How to apply for your first Nigerian passport

A source-linked starter checklist for a fresh Nigerian standard passport application.

VerifiedChecked 2026-09-28
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Cost₦100,000 / ₦200,000
TimelineNIS's 2025 Service Level Agreement lists fresh standard-passport applications at 42 days after successful enrolment.
RouteOnline + physical visit
AgencyNIS
Checked2026-09-28
My Process

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How to get this service

Online, physical or both?

Online + physical visit
Physical / assisted stage

Fresh applicants still attend the chosen passport office

The passport is not issued from the online form alone. Attend the selected NIS passport office for biometric enrolment and any original-document checks required for the fresh application.

Find official offices/centres →
If something blocks you

Use the NIS office responsible for the application

If the portal cannot complete the application or an identity detail does not match, resolve it through NIS/NIMC as appropriate before paying an unofficial agent to 'fix' the record.

View agency guidance →

Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.

Documents, details and prerequisites you need

This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.

4 Documents
01
Document

NIN slip

Why you need it
Used to match the applicant to the National Identity Database or to verify NIN-linked biodata where this service requires identity matching.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 4: Take the payment and appointment slips to the selected passport office on the scheduled date.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
02
Document

NPC birth certificate or High Court declaration of age

Why you need it
Used as civil evidence of birth or date of birth where the responsible agency lists it for this process.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 2: Enter the applicant details, upload the NPC birth certificate/declaration of age and state/local-government origin evidence, then choose the processing centre and booklet.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 2. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
03
Document

Local Government/Indigene Certificate or other NIS-listed origin/identity evidence for the applicant category

Why you need it
Used as documentary evidence for the qualification, status or civil fact relevant to this service.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 2: Enter the applicant details, upload the NPC birth certificate/declaration of age and state/local-government origin evidence, then choose the processing centre and booklet.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 2. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
04
Document

ICAO-compliant passport photograph

Why you need it
Used to identify the applicant's current passport record or to support the passport transaction described in this guide.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 1: Open the official NIS passport portal and choose a fresh passport application.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.

01
Start

Open the official NIS passport portal and choose a fresh passport application.

Have ready for this step
  • ICAO-compliant passport photograph
Check before moving on

Use the official route linked on this guide and make sure you are working in the correct applicant/entity account before entering data.

Keep as evidence

Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.

02
Physical / assisted stage

Enter the applicant details, upload the NPC birth certificate/declaration of age and state/local-government origin evidence, then choose the processing centre and booklet.

Have ready for this step
  • Local Government/Indigene Certificate or other NIS-listed origin/identity evidence for the applicant category
  • NPC birth certificate or High Court declaration of age
Check before moving on

Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.

Keep as evidence

Keep the appointment, acknowledgement or reference you may need at the physical stage.

03
Payment

Complete the official payment and book the appointment shown by the portal.

Have ready for this step

No additional document is specifically tied to this step in the verified guide. Use the full checklist above and follow the official prompt.

Check before moving on

Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.

Keep as evidence

Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.

04
Physical / assisted stage

Take the payment and appointment slips to the selected passport office on the scheduled date.

Have ready for this step
  • ICAO-compliant passport photograph
Check before moving on

Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.

Keep as evidence

Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.

05
Physical / assisted stage

Appear personally for photograph and biometric data capture.

Have ready for this step
  • ICAO-compliant passport photograph
Check before moving on

Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.

Keep as evidence

Keep the appointment, acknowledgement or reference you may need at the physical stage.

After you submit

What exactly happens next?

Retain the payment and appointment evidence

Keep the application reference, receipt and appointment record until the passport has been collected.

Take the originals used for the application

Attend biometric enrolment with the NIN and civil/identity evidence required for the fresh passport application.

Follow the centre's collection instruction

Monitor the application channel/email for the next instruction after enrolment; collection is handled through the responsible NIS process.

Correct mismatched identity data before retrying

Where NIN/civil data does not match the passport application, use the responsible official correction route rather than submitting conflicting information.

Important notes

  • Fresh applications and reissues have different timelines and supporting-document rules.
  • NIS lists 42 days after successful enrolment for a fresh standard passport in its 2025 Service Level Agreement.

Common questions

These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.

What should I prepare before I start?

Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.

  • NIN slip — Document
  • NPC birth certificate or High Court declaration of age — Document
  • Local Government/Indigene Certificate or other NIS-listed origin/identity evidence for the applicant category — Document
  • ICAO-compliant passport photograph — Document
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?

Online + physical visit. Start the fresh application with the applicant's NIN and civil/identity documents, choose the passport office and booklet, complete the official payment and book the enrolment appointment.

The passport is not issued from the online form alone. Attend the selected NIS passport office for biometric enrolment and any original-document checks required for the fresh application.

How much does this service cost?

₦100,000 / ₦200,000 — For applications in Nigeria: 32-page 5-year passport ₦100,000; 64-page 10-year passport ₦200,000. Bank charges are excluded.

Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.

How long should it take?

NIS's 2025 Service Level Agreement lists fresh standard-passport applications at 42 days after successful enrolment.

Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.

What happens after I submit or complete the main step?

Retain the payment and appointment evidence: Keep the application reference, receipt and appointment record until the passport has been collected.

Take the originals used for the application: Attend biometric enrolment with the NIN and civil/identity evidence required for the fresh passport application.

What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?

If the portal cannot complete the application or an identity detail does not match, resolve it through NIS/NIMC as appropriate before paying an unofficial agent to 'fix' the record.

Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.

What should I be careful about?
  • Fresh applications and reissues have different timelines and supporting-document rules.
  • NIS lists 42 days after successful enrolment for a fresh standard passport in its 2025 Service Level Agreement.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?

This guide was last checked on 2026-09-28. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.

Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.

Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?

No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.

Official sources

These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.

Accuracy

Checking correction-report availability…