Nigerian Passport Certified Copy – Same-Day Remote UK Solicitor Certification

Need a Nigerian passport certified copy for a bank, company, lawyer, employer, KYC check or overseas authority?

Ginkgo Advisory provides an express remote UK solicitor service for certified copies of Nigerian passports.

We can assist with the NGA-AO-03001 Nigerian Passport, part of Nigeria’s Enhanced e-Passport generation introduced in 2019.

Our remote verification process can include a clear passport copy, video inspection of the original physical passport and, where appropriate, electronic passport chip verification using a compatible NFC-enabled smartphone and passport-reading application.

Same-day service is available where all required evidence is received and the solicitor is satisfied that the passport copy can properly be certified.

Nigerian Passport Certification for NGA-AO-03001

The NGA-AO-03001 is an ordinary passport issued by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Its official title is:

PASSPORT

This document version was first issued on 29 April 2019 and forms part of Nigeria’s Enhanced e-Passport generation.

Key details include:

• Issuing country: Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Country code: NGA
• Document category: Passport
• Document type: Ordinary passport
• Document reference: NGA-AO-03001
• First issued: 29 April 2019
• Passport generation: Enhanced e-Passport
• Construction: Single booklet
• Size: approximately 88 × 125 mm
• Standard booklet: 34 pages
• Cover colour: Green
• Cover construction: Flexible
• Cover material: Plastic
• Cover embossing: Gold hot foil stamping
• External reference: N15481
• Standard 34-page validity: 5 years
• Other versions: 64-page passports may have 5- or 10-year validity

The Nigerian Enhanced e-Passport incorporates numerous physical, optical and electronic security features.

These can provide several independent sources of information during remote verification.

What Does Nigerian Passport Certification Mean?

A certified passport copy is a copy that a solicitor has checked against the original passport presented for inspection.

The solicitor then adds appropriate certification wording to the copy.

For example, the certification may state that the document is a:

true copy of the original document seen

The precise wording can depend on the organisation receiving the certified copy.

A solicitor-certified Nigerian passport copy will normally include:

• the solicitor’s signature;
• date of certification;
• solicitor’s full name;
• professional status;
• firm or business details; and
• appropriate certification wording.

Before certification, please tell us who requires the document, the destination country and why the certified copy is needed.

Banks, lawyers, financial institutions, employers, corporate service providers and overseas authorities can have different certification requirements.

Remote Nigerian Passport Certification

You may not need to attend a solicitor’s office to obtain a certified copy of your Nigerian passport.

In suitable cases, the process can be completed remotely.

We may combine several forms of evidence so that the solicitor can assess both the original passport and the person presenting it.

1. Send a Clear Colour Passport Copy

First, send us a clear colour scan or high-quality photograph of the passport biodata page.

The entire identity page should be visible.

The copy should clearly show information such as:

• your photograph;
• full name;
• nationality;
• date of birth;
• passport number;
• issue date;
• expiry date; and
• machine-readable zone, or MRZ.

The solicitor can compare this information with the original physical passport shown during verification.

2. Provide a Short Passport Verification Video

We may ask you to provide a short video showing:

• your face;
• the original physical Nigerian passport;
• the original biodata page;
• your passport photograph;
• the green passport cover;
• selected internal pages; and
• the passport being moved or tilted under the light.

Video provides more information than a static passport scan.

The NGA-AO-03001 incorporates several optically variable and specialised printing features whose appearance can be better assessed when the original document is moved under the light.

3. Complete an NFC E-Passport Check

Nigeria issues Enhanced e-Passports.

Where the passport presented is electronically enabled and compatible with the reading application, we may ask you to scan it using an NFC-enabled smartphone and a suitable passport-reading application.

Depending on the application and passport, the electronic check may provide information such as:

• passport biodata;
• MRZ information;
• electronically stored facial image information;
• data retrieved from the passport chip; and
• electronic authentication results supported by the application.

This provides another source of information that can be compared with the physical passport.

An NFC passport scan does not itself constitute solicitor certification.

It provides supporting electronic evidence for the solicitor’s assessment.

Why We Use Video and NFC Verification

A scanned passport page shows the information printed on the document.

However, a scan alone does not necessarily demonstrate that the customer currently possesses the original physical passport.

For a suitable Nigerian e-passport, our process can therefore combine:

passport copy + original passport video + passport holder’s face + MRZ comparison + NFC passport chip information

This gives the solicitor several different sources of evidence before deciding whether the passport copy can properly be certified.

The precise verification requirements may vary from case to case.

Nigerian Enhanced E-Passport

Nigeria Immigration Service describes its current generation as the Enhanced e-Passport.

The Enhanced e-Passport was introduced as part of reforms intended to improve the security, durability and administration of Nigerian passports.

Nigeria Immigration Service identifies features of the Enhanced e-Passport programme including:

• enhanced passport security;
• polycarbonate technology;
• availability of a 10-year passport booklet;
• greater automation of the issuance process;
• online payment; and
• electronic document management.

Nigeria has used electronic passports for many years and operates Public Key Infrastructure and Public Key Directory systems for validating electronic passports.

This electronic-document framework provides an additional security layer beyond the visible physical passport.

Electronic Passport Chip Verification

An ICAO-compliant electronic Machine Readable Travel Document, or eMRTD, contains a contactless integrated circuit chip.

The chip can store data derived from the passport identity page together with biometric information.

Electronic passport data is protected using cryptographic technology.

Where compatible passport-reading technology is available, an electronic check may therefore allow comparison between:

• information printed on the passport;
• MRZ information;
• electronic passport data;
• the printed facial image;
• electronically stored facial image information; and
• the passport holder appearing in the verification video.

Electronic verification complements rather than replaces physical inspection of the passport.

The solicitor remains responsible for determining whether the available evidence is sufficient for certification.

Security Features of the NGA-AO-03001 Nigerian Passport

The NGA-AO-03001 Nigerian passport contains numerous physical and optical security features.

These make the document more difficult to reproduce or alter and can assist when examining the original passport remotely.

Green Passport Cover

The passport has a flexible green cover.

The front and back covers are made from plastic material and incorporate gold-coloured hot foil stamping.

The cover forms part of the overall physical construction of the original passport booklet.

Enhanced Passport Biodata Page

The passport contains a security-enhanced biodata page carrying the passport holder’s identity information.

The Nigerian Enhanced e-Passport generation uses more advanced passport technology than earlier Nigerian passport designs.

The biodata page incorporates:

• UV security features;
• optically variable devices;
• diffractive security technology;
• variable laser imagery; and
• specialised security printing.

These provide several points of comparison during physical passport examination.

DID Diffractive Identification Device

One of the principal optical features recorded on the biodata page is a DID – Diffractive Identification Device.

This is an optically variable security device.

Its appearance changes depending on the viewing angle and lighting.

For this reason, we may ask you to slowly move or tilt the original passport during the verification video.

A flat scan cannot demonstrate these optical effects in the same way as a moving original document.

Variable Laser Image

The biodata page also incorporates a variable laser image, sometimes referred to as CLI or MLI technology.

A variable laser image displays different visual information depending on the angle from which the passport is viewed.

Movement of the original passport therefore provides useful evidence that cannot be obtained from a photocopy alone.

UV Features on the Biodata Page

The biodata page contains several security features designed to react under 365 nm ultraviolet light.

These include:

• substrate characteristics;
• fluorescent overprinting; and
• fluorescent ink.

Some security elements are invisible under ordinary lighting.

They therefore form part of the passport’s anti-counterfeiting design rather than its ordinary visible appearance.

Passport Paper Without Optical Brighteners

The passport uses security substrate without optical brighteners in several areas.

Ordinary commercial paper often contains optical brightening agents.

Under ultraviolet light, that paper can behave differently from specialist security paper.

The absence of optical brighteners therefore provides another document-security characteristic.

Fluorescent Security Thread

The passport incorporates a fluorescent security thread.

The thread becomes apparent under ultraviolet illumination.

Because it forms part of the physical passport substrate, it is more difficult to replicate than ordinary surface printing.

Fluorescent Fibres

The passport paper also contains fluorescent fibres.

These fibres provide another security feature that reacts under UV light.

They are used in several areas of the passport booklet.

Fluorescent Overprint

Fluorescent security overprinting appears in several parts of the document.

The overprint can be invisible under normal lighting but become visible under ultraviolet illumination.

This type of feature is present on the biodata page and internal passport pages.

Security Printing Under Oblique Light

Several printing features of the NGA-AO-03001 are intended to be examined using oblique light.

This means that characteristics may become apparent when the passport is viewed from an angle rather than directly from the front.

We may therefore ask the passport holder to tilt or move the original booklet during video verification.

Inside Front Cover Security Features

The inside front cover contains multiple security characteristics.

These include:

• substrate without optical brighteners;
• fluorescent security thread;
• fluorescent fibres;
• UV features; and
• specialised security printing.

Security features therefore extend beyond the biodata page.

Inside Back Cover Security Features

The inside back cover also contains several physical security characteristics.

These include:

• specialist substrate;
• UV security features;
• fluorescent fibres;
• fluorescent security thread; and
• specialist printing.

Some printing elements are intended to be viewed using oblique lighting.

Centred Watermarks

Internal passport pages contain centred watermarks.

Watermarks are intended to be examined using transmitted light.

Because a watermark forms part of the paper substrate rather than being ordinary surface printing, it provides another anti-counterfeiting characteristic.

Security Features on Page 3

Page 3 contains several security features, including:

• centred watermark;
• substrate without optical brighteners;
• fluorescent overprint;
• fluorescent fibres;
• fluorescent security thread; and
• specialist printing.

This demonstrates why checking only the biodata page does not reveal all of the security characteristics of the passport.

Internal Passport Pages

Pages 4 to 34 contain additional document-security features.

These include:

• watermarks;
• UV features;
• fluorescent overprinting;
• fluorescent fibres;
• page numbering;
• security printing; and
• binding characteristics.

During remote verification, we may ask the holder to show selected internal pages.

Stitched Binding

The passport uses thread saddle stitching through the spine.

The binding itself also incorporates characteristics visible under ultraviolet light.

Inspection of the spine and binding can provide another indication of the integrity of the original passport booklet.

Passport Page Numbering

Internal pages incorporate security numbering.

Numbering helps provide continuity through the booklet and can assist with identifying page substitution or alteration.

34-Page Standard Passport Booklet

The standard NGA-AO-03001 passport described by PRADO contains 34 pages.

Nigeria Immigration Service also issues other Enhanced e-Passport configurations, including larger 64-page booklets.

For the particular passport being certified, the actual booklet and expiry information should always be checked directly rather than assumed from the general passport model.

NFC Verification of a Nigerian E-Passport

Where the Nigerian passport presented is an electronic passport readable using compatible NFC technology, an electronic check can provide another layer of supporting evidence.

The process may allow comparison between:

• physical passport information;
• MRZ data;
• electronically stored document data;
• facial image information; and
• the passport holder appearing in the verification video.

Where supported by the reading application, cryptographic authentication results may also help assess whether the electronic data was signed by the issuing authority and whether it has remained intact.

However, an NFC check is not itself solicitor certification.

The solicitor considers electronic results together with the physical and visual evidence.

Same-Day Nigerian Passport Certified Copy Service

Ginkgo Advisory provides an express same-day Nigerian passport certification service.

Customers may require a certified passport copy urgently for:

• KYC checks;
• AML checks;
• banks;
• financial institutions;
• investment accounts;
• company formation;
• Companies House matters;
• corporate compliance;
• property transactions;
• mortgage applications;
• employment;
• professional registration;
• university administration;
• immigration-related administration;
• legal matters;
• powers of attorney;
• inheritance matters;
• probate matters; or
• overseas applications.

To maximise the possibility of same-day completion, please provide all requested information, documents and verification evidence as early as possible.

Same-day completion remains subject to successful verification.

The solicitor must be satisfied that the original passport has been appropriately examined and that the copy can properly be certified.

Nigerian Passport Certification in London and Across the UK

Our remote service means that you may not need to attend a solicitor’s office.

We can assist Nigerian passport holders throughout the UK, including:

London, City of London, Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea, Hammersmith, Fulham, Richmond, Putney, Wimbledon, Kingston upon Thames, Ealing, Hounslow, Croydon, Surrey, Reading, Slough, Luton, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, Bristol, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Nigerian nationals living outside central London can normally use the same remote verification process.

Nigerian Passport Certification for Nigerians Living in the UK

Nigerian nationals living, studying or working in the United Kingdom may require certified passport copies for many purposes.

For example:

• opening or maintaining bank accounts;
• investment accounts;
• KYC or AML checks;
• Companies House matters;
• company formation;
• property purchases;
• mortgage applications;
• employment;
• professional registration;
• university administration;
• legal transactions; or
• other identity-verification requirements.

Where the receiving organisation accepts UK solicitor certification, the process may be completed remotely.

Nigerian Passport Certification for Clients Outside the UK

You may also require a UK solicitor-certified copy of a Nigerian passport while living outside the United Kingdom.

A certified passport copy may be required for:

• international banking;
• investment accounts;
• overseas KYC;
• company registration;
• foreign lawyers;
• property transactions;
• employment;
• professional applications;
• inheritance matters; or
• another overseas authority.

Depending on the receiving organisation’s requirements, remote UK solicitor certification may be suitable.

Please tell us:

• where you currently live;
• who requires the certified copy;
• the destination country;
• the intended purpose; and
• whether particular certification wording has been specified.

We can then consider the appropriate verification and certification process.

Nigerian Passport Certified Copy for KYC and AML

A Nigerian passport may be used as a primary identity document for KYC and AML purposes.

Banks, financial institutions, professional firms and companies may ask for a certified passport copy as part of customer due diligence.

Where UK solicitor certification is accepted, our remote verification process can combine:

• clear colour passport copy;
• video of the passport holder;
• inspection of the original passport;
• physical security-feature inspection;
• MRZ comparison; and
• electronic passport information where appropriate.

The organisation receiving the certified document ultimately determines whether solicitor certification satisfies its own KYC or AML requirements.

Nigerian Passport Certification for Companies House and Corporate Purposes

Certified Nigerian passport copies may also be required for:

• company formation;
• Companies House matters;
• directors;
• shareholders;
• persons with significant control;
• beneficial owners;
• accountants;
• lawyers;
• corporate service providers;
• banks; and
• compliance departments.

The exact certification requirement should always be confirmed with the organisation requesting the document.

Nigerian Passport Certified Copy for UK and Overseas Use

Many organisations accept a passport copy certified by a UK solicitor.

However, requirements differ between countries and organisations.

Some recipients may instead require:

• notarisation;
• an apostille;
• embassy or consular legalisation; or
• specific certification wording.

Please tell us the destination country and intended purpose before certification.

This can help avoid unnecessary repeat certification.

Certified Copy, Notarisation and Apostille: What Is the Difference?

These procedures are different.

Solicitor-Certified Nigerian Passport Copy

A UK solicitor examines the original Nigerian passport and certifies that the copy corresponds with the document presented.

This is commonly used for banking, KYC, AML, corporate and legal purposes where solicitor certification is accepted.

Notarised Nigerian Passport Copy

A Notary Public performs the certification.

Some overseas organisations specifically require notarisation rather than certification by a solicitor.

If the recipient requests a notarised passport copy, ordinary solicitor certification may not satisfy the requirement.

Apostille

An apostille is a separate legalisation procedure.

Where appropriate, it authenticates the signature or professional capacity of the UK professional whose signature appears on the certified document.

If the recipient requires an apostille, please tell us before certification so that the correct certification and legalisation route can be considered.

What We Need for NGA-AO-03001 Nigerian Passport Certification

For a typical remote application, we may request the following.

Clear Passport Copy

Send a clear colour scan or high-quality photograph of the passport biodata page.

Short Video

Show your face together with the original physical Nigerian passport.

Original Biodata Page

Clearly show the original biodata page and your passport photograph.

Passport Cover

Show the original green passport cover.

Tilt and Move the Passport

Move and tilt the original passport under the light as requested so that relevant optically variable and security characteristics can be viewed.

Selected Internal Pages

Show selected internal passport pages and turn through portions of the passport booklet as requested.

Passport Binding

Where requested, show the spine and stitched binding of the original booklet.

NFC E-Passport Scan

Where the passport is electronically enabled and readable by a compatible application, we may ask you to scan it using an NFC-enabled passport-reading application and provide or demonstrate the results.

Additional Evidence

The solicitor may request further information or evidence if any aspect of the passport or verification requires clarification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NGA-AO-03001?

NGA-AO-03001 is a document reference for an ordinary passport issued by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

PRADO records this document version as first issued on 29 April 2019.

Is NGA-AO-03001 still valid?

Yes.

PRADO records the passport model as valid.

The validity of an individual passport depends on its particular expiry date and whether it has subsequently been cancelled or replaced.

Is NGA-AO-03001 an Enhanced Nigerian e-Passport?

Its 2019 issue period and physical characteristics correspond with Nigeria’s Enhanced e-Passport generation.

Nigeria Immigration Service describes the Enhanced e-Passport as its security-enhanced passport generation using polycarbonate technology.

Can a UK solicitor certify a Nigerian passport?

Yes.

A UK solicitor can certify a copy of a Nigerian passport where the receiving organisation accepts solicitor certification and the solicitor is satisfied with the verification process.

Can you certify NGA-AO-03001?

Yes.

We can assess an NGA-AO-03001 Nigerian passport for remote UK solicitor certification.

Can I get my Nigerian passport certified online?

In suitable cases, yes.

Our remote verification process can use passport images, video inspection of the original passport and electronic passport information where appropriate.

Do I need to visit a solicitor’s office?

Usually not for a suitable remote case.

The verification process can normally be completed remotely.

Do I need to post my original Nigerian passport?

Usually not.

Instead, we can ask you to demonstrate possession of the original physical passport through video.

Is a Nigerian passport an e-passport?

Nigeria Immigration Service issues Enhanced e-Passports.

Nigeria has operated an electronic passport system since 2007 and introduced the Enhanced e-Passport generation in 2019.

Does an e-passport contain an electronic chip?

An ICAO-compliant electronic machine-readable passport contains a contactless integrated-circuit chip storing electronic passport and biometric information.

Can a Nigerian e-passport be checked using NFC?

Where the passport chip and passport-reading application are compatible, an NFC-enabled smartphone can be used to communicate with a contactless e-passport chip.

The exact information and authentication results available depend on the passport and application used.

Why do you request an NFC passport scan?

An NFC check can provide an additional electronic source of passport information.

This can be compared with the physical document, MRZ and other identity evidence.

Is NFC verification the same as solicitor certification?

No.

NFC technology provides supporting electronic evidence.

The solicitor makes the final professional decision about whether the passport copy can properly be certified.

Why do you ask me to tilt the Nigerian passport?

The NGA-AO-03001 contains optically variable security features including a DID and variable laser image.

These features change appearance according to the viewing angle.

Movement of the original passport therefore provides information that cannot be demonstrated by a static scan.

Why do you ask me to show internal passport pages?

The passport contains security features throughout the booklet.

Internal pages contain watermarks, UV features, fluorescent fibres, security printing and numbering.

Showing selected pages also helps demonstrate possession of the complete original passport.

Can you provide same-day Nigerian passport certification?

Yes.

We provide an express same-day Nigerian passport certification service, subject to successful verification and receipt of all required evidence.

Can the certified passport copy be emailed to me?

Where the receiving organisation accepts an electronic copy, a scan of the completed certified document can normally be provided electronically.

If the recipient requires an original wet-ink certified document, a physical copy may also be required.

Can I use a UK solicitor-certified Nigerian passport overseas?

Possibly.

Some overseas organisations accept UK solicitor certification, while others require notarisation, an apostille or additional legalisation.

Always check the receiving organisation’s requirements.

Is solicitor certification the same as notarisation?

No.

A solicitor and a Notary Public perform different professional roles.

Where a recipient specifically requests notarisation, solicitor certification may not satisfy that requirement.

Express Nigerian Passport Certification by UK Solicitor

Ginkgo Advisory provides a fast remote service for customers who require a Nigerian passport certified copy.

Our service can include:

• certified copy of Nigerian passport;
• NGA-AO-03001 passport certification;
• Nigerian Enhanced e-Passport certification;
• Nigerian biometric passport verification;
• UK solicitor-certified Nigerian passport;
• remote Nigerian passport certification;
• same-day Nigerian passport certification;
• video passport verification;
• original passport inspection;
• electronic passport verification;
• NFC passport chip check where applicable;
• MRZ comparison;
• Nigerian identity verification;
• certified Nigerian passport for KYC;
• certified Nigerian passport for AML;
• certified Nigerian passport for banks;
• certified Nigerian passport for company purposes; and
• Nigerian passport certification for UK or overseas use.

If you need a Nigerian passport certified copy, send us a clear colour copy of the passport biodata page and tell us who requires the certification, the destination country and the intended purpose.

We can then confirm the appropriate verification and certification process.