The process of obtaining a Kenyan birth certificate by mail is straightforward but can be time consuming. The process is different for ordering a Kenyan birth certificate for a baby born abroad to Kenyan parents than for those who need a copy of their existing birth certificate. These steps will walk you through both scenarios.
Certificate for a Kenyan Newborn Born Abroad
Obtain an official birth certificate from the country in which the child was born. At least one parent listed on the certificate must be a Kenyan citizen. If the birth certificate is not issued in English, an English translation must also be obtained. If the country does not issue birth certificates, an official statement confirming the birth from the doctor may be substituted.
Visit the Kenyan embassy or consulate with the birth certificate. You may be required to meet with a registrar to answer questions about the birth and your own citizenship, or you may simply be required to submit an application with a copy of the birth certificate. If there is no consulate in the area, you must mail the birth certificate and written request for a Kenyan birth certificate to the registrar's office of your city of birth in Kenya.
Await the official document. The process can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, and the birth certificate will arrive in the mail when it has been approved.
Read More: How to Read a Birth Certificate
Replace a Lost Kenyan Birth Certificate by Mail
Complete a birth certificate request form. If you are abroad, you will need to contact the embassy or consulate for the form appropriate to your area. If you are in Kenya, contact the Kenyan registrar's office in the town of your birth for the appropriate paperwork.
Supply copies of the supporting documents that the form requests. You may be asked to submit a copy of your passport or other photo identification as well any additional info requested, such as your hospital of birth and details about your parents. The exact nature of the supporting materials you need depends on the form you complete
Enclose the correct payment with your form and supporting materials. The price depends on where you are filing your request.
Wait for your birth certificate to arrive in the mail. The process takes between 12 and 14 weeks.
Warnings
- Kenya will only register new births up to six months from the delivery date.
Tips
- If you need the birth certificate to obtain a passport, be sure to build in enough time before your trip for both the birth certificate and the passport applications to be approved.
References
Tips
- If you need the birth certificate to obtain a passport, be sure to build in enough time before your trip for both the birth certificate and the passport applications to be approved.
Warnings
- Kenya will only register new births up to six months from the delivery date.
Writer Bio
Lily Welsh is a freelance writer from North Carolina, though she has spent much of her adult life living abroad. She is the About.com Guide to Music Careers, and her work appears frequently in other Web-based and print publications. Welsh has worked in the music industry for 15 years and counting and holds B.A.s in international studies and economics.