Repatriation to Nigeria · Consulate checklist
Nigerian Consulate Requirements for Shipping Human Remains
Last reviewed November 2026
To ship human remains to Nigeria, the Nigerian consulate issues a permit letter. It needs the death certificate, the burial-transit permit, a non-communicable disease letter, a notarized embalmer's affidavit, a notarized letter that the body is in a hermetically sealed metal casket, the deceased's Nigerian passport, a $50 money order, and a repatriation waiver from the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja. Originals and photocopies of everything are required.
The full checklist
This is the list published by the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York. The Atlanta consulate's list is nearly identical.
- Copy of the death certificate
- Copy of the transit or burial permit
- Original non-communicable disease letter from the coroner, medical examiner, or state or city health agency
- Original notarized embalmer's affidavit stating how the body was embalmed
- Original notarized funeral home letter stating that the body is in a hermetically sealed metal casket
- The deceased's Nigerian passport. If it isn't available, a relative with a valid Nigerian passport swears a notarized affidavit stating their relationship and that the deceased is Nigerian
- A $50 USPS money order or certified bank check, payable to the Consulate General of Nigeria
- Name, address and phone number of the person receiving the remains in Nigeria
- A self-addressed, stamped USPS Express Mail envelope for the permit letter
- A letter from the funeral home asking the consulate to issue the permit letter
- A waiver for the repatriation of the corpse from the Federal Ministry of Health, Port Health Services, Abuja
The Ministry of Health waiver
For the first calls to make, faith requirements and the full document list, see our guide on how to send a loved one home to Nigeria.
The waiver comes from Nigeria, not the United States. The family or the receiving funeral home in Nigeria applies to the Federal Ministry of Health, Port Health Services in Abuja. It is often the slowest step, so ask someone at home to start it on the first day.
Which Nigerian mission handles your case?
Nigeria has an Embassy in Washington, DC and Consulates General in New York and Atlanta. The Embassy in Washington uses a slightly different process: it attests the burial-transit permit, and it asks for items in triplicate. We confirm which mission covers your case and prepare the right set.
| Mission | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate General, New York | 828 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017 | (212) 808-0301 |
| Embassy, Washington DC | 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 | See embassy website |
| Consulate General, Atlanta | See consulate website | See consulate website |
Common reasons applications are delayed
- Sending copies when an original is required, or forgetting the photocopies
- Affidavits that are not notarized
- A personal check instead of a money order or certified bank check
- No waiver from Abuja yet
- Missing details for the receiving person in Nigeria
Let us help bring your loved one home
The first call is free. Tell us where your loved one passed and where they will be laid to rest, and we'll explain the steps and give you a written quote.
Questions families ask
How much is the Nigerian consulate fee for shipping remains?
The New York and Atlanta consulates list a $50 processing fee, paid by USPS money order or certified bank check.
What if the deceased's Nigerian passport is lost?
A relative with a valid Nigerian passport can swear a notarized affidavit stating their relationship and that the deceased was Nigerian.
Was the deceased a U.S. citizen? Do the same rules apply?
Nigerian-born U.S. citizens are often repatriated too. Requirements can differ, so call us and we will confirm the documents for your situation.
Who applies for the Ministry of Health waiver?
Family or the receiving funeral home in Nigeria applies to the Federal Ministry of Health, Port Health Services in Abuja. We tell them exactly what to submit.