How to Apply for a Kenyan Passport

The Kenyan passport is issued to Kenyan citizens in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and as provided for in the Kenya Citizens and Immigration Act that commenced on 30 August 2011. How to Apply for a Kenyan Passport In addition issuance process is regulated by Legal Notice No. 64 (the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012). If eligible, an individual can apply for a New Passport, Renewal Passport and Replacement Passport. Passports are issued by the Department of Immigration. The department is under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. Kenyan passports are usually used as a form of ID as well and would be rated as second to The Kenyan national ID card

Kenya’s Immigration Department is making a number of changes in the way people apply for, renew, and replace lost or destroyed passports. In August, it was announced that Kenyan Passport applicants will need an appointment to visit processing centers in an effort to decongest these centers.

With the new guidelines, we thought we would guide you guys through the process of applying for, renewing or replace your passport and pay for it online. We shall also look at the requirements that you need to carry with you to ease the entire process.

Procedure

From 1st September 2017, Kenyan passports are now ePassports and will contain a chip that has information such as biometrics and a digital photo.

Step 1: Make Online Application

1. The first step is to register on eCitizen through the following link eCitizen . You will need your National ID number, email address and a phone number to complete the registration.
2. You will then need to login to the eCitizen platform after successful registration and navigate to Department of Immigration Services and then submit application.
   • Click on “Get service now”, then select the Blue button ” Make Application” on the next window.
   • Click on the Plus (+) sign on the Kenyan Passport tab and select the type of passport you want to apply.
3. You will then need to choose a form because they are three: one for adults, one for children and one for a temporary permit.
4. Choose the form that applies to you, you will then be directed to a page that has the application guidelines + costs. At the bottom of it you will then need to click on apply now, to get to the online application form.
5. The online application form will require the applicant to fill all the details. After you fill all the details you will then be asked to review the form and ascertain that the details therein are correct. If everything is okay then you should click continue.
6. You will be directed to the payments page. The modes are: M-PESA (Paybill no 206206, Account Number FWJXRZL), Debit Card, Credit Card, Prepaid Debit Card, Airtel Money and eCitizen Agent. You should choose your preferred payment method and then pay. Below are the costs for the passports and temporary permit.
   a) 32 Pages – Kshs. 4,550
   b) 48 pages – Kshs. 6,050
   c) 64 Pages – Kshs. 7,550
   d) Diplomatic passport (48 page) – Kshs 7,550
   e) Mutilated Passport – Kshs 10,050
   f) Lost Passport Ksh. 12,050
   g) Temporary permit – Ksh. 350
   Kindly note that payments via Debit/Credit/Prepaid Cards attract an extra 2.5% handling fee.
7. You should then print your filled application and three copies of the invoice to present to the immigration department offices.
   

Step 2: Visit immigration offices to complete application

1. After printing the application and invoice you are required to visit an immigration office in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu for collection of fingerprints, digital photo and signature and also to drop required documents.
2. You must appear in person for digital photo and biometrics capture in immigration office in Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu.
3. You must present the following documents to the immigration offices
   i. An eCitizen pre-filled passport application form and three invoices.
   ii. Original birth certificate and photocopy.
   iii. Original National ID Card and photocopy.
   iv. Three Current passport size photos.
   v. Recommenders ID card copy.
   vi. Parents National ID cards copies or Death Certificate if deceased.
   vii. For applicants who are below the age of eighteen years, the parents or legal guardian’s written consent must be provided.
   viii. For applicants who are adopted, the original adoption certificate, clearance letter from the children’s department, and or, the Court ruling or award.
4. After lodging the application the passport will be ready for collection at the immigration office after 15 working days.
5. You are required to bring proof of identification when collecting the passport. You can also track the application progress through your e-Citizen account.
6. You will be contacted through text and/or email when to collect your passport.

Required Documents

• An eCitizen pre-filled passport application form and three invoices.
• Original birth certificate and photocopy.
• Original National ID Card and photocopy.
• Three Current passport size photos.
• Recommenders ID card copy.
• Parents National ID cards copies or Death Certificate if deceased.
• For applicants who are below the age of eighteen years, the parents or legal guardian’s written consent must be provided. The consent letter can be downloaded through the following link .Consent letter
• For applicants who are adopted, the original adoption certificate, clearance letter from the children’s department, and or, the Court ruling or award.
  

Office Locations & Contacts

eCitizen -Department of Immigration Services : eCitizen

Department of Immigration Services

Nyayo house

Passport Section Ground Floor,

Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru Highway

P.O. Box 30191, 00100 Nairobi.

Tel: +254-20-2222022, +254-20-2217544,+254-20-2218833

Email: dis@immigration.go.ke

Website: Ministy oof Immigration

Mombasa-Immigration Department Office

PC’s Office Building

Tel: +254-41-2222676

Kisumu-Immigration Department Office

New Provincial Headquarters

Tel: +254-057-2024935/2025438/0700596071

Eligibility

• One need to be an Kenyan citizen
• The child needs to be born of Kenyan parents.

Fees

Kenyan Passport fees

• A series (32 pages) – Ksh. 4,550
• B series (48 pages) – Ksh. 6,050
• C series (64 pages) – Ksh. 7,550
• East African Passport – Ksh.. 990
• Diplomatic passport (48 page) – Ksh. 7,550
• Mutilated Passport – Ksh. 10,050
• Lost Passport Ksh. 12,050
  

Validity

• Kenyan passports are valid for a period of five(5) or ten (10) years after date of issuance.
  

Documents to Use

• The passport application is generated online from eCitizen eCitizen.
  
• Consent Letter : Consent Letter

Processing Time

• The Kenya Passport will be available for collection 15 working days after successful application.

Instructions

• Kenyans will have to start the application process for their passport on the eCitizen platform. Thereafter they will be required to visit an immigration office in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu for collection of fingerprints, digital photo and signature and also to drop required documents.
• E-Citizen instructions.

i. Go to E-Citizen and register an account.
ii. Login to the eCitizen platform after successful registration and navigate to Department of Immigration Services then submit application then Passport and Temporary Permits.
iii. You should then click on Passport Application form. The page that opens has instructions on how to fill the application form.
iv. After reading the instructions navigate downwards and then click on apply now.
v. Fill the application form.
vi. Select the mode of payment and then pay the passport fees. The payment modes are: M-PESA, Debit/Credit Card, Airtel Money and eCitizen Agent.
vii. Download and print the application and three application receipts.
viii. Submit the application form in person plus the necessary documents to an immigration centre near you (Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu).

• Applicants MUST appear in person for digital photo and biometrics capture in immigration office in Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu.
• You must present the following documents to the immigration offices

i. An eCitizen pre-filled passport application form and three invoices.
ii. Original birth certificate and photocopy.
iii. Original National ID Card and photocopy.
iv. Three Current passport size photos.
v. Recommenders ID card copy.
vi. Parents National ID cards copies or Death Certificate if deceased.
vii. For applicants who are below the age of eighteen years, the parents or legal guardian’s written consent must be provided.
vii. For applicants who are adopted, the original adoption certificate, clearance letter from the children’s department, and or, the Court ruling or award.

Required Information

1. Full name
2. Valid identity proof
3. Date of birth
4. Place of birth
5. Birth certificate number
6. Address
7. Occupation
8. Citizenship
9. Telephone number
10. Referee full names
11. Referee ID number
12. Maiden names for married women
13. Husbands full name in case of married women
14. Date of married
15. Place of marriage

Need for the Document

• The document is used for identification purposes.
• The document is required to allow one to traveling across international borders.
  

Information which might help

• From 1st September 2017, Kenyan passports are now ePassports and will contain a chip that has information such as biometrics and a digital photo.
• It is best to apply for your passport at least 30 days before you plan to travel.
• The application must be recommended by a citizen of Kenya. The person recommending the applicant must not be an immediate relative.
• Please note for international travel, passports must be valid for six months or more.
  

Requirements for Passport photographs
i. The photographs must be three in number.
ii. The photographs must be taken full face without a hat.
iii. The photographs must not be mounted.
iv. The size of the photographs must not be more than 2½ inches by 2 inches or less than 2 inches by 1½ inches.
v. The photographs must be printed on normal thin photographic paper and must not be glazed on the reverse side.
vi. The person recommending the applicant is required to endorse the reverse side of one copy of the photographs with the words: I certify that this is a true likeness of the
applicant Mr. (Mrs. or Miss) and add his signature.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

• The document is needed when applying or a travel visa or work permit.
  

External Links

eCitizen -Department of Immigration Services : Kenya Immigration Website

Others

• As of September 2017, Kenya commenced issuing the new East African format ePassport. The new E-Systems will improve efficiency and rid out loop holes and enhance security this one of Kenya’s goal in vision 2030. The new bio-metric passport contains the holder’s bio-data such as finger prints, digitally stored photo and signature among others.
  
• Features of the Kenyan Bio-metric passport:

i. Electronic chip holding the same information as the old model passport
ii. Bio-metric identifier
iii. Digital photograph of the passport holder
iv. Security features to prevent unauthorized use and forgery.
v. Details of the ePassport will be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

• Also to be noted is that the new colour adopted on the Kenyan ordinary passport, Light blue is the official colours of the East African community. The new ePassport will be available as of 1 September 2017. The old ordinary passport will be phased out by 31 August 2019 and they will be rendered unusable and cease to being recognized as travel documents. Holders of existing old format passports are strongly advised to apply for the new ePassport before this date. All new passport applications are processed via the Kenya Government E-citizen portal E-citizen

Caution

The passport remains the property of the government of Kenya and maybe withdrawn at any time. It is a valuable document and should not be altered in anyway or allowed to pass in to possession of unauthorized persons. If lost or destroyed, the facts and circumstances should be reported immediately to Passport office, or the nearest East African Community Partner state Mission abroad or other representatives and to the local police. (noted in page 31-in English, Swahili and French)^[3]

Notes

• East African Community Passports are issued and replaced by the competent authorities in East African partner States or the Diplomatic Mission abroad.
• This passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issue unless otherwise stated. If at any time a passport contains no further space for visas or in the case of significant changes in the facial appearance owing to age, medical condition, or any other reason a new passport must e obtained.
• The possession of a passport does not exempt the holder from compliance with any immigration regulations or formalities in force in the foreign countries or from the necessity of obtaining a visa or permit where required.(Noted on page 32, 33,34 in English, Swahili and French respectively)^[3]

Languages

Kenya has two official languages, English and Swahili, and in all government and legal documents both languages are used.

In the Kenyan passport, French is also used.