Bring two original, unexpired government-issued IDs to your NBI appointment. The NBI itself names the passport, driver’s license, National ID, UMID, Postal ID and PSA birth certificate as examples. Other government photo IDs, such as a PRC ID or a senior citizen ID, are usually accepted too.
Company IDs, school IDs, photocopies and expired IDs don’t count. One of your two IDs must also be the one you picked in the online form when you applied.
Every ID you bring should be:
- The original. Photocopies and photos of an ID aren’t accepted. The Digital National ID is the one exception, because it’s an official format in its own right.
- Not expired. Check the dates the night before.
- Readable. A cracked, faded or peeling card can be refused.
- Yours, with a clear photo. Staff compare the photo with your face.
We are not the NBI. This is an independent guide. If you’re unsure about a particular ID, bring an extra one.
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The IDs the NBI names as examples
These are the safest choices, because the NBI lists them in its own application guide. If you have two of them, you’re set.
| ID | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Philippine passport | Must not be expired |
| Driver’s license | Professional or non-professional, not expired |
| National ID (PhilSys) | The card, the printed ePhilID and the Digital National ID are all valid |
| UMID | SSS and GSIS no longer issue new UMID cards, but existing cards are still valid |
| Postal ID | The current card issued by PHLPost |
| PSA birth certificate | Counts as one of your two, which helps if you have few photo IDs |
Other government IDs that are usually accepted
These government-issued IDs are widely used for NBI applications. To be safe, pair one of them with an ID from the table above.
- PRC ID
- Voter’s ID (older cards) or a voter’s certification from COMELEC
- PhilHealth ID card with your photo (the member data record printout isn’t an ID)
- TIN ID with your photo
- SSS ID (older cards) and GSIS eCard
- Senior citizen ID, PWD ID and solo parent ID
- Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (seaman’s book)
- OWWA or OFW ID
- IBP ID for lawyers
- Government employee ID issued by your agency
What doesn’t count as a valid ID
- Company IDs from private employers.
- School IDs. They aren’t government-issued, so don’t rely on them, even with a registration form.
- Expired IDs, even if they expired last week.
- Photocopies, scans or screenshots of an ID. The Digital National ID is different, because it’s an official format.
- Clearances and receipts such as a barangay clearance, police clearance or cedula. Bring them only as extra support, not as one of your two IDs.
Bring the ID you picked in the online form
When you click Apply for Clearance on the NBI portal, a pop-up asks which ID you’ll bring to the branch. Pick one you actually have in hand, and bring that exact ID on the day, plus one more.
If you choose an ID you don’t have, you can run into trouble at the counter even with two other valid IDs. IDs are only part of the list, so check the full NBI clearance requirements before you go.
Don’t have two valid IDs yet?
The quickest combination for most people, especially students and fresh graduates, is the National ID plus a PSA birth certificate:
- National ID. PhilSys registration is free. Once you’re registered, you can use the printed ePhilID or download the Digital National ID in the eGovPH app while you wait for the card.
- PSA birth certificate. If you don’t have a recent copy, here’s how to get a PSA birth certificate online.
- A backup. A voter’s certification from your COMELEC office or a Postal ID gives you a third option in case one is questioned.
Looking for your first job? You can get your NBI clearance free, along with several other documents. See our guide to the free NBI clearance for first-time jobseekers.
If your IDs show a different name
Staff check that your IDs match the name in your application. If they don’t, bring the PSA document that explains the difference. A married woman whose IDs are still in her maiden name brings her PSA marriage certificate, for example; our guide to changing your last name on your NBI clearance covers that case. For a spelling mistake on an ID, bring your PSA birth certificate.
Valid IDs for foreign nationals
Foreigners living in the Philippines usually bring their passport and ACR I-Card. The rest of the process is a little different too; see our guide to the NBI clearance for foreigners.
FAQs: valid IDs for NBI clearance
Yes. The PSA treats the National ID card, the printed ePhilID and the Digital National ID as equally valid, and government offices must honor them. If you have the card or a printed ePhilID, bring it too as a backup.
Usually, yes. COMELEC stopped printing voter’s IDs years ago, so a voter’s certification from your local COMELEC office is what most registered voters use now.
Don’t count on it, because it isn’t a government ID. Students can use a National ID and a PSA birth certificate instead.
Yes. SSS and GSIS stopped issuing new UMID cards, but cards already issued remain valid IDs.
No. Expired IDs aren’t accepted. Get a National ID or use your PSA birth certificate and another valid ID instead.
Update log: 28 September 2026 — rebuilt the list around the IDs the NBI names, added all three National ID formats, the UMID and voter’s ID changes, the online-form ID rule, and what to do with too few IDs or a name mismatch.
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