At some point in life, you may have to change your name for one reason or the other. For instance, a lady may want to change her name after getting married, to add the husband’s surname to his official names.
In Kenya, it is possible so long as you follow the set rules.
Under the Registration of Documents Act, the law allows Kenyans to change their national Identity card names. Here is the procedure:
1. Get deed poll form, fill it, and submit to the registration officer.
Deed poll is a special document that allows one to legally change their names.
You can get the form from registrar general’s office or download it online.
2. Ensure you have any of the following documents depending on your status; marriage certificate, deed poll, sworn affidavits, birth certificate, copy of parents ID card, and confirmation letters from an administrative office.
3. You will pay a fee of Sh1,000 and surrender the current ID.
4. A form prescribed in the Fourth schedule is signed by a registration officer, and issued to the applicant.
5. Your photo will be taken, and later used to produce another ID.
6. The registration officer will then present the application form plus the surrendered ID to the Principal Registrar, who is tasked with recording the changes and cancelling the previous National ID.
7. You will be given a new national ID after 60 days.
This will only be possible after you have surrendered a certificate issued by the registration officer, when applying for changing your names.
