Authentication of documents in Nigeria is done at the Ministry of foreign Affairs in Abuja headquarter office. You must present the document in person or through your lawyer, who will launch the procedure on your behalf. The process is always confusing and stressful if you have not done it before and there is no e-service for those who cannot attend in person or abroad. Embassies abroad always request for immigration documents to be authenticated for the use of all types of visa and permits.  

Documents that can be authenticated  

• Nigerian International Passport Data Page
• Academic results (Degree Certificate, Transcripts, WAEC, NECO, Etc.)
• Birth certificate and Attestation of Birth
• Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, and Single Status Affidavit
• Company incorporation (CAC) documents, notarized contracts, affidavits, etc.)
• Police character certificate, also known as Certificate of Good Standing in other countries abroad.
• Letter of Sponsorship
• Medical Report
• Declaration of Assets and Income
• Bank Statements
• And other documents you intended for use abroad.

Steps to authenticate documents in Nigeria at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Notarize the document with a Notary Public (Some countries requires this, while others don’t. We advise you do this, as embassies change policies frequently).
2. Present the document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja, and fill the Application Form.
3. The document will be priced per page and a slip issued to you which contains a REMITA Payment information, with a government account number, access any of the major banks to make a payment and a teller will be issued to you at the bank.
4. Return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deposit the teller as proof of payment. A receipt will be issued to you by the ministry (NOTE: most Embassies requires this receipt to be attached to your document, we advise you attach it always).
5. The Ministry receives the documents from you and inform you of the day of collection. Collections dates varies depending on the type of document, ‘divorce’ certificates takes longer. We can always attach an urgency letter from our law firm where there is a real urgency.

NOTE

For Academic Documents: 

As of January, 2024, the Minister of Education issued new directive for the authentication of academic certificates.

The applicant has to now approach the issuing university/institution for certificate verification.

The applicant makes payment for verification at the university/institution and receipt issued. The university/institution verifies the certificate, addressed the Verification Letter to the Ministry of Education, and issue same to the applicant and mail a copy to the Ministry of Education (ess@education.gov.ng) through the schools official email address.   

The applicant is to attach both the Verification Letter and the payment receipt to the academic certificate to be certify at the Ministry of Education.

After the Ministry of Education certifies the academic document and issue a Letter of Eligibility, the applicant can proceed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authentication of all the documents page after page. NOTE that documents are charged per page, so bear in mind the number of pages and prepare for the cost.