Five (5) easy steps on how to get your car papers if it gets lost in Nigeria

Losing your car papers can be very frustrating, especially when you do not have duplicates of them. Getting a new one can also be a bit of a hassle when you don’t know the steps on how to get them, especially in Nigeria. In this article, we will show five very easy but effective steps on how to get your car papers if it gets lost in Nigeria. 

1. Report to the Police and Document the Loss

If your car papers are missing, the first thing to do is to report it to the police. Go to the nearest police station and tell the officers about your missing documents. Give them details about your car, like its make, model, colour, and vehicle identification number. The police will create a report, known as a police extract, which serves as official proof of your report. Keep this document safe, as you’ll need it later. Reporting the loss is very important as it helps to prevent misuse of your car papers and it would also be needed when replacing your lost driver’s license documents. Remember, always start by visiting the closest police station to report the loss and obtain the police extract.

2. Get a Court Declaration (Affidavit)

The next step after the police station is to swear a court affidavit at your state’s High Court. This affidavit serves as your formal statement that your car papers are lost. These are the steps on how to go about it;

• Visit the High Court: Go to the appropriate court in your area.
• Find the office that handles affidavits and fill out a form declaring that your car papers are missing.
• Have your ID (like a national ID, driver’s license, or passport) and the police report with you.
• Swear the Oath. Court officials, often a commissioners for oaths, will ask you to swear that your statement is true.
• Once you swear the oath, the official will sign and stamp the affidavit, making it a legal document.

This affidavit is necessary for replacing your lost car papers and serves as proof that you have officially reported the loss.

3. Visit your Local Vehicle Licensing Office

After getting the police extract and a signed affidavit from the high court, the next step is to visit your local vehicle licensing office.  This office manages all vehicle registrations and licenses. Bring the police extract, affidavit, and any identification documents, like your driver’s license or national ID. When you get to the office, explain that you’ve lost your car papers and need replacements. Present the police report and affidavit. The staff will help you with the necessary paperwork and inform you about any additional documents or forms needed. Make sure to fill out everything correctly and pay the required fees for the replacements. Please do not hesitate to ask the staff questions if you’re unsure about anything. Also, Stay in touch with the office to know when you can collect your new car papers.

4. Update Your Records and Keep Your Papers Safely

After receiving your new car papers, update your records if necessary. Inform your insurance company about the new documents to prevent any future confusion. To avoid losing your car papers again, consider keeping photocopies or digital backups, preferably in colour if needed. Ensure that your documents are stored safely and are easily accessible when needed.

5. Personalized Documents (If Relevant)

If your car is imported, make sure to contact the Nigeria Customs Service too. Bring the sworn affidavit and the police extract with you. Be ready to provide details about your car, including the manufacturer, model, VIN, and year of import. You will also need to pay any fees required for issuing new customs documents.

Tips on how to avoid losing your car documents 

• Store all of your vehicle documentation in digital form. Scan them, then safely store the files on your computer or the cloud.
• Create copies of your documents, then keep the copies safe and separate from the originals.
• Keep all your car papers in a special document file and store them somewhere safe and reliable in your house or workplace.

Conclusion 

Every single car document is important, especially in Nigeria, where they are needed for day-to-day checks by police officers and other regulatory bodies. In the event of losing one of your documents, use these steps and get your documents in no time.