How to apply for your child’s passport as demand rises in Kenya

As demand for passports continues to surge in Kenya, parents and guardians are reminded to follow the correct application procedures when applying for passports for their children. Every child, regardless of age, must possess a valid passport for international travel.

All applications must be completed online via the eCitizen portal, where the parent or guardian is required to input key details, including the child’s birth certificate information, physical attributes, and next-of-kin details.

Once the online application is completed, parents or guardians can submit their child’s application at select Huduma Centres that offer immigration services.

These centres handle both application submission and biometric data capture. However, not all Huduma Centres offer passport services, so applicants should verify this in advance.

Alternatively, applications can be submitted at designated immigration offices, including Nyayo House (Nairobi), Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Embu, Eldoret, Kisii, Bungoma, and Kericho. The expansion of these processing centres is intended to ease congestion and improve service delivery nationwide.

What you need to apply

Kenyan citizen parents must apply using one parent’s eCitizen account. The following documents are required for a child’s passport application:

Original and copy of the child’s birth certificate

Duly completed consent form for minors

Copies of both parents’ national ID cards (and death certificates, if applicable)

Originals and copies of both parents’ birth certificates

If the birth certificate is unavailable, further verification by the Directorate of Immigration Services may be required, which could delay processing.

Next of kin details are mandatory for both Kenyan citizens and non-citizens. Applicants must provide the full name, relationship to the child, contact details, and physical address of the next of kin. This is required for emergency contact purposes and, where necessary, to authorise the collection of the passport.

The nominated next of kin must present a copy of their ID and the payment receipt when collecting the passport.

For non-citizen children

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Children applying for Kenyan passports under dual citizenship or other special circumstances must submit additional documents. These include:

Duly completed consent form for minors

Certificate of Registration (for those who acquired Kenyan citizenship by registration)

Proof of legal residence in Kenya

Two copies of the payment invoice (generated after fee payment via the eCitizen portal)

One invoice copy (the Government copy) must be submitted with the application form and supporting documents at the immigration office or Huduma Centre. The second copy (the Customer copy) should be retained by the applicant as proof of payment.

The Immigration Department may request further documentation depending on the child’s citizenship status.

How long does it take?

First-time applications: At least 7 to 15 working days from the date of physical submission at the immigration office

Renewals or replacements: A minimum of 5 working days

Delays may occur if documents are incomplete or require further verification.

What are the costs?

Passport Type Fee (KES)

A Series (34 pages) Sh 7,500

B Series (50 pages) Sh 9,500

C Series (66 pages) Sh 12,500

Diplomatic Passport Sh 15,000

Replacement for lost/mutilated passport Sh 20,000

All passport applications must be made through eCitizen, with payments accepted via mobile money, debit/credit card, or online banking.

The government has strongly advised against booking travel before receiving your passport, as processing timelines may vary.

To avoid unnecessary delays, immigration officials urge applicants to: ensure all documents are correctly submitted, double-check spelling of names and personal details and follow up promptly if contacted for additional verification.