Register the death of a Kenyan who died abroad and bring the body home
Directorate of Civil Registration Services with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs · sources read 1 Oct 2026
Tell the nearest Kenyan embassy, which helps with the papers to fly the body home. To get a Kenyan death certificate, file Form BDA 2 with the foreign death certificate: KSh 1,000 if you apply in Kenya (USD 50 abroad), plus KSh 200 for the certificate.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Registration, when you apply in KenyaKSh 200Kenyan death certificate
- Where
- At the Kenyan embassy or high commission where the death happened (for the body and paperwork), and Civil Registration Services in Kenya for the death certificate (usajili.go.ke links to eCitizen at dcrs.ecitizen.go.ke)
What you need
- Filled Form BDA 2 (application to register the death of a Kenyan abroad)
- Original and copy of the foreign death certificate, with an English version certified by the Kenyan mission
- Original and copy of the medical certificate from the doctor
- Original and copy of the burial or disposal permit issued abroad
- The deceased's identification documents, and the applicant's ID (original and copy)
Steps
- Contact the nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate. Foreign Affairs confirms the death with local authorities and supports the family.
- To fly the body home, ask the mission for a no-objection letter for repatriating the remains. Bring proof the person was Kenyan (passport or ID), the foreign death certificate and the funeral director's embalming letter.
- Fill in Form BDA 2 (from usajili.go.ke). A Kenyan mission officer signs the part confirming the details.
- Hand in the form and documents to Civil Registration in Kenya (or through the embassy) and pay the fees to get the Kenyan death certificate.
Watch out
- Name, date and place of birth must match exactly on the death certificate and the other papers, or the process gets delayed.
- If you register at an embassy abroad, the registration fee is USD 50 instead of KSh 1,000.
- Missing some papers? You can still apply: the Principal Civil Registrar will tell you what other evidence is accepted.
Who can apply
- For Kenyan citizens who die outside Kenya. A relative or other informant applies.
Official sources (5)
- Registration of Death of a Kenyan Citizen Occurring abroad usajili.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Form BDA 2: Application for registration of death of a citizen of Kenya occurring abroad usajili.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Consular Services immigration.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- FAQs mfa.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Consular Services - Embassy of the Republic of Kenya, Berlin berlin.mfa.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026