Many graduates in Nigeria face problems when they want to go for the NYSC. One common problem is when the date of birth on their WAEC certificate doesn’t correspond with other documents.
Sometimes the date of birth on WAEC does not match what you have on your JAMB, NIN, or school records. This small mistake can cause big issues during NYSC registration.
In this article, you will learn about how you can change your WAEC date of birth, especially if you want to fix it before your NYSC mobilization.
 Why Does Your Date of Birth Matter for NYSC?
Your date of birth is very important for NYSC because it helps the National Youth Service Corps know if you are still within the age limit to serve.
According to NYSC rules, only people who are 30 years old or below can go for service. So, once you are above 30, NYSC will not allow you to serve. Instead, they will give you a Certificate of Exemption.
This small error can stop you from serving. That’s why it is very important to correct your date of birth early before your NYSC registration starts.
Does WAEC Allow Date of Birth Change?
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) knows that mistakes can happen during registration. So, they allow candidates to correct their date of birth but only under certain conditions.
The conditions are that;
- You can only change your date of birth once. Once it is corrected, you cannot change it again.
- WAEC will only correct if you can prove the real date of birth with original documents.
- You must visit the WAEC office in person. You cannot do it online or through an agent.
- The change will reflect on your official WAEC record and future printed results.
- If you submit fake documents or try to lie about your age, WAEC will cancel your result.
Requirements for Changing WAEC Date of Birth
Here’s a list of the things WAEC usually asks for when you want to correct your date of birth:
1. Original WAEC Certificate or Statement of Result
This result is proof that you actually wrote the WAEC exams. However, if you don’t have the original WAEC certificate, you can use the statement of results from your school. It is also accepted.
2. Birth CertificateÂ
The birth certificate is an important document that you’ll need in this process. They can be obtained from the hospital where you were born or from the National Population Office. Also, the certificate must show your exact details such as your correct name, date of birth, place of birth, state of origin, and so on.
3. Court Affidavit for Correction of Date of Birth
The court affidavit can be obtained from any court in Nigeria. It should show a legal statement that confirms your real date of birth and explains that the one on the WAEC was a mistake.
4. Valid Means of Identification
A valid means of identification includes your national ID card, voter’s card, driver’s license, and international passport. Any of these documents is allowed as a valid means of identification for the WAEC date of birth change.
5. Application Letter
You will write a simple letter to WAEC explaining that your date of birth was wrongly entered and that you want it corrected. In the letter, write your correct date of birth, exam year, exam number, and center number.
6. Administrative Fee
WAEC will charge a small fee for the correction. The price ranges between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000. The exact amount would be revealed to you when you get to the WAEC office and the payment will be made directly at the WAEC office.
Now that you have your documents ready, let’s go through the process step by step.
How to Change Your WAEC Date of Birth
These are the step-by-step process to successfully change your WAEC date of birth:
Step 1: Visit the Nearest WAEC Office
Go to any WAEC zonal or state office near you. The WAEC office is situated in almost all the states in Nigeria. When you get there, ask the security officer or receptionist if you want to correct your date of birth. They will direct you to the right department.
Step 2: Go to the Exams and Records Department
This is the department that handles all corrections and certificate issues. Tell the officer that you want to change the date of birth on your WAEC certificate. They will ask you to show your documents to confirm your identity.
Step 3: Fill out the Change of Date of Birth Form
Afterwards, you’ll be given a form to fill out. In the form, you’ll be asked to provide information such as your full name, your WAEC exam year, your WAEC examination number, your wrong date of birth, your correct date of birth, and so on. So, fill it carefully using a pen and make sure all information is correct.
Step 4: Attach Your Documents
After filling the form, attach the photocopies of the documents that you brought along with you. They include a Birth certificate, an Affidavit, a WAEC certificate, an Application letter, and others.
Step 5: Pay the Correction Fee
The next thing that you’ll be asked to do is to pay the correction fee. The officer will inform you of the exact amount you’re to pay. So, proceed to pay inside the office or in WAEC’s official bank accounts. You’ll be given a receipt after payment. Be sure to keep the receipt safe for future reference.
Step 6: Submit Your Form and Collect Acknowledgment Slip
Once you’ve completed the form and payment, submit everything to the officer in charge. You’ll be given an acknowledgment slip, which is proof that you’ve applied for the correction. You’ll need it later when you come back to collect your updated record.
Step 7: Wait for Processing
WAEC will take some time to verify all your information. They will compare your documents and confirm that the date of birth you provided is genuine. This process can take a few weeks to about one month depending on the workload at the office.
Step 8: Collect Your Updated Record
Once the correction has been approved, WAEC will update your record in its database. You can then go back to the office with your acknowledgment slip to collect your corrected statement of results or certificate.
After you’ve applied, you’ll naturally want to confirm that WAEC has actually corrected your record. The next subheading discusses how to confirm your correction.
How to Confirm If Your Correction Has Been Approved
There are two simple ways to check if the correction has been entered. Here they are;
1. Via the WAEC website
   Go to the WAEC official website and check your result using your exam details. If your date of birth has been corrected, it will show correctly on your digital record.
2. Visit the WAEC office again
 Go back to the same WAEC office where you applied. This time, go with your acknowledgment slip, and they’ll help you confirm if the correction has been approved. Once you see that everything is correct, you can now use that certificate for your NYSC registration without fear.
After WAEC has fixed your date of birth, there are still some other steps you must take to make sure all your records match.
What to Do After Correcting Your WAEC Date of BirthÂ
Follow these tips below after you’ve successfully changed your WAEC date if your birth:
- Update your JAMB record
- Make changes to your NYSC profile.
- Keep photocopies of the WAEC and NYSC profiles.
- If possible, update other documents, such as your NIN, BVN, and school documents, to carry the same date of birth.
Common Reasons for Wrong WAEC Date of Birth
Below are some common reasons why this mistake happens and how to avoid it in the future:
1. Typing errors during registration
When registering for WAEC, all your information is typed into the computer. Sometimes, the person typing may press the wrong number or key by mistake. For example, instead of typing 2004, they might type 2014. This small error can change your age completely.
2. Mistakes Made by Cyber Café Operators
Most students register for WAEC through a cyber cafe or registration center. The people working there handle hundreds of registrations every day and so sometimes they make mistakes without knowing.
They might enter your date of birth incorrectly or mix up your information with another candidate’s. That is why you should be alert. Watch what they are typing and ask them to read everything out before they submit your form.
3. Lack of proper verification before exam registration
Some students are in a hurry when registering for WAEC. They don’t even take time to check if the date of birth on their school record or birth certificate matches the one they’re entering on the form.
As a result of this, the wrong date goes into the WAEC system, and they only discover it years later when they’re applying for NYSC or a job.Â
ConclusionÂ
As you’ve read above, correcting your WAEC date of birth is not as hard as many people think. You just need to have the right documents, follow the right steps, and be patient while it’s being processed. Remember that a small mistake can stop you from going for service or cause confusion during registration. So, if you notice that your WAEC result has the wrong date of birth, don’t wait until it’s too late. Go to the nearest WAEC office and fix it immediately.
