In Kenya, the most important identification documents are the birth certificate and the national identification card. A birth certificate is a document issued at birth to all children in Kenya.
Notably, all children born in Kenya, whether within a health facility or at home are entitled to a birth certificate that is issued by the government.
When a child is born in hospital, the hospital must issue a birth notification which the parent uses to process a birth certificate.
Concurrently, when a child is delivered outside of a hospital, the Civil Registrar will facilitate the issuance of a birth certificate.
In this case, the Civil Registrar works with organizations such as the United Nations High Commision for Refugees(UNHCR) to ensure a smooth documentation process.
While many Kenyans understand the process of getting a birth certificate, it is also important to know what to do should you need the document while abroad.
Application of registration of birth of a citizen occurring abroad
This form can be downloaded from the respective embassies’ website. The application of birth contains the full names of the child and both parents, the relevant country of birth and the date of birth of the child.
Also Read: How to Confirm Your Passport on Immigration Portal
In this case, the form gives the necessary information required to start processing the birth certificate. Notably, most embassies require two copies of these forms, duly signed.
Copies of the child’s foreign birth certificate
Additionally, to apply for a Kenyan certification of birth, the Kenyan government and foreign embassies need to verify the birth of the child in the foreign country.
The copies of the foreign birth certificates are required in the application of a Kenyan birth certificate whilst abroad.
Different embassies specify the number of birth certificates that they require. For example, the Embassy of Kenya in Riyadh specifies that they only require one while the Embassy of Kenya in Berlin, Germany, states that they require two notarized copies of the child’s international birth certificate.
Original certified copies of the parents’ passports.
According to the Directorate of Immigration, a passport is a document issued to Kenyan citizens wishing to travel abroad.
Most embassies require that the parents present their passports to the embassies when applying for the Kenyan certification of birth while living abroad.
Original copies of parents’ birth certificate
Most embassies require the evidence of Kenyan citizenship by the parents. Therefore, copies of the parents’ birth certificates are important.
Additionally, some embassies such as the Embassy of Kenya in the United Kingdom and the Embassy of Kenya in Stockholm require the marriage certificate of the parents, if legally married.
Also Read: Cost and Process of Applying for a Passport in Kenya
Processing fee
Every embassy requires a processing fee before creating the birth certificate as applied. The processing fee varies and is indicated on different embassy websites. For instance, the Embassy of Kenya in Riyadh charges a processing fee of Ksh4,000 (100 Saudi Riyals)
Often, the fee is non-refundable. This monies are paid either by postal order or by transfer to indicated bank accounts.
Importance of the Kenyan National ID
A national identification card is issued to Kenyans when they turn eighteen years old. It is an official document that allows Kenyans to have access government services.
Additionally, with a valid ID card, Kenyans can open a bank account, apply for a visa, or work permit, and even obtain insurance services.
Therefore, these two identification documents are crucial in the life of any Kenyan. Kenyan parents living abroad can apply for the certification of birth of their child whilst still living abroad.
Consequently, different embassies to Kenya have listed the criteria that people living abroad can use to apply for these important documents.
