How long does a name change take in Kenya?

The full process takes 4-8 weeks including deed poll, Gazette publication, and updating ID and passport.

Kenya Name Change Guide 2026

Changing your legal name in Kenya requires a formal process involving a deed poll (statutory declaration), publication in the Kenya Gazette, and updating all official documents. This guide covers the full process for name changes within Kenya and at embassies abroad.

Common Reasons for Name Change

Marriage: Taking a spouse surname or adding it
Divorce: Reverting to maiden name
Correction: Fixing spelling errors on official documents
Religious conversion: Adopting a new name
Personal preference: Choosing a new name
Deed poll for minors: Parent changing a child name

Step-by-Step Name Change Process

Step 1: Prepare a Deed Poll (Statutory Declaration)
Visit a Kenyan advocate or commissioner for oaths to draft a deed poll. This is a legal document declaring that you are abandoning your former name and adopting a new one. Both names must appear in the deed poll.

Cost: KSH 2,000 - 5,000 (advocate fees)
Step 2: Publish in the Kenya Gazette
Submit the deed poll to the Government Press for publication in the Kenya Gazette. This serves as official public notice of your name change.

Cost: KSH 2,400 - 3,600 | Processing: 2-4 weeks for publication
Step 3: Publish in a Newspaper (Optional but Recommended)
Place a name change notice in a newspaper of wide circulation (e.g., Daily Nation, The Standard). Some institutions require this as additional proof.

Cost: KSH 3,000 - 8,000
Step 4: Update Your National ID
Visit the National Registration Bureau with your Gazette notice and deed poll to apply for a new ID in your new name.
Step 5: Update Your Passport
Apply for a new ePassport via eCitizen with the new name. Attach the Gazette notice and deed poll.
Step 6: Update Other Documents
Update your KRA PIN, driving licence, bank accounts, title deeds, and academic certificates as needed.

Name Change Fees Summary

Item	Fee (KES)	Notes
Deed Poll (advocate)	KSH 2,000 - 5,000	Depends on advocate
Kenya Gazette publication	KSH 2,400 - 3,600	Government Press, 2-4 weeks
Newspaper notice (optional)	KSH 3,000 - 8,000	Daily Nation, The Standard etc.
New national ID	KSH 100	National Registration Bureau
New ePassport	KSH 4,550	Via eCitizen
Total Estimate	KSH 12,050 - 21,250	Including new passport

Name Change from Outside Kenya

If you are living abroad, you can:

Visit your nearest Kenya embassy for a statutory declaration (deed poll). The embassy consular officer can act as a commissioner for oaths.
Appoint a representative in Kenya via power of attorney to handle the Gazette publication and ID update.
Apply for a new ePassport via eCitizen and complete biometrics at the embassy.

If you changed your name in your country of residence (e.g., by deed poll in the UK), you still need to go through the Kenyan process to update your Kenyan documents. The foreign name change is not automatically recognised in Kenya.

Name Change After Marriage

If changing your name due to marriage, the process is simpler:

A deed poll is not required for adding your spouse surname
Present your marriage certificate at the National Registration Bureau and immigration
Apply for a new ID and passport with the marriage certificate as proof of name change
Gazette publication is recommended but not always mandatory for marriage-related changes

Documents Checklist

Original deed poll (statutory declaration)
Kenya Gazette notice (copy)
Current national ID (original)
Current passport (for passport renewal)
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Newspaper cutting (if published)
Passport-sized photographs (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

The full process takes 4-8 weeks. The deed poll is same-day, Gazette publication takes 2-4 weeks, and updating your ID and passport takes an additional 2-4 weeks each.

Yes. A parent or legal guardian can change a minor child name through a deed poll. Both parents must consent (or court order if one parent objects). The Gazette publication and document updates follow the same process.

The Kenya Gazette publication is the legal requirement. Newspaper publication is optional but strongly recommended, as some institutions (banks, schools) may request it as additional evidence of your name change.