To register for NIN in the UK, adults need a Nigerian passport (valid or expired), an NPC birth attestation with its digitised certificate number, and a NIMC pre-enrolment reference. Children need an NPC birth record plus a parent's passport and NIN. This guide explains why each document is needed and how to get it from the UK.
If you only need the checklist, it is on our NIN registration requirements page. This article is for people who want to understand the documents, or who have a complication such as mismatched names or no birth record.
Why each document is needed
Nigerian passport: proof of citizenship
Your passport shows you are a Nigerian citizen and gives the official spelling of your names. For adults at our centre, an expired passport is accepted. You do not need to renew it before getting your NIN, which helps because the passport application itself asks for a NIN.
NPC record: proof of birth
The National Population Commission keeps Nigeria's birth records. The NIN enrolment process uses the NPC digitised certificate number to link your identity record to a verified birth record. Without it, the enrolment cannot go ahead.
Pre-enrolment reference: your details in advance
The pre-enrolment form puts your details into the NIMC system before you arrive, so the enrolment officer confirms them rather than typing them from scratch.
Parent's NIN: for children
A child's record is linked to a parent's NIN, which is why a parent with a NIN must attend and bring it.
How to get the NPC birth attestation from the UK
- Choose the right portal: attestation if you were born in Nigeria, or foreign birth if you were born abroad.
- Enter your names exactly as on your passport.
- Pay with a MasterCard (other cards are not accepted on the NPC site).
- Save the digitised certificate number and any confirmation email.
What if my names do not match?
A different spelling, a missing middle name or a married name on one document can stop an enrolment. Before you book:
- Compare the names on your passport, NPC record and pre-enrolment form.
- If they differ, send us photos on WhatsApp. We will tell you whether it can be handled at enrolment or needs fixing first.
- For a change of name (for example after marriage), you may need supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or an affidavit.
What if I have no birth record at all?
If your birth was never registered and no record can be produced, an affidavit may be needed. It can be applied for online through the FCT High Court affidavit portal. Most people do not need one, so ask us before you pay.
Printed or digital?
Both are accepted at our centre. If you prefer paper, we offer printing and photocopying at the office.
Which NPC portal is right for me?
| Where you were born | Your age | NPC service |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | Adult | Birth attestation (attestation.nationalpopulation.gov.ng) |
| Nigeria | Child | Birth registration |
| UK or elsewhere abroad | Adult or child | Foreign birth record (foreignbirth.nationalpopulation.gov.ng, $80.00) |
Documents people bring that are not needed
To save you searching for paperwork you do not need, these are not on the standard list for NIN enrolment at our centre: UK utility bills, UK passports instead of a Nigerian passport, payslips, or a letter from your employer. If you are not sure whether something applies to you, ask us.
Keeping your documents organised
Create one folder (paper or on your phone) with: your passport, the NPC confirmation showing your digitised certificate number, your pre-enrolment reference, and your booking confirmation. If you are enrolling a child, make a second folder for the child's documents and the parent's NIN.
NIN document FAQs
Is a UK birth certificate enough for a child's NIN?
No. The child also needs the NPC foreign birth notification, plus a parent's Nigerian passport and NIN.
Can I use my British passport instead of a Nigerian one?
The standard requirement at our centre is a Nigerian passport (valid or expired). If you only have a British passport, message us before booking.
Do the documents need to be originals?
Bring your physical passport. NPC and pre-enrolment details can be printed or shown on your phone.
Want us to check your documents?
Send us a WhatsApp message with photos of your documents and we will tell you if anything is missing.