A birth certificate is one of the most important documents that every Kenyan should have. It proves that you are a Kenyan Citizen and shows your existence, place of birth, date and year. It is a legal document that proves and provides your name and your parents name. Without a birth certificate you cannot access social programmes and other government services. Services like: Visa Application, National Identification Card, Passport Application, for employment and even register for the Primary and Secondary final exam.
If a child is born in Kenya the parents or the guardian should register the child immediately after birth or within the six months after birth. In case the child dies, it should still be registered.
Registration of persons is done under the office of the President in Kenya, Ministry of interior and co-ordination of National Government of Kenya, immigration and Registration of persons.
Requirements for birth certificate Application
- A copy of birth notification
- Original birth notification
- A copy of the child’s father ID
- Mother’s ID
- Application Forms duly filled ( Birth and Deaths Registration Form)
- A fee of Shs. 90- Shs 200 ( The fee may change from time to time)
If your child was born at home the Sub-chief is required to register all the births his location. All birth certificate registration in Nairobi are done at the City Hall.
NB: Birth certificate is given free of charge if Application is done within six months, however, a fee of Shs. 50 is charged to process. The fee for late registration and registration as an adult is different.
Applying for a Birth Certificate in Kenya while Abroad
If you are living abroad and you need a birth certificate for your child, you need to visit the embassy of the place you live. The process may take longer since the documents have to be sent from Kenya also because the authorities have to verify parents citizenship details. This is only applicable if a child is born outside the country by Kenyan parents.
Requirements
- Two Application Forms (Birth and Deaths Registration form) duly filled ( get the Form here)
- Two photocopies of both parents’ passports. The copies of the Kenyan parent’s passport have to include pages 29-32(for the A Series Passport), pages 45-48(for the B-series Passport), pages 61-64(for the C-Series Passport), and the photo page
- Two photocopies of the child’s Birth certificate or notification issued by the civil authorities or the hospital in the country of birth (either an international version or copies of the original and an official English translation)
- Two self-addressed, stamped A5 envelopes for postage purposes.
- Two copies of parents’ marriage certificate either international or translated into English if legally married.
- A non-refundable fee of Shs. 1000 for each certificate payable only by bank transfer (Embassy of the Republic of Kenya, IBAN: DE63100400000266014004) or EC-Debit card at the Embassy. Cash payments will not be accepted. Overpaid amounts will not be refunded. Enclose a copy of the bank transfer slips together with the application.
How to Register a Birth Certificate on eCitizen
You can know register your birth certificate from wherever you are, all you need is a smartphone. Create an account on the eCitizen website. You are required to have a National Identification card and an E-mail address. if the registration is successful, login to your account and see the services available that you can request.
Late Birth Certificate Application
Any birth certificate with a notification and is not forwarded to the Immigration department within the first six months after birth is termed as late registration.
Requirements for Late Birth Certificate Registration
- Filled Application for Late Registration
- Municipal birth notification
- Child immunization card
- A certificate of the doctor or midwife who was present at birth
- School leaving Certificate
- ID card or Passport
- Baptismal Certificate
- A letter from your employer showing your date of birth
How to Apply for a lost Birth Certificate
Visit the nearest Huduma Centre and they will take you through the process of replacing your lost Birth Certificate. You will get a new one and access Government services will be easily.
How to Apply for a Birth Certificate as an adult
If you have your notification card, carry with you a copy of your National Identification card to the nearest District Birth and Deaths Registrar. The officials will give you B1 Form to fill. A fee of Shs 100 may apply.
