Not completely. You can do the preparation online: the NPC birth attestation and the NIMC pre-enrolment form. But new NIN registration requires your fingerprints, photograph and signature to be captured in person, so you must attend an enrolment centre. Anyone offering a brand-new NIN "fully online" for a fee should be treated with caution.
What you can do online
- NPC birth attestation or foreign birth notification, through the National Population Commission's portals.
- NIMC pre-enrolment, which records your personal details and gives you a reference number.
- Booking your enrolment appointment, for example through our online booking calendar.
- Some NIN updates for people who already have a NIN, through NIMC's self-service platform. See NIN updates.
- Checking your NIN after it has been issued, using NIMC's official app. See retrieve your NIN.
What must be done in person
The enrolment itself. NIMC builds the National Identity Database on biometrics: your ten fingerprints, a facial photograph and your signature. These are what make your NIN unique to you and stop duplicate registrations. They have to be captured with approved equipment, which is why new enrolment always involves a visit.
Why "online NIN registration" offers are risky
If a website or social media account says it can register you for a NIN without seeing you, think about what it is actually offering. It cannot capture your biometrics, so at best it is only doing the pre-enrolment you could do yourself. At worst it is collecting your passport details and money. Warning signs include:
- no physical address you can visit;
- payment requested before any fee breakdown;
- promises of a NIN within hours;
- requests for your BVN, bank login or one-time passcodes.
The quickest real route
Do everything you can online first, so your visit is short:
- Complete your NPC attestation and save the certificate number.
- Complete NIMC pre-enrolment and save the reference.
- Book an appointment at a convenient time.
- Attend with your passport and card at a centre such as our Dalston, London NIN centre. The visit is mainly document checks and biometric capture.
For the full process, read how to register for NIN in the UK.
What about BVN?
BVN is different. Since 2025, Nigerians abroad can apply for a Non-Resident BVN online, using a live selfie check instead of fingerprints, or enrol in person at a centre such as ours. See BVN registration in the UK.
Online vs in-person at a glance
| Task | Online? |
|---|---|
| NPC birth attestation / foreign birth record | Yes |
| NIMC pre-enrolment | Yes |
| Booking an enrolment appointment | Yes |
| New NIN enrolment (biometrics) | No – in person |
| Checking your NIN | Yes – NIMC's official app |
| Simple updates (phone, address) | Usually yes – NIMC self-service |
| Non-Resident BVN | Yes |
What if I can't travel to a centre?
New enrolment always needs an in-person visit, so you will need to reach a centre at some point. If travelling is hard, prepare everything online first and message us beforehand, so the visit is as short as possible and you only need to make the trip once.
Online NIN registration FAQs
Can I get my NIN done online?
You can do the preparation online, but new NIN enrolment needs your fingerprints, photograph and signature captured in person.
Can I apply for a NIN online myself?
You can complete the NPC record and NIMC pre-enrolment yourself online. You then attend an enrolment centre for biometrics.
Is online pre-enrolment the same as registration?
No. Pre-enrolment only records your details in advance. You do not have a NIN until biometric enrolment is completed and NIMC issues the number.
Do the online steps, then visit us once
Book your biometric enrolment at our Dalston, London centre.