Nigerian High Commission Laissez-Passer: How to Get a Mortuary Passport in London

What the Laissez-Passer Actually Is

The Laissez-Passer — also called a mortuary passport or burial transit permit — is the Nigerian government's official authorisation for human remains to enter the country. Without it, the remains will be held at the arriving Nigerian airport and cannot clear customs or Port Health inspection.

It is issued exclusively by the Nigerian High Commission in London for deaths that occurred anywhere in the UK. There is no alternative channel, no online application, and no way to obtain it from Nigerian authorities directly.

Where and When to Apply

Address: Nigerian High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, Westminster, London, WC2N 5BX

Consular section hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday to Friday

Phone: 020 7839 1244

Submit the document bundle to the consular section during the published hours. If no family member can attend, a repatriation company can submit it on the family's behalf.

Required Documents

The application package must include all of the following:

1. Original UK death certificate with FCDO paper apostille — The death certificate must have completed the FCDO paper-apostille step (registrar original → FCDO paper apostille). The High Commission applies its own consular attestation as part of the submission. Electronic apostilles are rejected. Photocopies are rejected.

2. One clear photocopy of the entire apostilled document bundle — The consular section keeps the copy and returns the original after stamping.

3. Embalming certificate — Signed by the licensed UK embalmer on funeral home letterhead, confirming embalming was performed to IATA international transport standards.

4. Freedom from infection certificate — Signed by a pathologist or attending doctor, confirming the deceased did not carry a quarantinable communicable disease (Ebola, cholera, tuberculosis, etc.).

5. The deceased's Nigerian passport — The original passport is submitted, cancelled, and returned. If the passport is lost, expired, or otherwise unavailable, the family must first obtain an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) from the same consular section, which adds time to the process.

6. Passport of the applicant — The original passport of the next of kin or personal representative submitting the application, plus a photocopy.

7. Formal typed cover letter — Addressed to the High Commissioner, requesting the Laissez-Passer and stating:

   • The deceased's full name, date of birth, and date of death
   • The intended flight itinerary (airline, departure airport, destination airport)
   • The receiving funeral home or family contact in Nigeria

Fees and Payment

The standard Laissez-Passer processing fee is listed as £45. Separate consular legalisation is listed as £45 per document plus a £20 administrative charge. Confirm the current total by calling the consular section before visiting.

Payment is by UK postal order only, made payable to "Nigeria High Commission, London." Postal orders are purchased at any Post Office branch. Cash, personal cheques, bank drafts, and credit or debit cards are not accepted.

Buy the postal orders before travelling to the High Commission. Central London Post Office branches sometimes have limited stock of higher denominations — consider purchasing them at a suburban branch.

Processing Time

Standard processing takes 5–10 working days. There is no express, same-day, or premium service available. The High Commission processes applications in the order received.

This non-negotiable timeline is why repatriation companies advise starting the Laissez-Passer application as early as possible — ideally as soon as the FCDO apostille is completed. Running this stage in parallel with body preparation and coroner clearance can save a week or more on the overall repatriation timeline.

What Happens After Approval

Once the High Commission approves the application, they issue the physical Laissez-Passer and officially seal the document package. The sealed package is collected from the consular section and handed to your repatriation company, who includes it in the airline cargo documentation alongside the embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and coroner's Form 103 (Out of England certificate).

The Laissez-Passer is checked at three points: by the airline cargo desk at Heathrow, by Nigerian customs on arrival, and by Port Health Services at the destination airport.

Common Reasons for Rejection or Delay

Missing FCDO apostille. The most frequent rejection. Families submit a bare UK death certificate without the paper apostille and are turned away. The legalisation process must be completed first.

E-Apostille instead of paper. The High Commission does not accept electronic apostilles. If the FCDO issued an e-Apostille, the family must resubmit to the FCDO for the paper format.

Expired or missing Nigerian passport. If the deceased's passport cannot be located, the family must apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate first, which adds days to the process.

Wrong payment method. Cash or card payments are refused. Without postal orders, the application cannot be submitted.

Incomplete cover letter. The letter must include the flight details, destination airport, and receiving funeral home. Generic or vague letters are returned for revision.

If No Family Member Is in London

Most repatriation companies offer a document handling service where their staff physically attend the High Commission on the family's behalf. This service typically costs £210–£310 on top of the consular fees but eliminates the need for a family member to travel to London.

The Nigerian Dies in the UK — Family Guide includes an editable cover letter template formatted to the High Commission's expectations, plus a document checklist to verify the package is complete before submission.