Authenticating documents in Nigeria has become increasingly essential because Nigeria is not a signatory to the Hague Convention.
This process ensures that submitted documents are genuine and free from tampering. During the verification process, officials at the Nigerian Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs meticulously examine each document for its authenticity.
Document authentication involves validating that a document is genuine and confirming that it is a true copy of the original. This process helps minimize the risk of fraud and ensures compliance with established legal requirements.
Documents Eligible for Authentication in Nigeria
A variety of documents that can be authenticated in Nigeria, including:-
- Birth Certificate or Attestation of Birth
- Police Character Certificate (PCC)
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce Judgement and Certificates
- Single Status Certificate (Bachelorhood/Spinsterhood)
- Academic Certificates, such as results, degree certificates, transcripts, etc.
- Certificate of Incorporation and other incorporation documents
- Commercial Transaction Documents such as bills of lading and proforma invoices
Steps for Authenticating Documents in Nigeria
- Notarization: If the document will be used abroad, the initial step is to have it notarized. A notary public, typically a lawyer authorized to perform this function, can help with this process. If notarization is unnecessary, you may proceed directly to authentication.
- Certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The next step is to have the required document certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) headquarters in Abuja. If you are outside Nigeria or unable to visit Abuja personally, you may authorize an attorney to represent you. It’s necessary to pay the prescribed fee at the bank and submit proof of payment to the Ministry along with the document requiring authentication. For academic documents, they must first be authenticated by the Federal Ministry of Education before being sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Verification Process: The Ministry will conduct a thorough verification and due diligence process to authenticate the document. If the document is deemed genuine, it will be authenticated. In some cases, the MFA might require additional verification from the entity that issued the document before proceeding with authentication.
- Legalization at the Embassy: Once authenticated, you can seek legalization of the document at the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to which you are submitting the document. Note that embassy fees vary by country. Importantly, a document not duly authenticated by the MFA will not be accepted for legalization at the embassy.
Conclusion
The process of document authentication in Nigeria emerged in response to the high incidence of forgery and manipulation within government institutions. As a result, many foreign entities exhibit scepticism towards documents originating from Nigeria. To ensure that your documents are fully accepted abroad, you must navigate the intricate steps of notarization, authentication, attestation, and confirmation as necessary. If you are currently outside Nigeria and need professional assistance in navigating these steps,
For further enquiry
- Email: hello@legalisation.ng
- WhatsApp: +2348137180894
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