Nigerian Embassy Notarial Services
Nigerian embassies and consulates provide notarial and authentication services for documents that need to be used in Nigeria or that require Nigerian government verification for use abroad.
Services Available
Document Authentication
- Attestation of educational certificates
- Authentication of marriage certificates
- Verification of birth and death certificates
- Commercial document legalization
- Court document authentication
Notarial Acts
- Sworn affidavits and statutory declarations
- Power of attorney (general and special)
- Certified true copies
- Signature verification
- Oath administration
Document Legalization Process
For documents issued in a foreign country to be recognized in Nigeria, they typically need to go through a legalization process:
Notarization
Have your document notarized by a licensed notary public in the country where it was issued.
Apostille or Authentication
Get the document authenticated by the foreign affairs ministry of the issuing country. In countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille stamp is sufficient.
Embassy Authentication
Submit the document to the Nigerian embassy for final authentication. The embassy verifies the previous certifications and adds its own stamp.
Collection
Collect your authenticated document, typically within 3-5 business days.
Power of Attorney
Nigerians living abroad can execute a Power of Attorney at a Nigerian embassy, authorizing someone in Nigeria to act on their behalf for legal, financial, or property matters.
Types of Power of Attorney
- General Power of Attorney: Gives broad authority to act on your behalf in all matters
- Special Power of Attorney: Grants authority for specific transactions (e.g., selling a property, collecting a certificate)
Required Documents
- Valid Nigerian passport or means of identification
- Draft power of attorney document
- Details of the attorney (representative in Nigeria)
- Details of the transaction or property involved
- Fee payment
Cost: $50 - $100 depending on the embassy location.
Sworn Affidavits
An affidavit is a written statement made under oath, witnessed by an authorized official at the embassy. Common types include:
- Affidavit of name change — for passport and official document updates
- Affidavit of loss — for lost documents, certificates, or passports
- Affidavit of support — for visa or immigration purposes
- Affidavit of marital status — confirming single status
- Statutory declaration — for various legal purposes
What to Bring
- Valid Nigerian passport
- Draft of the affidavit (or the embassy can help prepare it)
- Supporting documents relevant to the affidavit
- Fee payment ($30 - $50)
Fees
| Service | Typical Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Document Authentication | $30 - $50 |
| Power of Attorney | $50 - $100 |
| Sworn Affidavit | $30 - $50 |
| Certified True Copy | $20 - $30 |
| Signature Verification | $20 - $30 |
Fees may vary by embassy. Contact your nearest embassy for exact charges.
Related Services
Need Help?
Contact your nearest Nigerian embassy for notarial service appointments and requirements.
Find Embassy