Authentication of a birth certificate in Nigeria starts from obtaining your original or certified birth certificate from the NPC, notarizing your documents with a licensed lawyer, making payment and submission at the MFA Abuja, and then the collection of your authenticated birth certificate.
This guide will break down everything you need to authenticate your birth certificate, including the costs, requirements, and step-by-step process for birth certificate authentication in Nigeria.
Key takeaways
- Authentication of a birth certificate means getting the Nigerian government to officially stamp your birth certificate so foreign embassies, universities, and employers can accept it as genuine.
- To authenticate your birth certificate, you need your original NPC-issued birth certificate, photocopies, a valid ID, passport photographs, and a Remita payment receipt of about ₦5,000.
- The full process involves obtaining your NPC document, paying the Remita fee, submitting your documents at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, and collecting your authenticated certificate within 3 to 7 working days.
- If you were born before 1992, you need an NPC Attestation Letter instead of a birth certificate, and both documents must go through the same authentication process at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What is the Authentication of birth certificate in Nigeria?
Authentication of a birth certificate simply means getting the Nigerian government to officially stamp and approve your birth certificate so other countries can trust it’s real.
Think of it like a verified badge you need on your birth certificate; without it, foreign embassies, universities, and employers won’t accept your document, no matter how genuine it is.
Difference between an attestation letter and a birth certificate
A birth certificate is for people born after 1992, while an attestation letter is for those born before 1992, when formal registration was not available. They are both issued by the National Population Commission (NPC).
Both the attestation letter and birth certificate need authentication.
Get your birth certificate authenticated
What are the requirements for the Authentication of a birth certificate in Nigeria?
The documents for the authentication of a birth certificate in Nigeria will be split below into core documents and special case documents for easy understanding.
- Core Documents
- Original NPC birth certificate
- Two to four clear photocopies of the birth certificate
- A copy of your international passport data page for identification
- Proof of remita payment/Remita receipt
- A completed authentication request form
- Two recent passport photographs
- A form of identification, like a NIN or ID card
- Special Case Documents
- Swoen affidavit of age declaration from a high court
- Some embassies, like Belgium, might request a notarization before taking it to the MFA
- If your destination country is a non-English-speaking country, you have to attach a certified translation from a sworn translator.
NOTE:
For third-party submission, your representative must have an authorization letter, their valid ID, and a copy of your ID. The above-listed documents must be in good condition without tears or damage.
Step-by-Step Process for Authentication of Birth Certificate in Nigeria
The process for authenticating a birth certificate in Nigeria involves three primary stages: obtaining the correct National Population Commission (NPC) document, authenticating it at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and, if required, legalizing it at the destination country’s embassy.
Step 1: Obtain the Original NPC Documents
You must ensure your birth certificate is issued by the National Population Commission (NPC).
- For under 18s:
Use an NPC Birth Certificate. You can register a child through the NPC Digital Portal if they have a NIN.
- For 18+ (Adults):
Use an NPC Attestation of Birth. If you don’t have one, you must first get a Sworn Affidavit of Age Declaration from a High Court, then apply for the Attestation at an NPC office or via the NPC Attestation Portal.
Step 2: Notarization (if required)
So you have to target your destination embassy first, because many countries don’t require this process, but some destination countries require your document to be notarized by a Notary Public (a senior lawyer) before the MFA will touch it.
Step 3: Generate and Pay the Remita Fee
Go to Remita.net, select “Pay Federal Government of Nigeria.” Under “Name of MDA,” type Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Select “Document Authentication” as the service/purpose.
You will be directed to pay approximately ₦5,000 per document. Print the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) and the successful payment receipt. You must bring the physical receipt to the MFA.
Step 4: Submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
You will have to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Legal Services Division (LSD), in Abuja (Tafawa Balewa House, Central Business District).
Submissions are accepted from Monday to Thursday before 11: 00 AM. When you get to the LSD desk, you will be given the official authentication form to fill out, and you will be given a receipt wth a reference number, names, and the quantity of the documents you brought.
Step 5: Collection of Authenticated Document
You will receive an acknowledgment receipt with a tracking number, names, and the quantity of documents you brought.
The standard processing takes 3–7 working days, but if the MFA needs to verify the document’s seal with the NPC, it may take 1–2 weeks. Return on the date given to you and receive your stamped and signed documents.
Step 6: Embassy legalization (depending on the destination country)
Take your MFA-authenticated document to the embassy of the country where you intend to use it.
Cost of Authentication of Birth Certificate in Nigeria
Below are the costs of birth certificate authentication, which include not just the one-time payment from obtaining your NPC-issued birth certificate to the remita payment, including their processing time.
|
Process Stage |
Official Fee (Estimated) |
Processing Time |
|
NPC Birth Registration (Ages 0–17) |
Free, if done within 60 days |
Instantly at the registration center |
|
NPC Attestation of Birth (Aged 18+) |
₦10,000 – ₦25,000 |
3 – 7 working days |
|
High Court Affidavit (For Adults) |
₦5,000 – ₦15,000 |
Same day |
|
MFA Authentication (Per Document) |
₦5,000 |
3 – 7 working days |
|
MFA Expedited Service |
₦10,000 |
1 – 2 working days |
|
Remita / Bank Processing |
₦150 – ₦500 |
Instant |
Frequently Asked Questions
To authenticate your birth certificate in Nigeria, you must first make sure you have the correct NPC-issued document. After that, make photocopies, pay the required fee, and submit the original document with the copies to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja for authentication.
An authenticated birth certificate is a birth certificate that the Nigerian government has checked and stamped to show that it is real. It means the document has been confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for official use, especially outside Nigeria.
The requirements usually include an age declaration affidavit for adults, a valid ID like a passport or NIN slip, passport photographs, a filled authentication application form, and the NPC attestation request.
The authentication fee is usually about ₦5,000 per document at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria, excluding other fees like Remita or bank processing fees.
Conclusion
Now that you have a solid knowledge of what an authentication of a birth certificate is, the requirements, costs, and step-by-step guidelines to follow for your birth certificate authentication in Nigeria.
What are you waiting for? Prepare your NPC document today, confirm the requirements for your destination country, and move to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication stage so your birth certificate can be ready for legal use.
Get your birth certificate authenticated
