How to change the name of a child below two years

Section 14 of the Births and Registrations Act provides that a parent/guardian may amend the child’s name within 2 years of birth. The Parent/guardian is required to make an application to the Registrar of births and deaths. This application is done online, on the civil registration portal on e-citizen.

Documents required:

1. ID cards for adult applicants
2. Birth Certificate/Clinic card/ antenatal card/birth notification.

Process of amending the child’s name:

1. Parent/guardian should log into their e-citizen account/register
2. Select the civil registration portal
3. Select application for child current Birth Certificate
4. Select apply for a replacement of birth certificate
5. Fill in the required details and upload the current birth certificate/birth notification
6. Pay the required fee
7. You will receive a notification once the birth certificate is ready.

How to change a minor’s name

For children above two years, the parent/guardian can only change the name of the child through a deed poll. Section 3 of the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations provides that a parent or guardian may apply for change of name for their child through a deed poll.

Documents required:

1. Deed poll – the document used for change of name application
2. Statutory declaration – a declaration by someone who has known the child for a number of years.
3. Birth certificate
4. Consent – where the minor is over the age of sixteen. (generate a consent by minor over 16 to change name here)

How to change your name as an adult

Section 3 of the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations provides that a person may apply for a change of name through a deed poll.

Documents required:

1. Deed poll – the document used for change of name application (generate a deed poll for an adult here)
2. Statutory declaration – a declaration by someone who has known you for a number of years and a copy of their ID.
3. Birth certificate
4. Copies of ID

How to change your name as a married woman

Where a married woman chooses to adopt her husband’s name, she can change her name through two options:

1. Through applying for a change of particulars on ID

Rule 9 of the of the Registration of Persons Rules provides that a married woman may change her name on her ID by presenting a change of particulars form to the registration officer who now sit in Huduma Centre’s.  The married woman will be required to surrender her ID in order to be issued with a new one.

Documents required:

1. Change of particulars application form
2. Original copy of marriage certificate/affidavit of marriage( generate your affidavit for confirmation of marriage here)
3. Consent by husband to adopt his name (generate consent by husband here)
4. ID copies for husband and yourself
5. Passport Photo

Process for change of particulars on ID

1. Fill in the change of particulars form for which is available at the registration officer’s office. Registration officers are now located in Huduma Centres;
2. attach a copy of the marriage certificate/affidavit of marriage (generate your affidavit for confirmation of marriage here);
3. attach a copy of your husband’s ID where you are adopting his name;
4. Surrender ID;
5. Pay the required fees;
6. Submit a Passport photo;
7. You will be issued with a certificate as you wait for issuance of a new ID;
8. New ID will be issued after 60 days.

Through a deed poll.

Section 3 of the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations provides that a married woman may apply for change of name. Section 4 provides that she will need to prove marriage through a certificate of marriage or an affidavit of marriage (generate your affidavit for confirmation of marriage here).

Documents required:

1. Deed poll – the document used for change of name application (generate your deed poll for married woman here)
2. Statutory declaration – a declaration by someone who has known you for a number of years and a copy of their ID.
3. Birth certificate
4. Marriage certificate/ affidavit of marriage( generate your affidavit for confirmation of marriage here)
5. Consent from husband
6. Copies of the Husband and wife’s ID

How to change your name as a divorced woman

Where a woman chooses to drop her former husband’s name upon divorce, she can change her name through two options:

1. Through applying for a change of particulars on ID

Rule 9 of the Registration of Persons Rules states that a divorced woman may apply for a change of particulars on her ID by presenting a change of particulars form to the registration officer who now sit in Huduma Centre’s.  The divorced woman will be required to surrender her ID in order to be issued with a new one.

Documents required:

1. Change of particulars form
2. Divorce decree
3. Copies of ID

Process for change of particulars on ID

1. Fill in the change of particulars form for which is available at the registration officer’s office. Registration officers are now located in Huduma Centre’s;
2. attach a copy of the divorce absolute decree;
3. Surrender ID;
4. Pay the required fees;
5. Submit a Passport photo;
6. You will be issued with a certificate as you wait for issuance of a new ID;
7. New ID will be issued after 60 days.

Through a deed poll.

Section 3 of the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations provides that a divorced woman may apply for a change of name. Section 4 provides that she will need to prove divorce through a divorce absolute decree.

Documents required:

1. Deed poll – the document used for change of name application( generate a deed poll for divorced woman here)
2. Statutory declaration – a declaration by someone who has known you for a number of years.
3. Birth certificate
4. Certificate of marriage/affidavit of marriage( generate your affidavit for confirmation of marriage here)
5. Divorce decree
6. Copies of ID

How to change your name as a separated woman

Section 3 of the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations provides that a separated woman may apply for a change of name. Section 4 provides that she will need to prove separation through a certificate from an Advocate stating she is separated from her husband and it is likely to be permanent.

Documents required:

1. Deed poll – the document used for change of name application (generate a deed poll for an adult here)
2. Statutory declaration – a declaration by someone who has known you for a number of years.
3. Birth certificate
4. Marriage certificate
5. Certificate from Advocate stating that the separation is likely to be permanent.

Process for change of name using a deed poll

1. Fill in the deed poll
2. Have a witness who has known you for a number of years sign a statutory declaration to confirm your former name and your new name;
3. Have the statutory declaration signed and commissioned by an Advocate;
4. Attach the birth certificate of the applicant;
5. Stamp the document at the Collector of Stamp duty;
6. Present the documents to the Registrar of Documents (Ardhi house in Nairobi and County Commissioner’s office in other Counties) and in ;
7. Receive the registered deed poll from Registrar of documents;
8. Present the deed poll for gazettement at Kenya Gazette at Government Printer Office on Haile Selassie Avenue;
9. After approximately 60 -90 days, the name is published in the Kenya Gazette;
10. Once the name is gazetted, the change of name has been registered and you can now apply for a new ID and on your certificates.

How to change your name on your ID after registering a deed poll

1. Fill in the change of particulars form for which is available at the registration officer’s office. Registration officers are now located in Huduma Centre’s;
2. attach a copy of your registered deed poll
3. attach your marriage certificate/affidavit of marriage (you can generate your affidavit for confirmation of marriage here) or divorce absolute decree if necessary;
4. attach a copy of your husband’s ID where you are adopting his name;
5. Surrender your ID;
6. Pay the required fees;
7. Submit a Passport photo;
8. You will be issued with a certificate as you wait for issuance of a new ID;
9. New ID will be issued after 60 days.