How to apply for a Kenyan passport

The process of getting a Kenyan passport can be simple or it can be a crash course in the workings of the Kenyan immigration bureaucracy. If you’d like the process to be simple, learn the requirements and put together everything you require to apply for your Kenyan passport.

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

The Kenyan Immigration Department introduced new rules in April requiring Kenyans wishing to apply, renew or replace a Kenyan passport to start the process on ecitizen.go.ke.

It is best to apply for your passport at least 30 days before you plan to travel. Here’s all you need to know about applying for a Kenyan passport.

Why you need a Kenyan passport

All Kenyan citizens who wish to travel anywhere outside Kenya will need a passport. However, those who wish to travel within East Africa can use a temporary passport.

Requirements

- Applicants MUST appear in person for digital photo and biometrics capture.
- 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.
- For applicants who are adopted, the original adoption certificate, clearance letter from the children’s department, and or, the Court ruling or award.
Kenyan passport application form

You have to fill the passport application form online on eCitizen.
The application must be recommended in section 7 by a citizen of Kenya. The person recommending the applicant must not be an immediate relative.

Passport photographs

1. They 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.

Application

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.

Kenyan Passport fees

- A series (32 pages) – Ksh. 4,550
- B series (48 pages) – Ksh. 6,050
- C series (64 pages) – Ksh. 7,550
- Diplomatic – Ksh. 7,550
Availability

The Kenya Passport will be available for collection 15 working days after successful application. eCitizen will SMS you when your passport is ready.
The Kenyan Government has introduced new passport fees for Kenyans who apply for their passports abroad in Kenyan embassies and consulates.The new passport fees are markedly higher than the normal fees a Kenyan would pay if they applied for a passport in Kenya. A Kenyan in the US for instance Ksh. 8,144 for a 32 page passport and Ksh. 11,198 for a 48 page passport as opposed to the Ksh. 4,550 and Ksh. 6,050 they would be charged in Kenya respectively.