DV Lottery Document Checklist for Nigerian Applicants: What the Lagos Consulate Requires

Generic DV lottery document checklists list items like "police clearance certificate" and "birth certificate" without explaining that in Nigeria, these documents require specific sourcing from particular government bodies and additional authentication steps before they are acceptable at the US Consulate Lagos. A birth certificate from a hospital is not acceptable. A police clearance certificate obtained outside the POSSAP system is not acceptable. Originals must also be authenticated at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for certain documents.

This checklist is designed specifically for Nigerian applicants attending their appointments at the US Consulate General, 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Document Review: What Happens and Why It Matters

Starting January 2025, the Lagos consulate requires two separate visits. The first is an In-Person Document Review, scheduled at least two weeks before your formal interview date. At this appointment, consulate staff check every original document against the scans you uploaded to the CEAC portal.

Problems identified at the document review can be corrected before the formal interview. Problems not identified until the interview may result in a 221(g) administrative hold. Given the September 30 fiscal year deadline, corrections needed after a 221(g) may not be completable in time.

Treat the document review as your final quality control checkpoint. Arrive with everything on this checklist, with photocopies, and with documents organized in the order listed in your appointment package.

Core Identity Documents

Valid Nigerian International Passport Source: Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Requirements: Must be valid at the time of the interview. Must remain valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into the United States. Must contain the same name sequence as your DS-260 submission.

DS-260 Confirmation Page Source: Printed from the CEAC portal at ceac.state.gov after form submission Requirements: Must show your case number barcode. Bring one copy per applicant.

DV Selection Notification (ESC Printout) Source: dvprogram.state.gov — print your Entrant Status Check result showing selection Requirements: Not a formal consular requirement in all cases, but useful as reference. Bring as a supporting document.

Birth and Civil Status Documents

NPC Birth Certificate or NPC Attestation of Birth Source: National Population Commission (NPC) office in your state Requirements: Must come from the NPC — not a hospital birth notification, not a local government birth registry. If born after December 1992 with a registered birth, obtain the NPC birth certificate. If born before 1992 or with an unregistered birth, obtain the NPC Attestation of Birth (requires a prior High Court Affidavit of Age Declaration).

MFA Authentication of NPC Document Source: Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja Requirements: The NPC document must be authenticated at the MFA before the interview. The authentication stamp and signature are what the consular officer examines. Fee: approximately ₦5,000 per page. Processing: 3–7 working days.

Marriage Certificate (if applicable) Source: Local Government Area Registry in Nigeria, or the church/mosque that performed the civil registration Requirements: Civil marriage certificate, not just a traditional marriage certificate. Must show the names of both spouses. If married abroad, bring the certificate from that country's registration authority.

Police Clearance Certificate

POSSAP Police Character Certificate Source: Nigeria Police Force via the POSSAP portal (possap.gov.ng) Requirements: Must be obtained through the official POSSAP system using your NIN or BVN. Requires biometric capture at the Alagbon Close criminal registry in Lagos or the FCID in Abuja. Fee: approximately ₦30,000–₦40,000.

MFA Authentication of POSSAP Certificate Source: Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja Requirements: Like the NPC document, the POSSAP certificate must also be authenticated at the MFA. Same fee and processing time as other MFA authentications.

Note on validity: Required for all applicants aged 16 and older who have lived in Nigeria for six months or more. If any derivative applicant has lived outside Nigeria for more than six months since age 16, a police clearance from that country is also required.

The Nigeria DV Lottery Guide provides step-by-step instructions for both the NPC and POSSAP processes, with timing guidance for avoiding expiry before your interview.

Education Documents

WAEC or NECO Certificate (Original) Source: Your original school-leaving certificate Requirements: The original physical certificate — not a photocopy. Must show your examination year, subject grades, and examination number. Credit grades (C6 and above) in at least five subjects including English Language and Mathematics represent the standard used by the consulate to verify the "high school equivalent" education requirement.

WAEC/NECO Verification Scratch Card or Access Token Source: WAEC Direct portal (waecdirect.org) or NECO verification portal Requirements: Bring a valid scratch card so the consular officer can verify your results in real time. If your results predate the online verification system, bring the original paper certificate with any institutional verification letter available from your school.

University or Polytechnic Certificates (if applicable) Source: Your degree-awarding institution Requirements: Not required for DV eligibility (only high school equivalent is needed), but strengthens your educational bona fides and employability case for the public charge assessment. Bring your degree certificate and any transcripts available.

Financial Documents

Form I-134 Declaration of Financial Support (from US sponsor) Source: Completed and signed by your US-based sponsor Requirements: Downloaded from uscis.gov and filled out by the sponsor. Must be accompanied by: most recent federal tax return (Form 1040 with W-2s), employment verification letter on company letterhead, and three to six months of bank statements. Bring two complete copies — one for the consulate, one for your records.

Personal Financial Evidence Requirements: Nigerian bank statements covering at least three to six months (showing sustained savings pattern, not just a recent deposit), any real estate ownership documents with professional appraisal, and any formal employment offer from a US employer if available.

Medical Documents

Sealed Medical Examination Packet Source: IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre, Ikeja Lagos, or Q-Life Family Clinic, Victoria Island Lagos Requirements: Do not open the sealed envelope from the panel physician. It is submitted to the consulate at your interview. Bring the unsealed receipt or appointment confirmation as a supporting document.

Vaccination Records Source: Your childhood immunization card, hospital records, or National Primary Health Care Development Agency records Requirements: Bring all available vaccination records to the medical exam. Missing vaccines are administered at the clinic. The sealed medical packet will reflect any vaccinations administered during the exam.

Documents for Derivative Applicants

Each derivative applicant (spouse and children) must bring:

• Their own valid Nigerian international passport
• Their own NPC birth certificate or attestation (with MFA authentication)
• POSSAP police character certificate if aged 16 or older (with MFA authentication)
• Their own DS-260 confirmation page
• Marriage certificate (for the spouse derivative)
• For children 18 and older: a declaration of unmarried status if applicable

Photographs

Passport-format photographs — bring six to eight recent passport photographs (35mm × 45mm, white background, no glasses, taken within the past six months) for each applicant. While photographs are uploaded digitally to the CEAC, physical photographs may be requested at the interview window.

Organizing Your Documents for the Consulate

Organize all documents in this sequence for each applicant:

1. Passport
2. DS-260 confirmation page
3. NPC birth certificate or attestation (with MFA authentication)
4. POSSAP police certificate (with MFA authentication)
5. Marriage certificate (if applicable)
6. WAEC/NECO certificate and verification card
7. I-134 with sponsor exhibits
8. Personal financial evidence
9. Medical examination packet (sealed)
10. Photographs

Bring the originals plus at least two clear photocopies of each document. The consulate retains one copy; you keep one copy for your records.

Also bring a small folder or zippered document organizer. The security checkpoint process at the consulate entrance does not allow large bags, but a slim document folder is standard and practical.

For full guidance on where to obtain each document, how long each step takes, and how to handle the Lagos consulate's two-visit process from document review through interview, the Nigeria DV Lottery Guide provides a complete Nigeria-specific preparation system.

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