NIN Registration Requirements in the UK

What documents do I need to register for NIN in the UK?

For adult NIN registration in the UK you need: a Nigerian passport (valid or expired), an NPC birth attestation with its digitised certificate number, a NIMC pre-enrolment reference number, and a card to pay the NIMC fee. Children need an NPC birth registration or foreign birth notification, plus one parent's Nigerian passport and NIN.

The National Population Commission (NPC) record is the part people most often miss. It is required in every case, for adults and children, and it has to be completed before your NIN appointment.

NIN requirements for adults

• Nigerian passport – valid or expired.
• NPC birth attestation and its NPC digitised certificate number:
  • Born in Nigeria: apply on the NPC attestation portal.
  • Born in the UK or elsewhere abroad: apply on the NPC foreign birth portal ($80.00).
• NIMC pre-enrolment reference – from the online pre-enrolment form.
• BVN – bring it if you have one. It is not required to enrol.
• Debit or credit card – for the NIMC enrolment fee, paid before enrolment begins.
• Affidavit – only if your birth record is not available (see below).

NIN requirements for children

• The child's NPC record:
  • Child born in Nigeria: NPC birth registration.
  • Child born abroad: NPC foreign birth notification, through the NPC foreign birth portal ($80.00).
• The child's birth certificate.
• One parent's Nigerian passport.
• One parent's NIN. If neither parent has a NIN yet, the parent can enrol at the same visit. Tell us when you book.
• The child, in person, with a parent or legal guardian.

Read the full guide to child NIN registration in the UK.

Requirements by situation

Supporting documents explained

NPC birth attestation

The birth attestation is issued by Nigeria's National Population Commission to adults whose births were not registered at the time, or who need a digitised record. It comes with a digitised certificate number, which is what we enter during your NIN enrolment. Payment on the NPC website is by MasterCard only.

NPC foreign birth notification

For anyone born outside Nigeria to Nigerian parents, the NPC records the birth through its foreign birth service. It costs $80.00. Many UK-born adults and children need this one.

NIMC pre-enrolment

Pre-enrolment means filling in your personal details online before your appointment. You get a reference number, which you bring to the appointment so we can pull up your details instead of typing everything from scratch.

Affidavit

An affidavit is only needed when a birth record cannot be produced. It can be applied for online through the FCT High Court affidavit portal. Ask us before you pay for one; most people do not need it.

Getting names to match

Mismatched names cause more failed enrolments than any other problem. Some examples we see:

• Middle name missing on the passport but included on the NPC record.
• Different spelling of a first name, for example a letter dropped or doubled.
• Married surname on the passport but maiden name on the NPC record.
• Names in a different order, especially on UK birth certificates.

Small differences can sometimes be explained at enrolment; bigger ones may need the NPC record corrected or supporting evidence. The safest thing is to send us photos of your documents before you book.

Tips for clear documents

• Make sure every page or screenshot shows the full document, with no cropped edges.
• Keep screenshots of NPC and pre-enrolment confirmations in one album on your phone.
• Bring the physical passport, not just a photo of it.
• If your phone battery is low, ask us to print what you need.

Parent and guardian requirements

A child under 16 must attend with a parent or legal guardian. The accompanying adult should bring their own Nigerian passport and NIN. If the person bringing the child is not the parent, contact us before booking so we can tell you what proof of guardianship to bring.

What to bring on the day

• Your passport (and the parent's passport for a child)
• NPC digitised certificate number (printed or on your phone)
• NIMC pre-enrolment reference
• Parent's NIN, for a child
• A debit or credit card
• Your booking confirmation

Printed and digital copies are both accepted. If you would like a printed copy, we have printing and photocopying at the office. See our NIN appointment checklist for a version you can save.

Preparation before your appointment

1. Check your names match. The names on your passport, NPC record and pre-enrolment form should be the same. If they are not, message us first.
2. Check your date of birth. NIMC allows date of birth changes only in limited cases, so get it right at enrolment.
3. Save your reference numbers somewhere you can find them on the day.
4. Check the current fees on our NIN fees page.
5. Book your time through our NIN appointment page.

NIN requirements: frequently asked questions