In 2024, over 1 million police clearances were issued in the Philippines, putting into light the importance of police clearance. However, criminal background checks also carry the same weight.
Both police clearance and a criminal background check are probably the most common documents requested from an applicant in different processes of job applications, visa application, and immigration.While these documents seem to be used interchangeably but both serve different purposes and are required for different applications.
This guide would explore the difference between police clearance and criminal background checks and would thoroughly walk you through the requirements of both.
What is Police Clearance?
A police clearance is an official document issued by the Philippine National Police, indicating that the individual has no outstanding criminal records or convictions from the date of its issuance. It mostly serves as proof that one has good moral standing and a clean record within the issuing jurisdiction.
Purposes of Police Clearance
Police clearance serves the below purposes:
Employment Applications: Most especially for government jobs or in certain regulated industries like finance or transportation.
Visa Applications: Most visa applications have to be accompanied by this, especially in cases where one plans to visit a country that offers background checks.
Licenses and Permits: Required for a local business permit, a firearm license or even driving license.
Adoption Procedures: To verify whether adoptive parents are fit enough and check for morality.
Education Requirements: To get admission to specific educational institutions or some professional courses.
How to Get a Police Clearance?
Below is the detailed guide on how to get police clearance in the Philippines:
Go to the Local Police Station: It has to be the place assigned for police clearance or any police station nearby.
Show Requirements: Present a valid government-issued ID and other necessary documents such as proof of address or an endorsement letter.
Provide Biometric Data: Give biometric data, which is fingerprinting and photograph capture.
Pay the Fee: It is different everywhere and for every different purpose of the clearance.
Processing Time: Wait for its processing, which usually is done within one day’s time frame or even within days.
Receiving the Clearance: It will be containing a unique QR code or added security feature to ensure its authenticity.
Validity of Police Clearance
A police clearance usually lasts for a period of six months. However, the same may be pegged on the institution requesting the same, which may want the clearance to be issued within a certain period. For example, some employers or embassies may only accept clearances issued in the last three months.
What is a Criminal Background Check?
A criminal background check is a more in-depth analysis of the individual’s criminal history involving arrests, convictions, pending cases, and sometimes the state’s civil infractions. Information pulled can range from local to national and even international sources depending on the extent of the search.
Objectives of Criminal Background Check
The criminal background checks are usually required for below purposes:
Employee Screening: Especially for sensitive sectors such as healthcare, education, security, finance, and childcare.
Rental Applications: Sometimes landlords have to verify the credibility of tenants and that they are worth trusting.
Legitimate Case Development: Many legal cases, court disputes, as well as custody disputes and other important cases, usually need one.
Adoptions and Traveling Abroad: Required under close scrutiny over candidates for either the procedure of adoption or permanent immigration abroad.
Volunteer Work: Many times, this becomes a necessity when one is working with vulnerable groups like children or the elderly.
How to Get a Criminal Background Check?
In the Philippines, the following is the procedure for getting a criminal background check:
Select the Agency: While NBI is considered a premier organization for conducting such checks, private agencies also offer services specializing in international background checks.
Preparation of Requirements: Valid identification, proof of residence, among others. Some agencies require an official request letter or an authorization letter from the organization requesting it.
Application: An application form from the agency chosen or online application.
Biometric Submission: Fingerprinting and photography for identification purposes.
Payment of Fee: The fee is variable depending on the provider and the extent of the check. International checks are more expensive due to the complexity in data collection.
Processing Time: It may take from a few days up to weeks depending on the agency and scope. Some agencies do have expedited services, though at an additional cost.
Types of Criminal Background Checks
The criminal background vary in types as specified below:
Local: It is confined to certain communities or regions, usually applied to local employment or housing.
National: It encompasses records from the whole country, thus giving a wider scope of verification.
International: This is necessary for people who have lived, worked, or studied abroad, and foreign agencies must be consulted in the process.
Specialized: Checks designed for particular purposes, like financial crimes, drug offenses, or sex offender registries.
Major Differences between Police Clearance and Criminal Background Checks
It is mandatory to understand how police clearance and criminal background checks differ and essential to ensure that you get the right document for your specific needs. We explain these differences based on scope, authority, application process, and uses.
Scope of Information
Police Clearance: A police clearance only involves the records from local police. These clearances confirm that a person does not have any outstanding record or pending case in that jurisdiction.
Criminal Background Check:This report covers a much wider scope on an individual’s criminal background. It covers information from various local and national jurisdictions. Customarily, a criminal background check mentions data on arrests, convictions, pending cases, and occasionally even infractions of minor nature.
Authority and Issuing Agencies
Police Clearance: Because it is the agency directly keeping and verifying local records, it can only be issued by the Philippine National Police or any local police station in the Philippines.
Criminal Record Check:In the Philippines, the prime authority for a criminal background check is the NBI. However, it may also involve private organizations and international agencies, especially when the scope goes beyond national borders.
Application Procedure
Police Clearance:The process of getting a police clearance is relatively straightforward and fast. Applicants visit the local police station in their area, submit the required documents such as government-issued identification, and undergo biometric data collection.
Criminal Background Check:Criminal record checks, on the other hand, require a far more involved process in terms of length. Applications may need to go to either the National Bureau of Investigation(NBI) or other licensed private agencies to present their identification and detailed application form together with their biometrics.
Uses and Limitations
Police Clearance: This usually suffices for applications that require only basic no criminal record verification. It is quite common for employment in government agencies, obtaining local permits, and minor legal requirements.
Criminal Background Check: Criminal background checks are preferred because of their comprehensiveness and the deep insight they give. They are required for sensitive employment in industries like healthcare, education, finance, and law enforcement.
Aspect
Police Clearance
Criminal Background Check
Issuing Authority
Philippine National Police(PNP)
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or Private agencies
Scope
Local Police records
National and international databases
Purpose
Employment, Travel, Permit
Sensitive and broader purposes, legal cases, adoptions
Processing time
Typically 1-3 working days
Several days to weeks
Validity
Valid for 6 months
Varies
Fees
Generally lower
Varies
When to use Each Document
Employment purposes
Police Clearance: This would be good for general employment purposes, especially for those jobs that are not sensitive.
Criminal Background Check: Required in cases where vulnerable sections of society are involved, such as healthcare, education, or security. Some multinational companies also prefer this for senior roles.
Travel and Immigration requirements
Police Clearance: To be used in general visa applications or short-term travels.
Criminal Background Check: Countries like the U.S., Canada, or Australia, which have strict immigration policies, will always need detailed criminal histories.
Legal Proceedings
Criminal Background Check: This is necessary in court cases, custody disputes, or legal proceedings involving financial or criminal liabilities.
FAQs
It depends on the requirement. Some applications may require either of the two, while others may require both for further scrutiny. For instance, a visa application may require both documents to verify the applicant’s past and present status in regard to crime.
Yes, some jurisdictions in the Philippines allow online applications for police clearances. Please check at your local police station or government portal for availability and procedures.
Police Clearance: Usually, it is processed within a day or up to a few days.
Criminal Background Check: The time it takes to process this varies from several days to weeks, depending on the scope and agency.
Yes, most agencies will accommodate disputes if the information furnished is incorrect. Immediately contact the issuing authority with supporting documentation to have them correct the errors.
If the application gets denied, you first want to check why it was denied. Sometimes mistakes in the report can be fixed through some kind of appeals process. If the record is valid, you might need to speak with an attorney for advice.
Police Clearance: While the fees vary in different police station issuers, the fees have always been affordable, ranging from PHP 150 to PHP 300 in the Philippines.
Criminal Background Check: This depends on the provider and the scope of the check. The NBI clearance in the Philippines costs about PHP 130 to PHP 200, while international checks through private agencies can be more expensive at about PHP 1,000 to PHP 5,000 or more.
Yes, both are available online for application in the Philippines:
Police Clearance: Is now available for online booking and payments in some city police stations for an easy way out.
Criminal Background Check:Some even introduced online application systems for NBI clearances, where applicants can now encode their forms and set appointments online.
The NBI clearance is a police background check provided by the National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines. As comprehensive as it may be, it is still limited to records within the Philippines.
Police Clearance: Six months, but this is usually demanded at less than this duration by some institutions.
Criminal Background Check: It depends on the context it is used. Some organizations may accept for as long as a year, but in some specific matters, it requests a new check.
Final Words
To conclude, Police clearance and criminal background checks are documents used for different purposes. The police clearance issued by the Philippine National Police is used as a quicker verification of an individual’s local criminal record and is appropriate to be used in applying for a job, securing permits, and traveling locally. On the contrary, a criminal background check is considered necessary for sensitive industry positions, legal cases, and international travel. Knowing the differences will ensure you present the correct document for your needs. While police clearances are faster and cheaper, criminal background checks give broader insights. Understanding the purpose and application process and requirements of each helps you to move through the procedures of documentation quite efficiently, save time, and live up to the expectations of employers, immigration departments, or any other institutions.