How to Authenticate Documents in Nigeria

Authentication of document in Nigeria has become necessary because Nigeria is not a party to the Hague Convention. It is also important to ensure that the submitted documents are genuine and have not been tampered with. During the verification process, officials at both the Nigeria Ministry of Education and Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs carefully examine each document for authenticity.

Authenticating a document means validating its authenticity and ensuring that it is a true copy of the original, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring that the document complies with the established requirements.

Read: Obtaining Police Clearance Certificate in Nigeria

DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BE AUTHENTICATED IN NIGERIA

1. Birth Certificate or Attestation of Birth Certificate
2. Police Character Certificate (PCC)
3. Marriage Certificate
4. Divorce Judgement and Certificates
5. Single Status Certificate (bachelorhood/spinsterhood)
6. Academic certificates which includes: results, degree certificates,  transcripts etc.
7. Certificate of Incorporation and other incorporation documents
8. Commercial Transaction Documents like bill of lading, proforma invoice etc

STEPS TO TAKE TO AUTHENTICATE DOCUMENTS IN NIGERIA

1. The first step is to notarize the document if it will be used abroad. The notary public is usually a lawyer authorized to notarize documents. In cases where a notary public may not be needed; you may have to go straight to the authentication.
2. The next step is to get the required document certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) headquarters in Abuja for authentication. The applicant may also instruct an attorney to represent him/her at the Ministry if he/she is not within the country or cannot personally make it to Abuja. The applicant must pay the prescribed fee at the bank and submit proof of payment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the document required to be authenticated. In the case of an academic document, the Federal Ministry of Education will authenticate the documents first before onward transmission to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. The Ministry will carry out their necessary confirmation and due diligence before authenticating the documents if they are found to be genuine. In some instances, the MFA may require additional confirmation from the authority that issued the document before it can be authenticated.
4. After the authentication, the applicant can apply for legalization of the same document at the relevant embassy or the consular office of the country the applicant is taking the document to. The embassy’s official fee varies depending on the country. One important thing is that a document not duly authenticated by the MFA will not be accepted for legalization at the embassy. This legalization is necessary only if the country so requested for it.

Read also: Notary Public in Nigeria

In conclusion, the authentication of documents in Nigeria came as a result of high rate of forgery and manipulation of government parastatals. The foreigners are skeptical taking anything emanating from Nigeria hook, line and sinker. You will not blame them any way! For your document to be fully accepted by foreign countries, you need to go through the rigors of notarizing, authentication, attestation and confirmation as the case maybe. In case you are outside the shores of Nigeria and you the services of a professional who can help you to navigate through these steps, you can contact us.

For further enquiry

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