Notary Public in Nigeria (2025 Guide): Purpose, Process, Fees & Practical Tips
A clear, client-friendly explainer on notarisation in Nigeria—what a Notary Public does, when you need one, how authentication/legalisation works for use abroad, and what to prepare for your appointment.
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a senior legal practitioner authorised to verify identities, witness signatures, attest facts, and certify documents as true copies of originals. Nigerian notaries are officers of the Supreme Court; their seal and signature are widely relied upon by institutions in Nigeria and abroad.
Legal basis & powers (in brief)
Sources of authority
- Notaries Public Act (as amended) & Rules
- Oaths legislation & evidence rules
- Practice directions for authentication/legalisation
What notaries do
- Witness execution (POAs, deeds, board resolutions)
- Administer oaths/affirmations; take affidavits & declarations
- Certify true copies; issue notarial certificates
- Guide on MFA authentication and consular legalisation
When do you need notarisation?
How the process works (Nigeria & overseas use)
- Document review & KYC. Bring originals and valid ID (passport/NIN). The notary confirms capacity and voluntariness.
- Notarial act. Signing/witnessing or certification + notarial certificate with seal/signature.
- Government authentication (if for overseas use). Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) authenticates the notary’s signature/seal. Some documents need prior endorsements (e.g., Ministry of Education for academic records).
- Consular legalisation. Nigeria does not issue apostilles; embassies/consulates legalise MFA-authenticated documents.
Digital & remote notarisation
Where permitted, notaries may offer secure remote sessions with verifiable electronic notarial certificates. Acceptance abroad depends on the receiving authority’s rules.
Notary Public vs Commissioner for Oaths
Commissioner for Oaths
- Court-linked role focused on oaths/affidavits
- Mainly domestic use
Notary Public
- Broader functions: witnessing, certifications, notarial certificates
- Built for cross-border reliance & legalisation
Fees & timing
- Simple certification: same-day where documents are in order
- MFA authentication: a few days (volume-dependent)
- Consular legalisation: a few days to a couple of weeks (mission-dependent)
Checklist: what to bring
- ✅ Valid ID (passport preferred) and a secondary ID if available
- ✅ Originals + clean photocopies for certification
- ✅ Proof of capacity (e.g., board resolution or power of attorney)
- ✅ Destination country details / embassy checklist
- ✅ For academic records: any required MOE endorsement
Common problems & solutions
Power of Attorney for use in the UK
Issue: Foreign reliance on a Nigerian POA.
Path: Execute before a Notary Public → MFA authentication → UK consular legalisation (plus translation if needed).
Bank asks for a notarised sponsorship letter
Path: Prepare the letter → appear with ID → notary notarises → bank processes quickly.
Certifying academic transcripts for Canada
Path: Notary sight-checks originals and certifies → MOE (if requested) → MFA → consulate.
Do I need to appear in person?
For witnessing signatures, yes—your personal appearance (or a verified remote session where accepted) is essential. For true copy certifications, the notary must sight the originals.
Will a Nigerian notarial stamp be accepted overseas?
Generally yes—after MFA authentication and the destination embassy/consulate legalisation. Nigeria does not issue apostilles.
Can I notarise a document that is already signed?
Many notarial acts require signing in the notary’s presence; if already signed, you may need to re-execute in front of the notary.
What if a notary refuses to act?
Where circumstances appear improper or unclear, a notary may refuse. You can seek guidance or approach a court for appropriate relief.
Talk to a Notary
Need same-day notarisation, MFA filing, or embassy legalisation? Our team can manage end-to-end.
Tip: Bring originals, IDs, and any embassy checklist you were given. For corporate signings, add a board resolution naming signatories.