Get your first national ID (from age 18)
National Registration Bureau · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Once you're 18, go in person to your nearest National Registration Bureau office (usually at the County Commissioner's office or chief's camp) with your birth certificate and a parent's ID. First-time registration is listed as free.
- Fee
- FreeFirst-time (initial) registration
- How long
- About 15 working days in Nairobi, 25 in most other areas, and up to 30 in ASAL and border counties
- Where
- In person at a National Registration Bureau office (usually at the County Commissioner's office or chief's camp)
What you need
- Proof of your name, age and place of birth, usually your birth certificate (a notification of birth, child health card, school leaving certificate or chief's letter can also work)
- Proof of citizenship: a copy of either parent's ID card (Kenyans by birth), or a certificate of registration
- If you're married: your marriage certificate or parental consent
Steps
- Go to your nearest National Registration Bureau office. They're usually inside the County Commissioner's office or at the chief's camp.
- Hand in your birth certificate (or other proof of age) and a parent's ID so the officer can register you.
- You get a waiting card once your application is accepted. Keep it safe: you hand it back when you collect your ID.
Watch out
- Don't lose your waiting card. You need to hand it in to collect your ID.
- Check that your name and date of birth match your birth certificate exactly. A mismatch causes trouble later, for example when you apply for a passport.
Who can apply
- Kenyan citizens aged 18 or older.
Official sources (4)
- Citizen Service Delivery Charter interior.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- FAQs immigration.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- National Registration Bureau - eCitizen nrb.ecitizen.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- National Registration Bureau (NRB) nrb.pesaflow.com · read 30 Sep 2026
