Nigerians can now apply for and obtain affidavits from the Federal High Court without physically visiting court premises through the court’s Electronic Court Management System (ECMS) e-Affidavit Portal.

The Federal High Court says its E-Affidavit Client Portal was developed to digitise and simplify the affidavit process, allowing users to submit applications remotely, track their status, make payments and receive completed affidavits electronically. �

Federal High Court of Nigeria

The platform covers different types of affidavits, including those relating to change of name, correction of date of birth, loss of documents, change of signature, next of kin, marriage, banking and other purposes.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the service:

Create an account

Applicants should register through the Federal High Court’s Electronic Court Management System portal.

During registration, users are required to provide their full name, phone number, date of birth, email address and password. The name entered should be the name the applicant wants to appear on the affidavit.

After registration, log in and select the affidavit module.

Complete your profile

Before starting an affidavit application, applicants are required to complete their affidavit profile.

The portal requests information such as native town, residential address, occupation, National Identification Number, country of origin, state of origin, gender, religion and date of birth.

Applicants must also upload a recent passport photograph and a valid means of identification. The court advises users to ensure that all information supplied is accurate before saving the profile. �

ECMS

Select the type of affidavit

After completing the profile, applicants can select the affidavit service they require.

Available categories include:

Name-related affidavits: Change of Name, Correction of Name and Harmonisation of Name(s).

Date of birth: Statutory Declaration of Age, Declaration of Age for a Minor and Correction of Date of Birth.

Loss and incidents: Loss of Items, Burglary, Theft, Robbery, Damage and Missing Person.

Identity and personal matters: Good Conduct, Next of Kin, Guardianship, Verification of Address and State of Origin.

Marriage: Bachelorhood, Marriage Declaration, Spinsterhood and Non-impediment.

Banking: Change of Bank Phone Number, Non-Indebtedness and Single Account Ownership.

General purposes: Authorisation, Transfer of Ownership, Claim of Ownership, Sponsorship and Affidavit of Means.

Institutional purposes: Good Conduct and Non-Membership of Secret Cult/Terrorist/Militant Group, Hostel Accommodation and other applications.

Academic and political matters: The portal also provides options for affidavits relating to academic documents, political office candidacy and other institutional purposes.

Fill out the application

Once an affidavit is selected, the applicant is taken to the relevant application form.

The information required depends on the type of affidavit being requested. Applicants may need to provide personal information, the purpose of the affidavit and details specific to the application.

For instance, someone applying to correct a date of birth would need to provide the reason for the correction, the incorrect date of birth and the correct date of birth.

Applicants are also required to provide contact details and select a preferred Federal High Court division.

Upload the required documents

Applicants are required to provide a recent passport photograph, valid identification and a signature.

The portal accepts identification documents such as a National Identification Number, international passport, driver’s licence or voter’s card. The court’s portal also specifies requirements for uploaded photographs, identification documents and signatures. �

ECMS

Preview the application

After completing the form, applicants should use the preview option to carefully review the information provided.

This allows users to check details such as their name, identification information, affidavit details, contact information and selected court before submission.

Applicants should correct any errors before proceeding, as the portal states that completed payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable. �

ECMS

Agree to the terms and submit

After reviewing the application, the applicant must accept the applicable terms and conditions and consent to the processing of personal information.

The application can then be submitted for processing.

The Federal High Court says the platform operates with data-protection measures in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. �

ECMS

Pay the required fee

Applicants are directed to make payment electronically after submitting their applications.

Available payment options include Paystack and Remita. The exact amount depends on the affidavit service selected, so applicants should confirm the fee displayed on their application before paying.

Payments made through the portal are stated to be final, non-refundable and non-transferable. �

ECMS

Download the affidavit

Once the application has been processed and approved, the completed affidavit can be accessed through the portal. The Federal High Court says its electronic affidavit service provides applicants with digital access to completed affidavits.

The court also states that affidavits issued through the portal carry unique barcodes and reference numbers that can be used for verification. �

ECMS

Important things applicants should know

Applicants whose submissions are queried for additional information or documents are required to respond within 72 hours.

The portal warns that failure to make the required payment or respond to a query within the stipulated period can lead to automatic deletion of the application without a refund, requiring the applicant to begin a fresh application. �

ECMS

Applicants should also ensure that all information and documents submitted are genuine and accurate. The Federal High Court warns that falsifying, altering or misusing affidavits can attract legal consequences. �

ECMS

The platform collects personal information, including NIN, passport photographs, signatures and contact details, for affidavit applications, verification and other lawful purposes.

The Federal High Court’s official information confirms that its E-Affidavit Client Portal is designed to allow affidavit applications to be handled remotely, reducing the need for applicants to travel to court for the initial process. �

Federal High Court of Nigeria

Federal High Court e-Affidavit Portal: Access the official ECMS portal⁠�