It is obligatory to register the birth of a child born in Kenya with the Kenyan authorities. For births in Nairobi, please contact The Department of Civil Registration at Sheria House. For births elsewhere in Kenya please contact the area Provincial or District Registration Office.    

There is no obligation to register the birth of a British national occurring abroad with the British High Commission, but is advisable to do so. The two main advantages of the registration are that a British style Birth Certificate is issued & is more acceptable to other authorities. Also a certified copy is easily available at the British High Commission or at General Register office, Liverpool, UK because birth registration records are held there from July of the following year after the registration.  (More info on their website www.gro.gov.uk)

The following services are chargeable in Kenya under the Consular Fees Order 2005:
• Registering a birth in the Consular Register;
• Issuing a certified copy of an entry in the Consular Register of births;

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

The documents detailed below should accompany this application, and should be submitted in their original form. Photocopies cannot be accepted.

1. Child's local birth certificate
2. Parents' birth certificates
3. Parent’s Marriage Certificate(where applicable)
4. Parents' current passports and those held at the time of the child's birth.
5. Evidence of the termination of any previous marriage (decree nisi/absolute)
6. If the parents were not born in the United Kingdom - His/her certificate of naturalisation or registration as a British citizen.

NOTE:
In certain circumstances it may be necessary for additional documents to be submitted.

ILLEGITIMATE PERSONS

Where the child/person whose birth is to be registered is illegitimate, particulars of the father cannot be shown in the entry in the birth register unless the declaration above is signed by both the mother and by the person acknowledging himself to be the father. In addition the name of the father has to be reflected on the local Birth Certificate. 

When the birth has been late registered, the father should complete a Statutory Declaration admitting paternity and agreeing to his particulars being shown in the entry. In cases where the child/person whose birth is to be registered is illegitimate, the mother should produce documentary evidence of citizenship of the United Kingdom & Colonies as indicated at 2 or 5 above.

THE BIRTH OF AN ADOPTED CHILD MAY NOT BE REGISTERED

British Citizens by descent may not apply to have their children)s' births registered by the British High Commission.

Where children do not have an automatic claim to British Citizenship, application for registration of such a child may be made to the Home Office through the British High Commission but parents need to meet particular requirements. More details on this can be obtained on the Home Office website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk 

However there are a few exceptions to the above. Further information and forms may be obtained direct from:

Consular Department
British High Commission
P. O Box 48543 - 00100
Nairobi
Tel: +254 20 2844000
Fax: +254 20 2844239
E-mail: consular.enquiries@fco.gov.uk 

Application Form for Birth Registration