Register an adoption order and entry
From: Government of Kenya (public information)
Published 2 June 2026 · Last updated 2 June 2026
Find out how to register a formal High Court adoption order and apply for an entry in the Adopted Children Register in Kenya. This page covers legal timelines, processing fees, and documentation rules to secure a child's new legal identification certificates.
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Quick facts
- Processing time
- 14 to 21 working days (Requires thorough manual audit and matching against High Court master rolls by a civil registrar)
- Base cost
- Ksh 1,050 flat fee
- How to apply
- Hybrid (Online form and physical attendance required)
Fees and times can change. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
Before you start
- The adoption process must be fully litigated, concluded, and have an explicit, certified Adoption Order signed and sealed by a High Court Judge.
- The original birth notification or initial birth certificate tracking data of the child must be declared to allow the registry to cancel the old record safely.
Documents you need
- Scanned color copy of the certified High Court Adoption Order (must show clear court seals, case numbers, and judge signatures).
- Scanned color copy of the child’s original physical Birth Certificate or initial notification records.
- Scanned clear color copies of the National Identity Cards or valid Passports of the adoptive parent(s).
- The formal dynamic clearance letter from the registered Adoption Society or Child Welfare Agency that managed the placement.
Fees and charges
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Civil Registration Department Adopted Children Register Entry Surcharge | Ksh 1,000 |
| eCitizen Portal Convenience Charge | Ksh 50 |
Office visits
- Physical verification of original certified High Court documents, surrendering the child's old paper birth certificate for absolute revocation, and collecting the new Adopted Children Certificate. — Because adoption tracking requires high-level data security protocols, file handovers must be completed at the Civil Registration Department Head Office at Hass Plaza, Lower Hill Road in Nairobi, or your county's primary central registry headquarters.
You may also use a Huduma Centre where the service is offered.
Questions
Will the child's new adoption certificate display the names of their biological parents?
No. The Certificate of Entry in the Adopted Children Register acts as a clean legal break. It lists the child’s new adoptive name(s) and explicitly lists the adoptive mother and/or father as the legal parents, hiding previous parental records to protect the family's privacy.
Can international or non-Kenyan citizens execute this registration path on eCitizen?
Yes, provided the adoption was handled locally by a Kenyan court and an official local Adoption Order was granted. Non-Kenyan citizens must provide valid foreign passports and matching residency or diplomatic permits alongside the court files.