The government has unveiled immediate changes to the issuance of birth certificates, allowing Kenyans to download and print the vital document online.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the development on Monday, June 22, noting that citizens will no longer be required to visit Huduma Centres or civil registration offices to obtain a printed birth certificate.
The announcement came after a high-level consultative meeting at Nyayo House in Nairobi involving the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services and senior government officials, where progress on ongoing service delivery reforms was assessed.
Murkomen explained that the new system forms part of wider government efforts to simplify access to civil registration documents while cutting down on the delays, costs and bureaucracy often associated with obtaining them.
"Kenyans can now download and print birth certificates online, a significant step towards improving accessibility and reducing the time required to obtain essential documents," Murkomen said.
Previously, while applications for birth certificates could be submitted through the eCitizen platform, applicants were still required to visit civil registry offices to collect the final document.
Although the CS did not provide details on the exact process for downloading and printing the certificates, the move means applicants with internet access can now obtain the document remotely once their application has been processed.
Murkomen further revealed that the government is accelerating plans to transform the eCitizen platform into a single digital gateway for public services, reducing dependence on manual procedures across various departments.
He also pointed to ongoing efforts to decentralise government services, particularly passport issuance, with plans underway to establish additional passport application and collection centres in more counties. Kilifi County is among the areas expected to benefit from the expansion.
"Among the key milestones is the continued decentralisation of passport issuance services, with plans underway to expand physical passport application and collection centres to Kilifi County, in addition to the counties already served," he added.
The changes form part of the government's broader public service modernisation programme aimed at digitising services, minimising paperwork and improving access to key documents for millions of Kenyans.
How to Apply for a Birth Certificate Online
Applicants are required to log into their eCitizen accounts and select the "Application for Child's Current Birth Certificate" service. They must then provide the required details and upload scanned copies of their national ID and birth notification documents.
After submitting the application, applicants pay the prescribed processing fee through mobile money and print the application form together with the invoice.
Traditionally, they would then wait for a collection notification before visiting the registrar's office to pick up the certificate, although this requirement is now expected to change following the government's latest announcement.
