Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the National Population Commission (NPC). This is an informational guide — register births or deaths and obtain certificates only through official NPC channels (nationalpopulation.gov.ng and its self-service portals). Timely birth registration is free, and you should use the verifiable digital certificate; beware touts and fake documents. Note: a sworn age declaration is made in a High Court, not by the NPC.
For a child (birth registration)
- The child’s NIN (enrol a child’s NIN first if needed).
- At least one parent who is Nigerian and holds a valid birth certificate.
- The child’s and parents’ details.
For an adult (attestation)
- A valid NIN (no NIN → you get a temporary Birth ID).
- A court affidavit sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths.
- A face capture (good lighting, plain background).
For both, you need an active phone number and a valid email — your payment reference and updates are sent by email, and you download from your NPC account.
Aim for verifiable
Make sure you end up with the verifiable digital certificate/attestation, since other agencies verify it against the NPC database.
Tips
- Sort the NIN (and, for adults, the affidavit) before you start.
- Use a working email you can access.
- Enter details accurately.
Requirements for a child (0–17)
For a child's birth registration/certificate, the core requirements are: the child born in Nigeria; the child's NIN; at least one Nigerian parent; and, for the online self-service route, one parent already holding a valid birth certificate. You'll also supply the child's biodata and a working email and phone number for the application and payment reference. Gathering these before you start — especially the child's NIN and a parent's certificate — is what makes the process smooth rather than stop-start.
Requirements for an adult (18+)
For an adult's birth attestation, the requirements differ: a court affidavit sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, a valid NIN (with mandatory verification if you have one), and an active email and phone number, plus a face capture done with good lighting and a plain background. Attestation is a once-only application, so having your affidavit and NIN sorted — and your details correct — before you begin is essential. Check the current, exact requirements on the official NPC attestation portal before applying.
If there's no NIN yet
The NIN is central to both routes, so a missing NIN is the most common blocker. For a child, enrol them for a NIN first (see NIN for children). For an adult without a NIN, the attestation process issues a temporary Birth ID that you then take to a NIMC office to enrol — the temporary number is meant to support that enrolment, not to replace a validated NIN. Either way, resolving the NIN is the key step that unlocks the rest of the process, so treat it as the first thing to fix.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for NPC birth registration (child)?
The child’s NIN, at least one Nigerian parent with a valid birth certificate, the child’s and parents’ details, and an active phone and email.
What do I need for a Birth Attestation (adult)?
A valid NIN (or you get a temporary Birth ID), a court affidavit sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, a face capture, and an active phone and email.
Do I need a NIN for a birth certificate?
Yes — the child’s NIN for birth registration, and your NIN for adult attestation (without one you get a temporary Birth ID).
Do I need an affidavit for a birth certificate?
For adult attestation, yes — a court affidavit is required; standard child birth registration does not need one.
Is an email required?
Yes — your payment reference and updates come by email, and you download the certificate from your NPC account.
What do I need to register a child's birth?
The child born in Nigeria, the child's NIN, at least one Nigerian parent, and (for online self-service) one parent already holding a valid birth certificate — plus the child's biodata and a working email and phone number. Gather these, especially the child's NIN and a parent's certificate, before starting.
What do I need for a birth attestation as an adult?
A court affidavit sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, a valid NIN (with mandatory verification if you have one), an active email and phone number, and a face capture with good lighting and a plain background. Attestation is once-only, so sort everything before you begin.
Is a NIN required for NPC birth registration?
Yes — the NIN is central to both the child (birth registration) and adult (attestation) routes, and a missing NIN is the most common blocker. Resolve the NIN first: enrol a child for one, or use the attestation's temporary Birth ID to enrol as an adult at NIMC.
What if the child or adult has no NIN?
For a child, enrol them for a NIN first. For an adult without a NIN, the attestation process issues a temporary Birth ID to take to a NIMC office for enrolment — the temporary number supports enrolment, not a substitute for a validated NIN.
Where do I confirm the exact NPC requirements?
On the official NPC portal (birth registration and attestation self-service pages), which list current requirements — or ask at any NPC registration centre. Requirements can be updated, so check before applying.
Related NPC guides
Birth registration · Attestation · Fees · All NPC guides · What is the NIN
Reviewed: 22 Sept 2026 · Author: Belmadeng Editorial. Independent guide, not affiliated with the NPC. Fees and processes change — always confirm on the official NPC channels, and use the verifiable digital certificate.