What it is
A birth certificate is the NPC’s official record of a birth — showing the person’s name, date and place of birth and parents. It’s the foundation document for a NIN, passport, school and exams.
For a child: birth registration
If the person is a child, you obtain the certificate by registering the birth on NPC’s self-service portal and downloading the certificate. Registration is free under age 5 (and ₦2,000 from age 5).
For an adult: attestation
If you are an adult who was not registered at birth, you generally cannot get a standard birth certificate — instead you apply for an Attestation of Birth (available once, for those 18+). People born before the NPC era typically use attestation plus an affidavit.
Get the verifiable version
Crucially, use the NPC verifiable digital certificate/attestation. Other agencies (NIMC, passport/visa offices) verify the reference number against the NPC database — older paper slips from hospitals may not verify on those systems.
Downloading your certificate
After a successful application you’re notified and can download the certificate from your NPC account (often downloadable once — use the reprint service if needed).
Tips
- Use the official self-service portal, not a tout.
- Get the verifiable digital document.
- Check the requirements before you start.