You need an Age Declaration Affidavit for NPC Birth Attestation in Nigeria, also known as a Statutory Declaration of Age, to complete your birth registration with the National Population Commission (NPC), process a passport, or fulfill visa documentation requirements. However, this can be difficult if you are a Nigerian abroad (or a foreigner born in Nigeria) who cannot travel home to swear the affidavit in person.
The good news is that you do not need to be physically present in Nigeria to obtain an Age Declaration Affidavit for NPC Birth Attestation in Nigeria. Your parent (mother or father) or a significantly older sibling (usually at least 6–8 years older) can depose the affidavit on your behalf at any Nigerian High Court. This method is legal, standard practice, and widely accepted by the National Population Commission (NPC), Nigeria Immigration Service, and other relevant institutions.
This guide explains everything you need to know about securing an Age Declaration Affidavit, including how the parent/sibling declaration option makes the process accessible for Nigerians in the diaspora and foreigners born in Nigeria who now need the affidavit to complete NPC birth attestation or for any other official purpose.
What Is an Age Declaration Affidavit and Who Needs It?
A Statutory Declaration of Age (commonly called an Age Declaration Affidavit or Birth Declaration Affidavit) is a legal document sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths in which a person formally declares someone’s date of birth, place of birth, and the fact that the birth was not registered at the time.
This affidavit is used as supporting evidence when applying for:
- Late birth registration with the National Population Commission (NPC)in order to obtain the Birth Attestation Certificate
- Nigerian passport when birth certificate is unavailable
- Visa applications requiring proof of age
- School/university admission documentation
- Employment and pension records
- NYSC registration
- Correction of official records
Two Types of Age Declaration: Self vs Parent/Sibling
This is where most guides fail to explain properly. There are two versions of the age declaration affidavit for NPC birth attestation in Nigeria:
Version A: Self-Declaration
You personally swear the affidavit, declaring your own age and birth details. This requires you to be physically present at a Nigerian High Court.
Version B: Parent/Sibling Declaration
A parent (mother or father) or significantly older sibling (at least 6 years older) swears the affidavit on your behalf, declaring that you were born on a specific date and place, and that your birth was not registered with the local government/NPC at the time of your birth
For Nigerians abroad, Version B is inevitably the correct choice.
Your parent walks into a Nigerian High Court, swears an affidavit declaring when and where you were born, and that your birth was not registered. The court accepts this because your parent has first-hand knowledge; after all, they were present at your birth.
When Do You Need an Age Declaration Affidavit?
Late Birth Registration (NPC)
If your birth was never registered (very common for Nigerians born before the 2000s), you need to complete late birth registration with the National Population Commission. The Age Declaration Affidavit is a required supporting document. Your parent in Nigeria can swear this affidavit while you remain abroad.
Passport Application
The Nigeria Immigration Service accepts Age Declaration Affidavits where birth certificates are unavailable. If you’re renewing your passport from abroad and need proof of age, have your parent in Nigeria swear the affidavit.
Visa Applications
Some embassies request additional proof of age, particularly when there are discrepancies across documents. An affidavit sworn by your parent in Nigeria can serve as supporting documentation.
Employment and Pension
Government agencies and large employers may require formal age documentation. A parent-sworn affidavit from Nigeria is accepted.
Who Can Swear the Affidavit on Your Behalf?
If you cannot be physically present in Nigeria, the following people can act as the deponent for the affidavit on your behalf:
Ideal deponents (recommended): – Mother or Father
Also acceptable: – Elder brother or elder sister (at least 6 years older than you)
Sometimes acceptable (if you have no parents or older siblings available): – Grandparent, uncle or aunt who was present at birth or is familiar with your birth circumstances
The key requirement is that the deponent must be a blood relation and have personal knowledge of your birth. Parents are ideal because they were definitely present. Older siblings may have been old enough to remember and be aware of your birth.
Information Required for Parent/Sibling Declaration
The deponent (your parent/sibling) needs the following information:
About themselves: – Full legal name – Gender – Nationality – Current residential address (including country if abroad) – Current age
About you (the person whose age is being declared): – Full legal name – Date of birth (exact day, month, year) – Place of birth (city/town, Local Government Area, state)
Requirements for the Age Declaration Affidavit
Assuming that your parent is the deponent of the age declaration affidavit on your behalf (this also applies for any other blood relation deposing for you), the basic requirement is to provide a passport photograph (2 copies) and in some cases a valid ID card.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong deponent’s age.The age stated in paragraph 2 is the DEPONENT’S age (your parent’s age), not your age.
- Missing Local Government Area.Always include the LGA for birth location. Nigerian courts expect this level of detail.
- Inconsistent name spelling.Your name must be spelled identically throughout and match other documents.
- Wrong date format.Use the Nigerian standard: “22nd day of December, 1982” not “22/12/1982”.
- Sibling too close in age.If using a sibling as deponent, they should be at least 8 years older. A sibling who is only 2-3 years older cannot credibly claim knowledge of your birth.
- Illegible stamps.Check that court stamps are clear before leaving.
Where to Swear the Affidavit
The affidavit can be sworn at any Nigerian High Court. Popular options include:
- FCT High Court, Abuja— Known for efficient processing
- Lagos High Court— Multiple locations (Ikeja, etc.)
- Any state High Court— Wherever the deponent is located
The court location does not need to match the place of birth. Someone in Abuja can swear an affidavit about a birth that occurred in Lagos.
Save Time With a Ready-Made Template Kit
Preparing this affidavit correctly requires understanding the exact format, wording, and declarations that Nigerian courts expect. Errors lead to rejection and wasted trips to the court.
Antarch Consulting has created a professionally formatted Template Kit for Age Declaration Affidavit for NPC Birth Attestation in Nigeria, to help you navigate the process without any worries. The Template Kit includes:
- Blank Template (DOCX)— Both Version A (self) and Version B (parent/sibling) in one document
- Completed Example (DOCX)— Real-world example of a parent declaring for a child abroad
- Step-by-Step Guide (PDF)— Comprehensive instructions for both scenarios
The templates follow the exact format used by Nigerian High Courts, including the FCT High Court format shown in official samples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can my mother swear this affidavit while I’m living abroad? Yes. This is the standard approach. Your mother or father or any close relative can depose the affidavit on your behalf, without you needing to be physically present I Nigeria.
Q: My parents are deceased. Who can swear for me? An older sibling (at least 6 years older), grandparent, or other close relative (uncle or aunt) who has personal knowledge of your birth may be able to swear. Consult with the court if uncertain.
Q: Can the affidavit be sworn in any state? Yes. The court location does not need to match the place of birth.
Q: Is this affidavit accepted for NPC late birth registration? Yes, this is one of the standard supporting documents for NPC late registration.
Q: Can a foreigner born in Nigeria use this affidavit? Yes. The parent (of any nationality) can swear the affidavit. We have seen Indian, South African, and other foreign nationals’ parents successfully use this process insofar as the person was born in Nigeria.
Need additional support? Antarch Consulting offers Document Processing Support for those who need hands-on assistance with Nigerian document preparation.