For starters, our Law Office does not assist in acquiring Birth Certificates. However, this post will better explain what is the Nigerian Birth Certificate, and provide more context than what the US Immigration Agencies provide.
Over the years, it has become apparent that there are frequent issues or RFEs surrounding providing USCIS or the NVC with an acceptable Nigerian Birth Certificate. The majority of CONFUSION surrounds “what is acceptable in Nigeria” may NOT “be acceptable or acknowledged internationally.” This post will explain.
It is always helpful to consider the numbers. How many people does this issue, this topic affect? The US Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria is the ONLY location that provides an Immigrant or Green Card Visa. Meaning, Abuja DOES NOT assist with US Immigration. Below is a breakdown of a 5-year period on the “Number” of people immigrating from Nigeria to the US:
2021: 4,762
2020: 3,546
2019: 6,521
2018: 7,667
2017: 6,297
Within the United States, an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Nigerian Adjust Status to a Green Card Holder after entering the US on a Work Visa, Student Visa, Fiance Visa, ect.
With the above numbers, about 6,000 to 10,000 Nigerians immigrate to the US every year. That is not a very high number. However, each immigrating Nigerian must satisfy providing USCIS or NVC an acceptable Nigerian Birth Certificate.
Current Births are registered with the NPC (National Population Commission). However, the NPC was created in 1988. So, it hasn’t been around for most adults.
If you were born PRIOR to 1979, a “Birth Certificate” may not have been created. In 1979, Nigeria started a Mandatory Registration of Birth initiative in four Nigerian States:
The Map to the right shows the current 36 Nigerian States.
Between 1979 and 1992, Birth Certificates were issued in those 4 states. The NPC was created in 1988 and Birth Certificates started to be created. However, it wasn’t until 1992 that all Nigerian Births nationwide HAD TO BE REGISTERED (meaning a Birth Certificate was created).
For starters, let’s approach this by year and location:
For more information, you should contact the local NPC Office for more assistance.
US Immigration Guidance: If you’d like to see the US Immigration Guidance on Nigerian Birth Certificates, that can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Nigeria.html
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