How to Legally Change Your Name in Kenya

As humans, we are faced with many choices about small and great things. For some, we can change while others are beyond our power to change. One choice that requires great consideration in making assertive decisions is changing names in Kenya.

We choose what we hope will favour us in our daily lives and that which makes us feel fulfilled and happy. While this is the case, in other situations such as those involving our identity we may be limited at some point in changing them.

This aspect of naming is considered the role of parents and guardians in finding a suitable name for the newborn at birth. At the point of birth, the newborn has no authority to demand a given name while denying another.

Article 53 (1a) of the Constitution of Kenya provides that every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth.

However, later in life, the individual has the power to change their name, especially in Kenya where the 2010 constitution under the Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 gives freedom for individuals to change their names.

According to Ruth and Tonui company advocates, a change of name is possible through an outlined step-by-step process.

These steps include:

1. Get the Required Documents

These documents include the following.

• A certified copy of your Birth Certificate
• A certified copy of your National Identity Card
• A certified copy of your KRA Certificate
• Copies of 3 current passport-size photos.

2. Get a Letter from your area chief

The chief’s letter is to confirm that the chief knows you and knows your residence.

3. Obtain fingerprint printout from the Registrar of persons

The next step will be to have your fingerprints taken and this is normally done at the registrar of persons.

4. Prepare Affidavits by two witnesses who have known you for at least 10 years

Two people should be non-family members. They will swear an affidavit confirming they have known you for at least 10 years.

Also Read: Renowned Kenyan Musician Changes Stage Name; Here’s Why

5. Drafting of the Relevant Deed Poll Application

After the drafting, the deed poll will be executed with the necessary declarations.

6. Submission of all Required Documents to the Registrar of Documents for Registration

The next step will be to submit all the documents for registration. The registration is done in either the Nairobi registry or the Coastal Registry.

7. Advertisement in the Kenya Gazette

Before the change of name is effected an advertisement runs for 30 days. This is done through government printers.

8. Making an Application for a New Identity Card

The last step in this process involves submitting the old identity card and applying for a new identity card.

Instances Where a Change of Name May be Rejected in Kenya

The Registrar may decline to effect the change of name for the following reasons:

1. If the chosen name(s) is vulgar, or offensive.
2. If the name includes numbers, symbols or punctuation marks.

• If the proposed name is difficult to pronounce.

1. If the name incites or promotes criminal activities, racial, or religious hatred or use of controlled drugs.
2. If the name ridicules people, groups, government departments, companies or organizations; and
3. If the name creates an impression that one has an inherited or conferred title, honour, rank or academic award, for example, a change of first name to Sir, Lord, Lady, Prince, or Princess is not acceptable.

Further, when it is established by the Registrar that the objective of a change of name is to perpetuate fraud, the Registrar may reject that application.

Reasons Why People Change Their Names

The need to change your name may arise for diverse reasons such as anomalies in the identification documents which are ID cards or Passport.

1. Unmarried mothers whose children were registered with their father’s surname and who wish their children to have their names.
2. Divorced women who wish only to be known by their maiden name since they want to drop their former husband’s name.
3. Married Women who take their husband’s surname as their middle name.
4. People who might think that their name is embarrassing.

Also Read: Court Orders Removal of Kenyan Man’s Name from Birth Certificate of Mzungu Child

Consequences of Changing Your Name in Kenya

After changing the name and it is published in the Kenya Gazette, the individual will be required to apply for new identity documents.

A person who has changed their name will face the challenge of discrepancies with their names in other documents such as academic certificates.

In addition, the individual will be required to have an affidavit of Discrepancy in names on Certificates. The Affidavit shall state that the former and new names refer to the one individual.

This therefore indicates that it is easier to change a name at the earliest opportunity. This will help us avoid the alteration of multiple official documents and records.

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