How to renew a Nigerian passport in the UK: A step-by-step guide

If you’re a Nigerian national residing in the United Kingdom and your international passport is about to expire, has run out of free pages, has been damaged, or has been stolen, you’ll need a passport renewal in order to travel overseas.

The process of renewing a Nigerian passport in the UK can be difficult to navigate—especially if it’s your first time. In fact, you may incur delays if you fail to provide the correct information or documents. 

To help you with the renewal process, this guide takes you through all the steps of the online application and includes detailed information about application costs, waiting times and the documents to bring to your in-person appointment in London.

How to renew a Nigerian Passport in the UK: a step-by-step guide

This chapter outlines the steps for renewing your Nigerian passport while in the UK.

From accessing the Nigeria Immigration Service Portal to booking an in-person appointment, we’ll walk you through the entire process, ensuring you’re well-prepared for a successful renewal:

1. Access the Nigerian Immigration Service Portal. 
2. Under ‘Passport’, select ‘Apply for Passport Renewal’.
3. To start your passport renewal application, you need to log in. If you’re already registered with Gmail or Yahoo, select ‘Sign in now’. Alternatively, select “OpenID” and follow the instructions to register. Click ‘Submit’ and continue with the application.
4. Once logged in, fill in the passport application form. You’ll be requested to provide personal information such as your UK address, next of kin, height, eye colour, etc. Make sure the information you provide is correct and click ‘submit application’. 
5. After submitting your personal information, you’ll be redirected to the payment section. Please note that if the name on the card used to make the payment is not the same as the applicant’s name on the registration form, you’ll need to visit the header menu option ‘Manage Credit Card’ on the Innovate1 website and select ‘Register Your Credit Card’. After completing the passport payment, you’ll receive an email confirming your submitted application. 
6. Download a copy of your application and print it out. Each passport application form contains a unique reference number and application ID, which are both required when booking your in-person appointment. 
7. Go back to the Nigerian High Commission website and select ‘book appointment’ for your biometrics at their office at the Nigerian Embassy (9, Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BX). To book your slot, you’ll be requested to provide your Application ID and Reference Number. You’ll then be able to select a time and date for your appointment.
8. On appointment day in London, make sure you bring your completed passport online application form, payment slip and acknowledgement slip.
9. A word for the wise: get to the Nigerian Embassy earlier than your actual slot as people are generally attended to on a first come, first served basis.
10. If your in-person appointment goes well, your biometrics will be taken and you’ll be given a due date for when to expect postal delivery of your new passport. 

Consult the next section of this guide for a full list of the documents you’ll have to provide during your appointment. 

What documents do I need to renew my Nigerian passport in the UK?

When you turn up at the Nigeria High Commission office in London for your in-person appointment, you’ll need to bring printed copies of the following documents:

• Your original Nigerian passport.
• Your passport application form.
• Your National Identification Number (NIN)
• A copy of the appointment booking via the Nigeria Immigration Service website. 
• A £20.00 postal order made payable to the Nigeria High Commission, London. 
• A Royal Mail C4 special delivery envelope to enable delivery of your passport at your residence (the new passport will not be issued to you on appointment day).

If you’re applying for a minor, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• The child’s birth certificate
• A copy of the Data Page of both parents’ passports (if both parent’s names are printed on the Long birth certificate). Note that at least one of the parents should hold a Nigerian Passport.
• A consent letter that’s been signed by both parents. Alternatively, proof of sole custodian from the court.
• In the event of the death of a Nigerian parent, a copy of the Death Certificate must be provided.

Name changes to your passport are also allowed, but they must be linked to marriage or divorce.

For marriage-related name changes, the following documentation is necessary:

1. Marriage certificate
2. Letter of consent, signed by the husband
3. Husband’s passport data page

And for divorce-related name changes:

1. Divorce certificate
2. Proof of maiden name, which can be established using your pre-marriage passport or any other valid ID bearing your maiden name.

Please note that if any document supplied is not in English, you must provide a translated version that has been signed and certified by a registered translator, with the appropriate stamp.

How long does it take to renew a Nigerian passport in the UK?

It normally takes up to three weeks to receive a new Nigerian passport in the UK.

The passport will be delivered by post to the residential address you provided during the application process, so it’s extremely important that the information you insert in the online form is up to date in order to receive the passport on time.

If you cannot afford to wait three weeks because your passport has already expired and you need to travel immediately, you may want to consider applying for an emergency travel certificate. 

How much does it cost to renew a Nigerian passport in the UK?

Renewing a Nigerian passport comes with an administrative fee of £20, which you’ll have to pay online before being able to attend your in-person appointment at the Nigerian High Commission in London.  

On appointment day, you’ll also have to bring a Royal Mail C4 special delivery envelope to enable delivery of your passport at your residence (the new passport will not be issued to you on appointment day).

However, if you’re renewing your passport due to loss, misplacement, or damage, you’ll incur a fee of £250, which should be paid through a postal order to the Nigeria High Commission.

The process and cost are also the same for Emergency Certificate applications, which come to £120.

Finally, please note that the passport fees do change depending on the applicant’s age (minor or adult), passport type (diplomatic, official, or standard), number of pages (32 or 64 pages), and validity duration (5 or 10 years).

For a detailed breakdown of costs, please visit the Nigerian Immigration website and explore the Quick Tools section.

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