Quick Guide: How to Apply for a Birth Certificate & Costs
For parents or individuals looking to obtain a birth certificate in Kenya, here’s a comprehensive guide to navigate the process:
Obtaining a birth certificate in Kenya is a key task for all Kenyan citizens.
A birth certificate is a vital document required for various activities such as school registration, applying for a national ID, passport, and other legal procedures.
Eligible individuals for this service include:
1. Parents or guardians of a newborn
2. Rescue centers or children’s homes caring for the child
Gather Necessary Documents:
Before starting the application process, make sure you have all the essential documents. These include:
Notification of birth: This is provided by the hospital where the birth took place or at a Chief’s office for home births.
Information required in the birth notification and registration includes:
- Name of the newborn
- Date and place of birth
- Gender of the child
- Type of birth (single or multiple)
- Nature of birth (alive or deceased)
- Name, age, marital status, previous births, residential area, and district of the mother
- Name of the father (for married couples)
- Signature of the applicant
- Copy of ID or passport of the parents: Copies of the identification documents of both parents are needed.
- Death certificates (if applicable): If the parents have passed away, provide copies of their death certificates.
Visit the Nearest Civil Registration Department:
Head to your local District Civil Registrar’s office. If you’re in Nairobi, the main Civil Registration Department is at Hass Plaza 4th Floor, Lower Hill Road.
Huduma Centres across the country also provide this service, so you can visit the closest one.
Complete the Application Form:
At the registration office, request the birth certificate application form. Fill it out carefully, ensuring all information matches the birth notification and parents’ ID documents.
Submit the Application Form:
Submit the completed form along with the required documents to the registrar. The documents will be verified by officials. Remember to keep copies of all submitted documents for your records.
Pay the Application Fee:
A small fee is charged for processing the birth certificate. Current fees include:
- Birth certificate without changes – Sh200
- Birth certificate with changes to the child’s name – Sh1000
- Birth certificate with changes to the parent’s name – Sh1000
- Birth certificate with changes to both the child’s and parent’s names – Sh1000
Collect Your Birth Certificate:
Once your application is processed, you’ll be notified when you can collect the birth certificate. This typically takes around 10 days for recent registrations, but longer if it’s a late registration, possibly several weeks.
Verify the Details:
Upon receiving the birth certificate, verify all details immediately. Report any errors to the registrar straightaway to have them corrected.
This is essential, as discrepancies can cause issues when the document is needed for official purposes.
Tips for a Smooth Application Process:
Early registration: Register the birth within six months to avoid the late registration process, which is more complex and time-consuming.
Accuracy of information: Double-check all provided information during the application to prevent future complications.
Keep receipts and copies: Maintain all receipts and copies of submitted documents for future reference or in case of discrepancies.
Late Notification or Registration of Birth:
Late registration of births is discouraged. However, if needed, you must fill out and submit the registration form in person at a Civil Registration Department office near you.
The applicant will undergo vetting before registration is approved.
Requirements for this service include:
- Clinic card, antenatal card, or birth notification
- Religious certificate
- IDs of both parents or death certificate if parents are deceased
- School leaving certificates or letters from the school
- ID cards for adult applicants (over 18 years)
- Other documents as requested by the registrar
The cost for this service is Sh500 and is available at all Huduma Centres across the country.
Eligible individuals for this service include:
- Parents or guardians of a newborn
- Rescue centers or children’s homes caring for the child
- Individual adults applying for their birth certificate
Quick Guide: How to Apply for a Birth Certificate & Costs