Eligibility Quiz
Are you a woman?
Application Process
You can apply for Nigerian citizenship by marriage through the Citizenship Administration and Management System (CAMS). The entire initial application is handled online via the eCITIBIZ portal, though you will be required to attend in-person interviews and a final ceremony within Nigeria.
Under current law, this specific "Registration" pathway is only available to foreign women married to Nigerian men. Foreign men married to Nigerian women must currently apply through the more rigorous Naturalization (citizenship for long-term residents) process, which requires 15 years of residency.
Step 1: Account Creation
Visit the eCITIBIZ portal to create your personal profile. You will use this account to track your application status and receive notifications from the Ministry of Interior.
Step 2: Form Selection and Completion
Once logged in, select the option for "Citizenship by Registration (Section 26 2A)". Fill out the digital application form carefully. Ensure that your name matches your International Passport and Marriage Certificate exactly to avoid administrative delays.
Step 3: Document Upload
You must upload scanned copies of the following documents to the portal:
- Formal Application Letter: A signed letter addressed to the Minister of Interior requesting citizenship.
- Marriage Certificate: A legal certificate (Civil, Customary, or Islamic). If you were married outside Nigeria, the document must be authenticated or apostilled (certified for international use).
- Evidence of Husband’s Citizenship: His Nigerian Passport data page or Birth Certificate.
- Indigene Letter: A letter from your husband’s State of Origin or Local Government Area (LGA) confirming his status as an indigene (a recognized native of that specific Nigerian community).
- Your Data Page: The first five pages of your current International Passport.
- Residence Permit: Evidence of your legal stay in Nigeria, such as your CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card).
- Proof of Livelihood: An employment letter, recent bank statements, or business registration papers.
- Passport Photographs: Recent color photos meeting standard passport specifications.
Step 4: Payment
Pay the required fees through the Remita platform, which is integrated directly into the eCITIBIZ portal. Your application will not be processed until the payment is confirmed.
Step 5: Security Vetting and Interview
The Ministry will forward your file to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the State Security Service (SSS) for background checks. You and your husband will be required to attend an in-person interview at a designated government office to verify your marriage and character.
Step 6: Presidential Approval and Oath
If your background check is successful, your application is sent for final Presidential Approval. Once approved, you will be invited to a ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance. You will then receive your Certificate of Registration, which allows you to apply for a Nigerian Passport.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application & Revenue Processing Fee | ₦250,000 |
| Portal & Automation Fee | ₦350,000 |
| In-State Inspection Fee (if applicable) | ₦45,000 |
| Out-of-State Inspection Fee (if applicable) | ₦150,000 |
Total Estimated Official Fees: Between ₦600,000 and ₦1,000,000.
Note: This total does not include costs for document authentication, notarization of foreign papers, travel for interviews, or the Nigerian Passport issuance fee.
Processing Time
- Standard Processing: Generally 6 to 12 months.
- Complex Cases: Can take 2 years or more due to the requirement for final approval from the President’s office and potential backlogs in security vetting.
- Document Validity: Ensure your CERPAC and International Passport remain valid throughout the duration of the application process. If they expire while your application is pending, you must renew them to maintain your legal status in Nigeria.