How to Get RTC Clearance in the Philippines Requirements & Other Details

“RTC Clearance” might sound challenging, but the document serves an important purpose in the Philippines. This certification acts as a legal confirmation, clearing your name of any criminal charges pending within a particular court. RTC clearances are often required when you apply for a job, start a business, or simply need legal identification.

Our blog will provide you with all the information about applying to the program: from eligibility requirements to required documents.

What is RTC Clearance?

RTC clearances are documents issued by Philippine Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) that warrant that a person does not have any pending criminal cases within their jurisdiction.

In many cases, it is necessary to obtain this clearance in order to apply for employment, obtain a business license, or for other legal reasons.

Benefits of RTC Clearance

The following are a few benefits of RTC Clearance in the Philippines:

Employment: RTC clearances are typically required as part of background checks by employers in the Philippines. As a result, they are more likely to consider you a trustworthy candidate because you have no pending criminal cases.

Business Licensing: You may need an RTC clearance to verify your legal standing when applying for a business license.

Legal Identification: RTC clearances can be used as secondary identification in some cases. It is not a primary ID, but can be useful when used in conjunction with a government-issued ID.

How to Apply for RTC Clearance

When applying for RTC clearance, follow these steps: 

• You can visit the Regional Trial Court (RTC): If you live or have lived in a significant area for some time, it is best to go to the RTC there.
• Get the application form: The RTC Clearance application form can be found at the Clerk of Court’s office.
• Fill out the application form: You must provide accurate information regarding your full name, address, date of birth, and purpose for applying for RTCF business clearance.
• You will need to submit the application form and your ID: You might have to pay a fee, so ask about it in advance.
• To claim your RTC clearance, follow these steps: A court’s workload may impact the processing time.

Requirements for RTC Clearance

• Community Tax Certificate (CTC) or Cedula: Some municipalities and cities may issue this document, while others will issue this to barangays.

• Original copy of Barangay Clearance: It is required to have resided in the same barangay for a minimum of three months to six months before obtaining this document. You will receive it signed by the Barangay Captain and sealed by the Barangay official. The document has a six-month validity period.

• Documentary stamp: This is available in the Clerk of Court’s office. You can also get this from BIR.

• Police Clearance: The police station nearest you can provide you with this.

• MTC Clearance: This clearance must be obtained through your Municipal Trial Court.

• ID issued by the government: An ID issued by the government is either a passport, a driver’s license, or a national ID (Philippine ID).
• CTC (Community Tax Certificate) or Cedula : These documents are available at your local municipal hall or city hall, as well as certain barangay offices.
• Original copy of the Barangay Clearance: After residing in the same barangay for three to six months, you can request this from your barangay secretary’s office.
• Documentary stamp: When you apply for clearance at the RTC branch, you can easily obtain this stamp from the Clerk of Court’s office. 
• Application form: You can usually find this at the courthouse.
• Court processing fee: Each court may charge a different fee.
• RTC Clearance Price: It is necessary to pay a clearance fee of about PHP 60.00.

Online Appointment for RTC Clearance

You can apply for RTC Clearance online by following these steps:

• The NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) or PNP (Philippine National Police) may have official websites responsible for RTC Clearance.
• There are many government agencies that manage appointments online. To apply for RTC clearance, go to the application section. 
• By entering your name, address, etc. you will be able to create an account. Log in by using your username and password if you already have an account.
• You can select what type of clearance you need and where it is needed.
• The system shows you the date and time when you choose the service and location. Appointment dates and times can be selected.
• A confirmation will be provided by the system after this.
• RTC Clearance fees can be paid online.
• Your confirmation should be saved for when you arrive at the office.
• The RTC Office needs the required documents on the date and time of the appointment.

Who is eligible for RTC Clearance?

RTC clearances can be obtained in the Philippines by anyone who has a legitimate reason for applying. There are a few factors to consider: 

• Legal Standing:

When there are pending criminal cases within the jurisdiction of the court, obtaining clearance can be challenging. You should ideally have a clean legal history.

• Valid Identification:

You will need to show a valid government-issued ID in order to verify your identity.

• Residence:

In most cases, the clearance is valid only for the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in your area.

• Purpose:

It may be necessary for the requesting party to provide any specific requirements for the clearance. Travel clearances for foreign countries might have different requirements than clearances for employment.

RTC Clearance Expiration Date

Your RTC/MTC clearance should be valid for a certain period of time. For Paranaque, the MTC clearance is valid for 6 months and RTC clearance is valid for 3 months . A RTC or MTC clearance in Quezon City is valid for one month only.

How Are RTC Cases Filed?

Typically, a case handled by the Regional Trial Court Clearance (RTC) in the Philippines falls into one of two categories: criminal or civil:

Criminal Cases:

• There are more serious crimes such as murder, robbery, and other major offenses. 

Cases in civil law:

• The following concerns are included in the wider range of concerns:
  • The issue of property rights
  • Violations of contracts
  • Legal matters pertaining to the family, such as divorce and adoption (if the court so orders)
  • Labour issues

How to Reach RTC for Clearance Contact

RTC can be contacted in several ways for clearance-related issues. Various methods of contact may be available depending on your location. You can choose from a variety of methods listed below.

1. Telephone Inquiries

RTC offices provide customer service hotlines for those seeking information regarding fines, clearance certificates, and other related issues. A phone call will usually resolve most inquiries quickly. If you can, have your vehicle’s registration number handy. The information will be used to verify your identity.

2. Email Support

RTC offices offer email support for fines, payments, and clearance certificates. It is especially useful for non-urgent matters. Be sure to include your vehicle details and explain your query clearly in an email.

3. Online Portals

RTC authorities have moved their services online in the digital age. RTC websites make it easy to check your vehicle fines, apply for a clearance certificate, and even pay online. Be sure to access the official website.

4. Physical Office Visits

RTC’s office is located in Rockville, MD, for those who prefer face-to-face interaction. There are usually counters for fines, registrations, and clearances in physical offices. Before visiting, check the office hours and location.

5. Social Media Support

RTC offices maintain social media accounts where inquiries can be sent directly. Social media users may not always find this method quicker, but it makes life easier.

RTC Clearance FAQs

Conclusion

Philippine RTC clearances are crucial documents for employment, business licensing, and legal identification in the Philippines. The necessary documents must be provided before applying, including a valid ID, a community tax certificate, a barangay clearance, and a documentary stamp. It may still be necessary for you to visit the RTC office in person to submit your application and claim your clearance, despite the availability of online appointments. An RTC clearance can only be obtained with a clean criminal record and proper identification.