What birth certificate and affidavits do you need for a German student visa in Nigeria?
Short answer
If you were born before 15 December 1992, the German Missions in Nigeria ask for a certified copy of the local birth register extract plus an age affidavit ("Declaration of Age") from one parent, or from the head of the family if both parents are deceased. If you were born on or after that date, they ask for an NPC birth certificate first, and the extract plus affidavit only if you don't have one. 12
On this page
- Short answer
- Born before 15 December 1992
- Born on or after 15 December 1992
- What are the rules for the age affidavit?
- Which name and fact affidavits can be asked for?
- Who issues the name and fact affidavits?
- Which other old documents can prove your identity?
- What about school results, and what do these pages not cover?
- Accra, in one line
- People also ask
- Related questions
- Sources
Born before 15 December 1992
The Birth certificate page of the German Missions in Nigeria lists three things for births before 15 December 1992 (checked 29 October 2026):
- A certified copy of the local birth register extract based on the first registration.
- An affidavit called a "Declaration of Age", from one parent. If both parents are deceased, it comes from the head of the family.
- A copy of an identity document that shows the signature of the person making the affidavit.
Born on or after 15 December 1992
If you were born on or after that date, the first item is an NPC birth certificate, issued from the NPC of your place of birth.
No NPC certificate? Then the page lists the same three items as above. One difference: the affidavit can come from one parent or the head of the family, with no condition that both parents are deceased.
What are the rules for the age affidavit?
The page adds two notes to the age affidavit:
- The head of the family must be at least 10 years older than you.
- The affidavit can carry a note of illiteracy if necessary, and the page says an e-Affidavit is preferable.
Which name and fact affidavits can be asked for?
The University studies page asks for affidavits if, for example, you changed your name or there was a mistake on any of your documents. It lists these:
- Affidavit of Change of Names, with the published newspaper advertisement.
- Affidavit of Reconciliation of Names.
- Affidavit of Spinster- / Bachelorhood.
- Affidavit of Facts.
Sources for this part2
Who issues the name and fact affidavits?
For the name and fact affidavits listed above, the University studies page says they are "issued by the competent court", with a note of illiteracy if necessary. The Birth certificate page does not say who issues the Declaration of Age.
On the Consulate General's June 2026 sorting list, the same kind of document appears as item 14c, "Affidavits (e.g. of Change of Names, Reconciliation of Names, …)".
Which other old documents can prove your identity?
The University studies page also asks for other old biographical documents that prove your identity. Its examples are:
- Hospital birth registration
- Weighing card
- Baptism certificate
- Voter ID card
- Vaccination certificate
- Other expired passports
Sources for this part2
What about school results, and what do these pages not cover?
The Consulate General sorting list (status June 2026) asks for "Copies of School results in chronological order (Primary – secondary school – WAEC – National diploma – bachelor – masters)".
These pages don't say how to get an NPC certificate, what it costs, or whether it can be an electronic version. They don't say which school certificate is accepted if you do not have a particular one, how to replace a lost one, or whether a digital WAEC printout is accepted.
They also don't say how to settle an age or name mismatch beyond the affidavits above. Ask the mission about these before you apply.
The lists above are published by the German Missions in Nigeria, and the sorting list is headed "Consulate General". These pages do not say whether they apply to Abuja as well. If you apply in Abuja, check with the embassy.
Accra, in one line
The German Embassy in Accra's student visa page lists "Birth certificate based on first registration". It gives no affidavit or age rule on that page.
Sources for this part4
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Practise saying it out loudPeople also ask
Do I need an age affidavit if I have an NPC birth certificate?
The Birth certificate page lists the affidavit only for people born before 15 December 1992, or for people born on or after it who don't have an NPC certificate. 1
Who can sign the age affidavit if my parents have died?
The head of the family, who must be at least 10 years older than you. For births before 15 December 1992 the page asks for this only when both parents are deceased. The signer's ID copy must show their signature. 1
Is a baptism certificate accepted as a birth document for a German student visa in Nigeria?
The University studies page lists a baptism certificate as one example of other old biographical documents that prove your identity. It doesn't say it replaces the birth certificate or the register extract. 2
What if my name is different on two documents?
The University studies page names court affidavits for this, such as Change of Names (with the published newspaper advertisement) and Reconciliation of Names. It gives no other way to fix a mismatch, so ask the mission if yours doesn't fit. 2
Sources
- 1Birth certificateOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 2University studiesOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 3Student visa sorting list, Consulate General (status June 2026)OfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 4Visa for StudentsOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 29 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.