How to change your name in Kenya- Kevin Karuga & Company Advocates.

Right to a name and nationality.

Article 53 (a) of the Constitution of Kenya , 2010 gives you a right to a name and nationality from birth. You obviously cannot name yourself at birth, hence your parents takes on that role. The name you get may not be what you would want to keep when you are of age. At times, parents may also realize that the names they give you are not cool enough to keep.

Don’t we all have nicknames growing up? Many times people get to know us more by those names and hardly even know our real official names. In the end we may just want to officially be known by those aliases . We have seen this trend a lot on the political scene. Politicians change their names to those known by the electorate . This makes it easier to be identified at the ballot. Marriage or divorce also leads us to change names.

Need to change your name ?

The good news is , when need be, you can change your name with much ease. First, it is required that all births be registered within six (6) months. Within the first two (2) years of birth, a parent or guardian can change a minor’s name by simply making an application to the Registrar of births and deaths.

After the two years, you can only change a name by filing a legal document known as a deed poll to be be prepared by your lawyer. You will sign it in both your old and new names. For minors, obviously their parents will sign on their behalf. If you are above 16 years old, you will have to consent to the change. An Advocate will have to witness this.

What documents do you need to have ?

You first need your birth certificate. married women, will in addition need a marriage certificate and a consent from their husbands. If you are separated, your Advocate will require to issue you with a certificate to that effect. Widows shall be required to provide a certificate of marriage accompanied by their husbands’ death certificate. For divorced women , a certificate of marriage together with a decree absolute or certificate of divorce shall be produced.

You will need a statutory declaration signed by a person resident in Kenya who has known you for a long time.

If you are resident outside Kenya, evidence shall be produced that you do not intend such residence to be permanent. The Registrar may require the production of a certificate by an Advocate as to the nature and probable duration of such residence.

What is the process on the ground?

As a matter of practice, you will require to have a letter from your area Chief. You will also need to get a finger print print out from the Registrar of Persons. Before making this request , you will require to present yourself to a police station to have your finger prints taken. You will present the resulting finger prints form to the Registrar of Persons to have the finger print out processed.

You shall then present all the above documents to the Lands Registry for assessment of stamp duty ( which you shall have to pay for online via the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) itax portal. ) The application for registration shall be submitted together with the accompanying documents to the Registrar of Documents . Upon registration, the Registrar shall cause the deed poll to be advertised in the Kenya Gazette . The name change is effected at this point. You can then proceed to apply for new identification documents.

Article by :

Kevin Karuga , Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

kevin@karugaadvocates.com