Got a Common Name? You Might Need a 'Certificate of Not the Same Person' to Travel

It's better to be safe than sorry when passing through immigration.

Published on Jun 25, 2025

(SPOT.ph) Names like Juan Dela Cruz, Jose Santos, or Maria Reyes are everywhere in the Philippines. They show up on class lists, barangay clearances, and voter records. That’s all fine until you try to leave the country—and immigration keeps you in line even if you’ve never had a legal issue in your life. And it's all because someone with your exact name is on a watchlist.

Immigration won’t warn you ahead of time if your name matches a person with a criminal record. Most people only find out at the immigration booth. The solution is to secure a Certificate of Not the Same Person (NTSP) in advance. It’s a document from the Bureau of Immigration that proves you’re not the person they’re looking for—and it could save you from hours of explaining, or worse, a missed flight.

Also read: What to Expect When You Face the Immigration Officer at the Airport

What is a Certificate of Not the Same Person?

The Certificate of Not the Same Person is your best defense if you share a name with someone who is banned from traveling. This requirement has been in place for years, but immigration officers are reportedly flagging more travelers for name matches as of late.

Here's what happens: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) runs your name through databases like Hold Departure Order, Watchlist Order, and Blacklist Order to check if you have any legal cases, immigration violations, or criminal records. The problem is these databases only flag names—not birthdates, photos, or other identifiers—at least not initially.

If your name triggers a match, you may be pulled aside, questioned, or even prevented from boarding your flight unless you can prove that you are not the person under investigation.

“Kindly take note that the final assessment of the sufficiency of travel/supporting documents, as well as the purpose of travel, shall be conducted during immigration inspection. Hence, final determination of the assessment, whether a passenger is allowed to depart the country or not, based on the existing immigration, DOJ, and IACAT guidelines, rests upon the conducting immigration officer at the port of exit,” BI told SPOT.ph.

The Certificate of Not the Same Person is also required in other situations:

Applying for jobs abroad (especially for OFWs)

Securing certain government clearances

Visa applications to countries with strict security vetting

Legal or notarial proceedings involving background checks

Just to be clear, the NTSP is not the same as NBI Clearance.

NBI Clearance certifies that an individual has no pending criminal cases or convictions on record. However, this document does not address issues of mistaken identity, which the NTSP is designed to resolve.

How to get a Certificate of Not the Same Person

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Getting the certificate isn’t complicated, but it does require preparation.

Applications are filed with the Bureau of Immigration at its main office in Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get a Certificate of Not the Same Person.

Accomplish the forms

The first step is to download and complete the application form and the checklist of documentary requirements. Letters with accent marks such as ñ, é, ü, or ç are not accepted by BI’s digital system. For example, if your name is Muñoz, write it as MUNOZ. If something does not apply to you, write “N/A”—leaving blanks may result in delays, if not automatic denial.

Prepare the required documents

BI will only process complete applications. Submit the following based on your specific case.

General requirements include the following:

Duly accomplished CCS-C-NSTP-2016 application form

Notarized Affidavit of Denial stating that you are not the person named in BI's derogatory order

Photocopy of your passport (data page and latest travel stamp)

2x2 ID photo (recent, clear, and on white background)

If your name appears in a Hold Departure Order, Blacklist, or Watchlist Order, you are required to submit additional documents to prove that you are not the individual listed in the BI’s derogatory records. This includes a signed and sealed court clearance by the court or agency responsible for placing the name on the list. The court or agency must explicitly certify that you are not the accused in the case.

Remember—all sworn statements and affidavits must be original and duly notarized. If someone else is submitting the application on your behalf, they must present a valid government-issued ID, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), and, if available, a BI Accreditation ID to complete the process.

In some instances, particularly for cases outside Metro Manila, BI may also require your NBI Clearance to support your application.

Submit your application to the main office

Bring your completed application form and all supporting documents to the BI Main Office in Intramuros, Manila. The BI personnel will evaluate your documents and issue an Order of Payment Slip (OPS) if everything is in order.

Pay the fee

Take the OPS to the cashier and pay the P500 processing fee. This fee applies to regular or express processing, as designated by the receiving officer. Make sure to keep the official receipt; this is required for final document release.

Return to the NTSP processing window and submit the original application form, supporting documents, and the original official receipt. You will then be given a claim stub with your scheduled date and time for release.

Claim your certificate

On your scheduled date, return to the BI office and present your claim stub. Before receiving your certificate, you will be asked to sign the duplicate copy of the NTSP. Once acknowledged, the original Certificate of Not the Same Person and your official receipt will be released to you.

The good news about all this is that the certificate does not expire. However, it only covers existing name matches as of the date of issuance. If, in the future, someone else with your name is added to a government watchlist, there’s a chance you could be flagged again—at which point you may need to apply for an updated certificate.

Also read: Immigration Problems? Offloaded Passengers Might Be Able to File for Reimbursements Soon

Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself in a pole studio or napping with her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.