Required documents for Police Clearance Certificate in Philippines

Police clearance is the document that indicates your criminal record status. In the Philippines, this document is usually required for immigration, job, business, education, and borrowing loans. The national police clearance certificate is proof that you have never been convicted of a crime. This document is provided by the police department. If you have this certificate, this will show about your morals, character, and trustworthiness. 

In this blog, you will get information about the required documents for police clearance certificate, steps to verify documents, and how to obtain a police clearance certificate.

Understanding Police Clearance

The police clearance is an official document that is proof of your criminal record, which is issued by the Philippine National Police. This is used for various purposes, such as the visa application process, judicial proceedings, and other transactions.

Who Needs a Police Clearance?

Police clearance is needed by individuals who want to verify their legal standing in the Philippines. This includes:

• Job applicants: Anyone who is seeking a job will need a police clearance certificate.
• Immigration and visa: When you are applying for a visa in any country. You will need a police clearance.
• Business and licensing: Anyone who wants to get a permit for their business needs a police clearance.
• Personal documentation: Sometimes, you will need a police clearance for your personal legal matters.
• If you applying for a new license,  you will need a police clearance.
• When you are renewing your work permit, you will need a police clearance certificate.
• If you are renewing your residency visa

Required Documents for Police Clearance Application

Required documents for police clearance may vary depending on the individual situation, but some necessary documents are explained below: 

Valid Identification

To verify, you will need a valid ID for police clearance with the following factors:

• Philippines passport: whether you are a citizen or a foreigner, you will need a valid Philippines passport.
• Driving license: You will need a driving license, which is issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
• National ID: You will need a national ID issued by the Philippines Identification System (PIS)
• SSS ID: To apply for the police clearance, you will need an SSS ID issued by the Social Security System
• Postal ID: Issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation
• Voter’s ID: Issued by the Commission on Elections
• Police clearance ID: You will need a police clearance ID if you are renewing or updating your clearance
• Alien Certificate of Registration: If you are a foreigner and applying for a police clearance, then you will need this certificate.
• School ID: If you are a student, then you will need a school ID to apply for police clearance
• Passport-sized Images: Valid identification also includes a passport-sized photo when applying for police clearance. The pictures should be taken within the last six months. The photo must have a white background, no eyeglasses, head covering, and 2 by 2 in size.
• AFP ID: The AFP ID is issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It can be used as a valid government-issued ID when applying for police clearance.
• BFP ID: The BFP ID is issued by the Bureau of Fire Protection. It can be used as a government-issued ID when applying for police clearance.
• BJMP ID: The BJMP ID is issued by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. It can be used as valid identification when applying for police clearance.
• GSIS UMID: The GSIS UMID is a government-issued ID for GSIS UMID members. You can use this ID as valid identification when applying for police clearance.
• IBP ID: This ID is issued for licensed lawyers. This ID can be used as official documents for police clearance.
• LTO PF ID: This ID is issued for professional drivers in the Philippines. This ID can be used for identification when applying for police clearance.
• Marina ID: This ID is issued to seafarers and maritime industry workers. This ID can serve as an official document when applying for police clearance.
• OFW ID: This ID is issued by the Overseas Filipino Workers to the Filipinos working abroad. This ID can be used as an official document and as valid identification when applying for police clearance.
• PAG-IBIG ID: This ID is issued to the members of the Home Development Mutual Fund. This ID can be used as valid identification for police clearance.
• PCG ID: This ID is issued to the personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard. This ID can be used as valid identification for police clearance.
• PhilHealth ID: This ID is issued by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. This ID can serve as an official document when applying for police clearance.
• PNP ID: This ID is issued by the Philippines National Police and can broadly be accepted as identification when applying for police clearance.
• PRC License: This is an official document issued by the Professional Regulation Commission and can be used as valid identification when applying for police clearance.
• PWD ID: This is an identification card issued to a person with disabilities.
• Senior Citizen ID: This is a valid ID issued to elderly individuals.
• TIN ID: This is a Tax Identification Number card issued by the government and can be used as valid identification when applying for police clearance, you can get TIN ID Online.

Proof of Address

To apply for police clearance, you will need to give proof of your residency. Acceptable documents are:

• Utility Bills: Electric bill, water bill, and telephone bill
• Lease contract: If renting, a signed lease agreement
• Barangay certification: issued by your barangay (local government unit) confirming your residency

Birth Certificate

To apply for police clearance, you will need a birth certificate to confirm your age, issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). If you are a foreigner, you will need a birth certificate from your home country, and it must be translated into English. 

Community Tax Certificate (CTC)

This certificate is proof that you have paid all the local taxes. You can obtain this certificate from your local barangay clearance office or municipal office.

Clearance Application Form

To apply for the clearance, you will need a clearance application form. You can download this application form from the Philippine National Police, or you can get this from the local police clearance station. 

Payment

To get the police clearance, you have to pay the processing fee. The amount can vary according to the location, and it usually changes over time. Be prepared to pay the fee. It may be done in cash or via the pnp payslip, depending on the local procedure.

Police Clearance requirements Walk-in

When you apply online for police clearance, you must visit the nearest police station to verify your documents. First, you need to book your clearance appointment, then you have to visit the police station.

Additional Requirements for Other Considerations

Additional requirements for other considerations, like minors and foreign nationals, are given below:

Minors

If the applicant is under 18 following documents are required to apply for police clearance:

• Documents required for under-18 applicants: A Birth certificate is required to verify the applicant’s age, and a school ID is required to confirm the enrollment of the applicant.
• Consent from parents: A form that is signed by the parents.

Foreign Nationals

The documents that are required for foreign nationals to apply for the police clearance are given below:

• Valid visa: A visa is required for foreigners to apply for police clearance, which is proof of residency in the Philippines.
• Passport copy: The passport copy of the applicant who is applying for the police clearance.

However, some police stations may require some additional documents for residency verification.

What to Check Before Visiting a Police Station for Police Clearance?

After submitting your application, you need to visit the nearest police station to verify your documents and to proceed with the process. Before visiting the police station, check your important documents listed below to avoid any delay in the process:

• Take your original ID with you to the police station. Your ID must contain a clear photo, your name, and your signature. 
• Before you visit the police station, you should have to keep at least two copies of each of your IDs, they will keep one copy of your each ID for record.
• Take all the documents to the nearest police station to check whether they are valid or not, to apply for the police clearance.
• In case of any query or doubt, contact the police clearance helpline

Steps to Verify Document Requirements

The following are the steps to verify your document to apply for police clearance without any delay:

• Check your local authorities: Documents may vary slightly due to the locality, so to ensure any additional document requirements, visit the nearest police station.
• Verify document requirements: To avoid any delay, you must check that your documents are valid and still active.

Steps to Obtain a Police Clearance

You can obtain a police clearance online through the National Police Clearance. By using this method, you can save your valuable time. Once you submit your application, book your appointment for the document verification, fingerprinting, and photo capture.

The other method is to visit the nearest police station to apply for the police clearance. By following these simple steps, you can apply for the police clearance:

• Ensure you have all the necessary documents
• Visit the nearest police station
• Submit your documents and fill out the application form to proceed with the process
• Pay the required fee and keep the fee receipt with you for proof
• Here, your fingerprints will be taken and your photo will be captured
• Usually, it takes a few days to a few weeks to receive your police clearance application
• Once the processing is complete then you can collect your police clearance certificate from the station where you submit the application.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The police clearance is not a difficult process if you have all the documents that are explained in the blog. To avoid any delay, prepare all the required documents for police clearance in advance. Make sure that you have a copy of the police clearance that will be used in the future. You can apply for the police clearance online through the official police clearance website, or you can also apply in person by visiting the nearest police station.