Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for adopting a child in person, the applicant has to make an application at the Family High Court of Nigeria.
2. Please click on the following link for the contact details and address of the office of Federal Ministry of Justice contact link
3. You can contact the Ministry to get details of the Family High Court. Visit the court with an application made in writing requesting permission for adoption.
4. Make sure that you have all the documents listed in the “Required Documents” section of the page.
5. Attach the documents with the written application and submit it to the relevant authority at the court.
6. After submission, the court will arrange for an investigation which will be performed by the Child Development officers or other relevant officers from the Child Welfare Department.
7. The officers will assess the applicant whether he/she is suitable to adopt a child and efficient to protect it as well as raise properly.
8. Meanwhile, the court will verify the documents and application submitted. An assessment report will be sent to the court.
9. Based on the verifications, assessment and other considerations that constitute a vital part in the child’s welfare, the court will decide whether to give permission or not.
10. Anything that is decided will be informed to the applicant through mobile number or email.

• Written application
• Copy of applicant’s ID
• Proof of applicant’s citizenship
• Proof of Marriage (married couples)
• Proof of Birth or Sworn Declaration of age of the applicant(s)
• Applicant’s Medical Fitness Certificate
• Written consent of the child’s parents
• Written consent of the child (if applicable)
• Assessment report
• Any supporting document (as required)

Federal Ministry of Justice, HQ
Plot 71B Shehu Shagari Way,
Maitama Abuja,
Nigeria
Phone: (234) 805 088 8806
Phone : (234) 817 759 3311
Email : info@justice.gov.ng
Website :Link

• Any person in Nigeria, who wishes to adopt a child of his/her own choice, should apply.
• The applicant should be medically, mentally and physically fit to be able to protect and raise a child.

Please approach the officials for fees details.

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&>
from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

• Names of the applicant/prospective parents
• Age of the applicant/prospective parents
• Name of the child
• Age of the child
• Identity document numbers
• Address information
• Medical information
• Contact number and email address

Any person or married couple in Nigeria, who wishes to adopt a child and raise it on their own, require an order from the Family High Court.

Enter other informations which might help.

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

Relevant information

More information which might help people.