All documents needed to apply for a passport as a Kenyan citizen in 2026

Are you planning to travel abroad? The documents needed to apply for a passport form an essential part of the application process. Applicants must prepare items such as a National ID card, passport-size photographs, and supporting family documents. A missing document can delay an otherwise straightforward application. In this article, TUKO.co.ke speaks to an immigration consultant about applying for a passport in Kenya.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

• All Kenyan passport applications must be submitted through the eCitizen portal.
• Applicants aged 18 and above must have a valid KRA PIN before completing a passport application on eCitizen.
• The 66-page ordinary C Series passport costs Ksh 12,050.
• Lost passport replacements require a police abstract and an affidavit, in addition to the standard application documents.
• First-time passport applications take at least 10 working days to process after biometric capture and submission of all required documents.

The Directorate of Immigration Services operates under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. The department issues passports and other travel documents and regulates entry into and exit from Kenya.

All passport applications must be completed online through the eCitizen portal. Applicants should gather all required documents before starting the process. Below is a list of the documents you need to apply for a passport in Kenya:

• A duly filled application Form 19 and 2 payment invoices
• Original Birth Certificate and a copy for citizens of Kenya by birth
• Certificate of Registration for citizens of Kenya by registration
• Original applicant’s national identity card and a copy for adults
• Duly filled Consent Form for minors
• Photocopies of both parents' National ID cards or their death certificates if they are deceased

Applicants who acquired citizenship through registration must also provide a Certificate of Registration where applicable.

How to apply for a passport as a Kenyan citizen

The eCitizen serves as the main government services portal and is the starting point for passport applications. Applicants must create an account using an email address and National ID number before accessing services. Follow these steps to complete your application:

1. Visit the official eCitizen portal and create an account or log in to an existing one.
2. Select the "Department of Immigration Services" button, click "Passport Application", and choose the passport type.
3. Complete the application form with personal details, including your full name, date of birth, National ID number, contact information, and next of kin details.
4. Upload scanned copies of all required documents. Documents must be uploaded in JPEG or PNG format.
5. Select a payment method and pay the applicable passport fee through mobile money, bank, or debit card.
6. Download and print the application form and payment invoice.
7. Attend a biometric capture appointment at an immigration office. Available locations include Nyayo House in Nairobi, the Mombasa Immigration Office, the Kisumu Immigration Office, and the Nakuru Immigration Office. Carry all original documents to the appointment.

Once done, you can track the application status through the eCitizen portal. Applicants receive an SMS or email when the passport is ready for collection at the selected processing centre.

Documents required to submit with your passport application

The following checklist covers all the requirements for a first-time passport application during the biometrics appointment:

• eCitizen Application Form (Form 19), which must be pre-filled, printed, signed, and dated.
• Payment Invoice, printed from eCitizen, with two to three copies required.
• Original Birth Certificate, together with one photocopy.
• Original National ID Card, together with one photocopy of both sides.
• Passport-Size Photographs, consisting of three current colour photographs on a white background.
• Recommender's National ID Copy, provided by a recommender who is not a relative.
• Parents' National ID Cards or Death Certificates, with photocopies required.
• Certificate of Registration, required for citizens by registration only.
• Name Change Documents, such as a marriage certificate, deed poll, or court order, where applicable.

Minors under 18 years must provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Adopted applicants are required to submit the original adoption certificate, a clearance letter from the Children's Department, and the relevant court ruling or adoption order.

What are the requirements for the replacement of passports?

The Department of Immigration Services handles three passport replacement categories: lost passports, expired or filled-up passports, and damaged or mutilated passports. Like first-time applicants, those seeking replacements must satisfy several requirements for online passport application services before submitting their request through eCitizen.

Replacement of a lost passport

Applicants should first report the loss or theft to the nearest police station and obtain a police abstract. This document is mandatory for the replacement process. The required documents for a lost passport replacement include:

• The original police abstract issued by the police station
• Clear copies of the National ID card and birth certificate, with originals presented for verification
• A copy of the lost passport's biodata page, if available
• Two recent identical colour passport-size photographs with a white background
• Proof of payment generated through eCitizen
• An affidavit explaining the circumstances of the loss, theft, or damage, sworn before a commissioner of oaths or an advocate

Applicants outside Kenya should report the loss to the nearest Kenyan embassy or high commission and obtain an Emergency Travel Document. They should then apply for a replacement through the eCitizen portal and attach the police abstract as part of the application.

Replacement of a mutilated or damaged passport

The required documents are largely the same as those for a lost passport. However, applicants must present the damaged passport during the application process. They must also complete the declaration form for a lost or mutilated passport.

Replacement of an expired or filled-up passport

Applicants must present the old passport for invalidation when collecting the new one. The remaining requirements are the same as those for a first-time passport application.

How much does it cost to apply for a passport in Kenya?

The application fees vary depending on the type of passport you are applying for. Applicants make payments through mobile money, bank transfer, or debit card via the eCitizen portal. The full fee schedule is as follows:

Passport type	Fee (Kshs)
34-page Ordinary "A" Series	7,550.00
50-page Ordinary "B" Series	9,550.00
66-page Ordinary "C" Series	12,050.00
Diplomatic passport	15,050.00
Mutilated passport	20,050.00
Lost passport	20,050.00

Do I need a KRA PIN to get a passport?

Kenyan citizens who have attained the age of 18 must obtain a KRA PIN before applying for a passport, as it is a mandatory requirement on the application form. Applicants can register for a KRA PIN through the KRA iTax portal.

How long does a passport application take in Kenya?

A first-time passport application takes at least 10 working days after biometric capture and document submission. Applicants should note that delays may occur if additional information is required.

Interview with an immigration consultant

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Elizabeth Wambui, the founder & lead consultant of Millennia Immigration Consultancy, opened up about the process of applying for a Kenyan passport and how to track it. She offered valuable advice on what applicants should know and how they can speed up the process. Here's an excerpt from the interview:

Q: As an immigration consultant and visa specialist who regularly helps people navigate immigration processes, you may have noticed that some first-time passport applicants are often unsure about what happens after they submit their application. What should someone applying for a Kenyan passport for the first time understand about the process from application to collection, and how can tracking their application help them to know whether everything is progressing as expected?

The first thing every first-time passport applicant should know is that the passport application process starts long before visiting the immigration office. Preparation is very important. It will save you a lot of time.

Applicants should first gather all the required documents, including their original birth certificate, original national ID card, a recent passport-size photograph on a white background, copies of both parents' ID cards (or a death certificate where applicable), details of two guarantors and copies of their ID cards. For minors, parental consent is also required.

Once all the documents are ready, the applicant creates an account on the eCitizen portal and submits the passport application online before booking a biometric appointment. The applicant must then appear in person at the nearest immigration office for biometric capture, such as Nyayo House in Nairobi or another regional immigration office.

After biometric capture, the applicant receives a passport tracking number. This is very important because it allows them to monitor the progress of their application through the official tracking system. Generally, the passport progresses through several stages, including Biometrics Mode, Processing, Printing, Delivery, and finally Delivered/Picked once it has been collected.

Q: One of the biggest frustrations for passport applicants is not knowing whether their application is being processed as expected or if there has been an issue. Based on your experience of assisting clients, how can a passport applicant tell the difference between an application that is simply still being processed and one that may require follow-up?

Passport processing is a step-by-step process, and applications may remain at one stage for several days depending on the workload at the Department of Immigration. Factors such as high application volumes, temporary shortages of passport booklets, or technical issues such as maintenance of printing equipment may also affect processing times.

Where there is a genuine issue, such as inconsistencies in names, supporting documents or other application details, the applicant will normally be notified through the eCitizen portal or asked to provide additional information. This is why I always advise applicants to keep checking their application status through the official channels rather than assuming there is a problem.

Q: Imagine an applicant who has checked their passport status online or via the available tracking channels, but their information seems not to change for a long time. Based on your experience as an immigration consultant, what practical steps should they take before becoming frustrated and turning to unofficial agents who promise to 'speed things up'?

My first advice is simple: don't panic. Sometimes delays are simply part of the normal processing system and are not caused by the applicant.

Continue checking your passport status through the official tracking channels, i.e., your eCitizen account. If the status has remained unchanged for an unusually long period and you are concerned, contact the Department of Immigration directly on their phone or visit the immigration office where you submitted your application.

I strongly discourage applicants from turning to brokers who claim they can "speed up" passport processing. The government is the only institution responsible for processing Kenyan passports, and unofficial agents do not have access to the government's internal systems.

Q: Sometimes, what appears to be a delay may actually be linked to an issue that could have been avoided when the application was submitted. Drawing on your professional experience, what common mistakes do applicants make when applying for or following up on a Kenyan passport that can complicate the process?

The most common delays begin with documentation. Applicants should ensure that all documents are genuine, complete and consistent before submitting the application. Names appearing on the birth certificate, national ID and other supporting documents should match exactly.

For minors, parental consent and the required supporting documents should also be in order before applying. Many issues are identified during biometric capture, where immigration officers verify the documents before the application proceeds further. Correcting mistakes at this stage is much easier than discovering them later.

I also advise applicants to avoid trying to use unofficial channels to influence the process. Allowing the Department of Immigration to process the application through the normal procedures is always the safest approach in my experience.

Q: Passport applicants are often vulnerable to individuals who claim to have 'connections' or who promise to expedite the passport application process in exchange for a fee. Having worked in immigration and visas, what warning signs should Kenyans look out for when someone offers to help with their passport application, and what quick tips can you advise to expedite passport processing?

Applicants should be cautious of such approaches outside immigration offices by those who say they have "connections" that can help them get their passport faster for a fee.

While an individual might have true firsthand knowledge of a person in government, the Department of Immigration is a big institution that has many different parts, and no one should give any promises or assurances of guaranteed or unofficial 'shortcuts.'

It is the right of every Kenyan who is eligible to have a passport as long as the requirements are met, and applicants should only access the official government means of obtaining a passport.

My tips are the following: Don't use intermediaries, particularly those who are standing outside a passport office trying to peddle rapid services. Do not get advice from anyone other than the Department of Immigration or a trustworthy, licensed immigration consultant.

Wrapping up

Before starting your application, take time to review all the requirements carefully. The documents needed to apply for a passport vary slightly depending on your circumstances. Having the correct paperwork ready can speed up the process significantly.

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DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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