How to Replace a lost or damaged Passport in Kenya

If your Kenyan passport has been lost or damaged/ Mutilated  and you wish to replace it, please read the following information carefully on How to Replace a lost or damaged Passport in Kenya.

Procedure – Replace a lost or damaged Passport

Things to note:

Please ensure you have read and understood the guidelines and requirements both on www.ecitizen.go.ke and those listed below before submitting your application.

You will need to apply for your Passport on the E-citizen platform before booking an appointment for processing at the High Commission. (www.ecitizen.go.ke)

Passport applications without complete requirements will not be processed. Please ensure all the requirements are met.

You must bring your original Kenyan Birth Certificate, parent’s Identity Card and Passport that is being replaced. Copies will not suffice.

Please ensure you follow the order of documents as outlined below.

The waiting period is approximately 6 weeks.

Dual Citizens are required to declare their other nationality prior to renewing Kenya passports.

Those required to apply to regain Kenya citizenship are expected to await completion of the regaining process.

Use clear photos with all facial features clearly outline against a white background without shadows in the background. The photo should be decent & not include spectacles. The face should be 2.5 by 2 inches

Collection of passports is strictly only via postal services.

‍As a measure in support of the containment of the spread of Covid-19, applicants are advised to provide at the time of application, a secure, registered and trackable self-addressed envelope with pre-paid postage stamps for the dispatch of their critical documents. The envelope should have sufficient return postage and clearly indicates full names and postcode of the applicant.

In line with the UK Government guidelines, everyone coming to the Mission must wear a mask and note that social distancing rules will be enforced.

Step 1: Obtain affidavit and police abstract

1. You should start by visiting a police station to report the loss/damage of the passport. You are also to acquire a police abstract from the police authorities which is a prerequisite to making the application.
2. You are also to swear an affidavit of the circumstances surrounding the loss, theft, mutilation or damage. You are to attach this affidavit with your application.
   

Step 2: 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.
   • You will be asked, if you have a dual nationality (choose yes or no )
   • Choose application type i.e.
   i. Mutilated passport application
   ii. Lost passport application
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 replacement of mutilated and lost passport.
   a) Mutilated Passport – Kshs 10,050
   b) Lost Passport Ksh. 12,050
   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 3: 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. An affidavit of the circumstances surrounding the loss, theft, mutilation or damage.
   iii. A police report on the loss of the passport. i.e. Police abstract.
   iv. Letter explaining how you lost the passport.
   v. Original birth certificate and photocopy.
   vi. Original National ID Card and photocopy.
   vii. Three Current passport size photos.
   viii. Recommenders ID card copy.
   ix. Parents National ID cards copies or Death Certificate if deceased.
   x. For applicants who are below the age of eighteen years, the parents or legal guardian’s written consent must be provided.
   xi. 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 5 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. You will be contacted through text and/or email when to collect your passport.

Required Documents – Replace a lost or damaged Passport

1. An affidavit of the circumstances surrounding the loss, theft, mutilation or damage.
2. A police report on the loss of the passport. i.e. Police abstract.
3. Letter explaining how you lost the passport.
4. An eCitizen pre-filled passport application form and three invoices.
   

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: Ministry of 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.
• One needs to have lost his/her Kenyan passport.
• One needs to be a holder of a damaged Kenyan passport.
  

Fees – Replace a lost or damaged Passport

• 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 5 working days after successful application.

Instructions

• You should swear an affidavit of the circumstances surrounding the loss, theft, mutilation or damage of the passport.
• In case of loss of the passport you should get a police report on the same.
• To ascertain the true circumstances on the loss, theft or damage of the passport, the applicant may be required to appear for an interview before a Passport Control Officer.
• 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.
  

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
16. Circumstances leading to loss of passport

Requirements for Name Change on a Passport

1Two printouts of completed form (click to download) and two corresponding receipts (Available on E-Citizen)

2Two copies of police Report in case of a lost passport

3Duly filled proforma (and a copy) for lost/damaged passport (Click to download)

4Letter of consent from spouse indicating the name to be adopted

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

1. The photographs must be three in number.
2. The photographs must be taken full face without a hat.
3. The photographs must not be mounted.
4. The size of the photographs must not be more than 2½ inches by 2 inches or less than 2 inches by 1½ inches.
5. The photographs must be printed on normal thin photographic paper and must not be glazed on the reverse side.
6. 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: eCitizen
  

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