The National Population Commission (NPC) is the only government agency constitutionally allowed to issue birth certificates, death certificates, and name change documents in Nigeria, the Federal Commissioner representing Delta State has said.
Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba made the statement on Wednesday while speaking to journalists in Asaba. She stressed that no other institution, including hospitals, has the legal right to issue these certificates.
“Only the NPC has the constitutional mandate to issue birth and death certificates as well as change of name documents,” she explained. “Many people are unaware of this and sometimes get certificates from unauthorized sources, which can cause problems.”
She added that attestation certificates are issued by NPC for people aged 17 and above, but the age limit might be lowered in the future.
Mrs. Brume-Ataguba also warned the public against buying certificates from street vendors or unknown individuals. She said all genuine NPC staff carry official identity cards and that certificates are issued only at official registration centers, including the 25 local government area headquarters in Delta State.
“Visit our state office in Asaba if you are unsure or need to obtain authentic certificates,” she advised. She urged Nigerians to follow official procedures to avoid wasting time and money on fake documents.
This clarification is important as vital records are needed for identification, travel, and other legal matters across the country.