Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC Provides Instructions on Acquiring an ePassport for Kenyans in the US

The Embassy of the Republican of Kenya in Washington, DC has issued instructions for Kenyans living in the United States who wish to replace their passports with the new generation ePassports, wish to obtain a passport and have never held a Kenyan passport before, or wish to replace a lost or mutilated passport.

The Kenyan government has announced that old (non-digital) Kenyan passports will be phased out on August 31st, 2019. Kenyan citizens who will not have obtained ePassports before that date will therefore not be able to use them to travel internationally using their Kenyan passports starting September 1st. ePassports contain an embedded electronic chip storing the passport holder’s biometric data and other information in line with current international standards to make it more difficult to produce a fake passport, says the government.

The Embassy directs Kenyans to first apply for the passport through the eCitizen portal (www.ecitizen.go.ke) by by filling up a form and submitting it. The passport applicants will then download the form, sign and date it, then submit it in person at the Embassy along with the required documents for biometrics capture.

Requirements for new applications (Never held a Kenyan passport before)

1. A duly filled application form
2. Original Kenyan Birth certificate and a copy. (if born abroad please see - Birth Certificate for Kenyan children born abroad)
3. Certificate of Registration if Kenyan by Registration
4. Original Kenyan ID and a copy for Adults
5. 3 (Three) passport size photos
6. Copy of the recommender’s Kenyan ID (Recommender is any Kenyan of sound mind who can certify that you are a Kenyan citizen)
7. Duly filled Consent form for Minors
8. Copies  of Parents Kenyan ID’s
9. 2(two) payment invoices for the prescribed fee

 
Requirements for replacement of passport (Current holders of passports being phased out)

1. A duly filled application form
2. Copy of Birth Certificate
3. Copy Certificate of Registration if Kenyan by Registration
4. Original Kenyan ID and a copy for Adults
5. 3 (Three) passport size photos
6. Copy of the recommender’s Kenyan ID (Recommender is any Kenyan of sound mind who can certify that you are a Kenyan citizen)
7. Duly filled Consent form for Minors
8. Old passport and a copy
9. 2(two) payment invoices for the prescribed fee

 
Requirements for Mutilated passports

1. A duly filled application form
2. Copy of Birth Certificate
3. Copy Certificate of Registration if Kenyan by Registration
4. Original Kenyan ID and a copy for Adults
5. 3 (Three) passport size photos
6. Copy of the recommender’s Kenyan ID (Recommender is any Kenyan of sound mind who can certify that you are a Kenyan citizen)
7. Duly filled Consent form for Minors
8. Old passport and a copy
9. Personal  statement explaining circumstances for the damage
10. Sworn affidavit to support (ix) above
11. 2(two) payment invoices for the prescribed fee

 
Requirements for Lost passports

1. A duly filled application form
2. Copy of Birth Certificate
3. Copy Certificate of Registration if Kenyan by Registration
4. Original Kenyan ID and a copy for Adults
5. 3 (Three) passport size photos
6. Copy of the recommender’s Kenyan ID (Recommender is any Kenyan of sound mind who can certify that you are a Kenyan citizen)
7. Duly filled Consent form for Minors
8. Copy of Old passport
9. Personal  statement explaining circumstances for loss
10. Sworn affidavit to support (ix) above …Click to download
11. Police report on loss of passport (Not just the case number)
12. 2(two) payment invoices for the prescribed fee 

NB

1. It is the onus of the applicant to fulfill all the application requirements as above
2. Applications must be presented against original Kenyan National IDs
3. All minors must accompanied by their parents or legal guardians
4. Change of name apart from through Marriage must be accompanied by a Deed poll and the  changes must be affected in the Kenyan National ID card
5. The Birth Certificate numbers appear on the Left hand side of the Birth Certificate (above the date of birth) and not at the top right hand side (Serial No.)

 
eCitizen Queries Contact:
 
T: +254 780 206 206 E: support@ecitizen.go.ke

The Kenyan Embassy is located at 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008. For more information about acquiring a Kenyan passport, visit their website at http://www.kenyaembassydc.org.