pwede ko bang ikuha ang asawa ko ng NBI clearance dahil nasa ibang bansa sya kakailanganin kasi nya iyon para sa pagaayos ng papers nya doon.. thank you!

    Reply
  28. CHRISTY says:

    SANA NAMAN HINDI MANGYARI YAN PAG KUMUHA AKO NG NBI SA DAGUPAN….ILANG DAYS BA MAKUKUHA ANG NBI CLEARANCE SA DAGUPAN SANA TULAD LNG DIN NG SA IBANG LUGAR NA ONE DAY LNG MAKUKUHA NA AGAD,,,.

    Reply
  29. Arnold Oliva says:

    My sister in law is in dubai,sheis asking me to get or renew her clearance here in the philippines,what will i do to get her clearance.what are the requirements i need to bring?

    Reply
    • renzalcantara says:

      Hi Aguilar Liganan,

      taga saan ka? you can also check the post for a list. And wala na pong renewal if hinde pa kayo nakakakuha nang bago.

      Reply
  46. Andrew says:

    Sad to say, after all this high-tech system that we had. We are still a primitive when it comes to this service and any kind of public services.

    Reply
  50. jonalyn panganiban says:

    bkt po ang NBI sa robinson east ang tagal mag release? kc po ang nanay ko nag appy ng NBI for abroad tapos ang release is April. garbe namn po katagal. db po oneday lang release na kaagad. bakit ganun ang systema gaan sa NBI robinson east? kainis

    Reply
  51. jonalyn panganiban says:

    ilang days po ba bago ma release ang NBI clearance kc po nag apply kami sa robinson metro east ngayon march 13 pinababalik po kami April 4. bakit po ganun parang tagal nmn po ata?

    Reply
    • Renz Alcantara says:

      Hi Jonalyn

      Reasons I can think why your release date is that far:

      1. Your Nanay has a “hit” (namesake)
      2. Holy Week is on March 25 so I guess all gov’t offices are close on those dates.

      Reply
  52. Eleanor U. Reyes says:

    ask ko lng po…i got my NBI Clearance mga 8yrs ago, im still single that time when i got the copy… kya lng nawala na ung copy ko, now im married last year, i need to get NBI Clearance for change status and at the same time need it for the application for the immigrant visa coz my husband need it for my petition. Is it ok lng ba if i go there w/o my previous copy? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Renz Alcantara says:

      Hi Eleanor,

      The old NBI clearance is not valid anymore.

      You have to apply for a new clearance and yes, you don’t need to bring your old NBI clearance since it’s deemed invalid.

      Reply
      • jessica says:

        hello may i ask?nag changed then po ba ng new system lahat i mean all branches ba mostly like region 8 or provinces or this is just happen in manila na mai new system and like u said the old NBI clearance not valid anymore…cause i had mine before its been expired already before they changed in to new system and i also lost it but i'm planning to get an nbi at my province tacloban city but my mind in trouble if i should get as new applicant or renewal please answer me thank a lot in advance…..i'm going to appreciate your reply..u can reach me in email too ssun447@yahoo.com..

        Reply
    • Renz Alcantara says:

      Hi Joel,

      I don’t think mawawala po yung hit mo kasi “hit” means may ka pangalan ka po 🙂
      Sa Taft first come first serve nga po talaga.

      Reply
  56. Emmanuel says:

    Query lng about sa list of valid Id’s:

    I already have my nso birth cert, ok lng b ung sa sss is ung e1 form? Di p kasi ako
    Nkakakuha ng sss id. Likewise sa tin ID. May tin number na ako but i dont have the ID yet kasi halos katatapos lang dn ng application ko sa mga un. Thanks in advance sa response

    Reply
    • Troy Alcantara says:

      Hi Emmanuel,

      as per NBI’s website and their document at http://www.nbi.gov.ph/nbcs/FAQ.pdf, the following are what they consider as valid IDs:

      a) Valid passport
      b) Voter’s ID
      c) Driver’s License
      d) PRC License
      e) SSS ID
      f) GSIS UMID
      g) Postal ID
      h) School ID
      i) TIN ID
      j) Philhealth ID
      k) Authenticated Birth Cert
      l) Alien Cert of Registration
      m) Senior Citizen
      n) Previous Copy of NBI Clearance

      Just bring any of the 2 above.

      Valid IDs or Identification Cards, under technical and strict definition are papers that would contain your legal birth name (first and last), your photo, your birth date, and a code or number in reference to your registration with the the appropriate government agency (TIN #, SSS#, birth certificate #, etc).
      These are all or mostly found in the above items in its card form (except the NBI Clearance and Birth Certificate). This also means that the E1-Form of SSS may not be valid.

      Thanks,
      Troy

      Reply
  59. yazmine says:

    wow this is such a relief to me . i was really doubting on going to nbi in galleria because the guard didnt assist me well though im new on getting files such as that . now i know how it really runs ^^ thanks a bunch! 🙂

    Reply
  60. Jovimee Pilar says:

    hi po, im jovimee..nakaschedule po ako sumampa ng barko sa april 14, ask k lng po kung ano ka tagal ang renewal ng nbi clearance?my topic ka din po ba panu at gaanu katagal ang sirb renewal?kelangan ko po kasi matapos ng friday lahat para makuha k ung sched ko sa pagsampa, tanx po.

    Reply
  63. feiah says:

    Hi i already have my nbi clearance, i got it last january 2013, i use the other half to process my passport.. ngayon plan ko mag apply ng schengen visa. kelangan ko pa po ba ulit kumuha ng panibago or, pwd na yong original copy?yong other half. 🙂 looking forward for your response. thanks.

    Reply
  66. phai says:

    pwede po ba malaman qng ano po location code ng robinson's cainta rizal.nid q lng po 4r booking sa nbi online clearance,thanxs po!

    Reply
    • Renz Alcantara says:

      Hello Phai,

      wala akong alam about Rob Cainta pero here’s what I know:

      NBI Main Office —NBIMAIN
      Robinsons Place Ermita —ROBERMITA
      Robinsons OTIS —ROBOTIS
      Robinsons Galleria —ROBGALLERIA
      Robinsons Metro East —ROBEAST
      Robinsons Novaliches —ROBNOVA
      EVER Gotesco Mall Recto —EVERRECTO
      EVER Commonwealth —EVERCOM

      Reply
  69. Kian says:

    Bukas pa ba yung sa nbi Taft malapit sa savemore ba yun? And di na ba pde ang renewal? How much Kapag Kumita ka ng bago?

    Reply

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