OVERVIEW OF CITIZENSHIP BY REGISTRATION IN KENYA
Citizenship by registration in Kenya may be acquired through:
- Lawful residence.
- Marriage (spouse of a Kenyan citizen or widow or widower of a Kenyan citizen)
- Children of Kenyan citizen (adopted, dependant and those born before their parents acquired Kenyan citizenship).
The table below outlines the difference, requirements and cost for each category.
| CATEGORY | EXPLANATION | SPECIAL CONDITIONS ATTACHED | REQUIREMENTS | IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT COST (KSH) |
| Citizenship by lawful resident | A person who has attained the age of majority and capacity who has been lawfully resident in Kenya for a continuous period of at least seven years may on application be registered as a citizen | Applicant must be ordinarily resident in Kenya for a period of seven years, immediately preceding the date of application. Applicant must have been a resident under the authority of a valid permit. Applicant must have resided in Kenya throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application. Applicant must have adequate knowledge of Kenya and of the duties and rights of citizens. Applicant is able to understand and speak Kiswahili or a local dialect. Applicant has not been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or longer. satisfies that he or she intends to reside in Kenya after registration. Applicant is capable of making a substantive contribution to the progress or advancement in any area of national development. Applicant is not an adjudged bankrupt. | Application form 10 Passport size photograph Questionnaire (Printable upon completion of application) Permit held for the last 7 years Certificate of good conduct Letter of proof of contribution made in national development Personal bank statement passport bio data Declaration Concerning Residence (Form N) Oath of allegiance Application Letter Application fee | Processing fees 20,000.00 Government issuance fees 1,000,000.00 |
| Citizenship by marriage | A person who has been married to a citizen of Kenya for a period of at least seven years shall be entitled, on application, to be registered as a citizen of Kenya OR A foreign national who has been married to a citizen who but for the death of the citizen would have been entitled, after a period of seven years, to be registered as a citizen of Kenya | the marriage was solemnized under a system of law recognized in Kenya, whether solemnized in Kenya or outside Kenya. The applicant has not been declared a prohibited immigrant under the law the applicant has not been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or longer. The marriage was not entered into for the purpose of acquiring a status or privilege in relation to immigration or citizenship. And The marriage was subsisting at the time of the application. A widow or widower who marries a non-citizen before the expiry of the period of seven years shall not be entitled to acquire citizenship by registration | Application form 8 or application form 9 for widow or widowerpassport size photograph Copy of marriage certificate Certificate of good conduct of applicant A sworn affidavit Copy of dependant pass/permit Copy of applicant’s passport bio data. Copy of spouse’s Kenyan passport Questionnaire (Printable after application) Copy of the Police Clearance Certificate Copy of death certificate of spouse (for widow or widower) | Processing fees 20,000.00 Government issuance fees (50,000.00 for East Africa Community applicants or widow or widower and 100,000.00 for other applicants. |
| Children of Kenyan citizen | A child of a citizen by registration who was born before the parent acquired citizenship may on application by the parent or legal guardian be registered as a Kenya Citizen. A child who is not a citizen, but is adopted by a citizen, is entitled on application by the adopting parent or legal guardian to be registered as a citizen. | Production of documents conferring Kenyan Citizenship to any of the parents. Production of the child’s birth certificate. and Proof of lawful residence of the child in Kenya OR the production of proof of the Kenyan citizenship of the adopting parent. The production of a valid adoption certificate issued in a reciprocating state or other jurisdiction whose orders, decrees are recognized in Kenya; and Proof of lawful residence of the child in Kenya | application form 11 passport size photographs Copy of birth certificate or local adoption certificate Copy of parents’ Kenyan passport and Certificate of Registration Copy of dependants pass Copy of parent’s identity card Copy of applicant’s passport bio data Certificate of good conduct for children 18 years and above. Copy of parent/guardian’s Police Clearance Certificate | Processing fees 20,000.00 Government issuance fees 100,000.00 |
At A.O.WANGA ADVOCATES we guarantee effective and timely delivery of citizenship certificates and are happy to assist you in your application for registration as a Kenyan Citizen. Contact us on info@aowangaadvocates.com or +254794600191.
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