Court & legal
Affidavit of loss in Nigeria.
A complete guide to the sworn affidavit of loss — what it is, where to swear it, what it costs in 2026, and how to get one online without going to court.
An affidavit of loss is the most common piece of court paperwork in Nigerian everyday life. Banks ask for one before reissuing an ATM card. Telcos ask for one before unlocking a SIM. Schools ask for one for a lost certificate. Embassies ask for one before reissuing a lost passport. The affidavit itself is short — half a page of sworn statement — but where you swear it, who stamps it, and how much it costs is where people get stuck.
What it actually is
A sworn affidavit of loss is a written statement, signed before a Commissioner for Oaths at a Nigerian high court, in which you declare that a specific document or item has been lost. The Commissioner stamps it; the court records it; you walk away with a stamped, court-sealed PDF that institutions accept as evidence to issue a replacement.
It is not a police report. A police report says the police know about the loss. An affidavit says you have sworn under oath that the loss happened. Most institutions ask for the affidavit; some ask for both.
Where to swear it
You can swear an affidavit at the registry of any Nigerian high court. In practice:
- Lagos State High Court — Igbosere, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Tafawa Balewa Square. Highest volume; reliable.
- FCT High Court — Maitama, Wuse, Apo. Same flow as Lagos.
- Magistrate Courts — accept affidavits but with narrower acceptance from federal agencies.
- Federal High Court — does not run an affidavit registry for personal matters; do not queue here.
- Customary Courts — limited to specific subject matter; not a default.
Sworn at home or at a notary?
Notaries public can administer oaths but their affidavits are typically used for international matters. Domestic Nigerian institutions overwhelmingly prefer a high court Commissioner for Oaths stamp.
How much it costs in 2026
Court stamp duty for a single affidavit is small — typically N300–N1,500 depending on the state. The total bill of going to court yourself is the day you spend in queue, not the official fee. If you use a filing agent like Docufy, the service fee covers drafting, filing and the verified PDF in your vault, on top of the court stamp duty (which is pass-through).
What to bring
For most affidavits of loss:
- A description of what was lost — what it was, when you last had it, where it went missing.
- Your full name as it appears on government ID.
- A government-issued ID (driver licence, NIN slip, international passport).
- Two passport photographs (some courts ask for these; carry them).
- A small amount of cash for stamp duty.
How long it takes
In person at a busy registry: a half-day. Online via Docufy: 24–48 hours, including drafting, filing, and the stamped PDF in your vault. Same-day issue is normal in 2026.
Will the bank / telco / embassy accept it?
A stamped affidavit from a Nigerian high court is accepted by every domestic bank, telco, school, university, and federal agency we have seen. International institutions (foreign embassies, foreign banks) sometimes additionally require an apostille or consular authentication. Ask the institution before assuming a single affidavit is enough for the foreign use case.
Frequently asked.
How much is an affidavit of loss in Lagos in 2026?
Court stamp duty is in the N300–N1,500 range depending on the registry. Add the cost of getting there, the day in queue, and any "facilitator" markup if you use one. Online via Docufy: a fixed service fee plus the pass-through stamp duty.
Can I use an affidavit of loss for a lost SIM card?
Yes — every Nigerian telco accepts a stamped affidavit of loss for SIM swap and SIM unlock. Take it with your old SIM number and ID to the telco store.
Do I need a police report as well?
Usually not. Banks and telcos accept the affidavit on its own. Higher-value losses (lost property, certain insurance claims) sometimes require both.
Can someone else swear the affidavit on my behalf?
No. The deponent — the person making the sworn statement — must be the person who actually lost the item, because the statement is made under oath in the first person.
What if I find the item after I swore the affidavit?
Nothing. The affidavit recorded the truth at the time it was sworn. Some institutions will ask you to update them; you do not need a fresh affidavit.
Ready to file your affidavit of loss?
Verified PDF in your encrypted vault — typically in 2 business days.
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