Quick answer
Because Nigeria works in English, translations for Nigeria are uncommon. Florida issues an authentication certificate for Nigeria, not an apostille — $220, 5–7 business days.
- Issued by
- The translator, signing an affidavit of accuracy before a Florida notary who is not the translator.
- Florida state fee
- $10 — included in $220
- Route
- Florida authentication → U.S. Department of State → Nigeria embassy
- Online notarization
- Available as an add-on
- Consulate serving Florida
- Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta (its jurisdiction includes Florida)
- Translation
- English is Nigeria's official language, so Florida documents in English normally need no translation.
How a Florida certified translation is used in Nigeria
Because Nigeria works in English, translations for Nigeria are uncommon. They come up when a supporting document is in another language, for example a Spanish-language record or a foreign certificate you need to present alongside a Florida document. The translation into English should be certified by the translator, notarized by a different notary, and authenticated in Florida so it carries its own certificate.
Getting a certified translation Florida will authenticate
The complete translation bound to the translator's affidavit (name, languages, document translated, statement of accuracy and competence), sworn before a different Florida notary with a complete jurat. As a rule, the translation is certified, notarized and apostilled in Florida so it carries its own apostille, while the original document gets its own apostille first.
Ask the receiving authority whether it accepts a translation made in the U.S.; some countries may also or instead require their own sworn or official translator (for example, a traductor jurado in Spain, a sworn translator in Germany or a perito traductor in Mexico). The translator can sign through our online notarization add-on: $40 for the first document ($10 notarization fee + $30 technology platform fee) and $20 for each additional document. Translation and notarization fees are not included in our $220, and we don't translate.
State fee for this document: $10 — included in our price. Full details on the certified translation page.
What happens after the Florida certificate — Nigeria
After we return your document with its Florida authentication certificate, the usual next step is authentication by the U.S. Department of State, followed by legalization by Nigeria's consular office: the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta serves Florida, and the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C. also has a consular section. Confirm the current requirements with the Nigerian office before you send anything. We don't handle, arrange or refer anyone for the federal or Nigerian steps.
We don't handle or arrange the U.S. Department of State or embassy steps. See how non-Hague authentication works.
Who receives it in Nigeria — and translation
Florida is served by the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta, whose published jurisdiction includes Florida; the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C. also has a consular section. In Nigeria, Florida documents go to the Nigeria Immigration Service, state probate registries and courts for estates, state lands registries for property, the Corporate Affairs Commission and investment authorities for companies, and employers, universities and professional regulators.
English is Nigeria's official language, so Florida documents in English normally need no translation. If a Florida document is in another language, for example a Spanish-language record or a foreign certificate attached to a Florida affidavit, have it translated into English, certified by the translator, notarized by a different notary and authenticated in Florida along with the original.
We found no published Nigerian rule on document age for these documents. Ask the receiving office, especially for police records and bank statements, which are usually expected to be recent.
Consular office serving Florida: Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta (its jurisdiction includes Florida).
Four steps, one week
Order online
Pick the document and destination country on the order form and pay by card. After we review your documents, FedEx emails you a prepaid label.
Send it — or sign online
Drop the envelope at any FedEx location. Not signed yet? Add online notarization and there is nothing to ship.
We file in person
We review it, then walk it to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee for the authentication certificate.
Returned to you
Back in 5–7 business days — anywhere in the U.S., or abroad for a flat $100.
Why certified translations get rejected
- Translator notarized their own affidavit
- Certificate of accuracy with no notarization
- Translation stapled to the certified original before it was apostilled
- Destination required its own sworn translator
What it costs for Nigeria
$220 per document, $380 for two and $160 each for three or more — the state fee, request form, in-person filing in Tallahassee and FedEx shipping inside the U.S. are included. Shipping the finished authentication to Nigeria is a flat $100 per order.
Not included: whatever the issuing office charges for the certified copy or certificate, and notarization (online notarization is $40 for the first document — $10 notarization fee + $30 technology platform fee — and $20 for each additional one).
