What to do if your Nigerian passport is lost

NIS publishes a specific replacement process for a passport reported lost, including a police extract and High Court affidavit.

VerifiedChecked 2026-09-28
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CostReplacement passport fees apply
TimelineNo fixed official timeline published by the agency
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

A physical step is required

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Print the acknowledgement/payment slips and attend the required processing/biometric appointment.

Find official offices/centres →
If something blocks you

If this specific process gets stuck

Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.

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.

5 Documents
01
Document

Birth certificate issued by NPC or a qualifying 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
Keep this ready before starting. The verified guide lists it as a prerequisite even though the official source does not tie it to one numbered step.
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

Local Government Certificate of Indigeneship

Why you need it
Used as documentary evidence for the qualification, status or civil fact relevant to this service.
Where it is used
Keep this ready before starting. The verified guide lists it as a prerequisite even though the official source does not tie it to one numbered step.
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.
03
Document

Police extract for the lost passport

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 2: Upload the supporting documents required for a lost passport.
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

High Court sworn affidavit for loss

Why you need it
Used as sworn evidence for the loss, correction or change described in this service where the agency requires an affidavit.
Where it is used
Keep this ready before starting. The verified guide lists it as a prerequisite even though the official source does not tie it to one numbered step.
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.
05
Document

If dual nationality applies, the data page of the non-Nigerian passport; also take any extra identity/civil document NIS specifically requests for the applicant's lost-passport case

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 2: Upload the supporting documents required for a lost passport.
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.

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 passport portal and choose Renewal/Re-issue.

Have ready for this step
  • Birth certificate issued by NPC or a qualifying declaration of age
  • Police extract for the lost passport
  • If dual nationality applies, the data page of the non-Nigerian passport; also take any extra identity/civil document NIS specifically requests for the applicant's lost-passport case
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
Documents / upload

Upload the supporting documents required for a lost passport.

Have ready for this step
  • Police extract for the lost passport
  • If dual nationality applies, the data page of the non-Nigerian passport; also take any extra identity/civil document NIS specifically requests for the applicant's lost-passport case
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 any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.

03
Payment

Pay the official replacement fees shown in the NIS process.

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
Collect / finish

Print the acknowledgement/payment slips and attend the required processing/biometric appointment.

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.

After you submit

What exactly happens next?

Keep the evidence for Lost Nigerian passport

Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.

Complete the final published step

Print the acknowledgement/payment slips and attend the required processing/biometric appointment.

Know what counts as completion

For this guide, the last published process step is: Print the acknowledgement/payment slips and attend the required processing/biometric appointment.

Escalate with the right reference

Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.

Important notes

  • NIS warns against continued use of a passport already declared lost.
  • Applicants with dual nationality may need to upload the data page of the non-Nigerian passport.

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.

  • Birth certificate issued by NPC or a qualifying declaration of age — Document
  • Local Government Certificate of Indigeneship — Document
  • Police extract for the lost passport — Document
  • High Court sworn affidavit for loss — Document
  • If dual nationality applies, the data page of the non-Nigerian passport; also take any extra identity/civil document NIS specifically requests for the applicant's lost-passport case — Document
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?

Online + physical visit. Open the official passport portal and choose Renewal/Re-issue. Then upload the supporting documents required for a lost passport.

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Print the acknowledgement/payment slips and attend the required processing/biometric appointment.

How much does this service cost?

Replacement passport fees apply.

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

How long should it take?

The responsible agency does not currently publish a reliable fixed completion timeline in the official sources used for this guide.

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?

Keep the evidence for Lost Nigerian passport: Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.

Complete the final published step: Print the acknowledgement/payment slips and attend the required processing/biometric appointment.

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

Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.

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

What should I be careful about?
  • NIS warns against continued use of a passport already declared lost.
  • Applicants with dual nationality may need to upload the data page of the non-Nigerian passport.
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

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