How to change a child’s name in Kenya
For children under the age of two, the procedure is extremely simple…
Simply go to your local registrar of persons office (where you get birth certificates) and inform the officer that you wish to change your child’s name.
Requirements depend on the age category (categorized as below):
- Kids aged below 2 years
- Children between 2 years to 16 years
- Children 16 to 18 years
For a child below 2 years, you will fill out a form, upload your previous birth certificate, and pay a small fee before proceeding (come check after 2 months maximum).
It will be more complicated for an older child.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re changing a child’s name.
You may also be requested to provide additional documentation, particularly if you are requesting for a name change for a kid for whom you are not the biological parent.
The trouble is, it’s best to consult a lawyer for a child over the age of two, and your child will need to follow the standard process if he or she is over the age of 18.
After two years, one must apply for a name change via the deed poll process.
A deed poll is a basic application that is permitted under the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations. These forms differ slightly based on who is having their name changed. The applicable form for minors is ‘Form 4 A,’ which is filled out and signed on their behalf by their parent or legal guardian and a witness.
If the minor is over the age of sixteen, he or she must give consent in the necessary form, i.e. ‘Form 4’, which must be witnessed by an Advocate.
The deed poll must be accompanied with the child’s birth certificate and a statutory declaration in the prescribed form when submitted. The individual swearing the statutory declaration must be a Kenyan resident who knows the child. In most cases, he or she is a relative or a close family friend.
Once finished, the documents must be given to the Registrar of Documents, who will register them and publish them in the Kenya Gazette.
The name change takes effect only after it has been published. However, in order for the child’s new names to appear on the birth certificate, a new birth certificate must be obtained.
