Legalisation of documents for foreign use in Nigeria

🌍 How to Legalize Nigerian Documents for Use Abroad (Without Apostille)

If you're planning to use Nigerian documents abroad—whether for work, study, or immigration—you'll quickly realize that Nigeria is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. So instead of a simple apostille, a multi-step legalization is required.

❌ Why Apostilles Don’t Work in Nigeria

Since Nigeria isn’t a member of the Hague Convention, you’ll need:

• Notarization (if required)

• Authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)

• Legalization at the destination country’s embassy or consulate

✅ Step-by-Step Legalization Process

1. Notarization (If Required)
Documents like powers of attorney, affidavits, or personal letters must be notarized by a registered Notary Public. Academic documents may also require Ministry of Education authentication.

2. MFA Authentication (Abuja)
Documents must be submitted to the MFA with:

• Originals (plus notarized copies, if required)

• Completed forms and proof of payment

3. Embassy/Consulate Legalization
Take MFA-authenticated documents to the embassy of the country where they’ll be used. Requirements vary by embassy.

Embassy Fees & Timelines (as of 2024):

CountryFee (Per Page)Processing TimeNotesUAENGN 82,215 (~USD 110)2–3 daysOriginals + MFAQatarNGN 55,0003–7 days (Mon/Wed)MFA onlyChinaNGN 40,0002–5 daysNotarization + Purpose LetterSouth KoreaNGN 6,000Mondays only (appt.)Requires POA, affidavitEgypt~USD 583–5 daysPayable in USD

📄 Commonly Legalized Documents

• Birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates

• Academic certificates and transcripts

• Police clearance reports

• Powers of attorney

• Business/commercial documents (CAC, invoices)

🔧 Tips for a Smooth Process

• Confirm embassy schedules and appointment policies

• Double-check if translations or passport copies are needed

• Monitor embassy fee changes due to FX rates

• Consider using a professional legalization service

📌 Conclusion

Legalizing Nigerian documents abroad typically involves:

1. Notarization (if needed)

2. Ministry of Education (for academic docs)

3. MFA authentication

4. Embassy legalization

Being organized and well-informed makes a big difference!

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