Key takeaways
- IRCC names the document the “Police Character Certificate”
- You can apply in person at the Central Criminal Registry in Lagos, or by mail to the commissioner of police
- In person, bring your valid passport, 2 passport-size photographs and the applicable fees
- By mail, send a prepaid return courier envelope, a copy of your passport photo page, certified fingerprints and an international money order
- For Express Entry, upload a colour scan of the original; certified true copies are not accepted
- IRCC states no fees, processing times or validity period for this certificate
The document IRCC asks for
IRCC’s Nigeria police certificate page lists the “Police Character Certificate.” IRCC also asks for it if you declared a criminal record on your application for an electronic travel authorization, work permit or study permit.
IRCC gives no fee, no processing time, no validity period and no online application for this certificate.
Apply in person in Lagos
IRCC says you can apply in person to the Central Criminal Registry. The address is Central Criminal Registry, Force C.I.D. Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. Bring:
- your valid passport
- 2 passport-size photographs
- the applicable fees
Apply by mail
IRCC says you can apply by mail to the commissioner of police. Send:
- a prepaid return courier envelope
- a copy of your passport photo page
- a set of fingerprints taken and certified by a recognized police authority or the Nigerian embassy or consulate
- an international money order payable to the Nigerian Police Force, C.I.D. (Criminal Investigation Department)
IRCC also says police certificates can be certified at your nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate for a fee.
Fingerprints for a police certificate are not the same as the biometrics (fingerprints and photo) you give for an application, IRCC says.
Express Entry rules
Under IRCC’s Express Entry police certificates page, you and your family members who are 18 years or older need a certificate for every country where you stayed 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years. You do not need one for any time before you were 18 or for time spent in Canada. An officer may ask for more certificates from any time in your life since you were 18.
| Topic | What IRCC says |
|---|---|
| Nigeria is where you live now | The certificate must be issued no more than 6 months before the date you submit your application. |
| Nigeria is another country | The certificate must be issued after the last time you stayed there for 6 months in a row or longer. |
| Format | Upload scanned copies of the original certificate in colour. Certified true copies or unauthorized copies will not be accepted and will result in your application being rejected. |
Embassy certification and “certified true copies” are different things. The Nigeria page says an embassy or consulate can certify the certificate. The Express Entry page says certified true copies are not accepted. IRCC does not link the two. Upload a colour scan of the original certificate, not a certified copy of it.
If it is late
IRCC says: “It can take a long time to get police certificates. You should consider asking for them as soon as your profile is in the pool.” After an invitation to apply, you have 60 days. If a certificate is not ready, upload a letter of explanation and proof that you made your best effort, such as a confirmation receipt, a payment receipt, a delivery notice or a tracking number. Use the country-specific police certificate field.
What to do next
- List every country where you stayed 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years, after age 18.
- Choose in person in Lagos or by mail.
- If you apply by mail, arrange certified fingerprints and the money order first.
- Scan the original certificate in colour. Keep every receipt and tracking number.
Read our page for people moving from Nigeria, compare with the China, Philippines and India guides, and use the document checklist generator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nigeria police certificate called?
IRCC calls it the Police Character Certificate.
Where do I apply in person?
At the Central Criminal Registry, Force C.I.D. Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
Can I apply from outside Nigeria?
IRCC says you can apply by mail to the commissioner of police.
Can I upload a certified copy?
No. For Express Entry, IRCC does not accept certified true copies. Upload a colour scan of the original.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
IRCC does not say.
Sources
- IRCC: Police certificates, Nigeria (checked October 20, 2026)
- IRCC: Express Entry, police certificates (checked October 20, 2026)
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
