How to Apply for Your Child's Birth Certificate in Kenya

It is important to register a child born in Kenya immediately after 30 days of birth or within the first 6 months. This responsibility falls on the parents or a child guardians. 

Here are the various scenarios for applying for a birth certificate in Kenya:

• Application for Current Birth Certificate : This applies to children registered immediately after birth and those less than 6 months old.
• Application for Late Birth Certificate : This applies when registration occurs more than 6 months after the child's birth.
• Applying for a Birth Certificate as an Adult : This process is available to a person who was not registered at birth and need to obtain their certificate later in life.
  

Additionally, there are application options to amend details on an existing birth certificate, such as:

• Amendment of the child's name
• Amendment of place of birth
• Amendment of mother's name
• Amendment of father's name

To apply for a child's birth certificate, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A scanned copy of the birth notification form from the Hospital where the birth took place or at a Chiefs office in cases of home birth.
• A scanned copy of identification documents for applicants who are above 18 years old, such as a National ID or Passport.
• A scanned copy of the parent's identification documents. If a parent is deceased, a death certificate should be provided instead.

1. E-citizen Online Application Portal

Parents in Kenya looking to apply for their child's birth certificate can do so through the eCitizen portal, specifically via the Civil Registration Services online Portal.

For children under 18 years, the application must be submitted using the parent or guardian's eCitizen account.

To complete this online process, parents need to upload all required documents and make an online payment.

Once payment is made, parents should present proof of payment such as a receipt or SMS confirmation at their chosen pick-up location along with copies of the uploaded documents.

2. Physical Application

Alternatively, parents can opt for a physical application by visiting Huduma Centre or the Civil Registration office in the district where their child's birth was registered.

For applicants under 18 years, applications must be submitted through a parent or guardian's ecitizen account.

To apply and pay for birth registration services, access the eCitizen CRS online platform.  Here are the steps to apply:

1. Visit the eCitizen portal.
2. Log in or create an account if you do not have one.
3. Go to the Civil Registration Department Tab."
4. Select "Birth Certificate Services," to apply and follow the instructions provided.

You will need the following information:

• Hospital name where the birth occurred
• Scanned Acknowledgment of birth notification receipt
• Birth notification number (found on your birth notification slip from the hospital)
• Scanned ID Copies of both parents.
• Adult aged 18 years and above identification documents ( ID Number, Passport Number, Refugee ID )
•  Number of another person and mother’s maiden name (father's ID number and name are optional)

Once these are completed, submit a copy of your eCitizen invoice to your Pick-up Location for processing to begin.

For foreign nationals applying for a Kenyan birth certificate, there are several specific requirements to fulfill:

1. A certified birth certificate from the child's country of birth.
2. A certified passport of the child, whether Kenyan or from another country.
3. Certified identification documents (ID and passport) of the Kenyan parent that were valid at the time of the child's birth. If one parent is not Kenyan, their ID and/or passport from their country of origin is required.
4. For children over 18 years old, a certified Kenyan passport or a certified declaration/letter confirming regaining Kenyan citizenship is necessary.
5.  If one parent lacks identification documents, they must provide an affidavit or present a divorce decree.
6. The BDA 1 form (Application for registration of birth of a citizen of Kenya occurring abroad) must be duly completed.
7. If the child's birth certificate is not in English, it must be translated and certified by an Embassy or government-authorized institution; both versions—the original language and English translation—must be submitted.
8. All documents should be original with photocopies provided; alternatively, copies can be certified by an Embassy.

You can learn more here about How to Register a Foreign Born Child in Kenya

The cost can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of application. This table shows the current costs related to birth registrations.

Once you submit an application for a birth certificate, it typically takes about 21 working days to process. You will receive a notification via text message when the certificate is ready for collection.

If you need a replacement or correction on your Kenya Certificate of Birth, there are several steps you can take. Within two years of a child's birth, a parent can amend the child's name.

To do this, they must apply through the eCitizen portal under Civil Registration Services. This process is typically completed online via the  civil registration services portal on eCitizen. 

You can also  visit the nearest Huduma Centre or Civil Registration offices in the district where the birth was registered.

There are application options to amend details on an existing birth certificate, including:

• Amendment of the child's name
• Amendment of place of birth
• Amendment of mother's name
• Amendment of father's name

For lost birth certificates or changes in particulars, such as details captured on the birth certificate , parents or guardians have options available.

eCitizen CRS Online Platform