Philippine Passport and NBI Clearance: Do You Need to Bring a Photo?

Updated October 12, 2026

No. For a Philippine passport and for an NBI clearance, you don’t bring an ID picture. Your photo is captured digitally when you appear in person, together with your fingerprints and signature. What you can prepare is how you look on the day, because you’ll live with that photo for years.

Philippine passport (DFA)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) captures your passport photo and biometrics at your appointment, whether at a DFA consular office in the Philippines or at an embassy or consulate abroad. Personal appearance is required for this reason, including for renewals.

For the photo capture, DFA posts ask applicants to:

• Dress appropriately. Plunging necklines, sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps, see-through tops, sando, tube tops and halters aren’t allowed.
• Remove eyeglasses, colored contact lenses, hair accessories, necklaces, earrings and facial piercings before the photo is taken.

Check the appointment page or the embassy or consulate you’ll visit for anything extra, especially for minors.

NBI clearance

You apply and pay online at the official NBI clearance site, choose a branch and schedule, then go to the branch. According to the NBI, the branch window takes your digital photo, fingerprints and electronic signature there. You bring your reference number, proof of payment and two valid government-issued IDs (original and not expired), not a photo.

The NBI recommends smart casual or a collared shirt, and asks applicants to avoid sandos, tank tops, shorts and slippers.

Tips for a better on-site photo

• Wear a solid, darker top with a collar or neat neckline. It stands out against the light background used for the photo.
• Keep hair away from your face and eyes.
• Skip heavy makeup and shiny skin products, which can glare under the camera light.
• Arrive a little early so you aren’t rushed or sweaty when your photo is taken.

When you do need your own ID picture

Plenty of other Philippine applications still ask you to bring printed pictures, often “passport size, white background, with name tag”. See Civil Service exam ID picture and PRC ID picture. For those, you can take the photo at home and make the background white with White ID Photo.