NBI starts e-clearance

MANILA, Philippines - To serve the public better and faster, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) introduced yesterday the e-clearance (electronic clearance) system which allows the public to apply for a clearance through the Internet.

The new system is available 24/7 (24 hours, seven days a week), and is expected to significantly cut the long queues of applicants at the NBI main office and its satellite offices in Metro Manila city halls and shopping malls.

Starting this week, the NBI will also open the e-clearance lane at malls and local government offices to handle live scanning of the applicants’ fingerprints and image capturing, which are essential parts of the clearance.

The bureau has issued specific procedures on how to apply through the e-clearance system.

Applicants are advised to go to any Globe Payment Center or access the Globe GCash account in their cell phones to pay for the clearance fee.

A payment reference number will be given for applicants who paid through the Globe Payment Center while those who used the Globe GCash account will receive the number through a text message.

Online applicants have to download and fill out the application form.

Successful online applications will be provided by a QR code (an image code) which should be printed by the applicant as proof of application.

The applicant will also be provided with an appointment or booking date for fingerprint scanning and image capturing at the e-clearance lane of the NBI Clearance Center where he/she should present the QR code and a valid identification card.

The NBI clearance certificate would be immediately printed and released to the applicant if he/she has no namesake.

For more details, contact the NBI Help Desk at (02) 526-1294 or 523-8231 local 5499.