How to add, delete, replace or rearrange names on a Nigerian passport

NIS groups replacement, addition, deletion and rearrangement of names under its passport change-of-data guidance.

VerifiedChecked 2026-09-28
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CostNon-refundable administrative charge applies
TimelineNo fixed official timeline published by the agency
RouteOnline + physical visit
AgencyNIS
Checked2026-09-28
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How to get this service

Online, physical or both?

Online + physical visit
Recommended start

Start online

Open the official NIS passport application portal and choose the passport change-of-data or reissue route that covers addition, deletion, replacement or rearrangement of names. Then complete the application with the requested passport and NIN details and state the name change accurately; do not enter a new name unsupported by the civil documents you will upload.

Physical / assisted stage

A physical step is required

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.

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.

6 Documents
01
Document

Birth certificate from NPC 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 3: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
02
Document

Application letter

Why you need it
Used as formal written evidence or request where the responsible agency lists a letter among the requirements.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 3: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
03
Document

Newspaper publication

Why you need it
Used as publication evidence where the agency includes public notice in a name or data-change process.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 3: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
04
Document

State-of-origin certificate

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 3: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
05
Document

Court affidavit

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
Most directly connected to step 3: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
06
Document

Current passport data page

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 3: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. 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 NIS passport application portal and choose the passport change-of-data or reissue route that covers addition, deletion, replacement or rearrangement of names.

Have ready for this step
  • Current passport data page
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

Complete the application with the requested passport and NIN details and state the name change accurately; do not enter a new name unsupported by the civil documents you will upload.

Have ready for this step
  • State-of-origin certificate
  • Current passport data page
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 application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.

03
Documents / upload

Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.

Have ready for this step
  • Current passport data page
  • Birth certificate from NPC or High Court declaration of age
  • Newspaper publication
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.

04
Physical / assisted stage

Review the application, pay the non-refundable administrative charge generated by the official NIS route and book the appointment shown for the selected passport office.

Have ready for this step
  • Current passport data page
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

Attend the chosen passport office with the current passport booklet and original supporting documents for photograph or biometric capture and any required document verification.

Have ready for this step
  • Current passport data page
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?

Keep the evidence for Passport name change

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

Complete the final published step

Attend the chosen passport office with the current passport booklet and original supporting documents for photograph or biometric capture and any required document verification.

Know what counts as completion

For this guide, the last published process step is: Attend the chosen passport office with the current passport booklet and original supporting documents for photograph or biometric capture and any required document verification.

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

  • The exact supporting evidence should match the requested name change.

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 from NPC or High Court declaration of age — Document
  • Application letter — Document
  • Newspaper publication — Document
  • State-of-origin certificate — Document
  • Court affidavit — Document
  • Current passport data page — Document
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?

Online + physical visit. Open the official NIS passport application portal and choose the passport change-of-data or reissue route that covers addition, deletion, replacement or rearrangement of names. Then complete the application with the requested passport and NIN details and state the name change accurately; do not enter a new name unsupported by the civil documents you will upload.

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Upload the supporting evidence NIS lists for the applicable change, including the application letter, newspaper publication, court affidavit, birth or age record, state-of-origin evidence and current passport data page as relevant.

How much does this service cost?

Non-refundable administrative charge applies.

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

Complete the final published step: Attend the chosen passport office with the current passport booklet and original supporting documents for photograph or biometric capture and any required document verification.

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?
  • The exact supporting evidence should match the requested name change.
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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