What notary public means
A notary public verifies that a document was signed by the person who claims to have signed it, and puts their seal on that verification.
In Nigeria notaries are legal practitioners appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and their authority is recognised internationally. That international recognition is the main reason people seek one out.
A notary is not merely a witness. They verify identity, confirm the person appeared before them, and attach a formal certificate and seal.
How it is used
The typical case is a document going abroad. A Nigerian executes a power of attorney for a property matter in the United Kingdom, or a company certifies corporate documents for a foreign bank, or an individual notarises an affidavit for an immigration application.
Notarisation is often only the first step. Many countries also require authentication or legalisation afterwards, and some require an apostille where both countries participate in the relevant convention. The receiving institution decides what it needs.
Key features
- Legal practitioner appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria
- Verifies identity and witnesses execution, then affixes a seal
- Recognised internationally, which a commissioner for oaths generally is not
- Used for powers of attorney, corporate documents and declarations going abroad
- Often followed by authentication or legalisation for the destination country
How this works in Nigeria
For purely domestic matters, a commissioner for oaths at a High Court registry is usually sufficient and considerably cheaper. Affidavits, declarations and most everyday sworn documents go that route.
The moment a document is heading overseas, that changes. Foreign banks, registries and immigration authorities generally will not accept a Nigerian commissioner for oaths, and will require notarisation and often further authentication.
Notary public vs commissioner for oaths
A commissioner for oaths administers oaths and takes affidavits, and operates within the Nigerian court system. It is the everyday route for a domestic affidavit, and the fee is modest.
A notary public has wider authority, including certifying documents and verifying execution, and crucially their seal carries international recognition.
The practical rule is simple. Staying in Nigeria, use a commissioner for oaths. Going abroad, use a notary and then check what further authentication the destination requires.
Limits and risks
Notarisation confirms who signed and that they appeared. It says nothing about whether the contents are true or whether the transaction is lawful.
It also does not by itself make a document acceptable everywhere. Many countries require an additional layer of authentication or legalisation, and skipping that step means a notarised document that still gets rejected.
Worth knowing
Ask the receiving institution abroad exactly what it requires before paying for notarisation. Requirements differ by country, and repeating the process costs more than asking once.