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The short answer
Under section 104 of the Evidence Act 2011, the court officer who holds a public document must give a certified copy on demand to a person entitled to inspect it, on payment of the prescribed fee; section 105 makes that certified copy proof of the original. From abroad, you or a lawyer you instruct applies in writing to the registrar of the court that made the judgment or order, pays the fees, and the registrar certifies the copy with signature, designation, date and seal.
What a certified true copy is
A certified true copy (CTC) is a copy of a court record that the court itself has certified as matching its original. Section 104(1) of the Evidence Act 2011 says the officer holding a public document that a person has a right to inspect "shall give that person on demand a copy of it on payment of the legal fees prescribed", with a certificate. Section 104(2) says the certificate must be dated and signed with the officer's name and official title, and sealed where the officer has a seal. Section 105 says such copies may be produced in proof of the contents of the original. Court judgments, orders and decrees are public documents for this purpose.
Abroad, a CTC is what foreign authorities usually ask for when they want a Nigerian judgment: a divorce decree, an adoption order, a probate grant, a change-of-name order or a judgment in a property dispute.
How the application works
A 2024 Canadian government research report gathered the process from Nigeria's Legal Aid Council and two law firms. The Legal Aid Council's Director General said the process is the same in all courts:
- Apply formally in writing to the Registrar of the court that holds the record.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- The Registrar has the document signed by the presiding judge, with the court seal where applicable.
- The Registrar certifies it by stamp or signature, with designation and date.
- The copy is released, usually by hand to the applicant.
One law firm quoted in the report put the cost at an average of ₦100 per page in October 2020. That figure is old; registries set their own charges, so ask for the current amount when you apply.
Doing it from abroad
Because the registry releases copies by hand and the report found little on delivery by post, people abroad usually work through someone in Nigeria:
- Your lawyer in the case. The simplest route. A lawyer who acted for you can apply to the registry in the usual way.
- A new lawyer. Give them the suit number, the court and division, the parties' names, the judge and the date of judgment, plus a signed letter of authority. Ask the registry whether it also needs ID or a power of attorney; see powers of attorney signed abroad.
- A relative. Possible where the registry accepts applications from a party's agent, but check first. The US State Department's reciprocity notes for Nigeria say court records are released only to the parties.
Using the copy outside Nigeria
A CTC is a Nigerian document, so most foreign authorities want it authenticated. The usual chain is authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, then by the foreign country's embassy in Nigeria or by the Nigerian mission abroad. The London High Commission, for example, authenticates documents already authenticated by the MFA, at £20 an item plus £20 processing (October 2026). The Belgian Embassy notes that MFA authentication is valid for six months. See MFA authentication by proxy and whether Nigeria uses the apostille.
If the case is old
Older files may be archived or held at a different division from the one that heard the case, particularly where courts have moved or divisions have been created since. Expect extra time and possibly a search fee. If the registry cannot find the file, ask for a written statement saying so; some foreign authorities accept that with other evidence, and it shows you tried. If the judgment was appealed, you may also need the appeal court's judgment, which comes from that court's own registry.
Divorce decrees in particular
The US State Department's notes list the Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute from a State High Court under the Matrimonial Causes Act, and say certified copies are available. Ask for the decree absolute, not only the nisi; it is the one that ends the marriage and the one most foreign registrars want. The same notes warn that some divorce documents have been backdated and inserted into court records, so foreign officers may verify a CTC with the court directly. A properly certified copy with a clear suit number passes that check. See whether a foreign divorce is recognised in Nigeria for the reverse situation.
Checklist
- Suit number, court, division and date.
- Which documents you need: judgment, enrolled order, decree absolute.
- How many copies (foreign authorities often keep one).
- Who will apply and collect, with written authority.
- Whether you also need MFA and embassy authentication, and the time that adds.
Where Pryme fits
Registry fees and lawyers' fees are paid in naira. You can convert from pounds, dollars or euros with Swap, which shows the rate and the fee before you approve, then pay with Send and keep the payment record for your file.
Questions people ask
How do I get a certified true copy of a Nigerian judgment?
Apply in writing to the registrar of the court that gave it and pay the fees. The registrar certifies the copy under section 104 of the Evidence Act.
How much is a CTC from a Nigerian court?
A law firm quoted in a 2024 Canadian report gave an average of ₦100 per page in 2020. Ask the registry for the current charge.
Can my lawyer get the CTC for me while I am abroad?
Yes, that is the usual route. Give the lawyer the suit number and a letter of authority.
Does a Nigerian CTC need authentication for use abroad?
Usually yes: Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication first, then the embassy or mission the foreign authority names.
Sources
- IRB Canada: Nigeria court documents, RIR NGA202061.E (6 Nov 2024), via ecoi.net · accessed Oct 2026
- US Department of State: Nigeria reciprocity and civil documents · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission London: Consular services (Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria: Legalisation of documents · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.