NIS denies ‘husband’s passport page’ requirement for passport renewal
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has debunked claims that a married Nigerian woman must present her husband’s passport data page to renew her passport.
The clarification followed concerns raised online by a Nigerian woman, who questioned the alleged requirement on social media.
In her post, she asked partly, “Why does a married Nigerian woman need to attach her husband’s passport page or proof of his identity before she can renew her passport? Is this really the new policy?”
Responding via X (formerly Twitter), the NIS stated:
“Please be assured that there is no requirement for a married Nigerian woman to attach her husband’s passport page or proof of his identity to renew her passport. This is not an official policy.”
The service explained that for passport renewal, regardless of marital status, applicants only need their expired passport’s data page, National Identification Number (NIN) slip, local government certificate of origin, and a birth certificate or declaration of age.
However, the NIS clarified that additional documents are required in specific cases, such as changing a name after marriage or reverting to a maiden name after divorce.
Nigeria Immigration Service: Requirements for Passport Renewal
For Change of Data (Due to Marriage):
Newspaper publication of change of name due to marriage
Wife’s Passport Datapage
Marriage certificate
Husband’s passport data page/ or NIN slip
NIN Slip
Local government certificate of origin
Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age For Change of Data (Due to Divorce)
Divorced woman reverting to her maiden name
Decree Absolute
International passport Datapage
Newspaper publication to that effect
NIN Slip
Local government of origin certificate
Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age
Parents requesting international passports for their children
Consent letter countersigned by parent(s)
International passport data page of parent(s)
NIN Slip
Local government certificate of origin
Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age
Renewal for married women who are not changing their name
Expired international passport Datapage
NIN Slip – Local government certificate of origin
Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age
Hello Ijeoma,
Please be assured that there is no requirement for a married Nigerian woman to attach her husband’s passport page or proof of his identity in order to renew her passport. This is not an official policy.
Nigerian International Passport renewal process remains based… https://t.co/ygPpAVCarL
— Nigeria Immigration Service (@nigimmigration) November 29, 2024
The NIS urged applicants to verify requirements through official channels to avoid misinformation and reiterated its commitment to a seamless passport acquisition process.
