Register the birth of a Kenyan child born abroad
Directorate of Civil Registration Services · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Fill in Form BDA 1 and hand it in with the foreign birth certificate and passports at a Kenyan embassy or in Kenya. Registration costs KSh 1,000 in Kenya (USD 50 at an embassy), plus KSh 200 for the Kenyan birth certificate.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Registration, when you apply in KenyaKSh 200Kenyan birth certificate
- How long
- 1 working day once your application is complete (service charter)
- Where
- At a Kenyan embassy or high commission abroad, or in Kenya through Civil Registration Services (usajili.go.ke links to eCitizen at dcrs.ecitizen.go.ke)
What you need
- Filled Form BDA 1 (application for registration of a birth abroad)
- Original and copy of the foreign birth certificate, with an English translation by the embassy or a government-authorised body
- Original and copy of the child's passport (Kenyan or other)
- Original and copy of the Kenyan parent's ID and passport valid when the child was born; the other parent's ID or passport if not Kenyan
- If one parent has no ID documents: a sworn affidavit or a divorce decree
- If the child is over 18: their Kenyan passport, declaration of citizenship or letter regaining Kenyan citizenship (original and copy)
Steps
- Download Form BDA 1 from usajili.go.ke and fill it in.
- Take the form with the originals and copies of your documents to the Kenyan embassy or high commission where you live, or apply in Kenya through Civil Registration.
- Pay the registration fee (KSh 1,000 in Kenya, USD 50 at an embassy) and KSh 200 for the birth certificate.
Watch out
- Applying at an embassy costs USD 50 instead of KSh 1,000.
- Bring originals with photocopies, or have the copies certified by the embassy.
- Missing some papers? You can still apply: the Principal Civil Registrar will tell you what other evidence is accepted.
Who can apply
- A Kenyan parent (either parent) whose child was born outside Kenya
Official sources (4)
- Registration of Birth of a Kenyan Citizen Occurring Abroad usajili.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Civil Registration Services Delivery Charter usajili.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Form BDA 1: Application for registration of birth of a citizen of Kenya occurring abroad usajili.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Births and Deaths Registration Act (Cap. 149) and Rules interior.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026