To your retrieve WAEC certificate, go to the WAEC office where you wrote your exam. You will need a valid ID card, police report, sworn affidavit, and passport photographs. You will also write a formal letter, fill a form and pay a fee. The process takes some time but you will get either your original certificate or a WAEC attestation of result.
How to Retrieve WAEC Certificate
Losing your WAEC certificate is not the end of the world. It can happen to anybody. Some people misplace it after relocating. Others forget where they kept it. Flood, fire, or even theft can take it away. The good news is that you can still get it back. WAEC has a system in place to help you retrieve the document.
In our country, many offices, schools, and embassies request for original WAEC certificate, not just the printout from the internet. So, if your certificate is lost or destroyed, it is better to act fast. Waiting too long might bring problems, especially if you need it for NYSC, university, or job applications.
Let us now talk about the right way to retrieve it without stress or wasting money.
What Is WAEC Certificate and Why You Need It
The WAEC certificate is given to you after you finish your West African Senior School Certificate Examination. It is a paper that shows your name, subjects, grades, and exam year. You need it to prove that you passed secondary school.
People need their WAEC certificates to get admission into universities or polytechnics. It is also important for visa applications, jobs, and sometimes for things like scholarship or professional exams. That’s why it’s one of the most asked for documents in Nigeria. You can read more about WAEC exams or check the latest updates directly from the WAEC Nigeria official website.
Common Reasons People Lose Their WAEC Certificate
There are many ways a WAEC certificate can go missing. Some people move to a new house and forget to pack it. Others keep it in a file that later gets damaged by rain, fire, or termites. Sometimes, people just lose it by mistake after many years.
Some cases are even more serious. Maybe the school withheld it because of unpaid fees. Or a parent collected it long ago and nobody knows where they kept it. Whatever the reason may be, losing it can bring unnecessary stress.
Where to Go When You Lose Your WAEC Certificate
To retrieve your certificate, you must visit the WAEC office where you sat for the exam. If you wrote the exam in Lagos, you cannot go to the Abuja office. You must go to the exact zone. WAEC offices are found in every state capital. Each zone handles cases for candidates who registered there.
When you get there, you will meet officers who attend to people like you every day. Be polite and explain why you came. Tell them you lost your WAEC certificate and you want to retrieve it.
Documents Needed to Retrieve a Lost WAEC Certificate
Before you go to the WAEC office, make sure you carry the right documents. They will not attend to you without them. You need:
A valid ID card, like National ID, voter’s card, or international passport
Two or more passport photographs
A sworn affidavit from a court that says you lost your certificate
A police report confirming the loss
A formal letter written by you, requesting retrieval
Any document that shows you wrote WAEC, like exam slip or result printout
These documents will help WAEC confirm your identity and check their records faster.
How Much Is the Fee to Retrieve WAEC Certificate
You must pay a fee before the retrieval process can begin. This fee changes sometimes, but it is usually between 5,000 and 15,000 naira. The amount depends on how old the exam is and the zone where you are applying.
The payment is done inside the WAEC office, through their approved bank or payment point. Do not pay any random person outside the office. Always collect your payment receipt and keep it safe.
What Happens After You Submit the Application
After you submit your form and documents, WAEC will start processing your request. They will go through their archives to search for your record. This may take time, depending on how old the result is.
If your certificate is found, they will give you an attestation of result. This paper carries the same information as the original certificate and is widely accepted. WAEC no longer reprints original certificates if they are lost. They only issue attestation.
The attestation is valid for NYSC, school admission, embassy verification, and job applications.
How Long It Takes to Retrieve WAEC Certificate
The time frame depends on many things. For recent exams, it may take 3 to 6 weeks. But if your result is from over 10 years ago, it could take up to 2 months or more. The best thing is to apply early and follow up with respect.
If you do not hear from them after 6 weeks, you can go back to the office to ask politely. Do not use agents or touts to fast-track it. WAEC does not work with outsiders.
Can You Retrieve WAEC Certificate Online
As of now, you cannot retrieve your lost certificate online. The process must be done at the WAEC office physically. However, you can visit the WAEC website at www.waecnigeria.org to check your result online or verify if your certificate is available before making a trip to their office.
If you only need to show your grades quickly, you can use the WAEC result checker card. It allows you to print your result from their portal. But for official matters, you will need the attestation of result or original certificate.
What If You Can’t Retrieve It?
In some rare cases, WAEC may not find your record. This can happen if your exam details were wrongly filled or the center had problems. If this happens, don’t panic.
Try to go back to the school where you registered. They might have copies of the records or exam slip. That can help WAEC trace your result.
Also, check if you wrote another exam like NECO or NABTEB. You can use that one temporarily while sorting out WAEC.
NECO Certificate Recovery
For those who lost their NECO certificates, the process is similar to WAEC. Go to the NECO state office where you wrote the exam. You will need your ID, passport photos, police report, affidavit, and formal letter.
NECO charges a fee for the re-issuance. After submitting your documents, they will give you a printout or confirmation of result. Like WAEC, NECO no longer reprints original certificates but gives a certified copy that serves the same purpose.
To confirm NECO policies or learn more about their services, you can visit the NECO Nigeria official website. There, you’ll find details about result confirmation, certificate re-issuance, and the requirements for each service.
NABTEB Result Replacement
To replace a lost NABTEB certificate, visit the NABTEB office in your state. Carry your affidavit, police report, ID card, and passport photos. You also need your candidate number or exam details.
Fill their form and pay the processing fee. The fee depends on how old the exam is. After some weeks, they will give you a certified result printout. This document works for jobs, school, and foreign use.
You can find more about how NABTEB operates, the fees involved, and how to request result confirmation by checking the NABTEB Nigeria official website.
How to Fix Name Errors or Wrong Details
If your name is wrongly spelled on the WAEC certificate, you can request correction. You will need to submit:
Application letter
Sworn affidavit showing correct name
Birth certificate
School testimonial
Copy of the result with error
WAEC will review and may issue a new attestation with correct name. The process takes some weeks.
How to Keep Your Certificate Safe After Retrieval
After getting your certificate or attestation, don’t just keep it anywhere. Laminate it to protect it from water or dirt. Scan it and save it in your email or phone gallery. Make two photocopies and keep one with a trusted friend or family member.
Always carry only the photocopy when going out. The original should be locked in a safe place.
FAQs
Can I retrieve WAEC certificate after 20 years?
Yes, but it might take longer. WAEC keeps records and can still issue attestation.
Will schools accept attestation of result?
Yes, all institutions that accept WAEC results also accept WAEC attestation.
Can I send someone to collect it on my behalf?
No. WAEC requires the candidate to appear in person with ID.
How do I get NECO scratch card?
Buy from NECO office or accredited sellers nationwide.
Can I use NECO or NABTEB instead of WAEC?
Yes, most institutions accept any of the three if the grades meet their requirement.
What if I forget my exam number?
Visit your school or exam center. They usually have a copy. You can also try to retrieve it through WAEC with your name and date of birth.
Let’s Round it Up…
Getting your WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB certificate again is very possible. It may take time, but it is worth it. Just follow the right steps and be patient. Always go directly to the official office and avoid agents who promise shortcuts.
If you lost your certificate, start today. Gather your documents, write your letter, and go to the nearest office. It’s better to act now than to be caught unprepared later.