How to Notarize Your Document in Nigeria

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What does it mean to have a document notarized in Nigeria?









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A notarized document is one that has been verified by a notary public.

A member of the notary public is an official who verifies the

identities of participants signing a document, witnesses the

signatures, and seals the document with a stamp. Primary, a notary is

meant to ensure that all signatures on a document are legitimate. A

notary also confirms the genuineness of a document.



How to Notarize Your Document in Nigeria













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It is not out of place for foreign embassies and consulates to request

that documents are to be authenticated/legalized before they are

approved.



Documents that can be notarized



All legal documents can be notarized including documents issued by

local government councils, State and Federal Government Ministries.

These include marriage certificates, birth certificates, educational

certificates, police character certificates, etc. All these are

expected to pass through the authentication and legalization process

via a notary public.



Requirements for documents to be used internationally:All documents

must be notarized by a Notary public

Authenticated at Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Legalized at the foreign country’s embassy



Who is a Notary



Notarization of a document in Nigeria can only be done by a Notary

Public. A Notary Public is a public official, usually a lawyer,

authorized to perform acts in legal affairs such as witnessing

participants signing a document, verifying and authenticating such

documents.







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What does it mean not to have a document notarized?



In most parts of the world, a document may only be accepted

internationally if it has been certified or authenticated by a Notary

Public.



In order for a document to be recognized internationally, it must be

notarized. This signifies that the signature(s) on the document is

legitimate. Important agreements should also be notarized. This

article provides you with information on how to get your documents

notarized in Nigeria.



What you need in order to notarize a document



The procedure to notarize a document in Nigeria requires that a person

seeking to notarize a document to submit the relevant document that

requires notarization to a Notary Public.

Official Identity verification: When you want to notarize a document,

the notary public requires identification from those signing the

document. He or she must also record details about the documents each

individual provides as a means of identification.

Willing signers: Part of the functions of a notary is to look out for

the willingness of the participants in signing the document. That is,

notaries are to look out for signs of coercion. This is to ensure that

every individual signing the document(s) do this of their own free

will and are not forced to do so.

Capable of sound decisions: A notary is meant to ensure that

individuals signing a document have a proper understanding of the

implications of the conditions listed in the document. A notary should

look out for the physical as well as the emotional state of the

individual signing a document. If an individual is intoxicated, under

medication, or unable to understand what’s going on for any reason,

the notary should not notarize the document.

A notary should refuse to certify a signature if there are any

potential problems with the signer.



Requirements for Authorization of documents:

Original documents to be authenticated: When notarizing a document,

the original documents are required







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Identity verification: You are required to bring along means of

identification so the notary can verify that you really are who you

say you are. Official means of identification such as driver’s

license, passport, or other government-issued ID are good enough,

However, requirements for means of identification vary from state to

state. If the notary is not sure that you are who you say you are, he

or she can refuse to notarize your document.



Sign in the presence of the notary: When you want to have a document

notarized, be sure to bring an unsigned document to the notary. Do not

sign the document ahead of time. Often times, it is required that the

notary watches you sign.



Bring along one photocopy of the complete documents to be

authenticated. Photocopy must include the pages authenticated by

relevant authorities and the page notarized by a Notary Public.



Cost of Notarizing a Document in Nigeria



Fees: The cost of notarization depends on where you go to get legal

documents notarized. There is no fixed cost for notarizing a document

in Nigeria. The cost depends on the Notary public officer and the

number of documents to be notarized. If you need to notarize a

document in Nigeria, visit a law firm to make inquiries and discuss

the cost. It is reported that most notaries charge as little as

N10,000 while some charge as high as N25, 000 or more for certain

types of documents.



Who can act as a Notary Public in Nigeria



A practicing lawyer who has been appointed as a Notary Public by the

Federal Government of Nigeria can act notarize a document in Nigeria.



Some would ask if it is extremely important you notarize a document in

Nigeria. Below are the benefits of notarizing a document:





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A notarized document verifies that signatures and copies of the

document are true and genuine.



Notarization of documents helps to avoid frauds and forgery of legal documents



A notarized document is an evidence to the court of law that a

document is legitimate and not fabricated.



Functions of a Notary



Preparing and authenticating legal documents



Witnessing and authenticating the signing of documents



Administering oaths and affirmation



Acknowledgment of deeds and contracts



Performing other legal duties in accordance with these roles



Although it is not compulsory for all documents to be notarized, in

some cases, it is mandatory. When a person refuses to notarize a

document when it is required, the genuineness of the person will be

questioned. Such a document might also not be accepted for any

official purpose or in the court of law if such is tendered as an

exhibit. When a document is required to be used for any official

purpose outside Nigeria, it must be authenticated by the Nigerian

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

















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