Please note & stay safe
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This is an informational guide — apply, renew and pay for your passport only on the official NIS portal (passport.immigration.gov.ng) or the official NIS Mobile app, and pay online only. Beware clone websites and touts, and never pay “agents” promising same-day passports or shortcuts.
Can children get a passport?
Yes — minors can hold a Nigerian passport, but a parent or guardian must apply on their behalf and provide consent and documents.
Does the child need a NIN?
Yes — the child needs their own NIN (NIN is mandatory for all applicants). Enrol the child for a NIN first if they don’t have one.
Documents needed
- The child’s NIN and birth certificate (NPC).
- Parents’/guardian’s passports and valid IDs.
- The child’s passport photograph (per the specs).
- A signed parental consent form/letter.
Parental consent
Both parents (or the legal guardian) typically provide consent. Requirements can vary for single-parent, guardianship or other situations — confirm on the portal or with the centre.
The fee
The standard fees apply — there is no longer a discount for minors — so a child’s passport costs ₦100,000 (32-page) or ₦200,000 (64-page) within Nigeria. (A child’s passport typically has a shorter validity that’s renewed as they grow.)
Tips
- Enrol the child’s NIN early.
- Bring original documents plus photocopies.
- The child usually needs to appear for biometrics/photo.
Children need a NIN too
A child can have a Nigerian passport, and just like adults, a minor needs a NIN first — the application verifies against the NIMC record. So before applying for a child's passport, make sure the child is enrolled for a NIN (children can be enrolled from a young age; see NIN for children) and that the child's name and date of birth are correct and consistent across their NIN and documents. As with adults, a data mismatch is a common cause of a stalled minor's application.
Consent and documents
Because a minor can't apply independently, a parent or guardian handles it, and the process requires evidence of that relationship and consent. Typically you'll need the child's birth certificate, the child's NIN, and the parents' passports and written consent/permission for the passport to be issued. Requirements can vary by case, so confirm the exact document list on the official NIS portal before booking. Bring genuine documents, and ensure the details across all of them match the child's NIN record.
Validity and practical notes
A couple of practical points. Children's passports are commonly issued as the 32-page booklet, and note that a young child's appearance changes over the years, which is worth bearing in mind for travel on a longer-validity document. The child usually needs to attend for biometric capture (fingerprints/photo) as required for their age. Plan ahead of any family travel, since a minor's application takes processing time like any other — and do it yourself through official channels rather than via a tout.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child get a Nigerian passport?
Yes — minors can hold a passport, applied for by a parent or guardian with consent and the required documents.
Does a child need a NIN for a passport?
Yes — NIN is mandatory for all applicants, so the child needs their own NIN first.
What documents are needed for a child’s passport?
The child’s NIN and birth certificate, the parents’/guardian’s passports and IDs, the child’s passport photo, and signed parental consent.
How much is a Nigerian passport for a child?
Standard fees apply (no minor discount): ₦100,000 (32-page) or ₦200,000 (64-page) within Nigeria.
Do both parents need to consent?
Typically yes (or the legal guardian); requirements vary for single-parent or guardianship cases — confirm on the portal or at the centre.
Can a child get a Nigerian passport?
Yes — a minor can have a Nigerian passport. Like adults, the child needs a NIN first (the application verifies against the NIMC record), so enrol the child for a NIN and ensure their name and date of birth are correct and consistent before applying.
What documents does a child need for a passport?
Typically the child's birth certificate, the child's NIN, and the parents' passports plus written consent/permission, along with the online application and payment. Requirements vary by case, so confirm the exact list on the official NIS portal before booking.
Does a child need a NIN for a passport?
Yes — just like adults, a minor's passport application verifies against the NIMC record, so the child must be enrolled for a NIN with correct, consistent details first. A data mismatch is a common cause of a stalled minor's application.
Do parents need to consent for a child's passport?
Yes — because a minor can't apply independently, the process requires the parents' passports and written consent/permission, plus evidence of the relationship (the child's birth certificate). Confirm the exact requirements on the official portal.
Which passport booklet is used for children?
Children's passports are commonly issued as the 32-page booklet. Bear in mind a young child's appearance changes over the years, which is worth considering for travel on a longer-validity document. The child usually attends for biometric capture as required for their age.