How much does German embassy document verification cost in Nigeria and Ghana, and how long does it take?
Short answer
The German Missions in Nigeria charge 370,000 naira for documents from the southern states and 420,000 naira for the northern states or for both, and say it typically takes 6 to 8 months, though this may vary. The German Embassy in Accra charges EUR 350 (Greater Accra, Eastern Region) or EUR 550 (other regions), and says it takes 6 to 10 months, sometimes over a year.
On this page
- Short answer
- When do the German missions in Nigeria verify documents?
- Does a traditional marriage need verification?
- How much does verification cost in Nigeria?
- How long does the Nigeria check take, and what happens?
- How does verification work at the German Embassy in Accra?
- People also ask
- Related questions
- Sources
When do the German missions in Nigeria verify documents?
Document verification means the German mission has your documents checked with the authorities that issued them. The German Missions in Nigeria say they may need to verify your documents in some cases, including these:
- Your documents give different details about you, for example different names or dates of birth.
- You have court orders, such as a sole custody decision or a divorce decree.
- Your marriage was only traditional or only religious.
Sources for this part1
Does a traditional marriage need verification?
On their spouse reunion page, the German Missions in Nigeria advise you to register a traditional marriage civilly before you apply. If you don't, a document verification will be required.
If your marriage certificate is only traditional or religious, the German Missions in Nigeria say they will ask for the verification fee at your interview appointment. They also say you pay all costs of any checks they order, and that they will tell you if a check is needed.
One Lagos applicant describes this in a video. She says the staff member at reception checks that you have both your visa fee and your verification fee, and you hand both to the visa officer after the questions and get a receipt.
How much does verification cost in Nigeria?
The fee depends on where your documents were issued. These are the figures on the German Missions in Nigeria page, checked on 23 October 2026:
- Documents from the southern states: 370,000 naira.
- Documents from the northern states: 420,000 naira.
- Documents from both areas: 420,000 naira.
- Re-examination, southern part: 250,000 naira.
- Re-examination, northern part: 300,000 naira.
Sources for this part1
How long does the Nigeria check take, and what happens?
The missions give a processing time of 6 to 8 months and say this may vary. An investigator interviews you and your contacts, and your documents are checked with the authorities that issued them.
Don't ask about the status while the check runs. The missions say they cannot answer these requests because of the number of cases.
Sources for this part1
How does verification work at the German Embassy in Accra?
Ghanaian documents have not been legalised (stamped as genuine by the embassy) since 5 May 2000. Instead, the German Embassy in Accra has trusted lawyers check that a document is genuine and that its content is correct.
You cannot ask for this check yourself, and neither can your lawyer. A German authority that doubts a Ghanaian document makes the request, and the embassy deals only with that authority.
The cost depends on where in Ghana the lawyers must make enquiries: EUR 350 for Greater Accra and the Eastern Region, EUR 550 for all other regions (checked 23 October 2026). The requesting authority can pass this cost on to you, and the embassy says it "will therefore usually ask for a security deposit".
The embassy says the check takes 6 to 10 months from the day all documents are complete, and in some cases more than a year. As in Nigeria, it does not answer status requests.
Once the request has been made, the embassy lists what you need to start the check. It may ask you for more documents or details during the check.
- The original of each document, with one copy each (no translations).
- Two recent passport photos.
- A completed data protection declaration.
- A completed questionnaire.
- A copy of the biometric page of your passport.
- Copies of your school reports, such as BECE or WASSCE. Don't send the originals.
- Copies of older documents, such as a voter's ID or baptismal certificate. Don't send the originals.
- Directions in English to your last place of residence.
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Practise saying it out loudPeople also ask
Do I need verification if my traditional marriage is registered at the registry?
The German Missions in Nigeria advise registering a traditional marriage civilly before applying, because otherwise a document verification will be required. Verification can still be ordered for other reasons, such as names or dates of birth that differ between your documents. 21
When do I pay the verification fee in Lagos?
If your marriage is only traditional or religious, the German Missions in Nigeria say they ask for the verification fee at your interview appointment. One Lagos applicant reports paying it to the visa officer together with the visa fee and getting a receipt. 25
Sources
- 1Document verification for identity establishmentOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 23 Oct 2026
- 2Reunification with spouseOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 23 Oct 2026
- 3Document verification of Ghanaian documents for the use in GermanyOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 23 Oct 2026
- 4FAQs on family matters and their answersOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 23 Oct 2026
- 5Family reunion interview day in Lagos and about 50 common questionsApplicant reportsDorathy Udoisoh (YouTube) · checked 23 Oct 2026
Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.
General information, not legal advice. VisaRoom isn't connected to any embassy or government, and only the embassy decides on your visa. Something out of date? Tell us.