Nigerian Passport Requirements (2026 Checklist)
The full document checklist for a Nigerian e-passport — fresh, renewal, replacement, minors, and diaspora — verified against current NIS guidance.
What this checklist covers
The Nigeria Immigration Service issues e-passports under one set of core requirements, with a few additions for minors, naturalised citizens, replacements, and diaspora applicants. This page is the current checklist for the 2026 cycle, verified against immigration.gov.ng and the major Nigerian missions abroad. Use it to gather your documents before you start the online application.
If you are applying for the first time, follow how to apply for a Nigerian passport. Re-issue cases follow how to renew a Nigerian passport. Lost passport goes through lost Nigerian passport.
NIN — the one non-negotiable prerequisite
Without a verified National Identification Number, no application moves past step one. The portal blocks submission, and even if it didn't, the biometric officer would. Two practical points:
- The NIN slip must be issued by NIMC and already enrolled.
- The name and date of birth on it must match the passport form exactly. A spelling difference, a missing middle initial, a hyphen — any of these stalls the file.
If your NIN does not exist, complete NIN registration first. If the data on it is wrong, fix it at NIMC before you apply — corrections after submission cost an extra trip to the passport office.
Documents every application needs
These appear on every Nigerian passport application regardless of route — fresh, re-issue, or replacement.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| NIN slip | Issued by NIMC. Details must match the application form exactly. |
| Birth certificate or age declaration | NPC birth certificate for those born in Nigeria, or a sworn declaration of age from a Federal/State High Court or Customary Court of Appeal if no certificate exists. |
| Local government identification letter | Confirms your state of origin and LGA. Issued by your LG secretariat or, for residents, by the LG of residence. |
| Two passport photographs | Recent, white background, plain expression. The reverse must be endorsed by the guarantor for fresh applications. See our [passport photo requirements](/passport/passport-photo-requirements/) for the full spec. |
| Guarantor's form | Generated from the portal, signed by a Nigerian guarantor and by a Commissioner for Oaths in a competent court. See the next section. |
| Payment receipt | PDF generated on immigration.gov.ng after online payment. Print a hard copy for the biometric appointment. |
The guarantor's form — what NIS actually requires
The guarantor's form trips up more first-time applicants than any other single requirement. The NIS rules are explicit:
- The guarantor must be a Nigerian citizen, known to you, and willing to vouch for your identity.
- The form is generated on the portal using your application ID and reference number.
- The guarantor signs the form before a Commissioner for Oaths in a competent court — not a private notary, not a peace commissioner.
- A photocopy of the guarantor's Nigerian e-passport data page must accompany the form.
- One passport-size photograph of the guarantor is attached.
- Your own passport photographs are endorsed on the reverse by the guarantor.
If you are abroad and do not know a Nigerian who holds a current Nigerian e-passport, contact the nearest high commission or embassy: they sometimes provide a guarantor-by-mission route for diaspora applicants.
What changes by application route
The route-specific documents are layered on top of the core list above.
| Application route | What you add to the core checklist |
|---|---|
| Fresh (first-time) | Nothing extra beyond the core list. Naturalised citizens add the Presidential Certificate of Naturalisation; registered citizens add the Certificate of Registration. |
| Re-issue (renewal) | The expired Nigerian passport (original). Marriage certificate if your surname changed since the previous booklet was issued. |
| Replacement of lost passport | Police extract for the loss; sworn affidavit of loss from a High Court; data page of any non-Nigerian passport if you hold dual nationality. Marriage certificate if your name has changed since the lost booklet was issued. |
| Replacement of damaged passport | The damaged passport (do not discard it); written explanation of how it was damaged. |
| Change of name or date of birth | Marriage certificate, court affidavit, or change-of-name deed, depending on which detail is changing. See [change name on a Nigerian passport](/passport/change-name-on-nigerian-passport/). |
Documents for a minor (under 18)
Minors apply with their parents' (or guardians') documents alongside their own. NIS issues 5-year booklets to minors; the 10-year option is restricted to adults aged 18 and over.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Minor's NPC birth certificate | Issued by the National Population Commission. Hospital cards and church records are not accepted. |
| Both parents' Nigerian passports | Photocopies of the data pages of each parent's current passport. If one parent is a foreign national, the data page of their foreign passport plus evidence of the Nigerian parent's citizenship. |
| Both parents' NIN slips | From NIMC, current and verifiable. |
| Parental consent letter | Signed by both parents (or guardian), authorising the application and stating their relationship to the minor. |
| Two photographs of the minor | White background. Reverse endorsed by the consenting parent. |
| Marriage certificate, where applicable | If the parents are married and the minor's surname follows the marriage, attach the marriage certificate. |
For a baby or toddler, follow Nigerian passport for a newborn. For school-age children and teenagers, see Nigerian passport for minors.
Documents for diaspora applicants
If you live outside Nigeria, your application is processed by the Nigerian high commission, embassy, or consulate covering your country of residence. The core NIS checklist still applies; missions add their own paperwork on top.
| Mission | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Nigeria High Commission, London (UK) | £20 UK postal order; self-addressed Royal Mail C4 special-delivery envelope; long-form birth certificate showing parental details for first-time and minor applications. NHC London asks for the data pages of both parents' passports for minors. |
| Nigeria Consulate, Atlanta (USA) | Standard NIS documents plus the mission's local-currency fee. The 32-page 5-year is $142 and the 64-page 10-year is $242 at this consulate. |
| Nigeria Consulate, New York (USA) | USPS money order for the application fee and any penalty; self-addressed pre-paid USPS Express Mail return envelope. For lost passports, an additional $350 penalty fee in money order. |
| Embassy of Nigeria, Sweden | Trackable, registered self-addressed return envelope postable from Sweden; consent letter from both parents for minors. |
Always read your specific mission's website before paying. Local fees, accepted payment instruments, and appointment booking systems differ by post.
Naturalised and registered citizens
Two extra documents apply only here:
- Naturalised citizens attach the Presidential Certificate of Naturalisation.
- Registered citizens (those who acquired Nigerian citizenship by registration) attach the Certificate of Registration.
Both certificates are issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior and must be presented in original at the biometric appointment.
Got everything on the list?
Read the step-by-step walkthrough from the portal to collection.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic documents required for a Nigerian passport?
A valid NIN slip, an NPC birth certificate or sworn age declaration, a local-government identification letter, two recent passport photographs, a completed guarantor's form, and the payment receipt generated on immigration.gov.ng. Bring originals to the biometric appointment.
Who can be a guarantor for a Nigerian passport application?
A Nigerian citizen known to the applicant, who signs the guarantor's form before a Commissioner for Oaths in a competent court. The form must include a photocopy of the guarantor's Nigerian e-passport data page and one passport-size photograph of the guarantor.
Do I need a NIN to apply for a Nigerian passport?
Yes. The Nigeria Immigration Service requires a verified NIN on every passport application, fresh or re-issue. Get your NIN slip from NIMC first, and make sure the name and date of birth on it match what you submit.
What does a Nigerian passport guarantor's form contain?
The form is generated from the portal using your application ID, signed by a Nigerian guarantor and by a Commissioner for Oaths, and submitted with a copy of the guarantor's Nigerian e-passport data page and a passport photograph of the guarantor.
Does a child or minor need different documents for a Nigerian passport?
Yes. Minors need their NPC birth certificate, both parents' Nigerian passports (data pages) and NINs, a parental consent letter, and photographs endorsed on the back by the consenting parent. Naturalised parents add their Presidential Certificate of Naturalisation.
What extra documents do Nigerians abroad need for a passport?
Diaspora applicants apply through the Nigerian high commission or embassy in their country of residence. Beyond the standard documents, NHC London requires a £20 UK postal order and a self-addressed Royal Mail C4 special-delivery envelope. Most missions also accept a long-form birth certificate with parental details.
Is the guarantor's form signed at a regular notary or at a court?
At a Commissioner for Oaths in a competent court, not at a private notary. The court endorsement is what NIS verifies at the biometric appointment.
Sources
Independent guide, not affiliated with any government agency. The facts, fees and steps above are checked against the primary sources below — government, regulator and agency material first, reputable press second.
- 1.NIS — How to apply for a standard passport
- 2.NIS — Passports overview
- 3.NIS — Replacement of lost passport
- 4.Nigeria High Commission, London — Requirements for e-passport
- 5.Consulate General of Nigeria, Atlanta — Required documents
Facts verified against the NigeriaHowTo facts registry.
About the author
NigeriaHowTo Editorial Team
Editorial Research Team
The NigeriaHowTo Editorial Team researches and maintains practical guides about Nigerian documents, online portals, government-related procedures, and everyday administrative services. The team focuses on plain-English explanations, clear structure, official-source references, practical checklists, and user safety. The team is not a government authority, legal adviser, immigration practitioner, banking professional, tax expert, education official, or medical professional — independent subject-matter review is added separately when qualified reviewers are engaged.
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