What is a Birth Attestation Letter? A birth attestation letter in Nigeria is a document issued by the National Population Commission (NPC) for individuals born before 1992, or for those who don't have an official birth certificate. To obtain one, you must first get an Age Declaration Affidavit from a High Court, which requires parental details and is a key requirement for the NPC application. Who Need Attestation Letter from National Population CommissionPeople born in Nigeria before 1992/1993, adults (18 and older) born in Nigeria without a birth certificate, and Nigerians in the diaspora needing official proof of birth require a birth attestation letter. This document is issued by the National Population Commission (NPC) for those who cannot get a standard birth certificate because their birth was not registered at the time. Who needs a birth attestation letterIndividuals born before 1992/1993 Before the NPC started issuing birth certificates, the attestation letter served as the official proof of birth for those born during that period. Adults born without a registered birth Anyone aged 18 and over who does not have a birth certificate can apply for an attestation letter as proof of their birth. Nigerians in the diaspora Citizens living abroad often need this document for age verification or other official purposes, such as updating their National Identification Number (NIN). Individuals needing to verify their age for documents The attestation is required for official documents like a Nigerian international passport, especially for those over 17. Types of NPC Birth Certificates1. Standard Birth Certificate For children under 18 years old2. Birth Attestation Certificate For adults 18 years and above (replaces the former "Attestation of Birth Letter"Requirements for Digital Birth Certificate ApplicationFor Children (Under 18)- National Identification Number (NIN) of at least one Nigerian parent- Child's birth details (date, place, hospital/clinic information)- Parent's valid identificationFor Adults (17 years)- Court affidavit of age declaration- National Identification Number (NIN) recommended- Valid number and email address- Parent/guardian informationKey Features of the Digital Birth Certificate- Embedded QR code for authenticity verification- Equal legal standing to physical certificates- Reprint service availableImportant Notes1. For Adults Those born before 1993 can only obtain a Birth Attestation Certificate plus Affidavit, as actual birth certificates weren't systematically issued then2. Authentication for International Use If needed abroad, the digital certificate must be authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs3. Special Cases Some embassies (like Belgium) require additional confirmation from NPC before Ministry authentication4. Timeframe Processing typically takes a few days, but may vary based on application volume.