What’s in a name? Everything. Very often the first piece of information we have about a person is their name and we form judgments about people very rapidly. And those judgments accumulate, so the first piece of information is especially important.
How To Change Your Name In Kenya
Below is how you can go about legally changing your name in Kenya:
The Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations provide the procedure and requirements for the change of name in Kenya.
Section 3 of the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations, provided that any person/parent/guardian who wishes to change their names or those of their children must do it through a Deed Poll. A Deed Poll is a binding declaration of intention sworn by one or more persons.
Any person can change their name at any time and for any reason provided it is not to deceive or defraud or to avoid an obligation by either: Adding a new name, removing an existing name changing the order of names, or attaining a completely different set of names.
The registrar may decline change of the name for the following reasons:
- If the chosen name(s) is vulgar, offensive;
- The name includes; numbers, symbols,, or punctuation marks;
- The proposed name is impossible to pronounce;
- The name incites/promotes criminal activities, racial, and religious hatred,, or the use of controlled drugs;
- If the name ridicules people, groups, government departments, companies,, or organizations; and
- If the name creates an impression/belief that you have an inherited/conferred title, honor, rank,, or academic award that you do not have.
Requirements for changing a name for different applicants
The Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations sets out the different documents that applicants require to effect a name change. After preparing the required documents the applicant should present them to the Registrar of Documents and pay a prescribed fee of KES:500. If the Registrar is satisfied with the application the Deed Poll is registered and a notice of change of name is published in the Kenya Gazette.
- Minors
below 16 years
For minors, the change of name is affected by the parent/guardian.
The following documents are required:
- A deed poll is executed by the parent/guardian.
- Statutory Declaration – by a person resident in Kenya who has known the minor and wishes to change their name.
- Birth Certificate.
above 16 years
In addition to the requirement for minors below 16 years, minors above age 16 years must consent to a change of their names. The Consent of the minor should be endorsed on the Deed Poll.
b. Adults
All adults who wish to change their names require the following:
- Deed Poll;
- Statutory Declaration person resident in Kenya and who has known the person who wishes to change their name former and new names; and
- Birth Certificate.
c. Married women
Married women are a special category of applicants since upon marriage they have the option to adopt their husbands’ names.
Upon marriage
There are two options for changing a name upon marriage:
Through an application to the Registrar of persons under section 9 of the Registration of Persons Rules. Where a woman wishes to change their name upon marriage they may do so by completing a Form – Application for Change of Particulars in ID/CARD, paying KES.1,000, and attaching the following additional documents:
- Affidavit stating that you wish to adopt your husband’s name
- Original and copy of Marriage Certificate/ Affidavit of Marriage
- Copies of the ID of the wife and husband
Through a Deed Poll
In addition to the documents required for a change of name by an adult, a married woman must produce the marriage certificate and written consent from the husband.
Upon separation
Where a woman has separated from her husband but has not yet gotten a divorce or is in the process of divorce proceedings and wishes to change their name; in addition to the documents required for change of name by an adult, they are required to provide their marriage certificate, and a certificate from an advocate stating that the separation is likely to be permanent.
Upon Divorce
There are two ways of changing a name upon dissolution of a marriage:
Through an application to the Registrar of persons under section 9 of the Registration of Persons Rules. Where a woman wishes to change their name upon dissolution of the marriage they may do so by completing a Form – Application for Change of Particulars in ID/CARD, paying KES:1,000, and attaching the following additional documents:
- Affidavit stating that you wish to drop your husband’s name.
- Original and copy of Marriage Certificate/ Affidavit of Marriage.
- Decree of Divorce.
Through a Deed Poll
In addition to the documents required for a change of name by an adult, a divorced woman must produce the marriage certificate and Decree of Divorce/Certificate of Divorce.
Upon the death of the husband
A widow who wishes to drop the husband’s name is required to provide their marriage certificate and the husband’s death certificate in addition to the documents required for a change of name by an adult.