The process of getting a birth certificate in Kenya is very simple especially in this era of Huduma centre.

The document is extremely important in the modern Kenya as it can be used to process crucial documents such as identity card, certificate of good conduct, loans and even passports.

If you need one,the following is the process to follow.

• Obtain a blank form from Sheria house and duly fill it as per instructions. However, if your child was born at home, the Sub-Chief is authorized to register births in his location. In Nairobi, all births are registered at the City Hall.

• In order to acquire a birth certificate for your child, present a copy of a notification from the hospital where the child was delivered.

• Those who are above 18 years are required to present a copy of National Identification card.

• Amount required for processing a birth certificate vary depending on location and other circumstances. However, it does not exceed Ksh 1,000.

You can also visit Huduma Centre and process one.

How to get a birth certificate at Huduma Center

Birth Notification/Registration (Immediately or within 6 months after birth)

As soon as a child is born, he/she has a right to a name, an identity and to nationality for official identity and recognition, and not to be vulnerable to theft/trafficking, arraignment in a court of law or to child marriage.

To register a child, you need to fill birth notification form at the Hospital where the birth took place or at a Chiefs office in cases of home birth.

Details required in birth notification and registration include;

1. Name of the newly born baby
2. Date and place of birth
3. Sex of the child
4. Type of birth (single/multiple)
5. Nature of birth (alive/dead)
6. Name, age and marital status, previous births to, residential area and district of mother
7. Name of father (for married couples)
8. Signature of the applicant

Persons who qualify to register a new born include:

1. Parents/ guardians of a newly born baby
2. Rescue centers taking charge of newly born abandoned babies

Cost: NIL

Timelines:   Instant

For more information call Huduma Contact Centre: +254 (020) 6900020

Or visit nearest Huduma Centre

Or Contact: Department of Civil Registration

Hass Plaza 4th Floor, Lower Hill Road,

P.O Box 49179- 00100 Nairobi

Tel; +254-20-2714987/8

Email; [email protected]

Fax; 2714989

Issuance of Birth Certificate

A Birth Certificate provides proof that one is a Kenyan and similarly is required by pupils and students applying to sit for their National Examinations. It is also useful when applying for a National Identification Card when one turns 18 and in the application for a Kenyan Passport when in need to travel out of the country

Application for birth Certificate can be done at any Huduma Centre countrywide or Civil Registration Department offices near you.

Requirements for a Birth Certificate include the following;

1. Birth notification
2. ID’s for both parents/Death Certificate if parents are deceased

Persons who qualify for this service include:

1. Parents/ guardians of a newly born baby
2. Rescue centers/ children’s homes taking charge of the child

Cost: Birth certificate with no amendments – Ksh 60

Birth certificate with amendments on the child’s names – Ksh 100

Birth certificate with amendments on the parent’s names – Ksh 100

Birth certificate with amendments on the child’s and parent’s names-Ksh 140

Timelines:   10 days

Late Notification/Registration of Birth of Children born to Kenyan Parents in Kenya

Late registration of births is highly discouraged. However, if not registered, you are required to fill and submit registration form in person at a Civil Registration Department offices near you.

The applicant will be vetted first for the registration to be effected.

Requirements to get this service include the following;

1. Clinic card/ antenatal card/birth notification
2. Religious Certificate
3. ID’s for both parents/Death Certificate if parents are deceased
4. School leaving certificates/ letter from school
5. ID cards for adult applicants (over 18years)
6. Any other document as may be requested by the registrar

Persons who qualify for this service include:

1. Parents/ guardians of a newly born baby
2. Rescue centers/ children’s homes taking charge of the child
3. Individual adults themselves

Cost: Kshs. 90 or Kshs. 130 (Depends on assessment)nt)

Timelines:   10 days

Late Notification/Registration of Birth of Children born to Kenyan Single Mothers in Kenya

Late registration of births is highly discouraged. However, if not registered, you are required to fill and submit registrations form in person at a Civil Registration Department offices near you. The applicant will be vetted.

Requirements;

1. Clinic/ Antenatal card
2. Religious certificate
3. Mother’s Identity Card
4. Tangible evidence that the parent has never been married (affidavit/letter from chief)
5. School leaving certificates/ letter from school / Identity cards for adult applicants (over 18 years)
6. Any other document as may be requested by the registrar

Persons who qualify for this service include:

1. Single mothers of a newly born baby

Cost: Ksh. 90 or Ksh. 130 (Depends on assessment)

Timelines:   10 days

Late Notification/Registration of Birth of Adults born to Kenyan Parents in Kenya

Late registration of births is highly discouraged. However, if not registered, you are required to fill and submit registrations form in person at a Civil Registration Department offices near you. The applicant will be vetted. One needs to have the following

1. National Identity Card (compulsory).
2. Clinic card.
3. Religious Certificate.

4.School leaving certificates

5. Employer’s letter if employed
6. NSSF card if a contributor

Identification report from National Registration Bureau. Persons who qualify for this service include

1. Adults not registered. Cost: Kshs. 90 or Kshs. 130 (Depends on assessment) Timelines:

Late Notification/Registration of Birth of Adults born to Non-Kenyan Parents in Kenya

Adults born of non- Kenyan parents in Kenya need to fill and submit in person registrations form at Civil Registration Department offices near them for vetting ahead of registration

Requirements;

1. Parent’s entry permit/ passports (compulsory)
2. Clinic card/ birth notification
3. Religious certificate
4. Death certificates where parents are dead
5. School leaving certificate/ letter from school
6. Employer’s letter if employed
7. NSSF card if a contributor
8. Any other documents as may be requested by the registrar

Persons who qualify for this service include:

1. Adults born of non- Kenyan parents and are not registered

Cost: Ksh. 90 or Ksh. 130 (Depends on assessment)

Timelines:   10 days

Registration of Birth of Kenyans Occurring abroad and Issuance of Kenyan Birth Certificates

This service is only available at Sheria House, Nairobi and is provided to Kenyans whose births occur outside the country/ abroad

To get the service, one is required to fill Application of birth occurring abroad duly completed at Sheria House Nairobi- Civil Registration Department: Central Records Division and in Kenya Missions Abroad. Requirements; 1. Foreign birth/ medical certificates and a certified English version of the same

2. Medical certificates from doctors/ nurse/ mid-wife who attended to the birth
3. Passport of the parent (s)
4. Marriage certificate where applicable</p>
5. Traveling certificate (document) of the child if not endorsed in the passport of the parent Persons who qualify for this service include: Kenyans whose births occur outside</p>

Cost: Ksh. 60

Timelines: 10 days

Birth Re-registration Upon Legitimacy

This is a service provided to parents who marry after the birth of their child and they want the name of the father inserted in the register of birth. To do this, the both parents need to fill application for re-registration form and sworn jointly by them. Both parents must be physically present when applying for re-registration

Requirements;

1. Parents Identification cards/ entry permit/ passport
2. Birth certificates without the father’s name
3. Marriage certificate/ joint affidavit by both parents (LO2)

Persons who qualify for this service include:

1. Parents who marry after birth of a child

Cost: Birth certificate with amendments on either parents or child’s names- Ksh 100

New birth certificate with amendments on the fathers names- Ksh 100

Timelines:   10 days

Birth Re-registration Upon Recognition

This is a service provided to parents who are not married but want the name of the father inserted in the register of birth of the child. Birth re-registration is effected upon filling application for re-registration form sworn jointly by the parents. Both parents must be physically present when applying for re-registration

Requirements;

1. Parents Identification cards/ passport
2. Birth certificates without the father’s name
3. Application for re-registration sworn jointly by the parents
4. Written consent from the father

Persons who qualify for this service include:

Parents not married who get a child

Cost: New birth certificate with amendments on the fathers names – Ksh 100

Timelines:   10 days