Introduction
The Affidavit of Loss of Birth Certificate is a sworn legal statement declaring that a previously issued birth certificate has been misplaced, stolen, destroyed (e.g., by fire or flood), or lost in transit.
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It is one of the most common affidavits used in Nigeria due to the paper-based nature of older records.
Why is it needed?
Authorities such as the Passport Office (Immigration) or foreign embassies will not accept a photocopy of a birth certificate if the original is not available for sighting.
Furthermore, the National Population Commission (NPC) requires this affidavit before they can issue a replacement certificate or an attestation.
It proves that the request for a new document is genuine and not an attempt to hold multiple conflicting identities.
Content Requirements
The affidavit must explicitly state the circumstances of the loss (e.g., "lost during my relocation from Lagos to Abuja").
It must also declare that despite diligent search efforts, the document could not be found.
This sworn statement protects the issuing authority; if the old certificate turns up later and is used for fraud, the deponent can be held liable for perjury based on this affidavit.