Register a death and apply for a death certificate
From: Government of Kenya (public information)
Published 2 June 2026 · Last updated 2 June 2026
Find out how to officially register a death and apply for a death certificate in Kenya. This page covers mandatory notification timelines, processing fees, and documentation rules for deaths occurring locally or abroad.
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Quick facts
- Processing time
- 3 to 7 working days from the date of online submission and tracking verification.
- Base cost
- From Ksh 150 to Ksh 1,550 depending on location parameters
- 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 death must have a certified clinical cause of death notification from a licensed medical facility or a formal notification from a local administrative chief if the passing occurred at home.
- The application must be initiated by an immediate next-of-kin or a legally authorized administrator of the deceased's estate.
Documents you need
- Clear scanned color copy of the official Medical Certification of Cause of Death (Form 11) or the Chief's Death Notification slip.
- Scanned color copy of the valid original Burial Permit/Disposal Permit.
- Scanned color copy of the deceased individual's National ID card or Passport (to deactivate their identity profile on the central database).
- Scanned color copy of the applicant’s (Next-of-Kin) National ID card.
Fees and charges
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard Death Registration Certificate Surcharge (Local Deaths) | Ksh 150 |
| Late Death Registration Assessment Surcharge (After 6 months) | Ksh 500 |
| Overseas Registration Surcharge (For Kenyan citizens passing away abroad) | Ksh 1,500 |
| eCitizen Portal Convenience Charge (Per Transaction submission) | Ksh 50 |
Office visits
- Presenting original identity documents, original cause of death forms, and the original physical burial permit to collect the security-printed death certificate. — Collection must be done at the specific Civil Registration Department desk at your selected local Huduma Centre or your county's central Civil Registration Office.
You may also use a Huduma Centre where the service is offered.
Questions
Why is it legally mandatory to obtain an official government death certificate in Kenya?
A death certificate is the definitive legal proof of a citizen's passing. It is strictly required by banks, insurance companies, the National Land Commission, and the courts to close accounts, settle life insurance claims, stop tax obligations, and initiate the legal administration/inheritance of the deceased's estate.
What happens if the deceased person's physical National ID card is missing?
If the physical ID card is lost, you must obtain a formal confirmation of identity search letter from the National Registration Bureau (NRB) or attach a valid police abstract detailing the loss of the ID alongside your eCitizen death entry details.