Lost NBI Clearance: How to Replace It in 2026

You reach for your NBI Clearance and it is not where you left it. The folder is empty. The wallet pocket is empty. The drawer has shifted to mystery. Before panic sets in, here is the practical truth: a lost NBI Clearance is recoverable in a single visit if you still have your reference number, and recoverable in a slightly longer process even if you do not. There is no separate “reprint lost clearance” button in the official portal, but the NBI’s Quick Renewal feature handles most lost-clearance cases just as well.

This page walks through every realistic recovery path. The fast track when you have your old NBI ID Number, the slower track when you do not, the role of the Affidavit of Loss, what it costs, how long it takes, and the legal protection you should think about so a lost clearance does not get used by someone else.

For the application process, see our complete application guide. For the standard renewal flow, see the NBI Clearance renewal guide. For document requirements, see the requirements checklist. For booking specifics, see the appointment booking guide. For fee details, see the fees and payment breakdown.

The Honest Answer: There Is No “Reprint” Button

If you search “NBI Clearance reprint,” you will find guides promising a quick over-the-counter reprint. The reality is more nuanced.

The official portal at clearance.nbi.gov.ph has no “lost clearance” or “reprint” option. What it has is a Quick Renewal function, which is what NBI staff and most branches will direct you to use for a lost clearance. In practice, the workflow is:

If you have your old NBI ID Number (also called the reference number) → use Quick Renewal
If you do not have your old NBI ID Number → register a new account and apply as a fresh applicant

Some branches do produce same-day reprints over the counter when your record is recent, intact, and matches your IDs, but this depends on branch policy and is not guaranteed in the system. Treat any “reprint” you receive as a bonus, not a right.

The good news: the fee is the same PHP 155 (PHP 130 base plus PHP 25 system fee), and the process is faster than a first-time application as long as your record is in the database.

What to Do in the First 24 Hours

Before you do anything official, run through this checklist. A few minutes here can save you the cost and trouble of a full reapplication:

Search every realistic location. Wallet, document folder, bag, drawer, car, last employer’s HR file. Most “lost” clearances surface within a day.
Check your email. Look for the original confirmation email from NBI. It contains your reference number, which is the single most valuable piece of information for recovery.
Check your phone. Old screenshots of the clearance, the appointment slip, or the payment receipt may have the reference number visible.
Check your cloud drives. Many applicants scan the clearance for employer or visa submissions. The PDF may be sitting in Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox.
Ask your previous employers. HR often keeps a scanned copy in your 201 file. They can email it back to you.
Note the validity date if you remember it. If your clearance was already expired or about to expire, you can skip straight to a fresh application without worrying about replacing the old one.

Only after these checks should you start the official replacement process. If you find the original or a scan with the reference number visible, you have just made the rest of this page much easier.

Your Two Recovery Paths

The recovery process splits based on one question: do you still have your old NBI ID Number (the reference number from the lost clearance)?

Path	When to Use	Speed	Cost
Path 1: Quick Renewal	You have your old NBI ID Number	Same day to 1-2 days	PHP 155
Path 2: Fresh Application	You lost the number along with the card	Same day to 10 days	PHP 155

Both paths cost the same and both require you to physically appear at an NBI branch for biometrics verification. The only difference is whether the system can fast-track your record.

Path 1: Quick Renewal Using Your Old NBI ID Number

This is the easier path. If you have your NBI reference number (from an old email, a screenshot, your appointment slip, or a previous employer’s records), the system can pull up your file in seconds.

Step-by-Step Quick Renewal

Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph and log in to your existing account. If you registered before but forgot the password, use the password reset.
Select Quick Renewal from the dashboard. This option is reserved for applicants whose previous clearance is on file.
Enter your old NBI ID Number (the reference number from your lost clearance).
Verify your personal details that auto-populate. The system pulls these from your previous application.
Pick a branch and appointment slot. You still need biometric verification in person.
Pay the PHP 155 through GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven (CliQQ), Bayad Center, online banking, or any accepted channel.
Print your appointment slip and save the new reference number.
Attend the appointment in person. The branch confirms your identity, captures a fresh photo and signature, and prints your new clearance.

In many cases, your new clearance is ready the same day. If your old record is intact and there is no HIT, you can walk out within 30 to 60 minutes of your appointment time.

What If You Forgot the Account Password?

Use the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. The system sends a reset link to your registered email. If you no longer have access to that email, contact NBI support (support@nbi.gov.ph) with two valid IDs and a brief explanation. They can verify your identity and reset access manually.

For the full renewal walkthrough including HIT handling, see [LINK: renewal-page].

Path 2: Fresh Application When You Have No Reference Number

If you lost the clearance and you have no record of the NBI ID Number anywhere (email is gone, phone wiped, never saved it), you will apply as a fresh applicant.

Step-by-Step Fresh Application

Register a new account at clearance.nbi.gov.ph using a current email address. If you already have an account with another email, you can also try logging in with combinations of names you may have used.
Complete the application form with your full name, birthdate, and other details exactly matching your IDs.
Pick a branch and appointment slot.
Pay the PHP 155 through any accepted channel.
Print your appointment slip.
Attend the appointment in person with two valid government IDs.
Undergo biometrics: photo, fingerprints, and signature.
Receive your new clearance: same day if no HIT, or within 5 to 10 working days if HIT verification is needed.

You may still see your old record matched in the system when biometrics are taken, since your fingerprints are the same. This can speed up processing because the system will recognize you as a returning applicant even without the old reference number.

For the full first-time application walkthrough, see [LINK: homepage].

The Affidavit of Loss: When You Need One, How to Get One

This is where most guides become unclear. Let us be precise.

NBI does not strictly require an Affidavit of Loss to process a replacement clearance. The Quick Renewal and fresh application paths work without one.

However, an Affidavit of Loss is recommended in three situations:

An employer or institution asks for it. Some HR departments and embassies want documented proof that the original was lost, not falsified or hidden.
You want legal protection against misuse. If your lost clearance later surfaces and someone uses it fraudulently, the Affidavit of Loss serves as evidence that you formally declared the document missing.
A branch staff member requests it. Some NBI branches ask for an Affidavit of Loss as part of their internal verification, especially if your record is old or your IDs do not perfectly match.

How to Get an Affidavit of Loss

An Affidavit of Loss is a sworn statement notarized by a licensed Philippine notary public. The process:

Draft the affidavit (or have a notary draft it for you).
Bring it to a notary public with one valid government ID.
Sign the affidavit in front of the notary.
Pay the notarization fee (approximately PHP 100 to PHP 150).
Receive the original notarized copy with the notary’s seal, signature, and document control number.

Most notary offices, lawyers, and even some malls with legal-services kiosks can produce a notarized Affidavit of Loss within 30 minutes.

What an Affidavit of Loss Must Contain

A valid Affidavit of Loss for NBI Clearance should include all of the following:

Your full name and personal details (address, date of birth, valid ID number)
A statement that you previously obtained an NBI Clearance, ideally including the reference number and approximate issue date if known
When and where you believe the clearance was lost (use “on or about [date]” if you are not certain)
A declaration that despite diligent search, the document cannot be found
A statement that the clearance has not been sold, pledged, or used for any unlawful purpose
The purpose of the affidavit (e.g., “for replacement of NBI Clearance and submission to the National Bureau of Investigation”)
Your signature
The notary’s jurat (the notarization block with seal, signature, document number, and date)

Important: Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code makes false statements in a notarized affidavit punishable as perjury. Keep every statement truthful. If you are unsure of an exact date, use approximate language (“sometime in [month, year]”). Do not claim theft unless you can support it with reasonable detail and ideally a police blotter entry.

Cost of Replacing a Lost Clearance

Replacing a lost clearance is not free, but it is not expensive either. Here is the full breakdown:

Component	Cost
NBI Clearance fee (base + system)	PHP 155
Affidavit of Loss notarization (if used)	PHP 100 to PHP 150
Optional door-to-door delivery	PHP 200 to PHP 300
Optional courier within Philippines	PHP 150 to PHP 250
Typical total	PHP 155 to PHP 605

The bare minimum is PHP 155 if you do not need an affidavit and you collect from the branch yourself. The high end applies if you add an affidavit, use door-to-door delivery, and ship through a separate courier. For most applicants, the realistic total is PHP 155 to PHP 305.

For the full fee guide including all payment channels, see [LINK: fees-page].

If you have a tight deadline (job onboarding, visa appointment, embassy interview), the Quick Renewal path with same-day branch pickup is your fastest realistic option. Book the earliest AM slot at a branch known for same-day release, like the main office at UN Avenue. For full appointment day timing, see [LINK: appointment-page].

Special Cases

Lost Clearance Abroad as an OFW

If you lost your NBI Clearance while working abroad, you have two main options:

Wait for your next home visit if you have one planned within a couple of months. The Quick Renewal at any Philippine branch is faster and cheaper than the remote process.
Apply remotely through the embassy fingerprint card method. The same process as a first-time OFW application, since NBI cannot remotely match prints alone for a “renewal” without re-verification.

For the complete OFW process, see the NBI for OFW guide on this site.

Lost Due to Theft

If you suspect your clearance was stolen (along with a wallet, bag, or documents):

File a police blotter entry at your local police station. This creates an official record and supports your Affidavit of Loss if you choose to file one.
Mention theft (not just loss) in your Affidavit of Loss if you have reasonable basis to believe the document was taken, not misplaced.
Watch for misuse. A stolen clearance can be used to open accounts, apply for jobs, or attempt other transactions. Notify any institution that knows your old clearance details.

Lost Due to Fire, Flood, or Natural Disaster

If your clearance was destroyed in a fire, flood, or other disaster:

Bring documentary evidence if you have it (insurance reports, barangay certification of the disaster, news coverage of your area). NBI staff are typically more accommodating in these cases.
An Affidavit of Loss is still helpful but a barangay or LGU certification of the disaster can substitute or supplement.
Mention the cause clearly when you process the replacement at the branch.

Lost Long Ago, Never Replaced

If you lost a clearance years ago and never renewed, simply apply as a new applicant:

Use Quick Renewal if you can still find your old NBI ID Number in any old email or document.
Otherwise, register a new account and apply fresh. The system will recognize your fingerprints once biometrics are taken, but you do not need to declare the old loss.
No retroactive penalty applies. An expired clearance is simply expired, you are not in trouble for not replacing it sooner.

Lost AND Still Within Validity

If your clearance was issued within the last year and you lose it:

Quick Renewal is the cleanest path. Even though the document is technically still valid, you cannot recover a “duplicate” of the physical card.
The new clearance restarts the one-year validity clock from its issue date. This is a small bonus, you get a fresh validity period.
Old commitments referencing the original reference number (employer files, embassy submissions) may need to be updated with the new number.

Protecting Yourself From Misuse

A lost NBI Clearance contains personal data: your full name, birthdate, address, photo, signature, and clearance reference number. In the wrong hands, this is identity-theft fodder.

What Misuse Looks Like

Someone applies for a job under your name and identity
A loan or credit account is opened in your name
The clearance is forged, modified, or sold to a third party
Your identity details are used for visa fraud or immigration schemes

How to Protect Yourself

File an Affidavit of Loss as documented evidence that you no longer hold the original.
Monitor your name and accounts for unexpected activity. Check your credit reports, banking notifications, and SSS/Pag-IBIG accounts periodically.
Notify institutions that have your clearance on file (current employer, schools, embassy) that the original is lost and you will be submitting a fresh copy.
Save your new clearance digitally as soon as you receive it, so you do not lose it again.
Report identity theft promptly if you suspect misuse. File a police complaint and contact NBI’s anti-cybercrime division if the misuse is online.

The Legal Angle

Under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code, falsification of a public document is punishable by imprisonment of up to six years and significant fines. Using someone else’s lost clearance falls into this category. Filing an Affidavit of Loss disclaiming the original strengthens your legal position if a fraudulent use ever surfaces. For broader detail on clearance verification and fake-clearance penalties, see [LINK: verification-page].

How to Avoid Losing the Next One

The best replacement is the one you never need. After your new clearance is in hand:

Scan it on day one. Store the PDF in your email, your cloud drive, and your phone.
Photograph the reference number and issue date separately. These are the two pieces of information that unlock the fastest replacement if you ever lose the document again.
Keep the original in a single, predictable location. A document folder at home, a safe, or a labeled drawer beats a wallet or random bag pocket.
Submit copies, not originals. Employers and embassies almost always accept clear photocopies or PDFs. Reserve the original for situations that demand it.
Diary the expiry date. A reminder 60 to 90 days before expiry prevents you from scrambling for a fresh clearance during a job application.

Common Pitfalls and How to Fix Them

Pitfall 1: Registering a New Account When You Already Had One

Some applicants forget they had an old account and register a fresh one, creating a duplicate record. This can cause confusion and slow things down.

Fix: Try logging in with all email addresses you have used in the past, including school or work emails. Use the “Forgot Password” function. If you cannot recover the old account, mention to the branch staff at your appointment that you may have an existing record.

Pitfall 2: Using a Name That Differs From Your IDs

If you used a maiden name on the lost clearance and now use a married name (or vice versa), the system may not match.

Fix: Apply with the name that matches your current valid IDs. Bring your PSA marriage certificate (or other supporting document) to the appointment so the branch can link the old and new names.

Pitfall 3: Lost Both Clearance and Reference Number, Then Skipping the Search

Some applicants assume “lost” is final and immediately register a new account. They later discover the old reference number in an email, but too late.

Fix: Do the email and phone search before you start any new application. Five minutes of looking can save the trouble of a fresh application.

Pitfall 4: Buying a “Reprint” From a Fixer

Outside some NBI branches, fixers offer “instant lost clearance reprints” for a fee. These are almost always fake or unauthorized.

Fix: Only process replacement through clearance.nbi.gov.ph or directly at an NBI branch. Do not pay anyone offering shortcuts on the street, you risk getting a fake clearance or worse.

Pitfall 5: Skipping the Affidavit of Loss When the Employer Will Require It Later

Some applicants skip the affidavit to save PHP 100 to PHP 150, then discover their employer wants one anyway. Now they need to delay submission until they can get one notarized.

Fix: If you have any reason to suspect the affidavit will be requested, get it done while you are sorting out the replacement. The cost is minor compared to a delayed start date.

A Final Word

A lost NBI Clearance feels like a crisis at first. In practice, it is one of the most routine things the NBI branches handle. The Quick Renewal path with your old reference number resolves most cases in a single visit at the standard PHP 155 fee. The fresh application path resolves the rest in roughly the same timeframe.

The two things worth doing well: search thoroughly for the old reference number before starting a new application, and file an Affidavit of Loss if there is any chance your lost clearance could be misused. The rest of the process is straightforward.

For the application process, see [LINK: homepage]. For the standard renewal flow, see [LINK: renewal-page]. For document requirements, see [LINK: requirements-page]. For booking specifics, see [LINK: appointment-page]. For fee details, see [LINK: fees-page]. For verification methods on your new clearance, see [LINK: verification-page].

If you need help during the replacement process, the NBI Help Desk can be reached at:

Email: support@nbi.gov.ph or nbiclearance@nbi.gov.ph
Trunkline: (632) 8524-8231 to 38
Website: clearance.nbi.gov.ph
Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday

Losing the clearance is annoying. Recovering it is not. With one notary visit (if needed) and one branch appointment, you can have a fresh clearance in hand by end of day.