Every year, millions of people go through the process of getting a police clearance online. The process can be time-consuming and costly if you don’t know what to do.
If you’re trying to get a job abroad, for example, many countries require that you obtain a police clearance certificate. This document certifies that you’ve never been convicted of a crime or arrested.
The article will discuss police clearance, what it takes to get one, and why getting one is important. Having a police clearance can give you peace of mind knowing that your criminal history has been checked and that you do not have any outstanding warrants or other fines.
It also makes it easier for people to find employment. There are other benefits to having a clearance like help with immigration issues and other legal problems, which should make it an important consideration for many people.
What is a Police Clearance?
Police clearance is a document granted by law enforcement to allow a person to be lawfully employed or otherwise interact with society. The clearance can be things such as an identification card, job, housing, and the ability to vote.
It is usually required for people who have had some sort of previous interactions with law enforcement that was resolved without charges, arrests, or convictions.
Furthermore, let’s first discuss the things you have to know more about Police Clearance.
How long is the validity of Police Clearance in the Philippines?
The validity of Police Clearance in the country is 6 months. It also has a QR code so verifying the authenticity of the document is easy.
What are the requirements I need to get a Police Clearance?
Most of the primary or secondary documents you can get from the national government require two (2) valid IDs. The importance of a valid ID cannot be understated, since it is the only way to verify that you are who you say you are.
No identification means no opportunity to get police clearance.
The following IDs are accepted by PNP:
· School ID with the registration form
· OFW ID
· Alien Certificate of Registration
· Birth certificate
· Passport
· SSS ID/UMID
· TIN ID
· PWD ID
· Voter’s ID
· IBP ID
· PCG ID
· AFP ID
· BFP ID
· GSIS UMID
· LTO Driver’s License
· PRC ID/License
· BJMP ID
· Marina ID
· Pag-IBIG ID
· PhilHealth ID
· PNP ID
· Postal ID
· Senior citizen ID
Photocopies of the said IDs are not acknowledged. But in case you only have one original ID, you can bring your birth certificate from PSA with the original official receipt attached.
Moreover, it’s also your due diligence to bring a PWD ID in case you specified in the online registration that you are a PWD or a person with a disability.
Also, if you are a fresh graduate and want to get one, make sure that you have your first job seeker Barangay Certificate with you.
Does PNP require personal appearance?
Absolutely yes. Because even if you have digitalized records in PNP as an applicant, they still require your personal appearance whether you are applying for local or national police clearance.
If you are applying for a National Police Clearance, your personal information and appearance can change over time. So you have to update your records, bring a recent photo, and biometrics after securing an online appointment through the National Police Clearance System.
Hence, for local police clearance, you can just proceed to your hometown municipal hall without securing an online appointment.
How much does a Police Clearance cost?
For National Police Clearance: you have to pay PHP 160.00 (PHP 150 police clearance fee plus the PHP 10 transaction fee). Since getting a national police clearance requires you to conduct online registration, this fee is also payable through Landbank or Bancnet only (over-the-counter or online banking).
Local Police Clearance also costs PHP 100.00 but this can vary per municipality and is only payable over-the-counter.
Fortunately, this fee is waived to fresh graduates as long as they are able to provide a Barangay Certificate stated a while ago. This policy is under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.
Do I have to get a cedula and barangay clearance in order to get a Police Clearance?
No, cedula and barangay clearance are no longer needed FOR National Police Clearance. Just make sure that you have two valid IDs listed above.
But, local police clearance obliges you to secure a cedula and barangay clearance since it doesn’t demand an online appointment.
Also, you can’t avail of the free police clearance fee for fresh graduates if you don’t have a police clearance that entails you are a first-time job seeker and have been a resident of the barangay for the past 6 months.
Where can I get police clearance in the Philippines?
Your municipality or city hall offers local police clearance without the need to accomplish an online appointment system.
For national police clearance, you have to do it via the NPCS website. There you have to choose your best available date and the nearest police stations/police camps accessible to you.
Nevertheless, PNP recently announced that they are improving their strategies to increase police camps in the country. This is to make police services more reachable to Filipinos.
National Police Clearance booths will also be available soon in SM malls nationwide.
What are the steps to get a local police clearance?
Step 1. Go to a municipal/city hall
Step 2. Pay the required fees.
Step 3. Have your biometrics taken.
Step 4. Releasing.
How to apply for a Police Clearance online?
Last 2018, PNP launched a system where Filipinos are able to acquire National Police Clearance online in just a little amount of time. Aside from that, National Police Clearance System also allows PHP to lessen the processing time of checking criminal records.
With this system and its innovation, the online application of police clearance can take less than 10 minutes.
Follow these steps to know how you can utilize the system and apply for police clearance online:
Step 1: Go to the National Police Clearance System website so you can register.
Step 2: Click the button “register” if you are a first-time applicant and then a pop-up box will appear on your screen. For people who had police clearance before and want to renew its validity, you can click “login” and type the user name and password you have.
Step 3: Read all the terms and conditions on the pop-up box and click every checkbox so you can continue on to the next step.
Step 4: Fill out the “New registration applicant” form to create an account. You have to provide your email, address, password, name, birthdate, and gender.
NOTE:
Make sure that all of the information you’ll provide are correct because editing is not allowed after saving.
Step 5: Once your account is created, log into it then proceed with editing your profile. After that, fill out the application form and click the button “save profile”.
Step 6: After that, click the “clearance application” button so you can set an appointment regarding to your best available date and nearest police station.
Step 7: Select your preferred appointment and click “Next”.
Step 8: Settle your payment option whether you want to pay through LandBank or Bancnet. This is where you can also see the option whether you are a fresh graduate or a first-time job seeker.
Step 9: Review the notes and reminders provided by PNP and pay the police clearance fee in accordance with your payment option.
Step 10: Wait for your appointment time and date for biometrics and photo taking.
Important notes:
- Bring your 2 valid IDs
- Official receipt of the appointment
- Copy of your payment reference number
- Releasing time of your police clearance may vary according to the number of applicants that day. But if there are few, there is a large possibility that you can get it the same day as your appointment.
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Conclusions
After following these 10 steps, you’ll just wait for your Police Clearance to be received. It can be on the same day of your appointment or they will email or text you once your Police clearance certificate is ready to be picked up.
There you have it! You are now a proud holder of Police Clearance and you have an indication of being free in any criminal records.
