Dear Attorney,

I lost my old NBI clearance, which I obtained in 2013. I want to renew it but I no longer have the original document. Is there a way for me to proceed with my renewal without the old clearance? Should I be concerned about any issues when renewing without it?

Concerned Applicant

Insights

Losing an old NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance is not uncommon, and fortunately, it does not pose significant issues when renewing. In the Philippines, the NBI has modernized its systems, allowing for the electronic retrieval of previous clearance records, even if an applicant has misplaced their document.

NBI Clearance Renewal Process

Applicants renewing their NBI clearance, regardless of whether they lost the old one, can still proceed by visiting the NBI Clearance Online website. Here, they can register for an account or log in if they already have one. The system allows for the renewal of NBI clearances without needing to present the old one, as long as the applicant’s personal data remains consistent with the previous records in the NBI database.

If it has been several years since the applicant obtained the last clearance, the system may require a biometric verification or a new photograph. However, there is no need for the old clearance document itself, as the NBI retains electronic records of previous clearances issued.

Legal Considerations

Under the Philippine Data Privacy Act, personal information such as clearance records are subject to protection, but applicants should rest assured that the NBI’s database retrieval is compliant with data privacy standards. Moreover, under Republic Act No. 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act, individuals renewing their NBI clearance for financial or banking purposes should ensure that their personal data remains updated to avoid complications.

In sum, the NBI has made the process of renewing clearances more efficient, and the absence of an old clearance should not prevent an applicant from renewing or obtaining a new one.