Pursuant to Section IV of the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ Administrative Matter (A.M.) No. 20-12-01-SC, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco may facilitate the conduct of videoconferencing hearings at its premises. Please see this link for the Guidelines.
Guidelines in Applying for National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance for Applicants Abroad
Applicants who are living/working abroad must secure and accomplish the NBI Fingerprint Card Form, available at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General, have their fingerprints impressed at the Consulate, and send the form, through their authorized representative, to the NBI in the Philippines for the issuance of an NBI Clearance Certificate. This process also applies to Foreign Nationals who had lived in the Philippines and is required to submit NBI Clearance Certificate.
Application for NBI is made in person. The Consulate does not accept mailed-in applications.
Requirements for First Time Applicants:
1. Principal/s (person/s executing the document) must appear personally at the Consulate to sign the document/s before a Consular Officer/Staff for Legal and Notarial Services.
2. Applicant will be provided a Fingerprint Card Form. Please fill out the personal data truthfully and legibly. (Click here for a sample accomplished form).
3. Provide the following:
a. Two (2) identical photographs (2″ x 2″) taken in plain white background and taken within the last three (3) months. Blurred or low-quality photos are not accepted.
b. Original and two (2) photocopies of the valid passport (data page only).
c. Additional valid identification document (I.D.) from the country of residence may also be submitted.
d. Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice labeled with the recipient’s address with tracking number.
4. For the fingerprinting procedure, the Consular Officer/Staff will assist to have your fingerprints impressed (rolled impression) on the appropriate spaces. The person who took your fingerprints will sign his/her name, official designation, and signature on the space provided on the card.
5. New applicants are required to register online at www.nbi.gov.ph. The applicant is required to sign-up and sign-in to apply for clearance until a reference number appears on the computer screen. Please copy this reference number as this will serve as the NBI’s code in the retrieval of the applicant’s data and status of application.
Requirements for Renewal of NBI Clearance:
1. Applicants who were previously issued NBI Clearance Certificates dated 2011 and beyond will have their certificates authenticated first by the Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD). If your NBI Clearance Certificate was issued by the Philippine Consulate General, San Francisco prior to 2014 or you have lost your personal copy of the certificate, please follow the instructions for First Time applicants.
2. Together with the above, provide the following:
a. Two (2) identical photographs (2″ x 2″), taken in plain white background and taken within the last three (3) months. Blurred or low-quality photos are not accepted.
b. Original and two (2) photocopies of the valid passport (data page only).
c. Additional valid identification document (I.D.) from the country of residence may be submitted.
d. Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice labeled with the recipient’s address with tracking number.
3. If there are changes in the applicant’s personal data (ex. Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth), applicant is advised to fill-up the form for first time applicants, present the original and submit two (2) photocopies of your Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, etc. as proof for the changes to be applied.
4. Renewal applicants are also required to register online at www.nbi.gov.ph. The applicant is required to sign-up, sign-in, and fill-out all the personal information thereat until a reference number appears on the computer screen. Please copy this reference number as this will serve as the NBI’s code in the retrieval of the applicant’s data and verification of status of application.
Applicants who have previously issued NBI clearances from 2014 to present can now renew their NBI clearance without the need of accomplishing a new NBI Fingerprint Card Form provided that no changes are made on their personal data (ex. Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth). Moreover, applicants no longer need to register online. If this is the case, applicant must accomplish the requirements mentioned in Item No. 2 together with the clearance certificate dated 2014 to present and submit them to the NBI.
Processing Fee for Acknowledgment (Notarization):
All Fees are non-refundable. Fees should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order, Bank Draft, Certified Check or Cashier’s Check. Cash, Personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted.
Acknowledgment (Notarization) of NBI Fingerprint Card Form … $25.00