Registering the Birth of a Kenyan Child Abroad

If your child is born outside Kenya and either parent is a Kenyan citizen, the child is entitled to Kenyan citizenship. Register the birth at your nearest Kenya embassy to obtain a Kenya birth certificate.

Citizenship by Birth

Under the Kenya Constitution 2010, a person is a citizen by birth if on the day of birth either parent was a Kenyan citizen, regardless of the place of birth. Registration at the embassy secures your child's rights.

Why Register Your Child's Birth?

  • Kenyan citizenship: Formal recognition of your child as a Kenyan citizen
  • Passport eligibility: Required for obtaining a Kenya ePassport for your child
  • Kenya national ID: Will be needed when the child turns 18
  • Inheritance rights: Protects property and inheritance rights in Kenya
  • Education: Access to Kenyan educational institutions and scholarship schemes
  • Legal record: Creates an official Kenya civil registration record

Required Documents

  • Foreign birth certificate (original + certified copy) - issued by the country where the child was born
  • Kenyan parent's passport (original + copy of bio-data page)
  • Kenyan parent's national ID (original + copy)
  • Kenyan parent's birth certificate (original + copy)
  • Other parent's passport/ID (copy)
  • Parents' marriage certificate (if applicable, original + copy)
  • Completed registration form (obtained from the embassy)
  • Two passport-sized photographs of the child
Translation: If the foreign birth certificate is not in English, it must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Registration Process

  1. Contact Your Nearest Kenya Embassy

    Find your embassy and enquire about the birth registration process and any specific requirements.

  2. Gather All Required Documents

    Ensure you have all documents listed above, with certified copies where required.

  3. Complete the Registration Form

    Obtain and complete the birth registration form from the embassy. Both parents should sign where required.

  4. Submit Documents at the Embassy

    Visit the embassy in person (some allow postal submission). Pay the registration fee.

  5. Wait for Processing

    The embassy forwards your application to the Civil Registration Department in Kenya. Processing takes 2-6 weeks.

  6. Receive the Kenya Birth Certificate

    Once processed, collect the Kenya birth certificate from the embassy. You can then apply for a Kenya ePassport for your child.

Late Registration

If you did not register the birth within the first few months, you can still do a late registration. Additional requirements may include:

  • Statutory declaration explaining the reason for late registration
  • Additional supporting documents (school records, medical records, etc.)
  • Higher fee for late registration

It is recommended to register births as soon as possible to avoid complications.

After Registration - Next Steps

Once you have the Kenya birth certificate, you can:

  • Apply for a Kenya ePassport for your child through the eCitizen portal
  • Register for dual citizenship if the child holds citizenship of another country
  • Secure the child's Kenyan rights including inheritance, education, and healthcare in Kenya

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