Kenyan parents who get a child before getting married may find that the child’s birth record reflects only the information that was provided at the time of registration.
In some cases, the father’s name may not appear on the original birth certificate due to some unavoidable circumstances, for example, unidentified fathers.
When the parents later marry, their legal relationship changes, but the child’s birth record remains the same. The original registration is not automatically updated to reflect the new marital status.
This creates a situation in which the official birth certificate may not fully reflect the current family arrangement. The document continues to show the details as they were recorded at the time of the child’s birth.
In some cases, parents may seek to have the father’s details included after marriage. This is often linked to the desire to align the child’s legal documents with the updated family structure.
The situation mainly arises from the timing of marriage relative to the registration of childbirth, leading to discrepancies between the initial record and the current family status.
“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,” Huduma Kenya notes.
How to Re-Register a Birth Certificate to Include Father’s Details
A re-registration service is available for parents who marry after the birth of their child and wish to have the father’s name added to the child’s birth record.
The service allows the amendment of the birth register to reflect updated parental details.
To complete the process, both parents must complete a re-registration application and swear a joint affidavit.
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Both parents must also be physically present during the application process to confirm consent and the authenticity of the request.
Requirements
According to Huduma Kenya, applicants are required to present valid identification documents, including national identity cards, entry permits, or passports for both parents. These documents are used to confirm identity during the application process.
Huduma Kenya also requires the child’s existing birth certificate, particularly one issued without the father’s name. This document is necessary for processing any updates to the birth record.
In addition, a marriage certificate or a jointly signed affidavit (LO2) is required to support the application. This serves as proof of the parents’ marital status after the child’s birth.
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“Persons who qualify for this service include: Parents who marry after the birth of a child,” Huduma Kenya emphasizes.
The fee for processing a birth certificate with amendments is Ksh 100, whether updating parental or child details, while a new birth certificate reflecting the father’s name also costs Ksh 100. The standard processing timeline is 10 days, according to Huduma Kenya service guidelines.
For inquiries, applicants can contact the Huduma Contact Center at +254 (020) 6900020 or visit the nearest Huduma Center.
Further assistance is available through the Department of Civil Registration at Hass Plaza, 4th Floor, Lower Hill Road, Nairobi, P.O. Box 49179-00100. Contact details include telephone: +254-20-2714987/8, email: [email protected], and fax: 2714989.
