Does a foreign child adopted by a Kenyan become Kenyan?
Constitution of Kenya and Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Not automatically. A child who is not a citizen but is adopted by a Kenyan citizen is entitled to be registered as a Kenyan citizen once the adopting parent or guardian applies.
- Where
- Online on eFNS (fns.immigration.go.ke), then in person at Immigration headquarters, Nyayo House, Nairobi
What you need
- Proof that the adopting parent is a Kenyan citizen
- A valid adoption certificate
- Proof the child lives lawfully in Kenya
Steps
- The adopting parent or legal guardian applies for the child to be registered as a citizen.
- On the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke), go to Submit Applications and pick the Children/Adopted Children tab.
- Take the printed application and documents to Immigration headquarters at Nyayo House, Nairobi.
Watch out
- An adoption done abroad counts only if the adoption certificate comes from a country whose adoption orders Kenya recognises.
- The child becomes a citizen by registration, not by birth. The law allows registered citizenship to be revoked, for example if it was gained by fraud.
Who this covers
- A child who is not a Kenyan citizen and has been adopted by a Kenyan citizen.
Official sources (3)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 (No. 12 of 2011) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Application for registration as a citizen of Kenya for a child (eFNS information pack) fns.immigration.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026