Document authentication between the United States and Nigeria is the one area here where you must ask the receiving authority first. Nigeria has historically used the older legalisation chain rather than the apostille, and its position in relation to the Apostille Convention has been changing, so the route that will be accepted depends on who is receiving the document and when.
Quick facts
In practice, U.S. documents destined for Nigeria are prepared in the same first steps whichever route applies: a certified copy, a notarisation where the document is private, and then certification by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| State certification or apostille | $3–$25 per document | Secretary of State of that state |
| Federal certification | $20 per document | U.S. Department of State |
| Consular authentication where required | Mission tariff | Nigerian mission in the U.S. |
| Attestation in Nigeria | Charged there | Foreign affairs ministry and education bodies |
| Notarisation before certification | $5–$25 per signature | U.S. notary public |
Academic documents are the most demanding: Nigerian institutions and employers often want verification from the awarding body as well as the authentication chain.
How to prepare a document
- Ask the Nigerian authority, employer or institution exactly which certification they accept.
- Order a certified copy from the issuing office, or have a private document notarised.
- Send it to the Secretary of State of the issuing state, or to the U.S. Department of State for federal records.
- Where consular authentication is still requested, submit the certified document to the mission with its form and fee.
- Keep the whole chain together, since each stamp refers to the one before it.
Required documents
- Original certified copy with signature and seal.
- Completed authentication request and payment.
- Prepaid return envelope for mail filings.
- Photo ID for in-person service.
What the missions do
They authenticate documents where that is still required, issue emergency travel certificates, handle identification number enrolment, and provide consular assistance. Passport and visa processing runs through the immigration portal.
Additional notes
Confirm before you pay
Because the framework has been in transition, a rule that applied last year may not apply to your file. One email to the receiving office saves an entire wasted chain.
Nigerian documents going the other way
Documents issued in Nigeria are certified there, typically by the foreign affairs ministry, before being used abroad.
Academic verification
Degree verification is a separate exercise from authentication, and employers frequently ask for both.
Order extra copies
Offices retain what they receive. Two certified sets save repeating the chain from abroad.