Applying for a birth certificate is one of the most crucial processes a parent handles for their child. There are multiple ways this can be done, most commonly through the hospital or clinic, shortly after the birth of the baby.

Why is a Kenyan birth certificate important?

The birth certificate is the first document an individual in Kenya receives. There are other documents they eventually apply for, but can only get once they meet the necessary age requirement. The birth certificate number is significant for all other documentation processes,
including applying for a national identity card. Post receiving the identification card, individuals still use their birth certificate to apply for a passport or their visas.

How to apply for a birth certificate in Kenya?

The popular way of getting a birth certificate is through the Kenyan High Commission located in various parts of the world. This is done when people need copies of their passports and other documents without travelling to Kenya. They have to get this done during work hours and might need to handle some paperwork.

Additionally, there are systems in place for Kenyans born outside the country. They have to provide all the necessary information about the birth of the child and send these forms back to Kenya. There are a couple of forms that have to be thoroughly and accurately filled out.

For those residing in Kenya, the process varies slightly. They have to register the birth through the registrar of births and deaths of the district where the individual was born, within the Department of Civil Registration, Kenya. This can also be done through the nearest Huduma Centre. Additionally, this application process can be handled online since the forms are available for download if needed.

Since most of this information is provided by the individual, there are a few requirements they have to gather before submitting their documents. They need a letter from the hospital or clinic stating the details of the birth. Furthermore, to prove the parents are also from Africa, they need their national ID cards, passports, or birth certificates. If the child is born in a hospital in Africa, the hospital by default provides a ‘notification of birth’. The basic details relating to the birth of the child, like the name of the child, parents’ names, hospital where the child was delivered, date, stamp and authorized signature from the hospital, are mentioned in this document.

There are certain instances where people apply for birth certificates later on since they might have misplaced the one they had or need a new one. If an individual is doing this when above the legal age, they also have to provide their details, like

• Identity card
• Parents’ original ID cards
• Passports or birth certificates
• Form four or class eight leaving certificates
• Baptismal card

There are situations where individuals might not have access to their parent’s documents so an exception has been made where they can provide copies from the National Registration Bureau to show that their parents were registered there.

What is the waiting time for a birth certificate from Kenya?

The documents applied for, take time to process and are usually ready in two weeks. The amount of time taken generally depends on the overall number of applications submitted or if the applicant is applying for a birth certificate post losing one. If it is the latter, all the information has to be provided again along with hospital records of the birth. The Huduma Centre should be able to assist further.

What are the benefits of receiving a birth certificate from Kenya?

• Birth certificates are important documents needed for all documentation processes throughout an individual’s career.
• They are needed at the time of applying for a National Identity Card.
• They are needed when applying for a passport to travel abroad.
• They are also needed when applying for individual visas.
• Multiple other processes need birth certificates as well, like applying for a child’s birth certificate.