How to Apply for a Nigerian Passport: Official NIS Guide

The Nigeria Immigration Service operates the official passport process. Applicants within Nigeria should use the NIS domestic passport portal for a fresh passport, renewal/reissue, data correction, application tracking, appointment booking, centre-availability checks, and photo-upload testing. Do not pay a tout, agent, or unverified account to create, “speed up,” or unlock your passport application.

Use the correct official passport route

For applications within Nigeria, begin at the NIS Domestic Passport Application Portal. It offers separate options for a fresh passport, renewal/reissue, correction of data, and pending-application access. Nigerians applying from outside Nigeria should use the international route linked from the NIS passport guidance rather than the domestic portal.

Fresh passport: official process

1. Complete the e-passport application through the official NIS portal and provide the documents required for your own citizenship and age category.
2. Make payment through the official process and book an appointment at your chosen processing centre.
3. Bring your payment and appointment slips, along with the required supporting documents, to the selected NIS office on the appointment date.
4. Appear in person for photograph and biometric-data capture. NIS says this attendance is required.

Documents vary by applicant type

NIS publishes different requirements for adults, minors, and citizens by naturalisation or registration. For a first-time application by a citizen by birth, NIS identifies an NPC birth certificate or signed statement of age together with Nigerian identification, while minors also require parent-related documents and consent. Read the current official requirement list for your category rather than relying on a generic checklist copied from social media.

Renewal or reissue

NIS’s renewal guidance says applicants should choose “Apply for Renewal/Reissue” from the portal dashboard, verify their NIN, review current-passport details against NIN data, select a centre and booklet size, upload an ICAO-compliant photo and supporting documents, submit, pay, and book a biometric appointment. You must appear at the selected office with the passport booklet for biometric capture.

Check before you pay or attend an appointment

• Use NIS’s official domestic portal to check centre availability, book a legitimate appointment, track an application, or print a receipt.
• Use the portal’s photo-checking option before an application rather than paying someone to “approve” an image.
• Keep your NIN, portal password, payment information, application number, and documents private. NIS does not require you to send them to a social-media agent.
• Do not make travel decisions until you have completed the official process and can verify the status through NIS.

Official sources

• Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Guidance — passport categories, documents, fresh application, renewal, correction, appointment, and biometric information.
• NIS Domestic Passport Application Portal — official application, renewal, tracking, and booking access for applications within Nigeria.
• NIS Passport Renewal Guidance — published renewal/reissue steps and biometric requirement.

Last checked: August 14, 2026. NIS requirements, processing availability, and fees can change. Confirm the live official instructions before submitting documents, making payment, or attending a passport appointment.