HOW-TO

How to Book an NBI Clearance Appointment

Booking a slot is mandatory before any branch visit. Here is how to pick a date, pay, and lock in your schedule on the official portal.

Step by step

1. Log in to the portalSign in at clearance.nbi.gov.ph with your registered account. If you have not registered yet, create an account first — see how-to-get-nbi-clearance-online.
2. Complete or review your applicationMake sure your personal details and chosen ID types are filled in correctly before you reach the scheduling step. Accurate details help avoid processing delays.
3. Open the appointment calendarSelect the Appointment or Schedule section. Choose an NBI branch, then pick from the available dates shown on the calendar.
4. Pick a time slotAfter selecting a date, choose an available time. The portal displays your appointment summary so you can double-check the branch, date, and time.
5. Choose a payment methodSelect an official channel such as GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center, or bank over-the-counter. The fee is ₱155 total as of 2026 — confirm on the portal.
6. Complete payment and save your referencePay and wait for confirmation. The system generates a reference number and receipt. Screenshot or print both; your slot is only secured once payment clears.
7. Prepare for the branch visitOn your date, arrive on time with two original valid IDs and your reference number for biometrics and a photo.

Why the appointment comes first

In the current NBI system, the appointment is not an optional extra — it is the gate that lets you into the branch at all. Turning up without a booked slot usually means being turned away, so the sensible order is: register, complete your application, book and pay, and only then travel. This design keeps queues manageable and gives each applicant a predictable window for fingerprints and a photo.

The appointment is created entirely on the official portal, clearance.nbi.gov.ph. It is worth repeating the address because copycat websites are common, and some charge extra for what is a fixed government fee. If a page looks unfamiliar or asks for details the government would never need, close it.

Reading the calendar

Once you reach the scheduling step, the portal shows a branch calendar with available dates highlighted. Demand varies: branches in busy urban centres fill quickly, while a neighbouring city might have openings the same week. If your first choice is full, widen the net rather than settling for a date weeks away. New slots are also released periodically, so checking again later can pay off.

• Select the branch most convenient for you.
• Choose a highlighted date, then an open time slot.
• Confirm the summary the portal displays before paying.

If you have not yet created an account or filled in your details, start with our walkthrough on how to get your NBI clearance online, which covers registration before this scheduling stage.

Paying to lock the slot

Your appointment is only truly reserved once payment succeeds. The portal supports several official channels — e-wallets such as GCash and Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center, and bank options both over-the-counter and online. After a successful transaction, the system produces a reference number and a receipt. Treat these as your proof of booking and keep copies.

A one-time password, your account password, and your card PIN are never required by a legitimate NBI payment page. Anyone asking for them is trying to defraud you.

What to bring on the day

Preparation for the visit is simple but strict. Bring two original, unexpired government IDs and your reference number. Expired IDs and photocopies are not accepted, and a mismatch between your IDs and your encoded details can cause delays. Arriving a little early helps, as latecomers may lose their slot.

At the branch, staff verify your identity, capture your biometrics, and take your photo. Most applicants without a name-match issue receive their clearance the same day. If yours is flagged as a “hit,” that means your name resembles someone in the records and needs manual checking; our guide on what to do if your NBI clearance has a hit explains what happens next and how long it typically takes.

A handful of small errors account for most failed trips. The first is treating an unpaid booking as confirmed — until the portal issues a reference number, your slot is not held, and it may be released to someone else. The second is picking a date without checking your own calendar; if you miss the slot, you generally have to rebook and, in some cases, pay again. The third is turning up with the wrong documents. Because the requirements are strict, it pays to double-check them the night before rather than at the branch door. Our overview of NBI clearance requirements and fees lists exactly what to bring and how much to budget.

Finally, resist the temptation to use a shortcut offered by a stranger online. Legitimate booking is free of middlemen, and no genuine service needs your one-time password, your account password, or your card PIN to secure a slot.

Planning ahead

Because an NBI clearance is valid for one year, it is easy to forget when it lapses. Note the expiry date as soon as you receive the document. When renewal time comes, eligible applicants can often skip the branch and the appointment entirely by renewing online, which removes the scheduling step covered here. For now, though, a confirmed appointment is the reliable path — book it early, pay through an official channel, and keep your reference number safe until you have your clearance in hand.

Gabay is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.