Govt Scraps Birth Certificate Authentication Fee Charged During ID and Passport Applications

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has scrapped the birth certificate authentication fee that Kenyans applying for IDs and Passports are often charged.

Speaking in Homa Bay County on Tuesday, September 16, the CS instructed the Civil Registration Services to implement the new policy directive, adding that the fee was a barrier for some Kenyans in accessing identification documents.

According to the service charter by the Civil Registration Services, authentication of birth certificates is charged at Ksh500.

"Effective today, the Civil Registration Services will no longer charge any authentication fees for birth certificates when applying for the National Identification cards or passports.

"This step removes any unnecessary financial barrier and aligns with our vision to simplify identity access," he announced.

Additionally, the CS revealed that there was a review being done on ID replacement charges, hinting that the government was keen on lowering the charges.

Currently, replacement of IDs is charged at Ksh1,000.

Regarding birth and death certificates, the CS noted that first-time applications for documents would soon be offered for free.

"While birth and death registration within six months is free, a fee is currently charged for obtaining birth or death certificates.

"The Ministry is reviewing this policy with a view to making the first issuance of these certificates free to ensure that every child born in Kenya has access to these certificates," Murkomen stated.

Further, in line with the digitisation of government services, Murkomen divulged that the government would soon be introducing a system that will enable applicants to monitor the progress of their application.

In March 2025, President William Ruto scrapped the Ksh300 application fee charged for IDs in addition to the removal of the vetting process, which some Kenyans were subjected to.