You Can Easily Change Your Child's Legal Name, Here's How

by Michael Musyoka on Tuesday, 23 June 2020 - 4:11 pm

A mother holding a baby

A name is more than just words, it is the identity a person carries for the rest of their lives and the importance of the decision may weigh heavily on a parent.

Parents may have nine months to plan for the name of their child, but circumstances may change and the parent feels the need to change their offspring's name.

The name change is not a complicated process with government easing the process through the online platform e-Citizen.

Under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, it is possible to change a child’s name within two years from the date of registration.

Feet of a newborn baby in a hospital.

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Registration for e-Citizen Account

One has to create an account on eCitizen, using their ID card number, and the form is populated using data from the Integrated Population Registration Service.

Upon creation of an account, one will also submit a working email. The email or ID will be used to log in together with a password.

The email will also be used when one wants to reset a password. One will also provide a registered phone number.

The log-in page on eCitizen platform

How to Change the name of an Infant

Go to the Civil Registration Department page

The process of changing the name is as easy as applying for a replacement birth certificate.

Click on the Make Application

Select Birth Certificate

Click on Application for CHILD Current Birth Certificate

Read the instructions given on the following page and click APPLY at the bottom of the page.

Here you will select replacement BC and click on Continue

At this point, you will be required to fill some information

County of Birth
Entry No.
Attach a Scanned Copy of The Birth Cert
Name of Child - Note that the Last name is the Surname of the child.
Date of Birth
Gender of Child

The Parents details

Confirm if you are a Single Parent or not
Applicants' Address
Pickup Location

For Nairobi, one can pick the certificate from Huduma Makadara, ACK Bishop House, Huduma Centres in GPO, City Square, Eastleigh and Kibera.

It is important to note that:

All attachments should be in PDF format.
All updates on the application will be communicated via SMS.
You will receive an SMS alert once the certificate is ready for collection.
The application should be submitted at least 30 days after the date of birth and not later than two years.

The whole process will cost Ksh180 which is payable via mobile money.

Payment

Options range from Mpesa to Debit/Credit/Prepaid Card, Airtel Money and Pesalink.

For M-Pesa

Go to M-PESA on your phone

Select Pay Bill option

Enter Business no. 206206

Enter Account no. YWDOPMJ

Enter the Amount. KES 180

Enter your M-PESA PIN and Send

You will receive a confirmation SMS from M-PESA

Airtel Money

Go to Airtel Money on your phone

Select Pay Bill option

Select Other

Enter Business Name. 206206

Enter the Amount Ksh. KES 180

Enter your Airtel Money PIN and Send

Enter Account no. YWDOPMJ

You will receive a confirmation SMS from Airtel Money

eCitizen contacts

Whenever you want to access any of the services listed above, go ahead and use the appropriate contacts highlighted below :

eCitizen phone contacts

Mobile number: +254 709 480 000

Email: support@eCitizen.go.ke

eCitizen queries contacts

Mobile number: +254 780 206 206

If It's Beyond the Two-Year Mark

In the event, a parent wants to change the name of a minor beyond the two years, he/she will have to acquire a document referred to as a deed poll.

A deed poll is a standard application provided for in the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations.

These forms vary slightly depending on the person whose name is being changed. In the case of minors, the relevant form is ‘Form 4 A’ which is filled and signed on their behalf by their parent or legal guardian and a witness.