📌 Quick answer: In Nigeria, birth certificates are issued by the National Population Commission (NPC). Children aged 0 to 17 get a birth certificate through Birth Registration, and adults aged 18 and above get a birth attestation certificate through Birth Attestation. You can apply online in the Services section of nationalpopulation.gov.ng or at one of the NPC’s registration centres. For a child, a parent or guardian must provide a valid NIN. For an adult, the NPC asks for your NIN and a court sworn affidavit. If you have an old paper certificate, you can request a digital version through the NPC’s Certificate Reissuance service.
A birth certificate is one of the first documents a Nigerian needs, and many people only start looking for one when a school, the passport office or an employer asks for it. The process is now online and tied to the National Identification Number (NIN).
This guide explains which certificate you need, what the NPC asks for and how to apply, using the NPC’s own website and frequently asked questions.
Birth Certificate or Birth Attestation: Which One Do You Need?
| Your situation | NPC service | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| A child aged 0 to 17 years | Birth Registration | Birth certificate |
| An adult aged 18 years or above who was never registered | Birth Attestation | Birth attestation certificate |
| You have an old paper birth certificate | Certificate Reissuance | A digital version of your certificate |
| You lost or need another copy of an NPC certificate | Certificate Reprint | A reprinted certificate |
| Your details on an NPC record are wrong | Modify Record (on your dashboard) | A corrected record |
The NPC sets the age line clearly: birth registration is for people aged 0 to 17, and birth attestation is for people aged 18 and above. If you are an adult applying for a passport or a job and you were never registered as a child, birth attestation is the route for you.
Why a Birth Certificate Matters
According to the NPC, birth registration records are the legal evidence of a person’s age, parentage, place of birth and nationality. The Commission says birth certificates are used for school enrolment and admission, getting a passport, employment, age-group competitions and sports, health care and voting, and that they help protect children against trafficking, early marriage, child labour and unlawful detention.
Registration is compulsory under the Births, Deaths, Etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act of 1992, yet the NPC’s website puts birth registration coverage at only 53%.
What You Need
| Service | Requirements listed by the NPC |
|---|---|
| Creating an account | You must be 18 or older. Your NIN, facial verification, your name and email address |
| Birth Registration (child) | Child’s NIN and the parent’s attestation number. A child without a NIN can still be registered if the parent or guardian provides a valid NIN |
| Birth Attestation (adult) | NIN and a court sworn affidavit |
| Certificate Reissuance (old certificate) | An account with your NIN linked to it |
Two details catch many applicants out:
- Your name must match your NIN exactly. The NPC says the name you enter when creating your account must be exactly the same as the one linked to your NIN. If your NIN details are wrong, correct them with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) first.
- Only adults can create accounts. Children are registered from a parent’s or guardian’s account.
How to Register a Child and Get a Birth Certificate Online
- Go to nationalpopulation.gov.ng and open the Services section.
- Choose the service you need, such as Birth Registration. You will be taken to the account page.
- Sign up. Enter your personal details, provide your NIN and complete the facial verification (a live photo check). Make sure your name matches your NIN.
- Open your dashboard once your account is set up, and start the child’s birth registration.
- Enter the child’s details. If the child has a NIN, provide it. If not, you can continue, because your own NIN as the parent or guardian is what the NPC requires.
- Pay and keep your payment reference. If you stop halfway, the NPC says you can resume the application by entering your payment reference.
- Download the certificate from your dashboard once it is approved.
Both parents do not need to register the child
The NPC says that once either the father’s or the mother’s NIN is linked to a child’s record, the child’s details automatically appear on that parent’s self-service dashboard. There is no need for both parents to register the same child.
How to Get a Birth Attestation Certificate as an Adult
- Get a court sworn affidavit from a court registry. The NPC lists it as a requirement for adults, alongside your NIN.
- Create your NPC account on nationalpopulation.gov.ng with your NIN and facial verification.
- Choose Birth Attestation from the Services section and fill in your details.
- Complete the application and pay. Keep your payment reference safe; the NPC says you can use it to resume an unfinished application.
- Download your attestation certificate. The NPC says the download option only appears after your application has been approved. Log in, click the ( + ) button on your dashboard and select Download.
If you check your status and see “No Record Found”, do not panic. The NPC explains that the Check Status feature only works after the birth attestation process has been completed.
Turning an Old Paper Certificate Into a Digital One
If you were registered years ago and have an old paper birth certificate, the NPC offers a Certificate Reissuance service:
- Visit nationalpopulation.gov.ng and go to Services.
- Select Certificate Reissuance.
- Create an account if you do not have one, and link your NIN during setup.
- Submit your request for the digital certificate.
If you already have an attestation certificate from before the NPC’s new account system, the NPC says you should create an account, then on your dashboard click the ( + ) button and choose the print icon to request and pay for a reprint. The NPC’s certificate reprint page states a charge of 30 US dollars for a certificate reprint.
How to Correct Mistakes on Your Record
The NPC says you can change your details from your dashboard: log in, click the ( + ) button and select Modify Record. Check every detail, including spelling and dates, before you submit any application, because a mistake on a birth certificate can follow you to your passport, school records and NIN.
No NIN Yet? The Temporary Attestation Number
The NIN requirement creates a problem for adults who do not yet have a NIN. The NPC has a Temporary Attestation Number for applicants without a NIN, which is meant to be used during NIN enrolment. The NPC also warns that this temporary number cannot be validated on the NIMC web modification portal, so do not try to use it there.
Applying in Person
If you cannot apply online, you can go to an NPC registration centre. The NPC says it has about 4,000 registration centres across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, with at least four in each LGA and more in cities and state capitals. The NPC lists its offices on the “Our Offices” page of its website.
The NPC headquarters is at No. 1 Masaka Close, off Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja. Its contact details are info@nationalpopulation.gov.ng and +234 (0)7000 236 787.
How Much Does It Cost?
The NPC’s main website and FAQs do not publish a fee table for birth registration or birth attestation. The portal shows the amount before you pay. The only figure we could confirm on an NPC page is the 30 US dollar charge on its certificate reprint page. Pay only on the NPC’s own portal or at an NPC office, and keep your receipt and payment reference.
Avoid Fake Birth Certificates
The NPC has been urging Nigerians to visit its website or any NPC registration centre to get an original, verifiable digital certificate. Certificates sold by roadside agents or “connection” offices may not be verifiable, and a fake document can cause serious problems with schools, embassies and the passport office. If anyone offers you a certificate without going through the NPC process, walk away.
The Law May Change Soon
At a Senate public hearing on 15 December 2025, the NPC supported a bill to repeal the Births, Deaths, Etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act and enact a Compulsory Civil Registration Act. The NPC called for Nigeria’s population and civil registration laws to be merged into one modern, technology-driven framework. If the new law passes, parts of the process may change, so check the NPC website before you apply.
Related Guides
A birth certificate or attestation is usually one of the documents for a first passport. See our guide to applying for a Nigerian passport for the first time. If you need your NIN details quickly, see how to generate a virtual NIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues birth certificates in Nigeria?
The National Population Commission (NPC), under the Births, Deaths, Etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act of 1992.
Can I get a birth certificate online in Nigeria?
Yes. Use the Services section of nationalpopulation.gov.ng. You need an account created with your NIN and facial verification.
What is the difference between a birth certificate and birth attestation?
Birth registration (birth certificate) is for people aged 0 to 17. Birth attestation is for people aged 18 and above who were not registered as children.
Can I register my child without the child’s NIN?
Yes. The NPC says you can proceed without the child’s NIN, as long as the parent or guardian provides a valid NIN.
What do I need for birth attestation?
Your NIN and a court sworn affidavit, according to the NPC.
Why does my status show “No Record Found”?
The NPC says the Check Status feature only works after the birth attestation process has been completed.
How do I get a digital copy of my old birth certificate?
Use the Certificate Reissuance service on nationalpopulation.gov.ng and link your NIN to your account.
Sources
- National Population Commission – “FAQs”, nationalpopulation.gov.ng, checked 1 November 2026
- National Population Commission – “FAQs (Vital-Reg)”, nationalpopulation.gov.ng, checked 1 November 2026
- National Population Commission – “Civil Registration and Vital Statistics” page, nationalpopulation.gov.ng
- National Population Commission – “NPC calls for consolidation of civil registration laws to boost digital reforms”, 15 December 2025
- National Population Commission – Certificate Reprint page, checked 1 November 2026
Last updated: 1 November 2026 · NaijaSabi Civic Desk. NPC procedures can change; check nationalpopulation.gov.ng before you apply.
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