NBI Clearance for Minors: Requirements & Steps 2026

NBI clearance for minors is a National Bureau of Investigation clearance issued to a person under 18, usually because a school, embassy, scholarship body or employer asks for one. It matters most for teens aged 15 to 17 who are applying for a student visa, an overseas trip, a scholarship or a work permit. Third-party guides say a parent or guardian should go with you, but the NBI has no public rule on this, so knowing what to check saves a wasted trip.

This website is independent and not affiliated with the NBI. The official portal is clearance.nbi.gov.ph.

Who Can Apply and What Do You Need?

Adults apply on their own. For someone under 18, no official NBI page we could find spells out the rules. Non-official guides say branches expect a parent or legal guardian to come along, so plan for that.

Here is what non-official guides report, and none of it is confirmed by the NBI:

Age: The NBI does not publish a minimum age. Several third-party sites say teens aged 15 to 17 can apply with a parent, and that some branches start at 16. Children under 15 are rarely asked for a clearance at all.
Guardian: A parent or legal guardian is reported to appear in person with you. A relative who is not a parent may need proof of guardianship.
Documents: the minor’s PSA birth certificate, a school ID or another ID, and the guardian’s valid government ID are the items most often listed.
Cost: the standard clearance fee. See NBI clearance price for the current amount.

Note: We could not find an official NBI checklist for minors. The rest of this page separates what is official (the online steps and the fee) from what is only reported by third parties. Call or message your chosen branch before you go.

How Do You Apply for an NBI Clearance for Minors?

The steps follow the standard online process. The likely difference for a minor is that a guardian comes along, though you should confirm that with the branch. Follow the steps in order.

Step 1: Register an Account Online

Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph and create an account with an email address and a working mobile number. Most parents register using their own email and then fill in the child’s details. Enter the minor’s name, birth date and address exactly as they appear on the PSA birth certificate. If you get stuck at this stage, read how to register for NBI clearance.

Warning: If the OTP never arrives, do not create duplicate accounts. Fix it first using NBI OTP not received.

Step 2: Fill In the Application Form

Choose “Apply for Clearance” and pick the purpose, for example school, travel abroad or employment. Then fill in:

Personal details, including civil status, birthplace and parents’ names.
Physical details such as height and weight. If you are unsure about the entries, see complexion in NBI clearance form and identifying marks in NBI.
Your preferred NBI branch, date and time.

Save your reference number. You need it to pay and to check your booking later.

Step 3: Pay the Fee Online

The NBI wants payment settled before the visit. Options include GCash, Maya, online banking and over-the-counter payments. Guardians who prefer e-wallets can read pay NBI using GCash. Those who prefer paying with cash can use pay NBI clearance at 7-Eleven.

Keep the payment confirmation. You may need to show it at the branch.

Steps to get an NBI clearance for a minor

Step 4: Go to the Branch With Your Guardian

Arrive early on your appointment date. Both of you bring original documents plus photocopies. Staff check the papers, then take the applicant’s photo and fingerprints. Many applicants get the clearance the same day, unless there is a hit.

Why this matters: Biometrics need the applicant in person, so the minor cannot send the guardian alone. Whether a branch turns away a minor who arrives without a guardian is not officially documented, so do not risk it. Arrive together.

Which Documents Do Minors and Guardians Bring?

Bring more than the minimum. Requirements for minors are not officially published, and spare copies cost a few pesos.

For the Minor

PSA birth certificate. Original and one photocopy. Third-party guides treat it as the anchor document because minors often have no government ID.
School ID. Current, with photo and signature, ideally validated for the school year.
Any other ID you have. A passport, PhilSys National ID, or a school-issued certificate with photo can help.
Confirmation of payment and appointment reference number.

For the Parent or Guardian

One or two valid government IDs, original plus copy. Bring two if you can, since some branches ask for a second one.
Proof of guardianship if you are not the parent, such as a court order or a notarized affidavit.
A consent letter, in case the branch asks for one. Some sites call it required and a few say it must be notarized. That is unconfirmed, so ask the branch.

For the full list of accepted IDs, see valid IDs for NBI clearance and the general NBI requirements.

Tip: Some guides mention a barangay certificate of residency. Ask the branch if you have moved recently.

Why Would a Minor Need an NBI Clearance?

The NBI does not usually demand clearances from minors. Other organizations might. Typical cases:

Student or immigration visas. Some embassies ask for a police certificate from applicants above a certain age, and the age differs by country. Check the embassy’s own list first.
Scholarships and school enrollment. Some schools and programs abroad ask for clearance from applicants.
Work permits and part-time jobs. Some employers and agencies ask for one for teens who are old enough to work.
Adoption and guardianship cases.
Overseas travel. Rarely needed on its own, but sometimes requested alongside other papers.

The clearance is only useful if the requesting agency accepts it. Ask in writing what they want before you pay.

Online vs In-Person: What Can Minors Actually Do?

Both parts are needed. The online part is the account, form and payment. The in-person part is the biometrics and photo.

Part of the process	Done by	Where	Notes
Account and form	Guardian or minor	clearance.nbi.gov.ph	Use exact PSA details
Payment	Guardian	GCash, Maya, banks, 7-Eleven	Settle before the visit
Biometrics and photo	Minor	NBI branch	Guardian present
ID check	Guardian and minor	NBI branch	Originals and copies (reported)
Release	Branch	Same day usually	A “hit” can delay it

Doing the account and payment from home and then visiting with your guardian keeps your branch time short.

How Much Does an NBI Clearance Cost for Minors?

The NBI’s own site states the base clearance fee as ₱130, and online payment channels add a small service charge of roughly ₱25 to ₱30. We found no separate fee for minors, so expect the standard amount. The total depends on your payment channel and can change, so confirm it at checkout.

The free clearance under the first-time job seeker law is for job seekers. A student who needs a clearance for school or a visa is not in that category, so do not expect a waiver. If your teen is truly looking for a first job, read free first-time job seekers clearance.

Official rules versus reported practice for minors' NBI clearance

Which Branch Should You Choose?

Pick a branch you can reach without a long trip. We could not confirm whether smaller branches or satellite offices accept minors, so ask first or choose a main branch. Compare your options in NBI clearance center and NBI satellite office, and confirm hours on NBI opening hours.

Tips for Getting an NBI Clearance as a Minor

Call the branch first. No official rule for minors is published, so a two-minute call confirms the age they accept and the papers they want.

Match the birth certificate. Spell the name, birthplace and parents’ names exactly as the PSA record does. Mismatches slow things down.

Bring the PSA copy. Whether a local civil registry copy is accepted is unconfirmed, so ask before relying on one.

Carry photocopies of everything. One set of copies per document. Staff often keep them.

Choose an early slot. Morning queues are shorter, and a delay does not push your teen into a school day.

Plan around school. Book a day off or a weekend slot if the branch opens then. Check NBI opening hours.

Prepare the guardian letter anyway. A short signed consent letter with a photocopied ID costs little and covers you if the branch asks.

Do not pay through unofficial sites. Only pay on the official portal. This website is not affiliated with the NBI and never accepts payments.

Ask the requester how long a clearance is accepted. Many embassies want a recent one, so time your application. See NBI clearance validity.

What Happens if There Is a Hit or You Miss Your Slot?

A “hit” means the system flagged a name match. For a minor it is usually just a namesake, but the release can take days. Read NBI hit so you know what to expect.

If you miss the date or something comes up, follow how to reschedule an NBI appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Third-party guides say teens aged 15 to 17 can, with a parent or guardian present, but the NBI does not publish this. Confirm with your chosen branch. Children below 15 are seldom asked for one.

The NBI does not clearly publish a minimum age. Non-official sources say teens aged 15 to 17 are processed and some branches only accept 16 and above. Ask the branch before you book.

Plan on it. Third-party guides say a parent or legal guardian should come to the appointment, though this is not officially published. Guardians who are not parents should bring proof of guardianship such as a court order or affidavit.

The usual set is the PSA birth certificate plus a school ID, and any other ID the minor has, like a passport. The guardian brings a valid government ID. See the full valid IDs list.

The account, form and payment can be done online, usually by the guardian. Biometrics and the ID check still happen at the branch. So it is a mixed online and in-person process.

We found no separate minor fee, so expect the standard ₱130 clearance fee plus the online payment service charge. Confirm the total on the portal at checkout, since channels and charges can change.

Usually not. The free clearance is for first-time job seekers, not for students who need clearance for school or a visa. Read the free first-time job seekers page to see who qualifies.

A current school ID with photo and signature is commonly accepted for minors, together with the PSA birth certificate. Acceptance is at the branch’s discretion, so bring a second ID if you have one.

Some branches ask for a signed consent letter from the parent or guardian, and others do not. Bring one to be safe. Attach a photocopy of the guardian’s ID to it.

Yes, if the embassy or agency asks for it. The NBI itself does not usually require it from minors. Check the requester’s own list, because age thresholds differ by country, and confirm the NBI’s minor process with the branch.

We found no separate rule for minors, so assume the usual validity of about one year from issue and confirm it with the requesting agency. Check NBI clearance expiry and NBI clearance renewal for details.

The PSA birth certificate is the main document, and a school ID usually fills the gap. If neither is available, ask the branch what else it will take before your appointment. Do not assume a substitute works.

Final Thoughts

An NBI clearance for a minor is reportedly doable, but it depends on branch practice, because we found no written NBI rule. Register and pay online, book a main branch, and go with your child and a parent or guardian carrying the PSA birth certificate, school ID and the guardian’s IDs.

My recommendation is to call the branch a day or two before, ask what they need for a minor, and bring the consent letter and spare copies. That single call prevents most rejected visits. Then follow the steps above. NBI clearance for minors is still a case where a quick call beats any guide, including this one.

NBI Clearance for Minors: Requirements, Steps & Fees 2026

Who Can Apply and What Do You Need?