Eligibility quiz
Are you married to a Kenyan citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Kenyan passport and ID
Kenyan citizens are entitled to a Kenyan passport and national identity documents, including a national ID, birth certificate and certificate of registration.
A voter’s card is available where applicable.
A passport has its own validity and renewal rules, separate from citizenship.
If you have another citizenship, you may use either passport to enter or leave Kenya.
Your other passport can be endorsed to show your Kenyan citizenship, so you can use it to enter or leave without a Kenyan visa or permit while you remain a citizen.
Live in Kenya for life
Kenyan citizens can enter and leave Kenya, remain there and live anywhere in the country without immigration permission.
Citizenship has no expiry date and does not need renewing.
Study in Kenya
Kenyan citizens can study in Kenya without a student immigration pass.
School places, qualifications and fees have their own rules.
Work in Kenya
Kenyan citizens can work and run a business in Kenya without a work or business immigration pass.
They can also be appointed to public office if they meet the relevant qualifications.
Some jobs and professions have their own qualifications or licensing rules.
Get help abroad
Kenyan citizens can seek help from Kenyan embassies and consulates when abroad.
Own property in Kenya
Kenyan citizens have the right to own land and other property anywhere in Kenya.
Land and other property rules still apply.
Vote and run for office
Adult Kenyan citizens can register to vote and vote in elections and referendums.
Citizens can also stand for elected office if they meet the qualifications for that office.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Fill in the application online
Create or sign in to your eCitizen account on eFNS, then choose Apply now, Submit Applications and Citizenship by Marriage. Complete the application and questionnaire, then print Form 8 and the questionnaire from My Applications.
Fill in the applicationSign and verify your declaration
Complete and sign the declaration on Form 8 before a magistrate, Commissioner for Oaths or notary public, who will verify it.
Find declaration helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I sign and verify the declaration for Kenya Citizenship by Marriage Form 8?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsSubmit your application online
Upload or provide the required supporting documents as directed in eFNS and submit your application.
Submit your applicationWait for your invoice
Wait for your application to be processed, then look for your invoice under Payments on your eFNS dashboard.
Check your invoicePay the fee online
Pay the non-refundable KSh 20,000 application fee through eFNS using an available card, mobile-money or other online payment option. If online payment is unavailable, take your printed application, checklist and documents to the Immigration Counter at Nyayo House for payment and processing; cash is not accepted at the counter.
Pay the feeHand in your application
Bring your complete printed application, questionnaire, checklist and required documents to Immigration Headquarters at Nyayo House in Nairobi.
Find Immigration HeadquartersSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I present my Kenya Citizenship by Marriage application at Immigration Headquarters Nyayo House?”
Wait for the decision
Watch your email and eFNS account for updates, and respond to any requests for more information or documents.
Check your applicationTake the oath
If your application is approved, take the oath or affirmation of allegiance before your citizenship certificate is issued.
Find oath informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath or affirmation of allegiance for Kenya Citizenship by Marriage?”
Receive your citizenship certificate
Receive your certificate of registration once it is issued. You can then apply for a Kenyan passport.
Find certificate informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my certificate of registration for Kenya Citizenship by Marriage?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Copy of marriage certificate
Provide a copy of your marriage certificate. It must show your marriage to your Kenyan spouse.
Joint sworn affidavit
Provide an affidavit sworn jointly by you and your Kenyan spouse. It must be sworn before a person authorised to take oaths.
Spouse's citizenship records
Provide copies of your Kenyan spouse's passport and national ID card. These show your spouse's Kenyan citizenship.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Report another citizenship
If you hold another citizenship as well as Kenyan citizenship, you must disclose it within three months of becoming a citizen of both countries.
Failure to do so can lead, on conviction, to a fine of up to KSh5 million, up to three years in prison, or both.
Limits on state offices
If you hold another citizenship and are elected or appointed to certain state offices, you generally must give up your other citizenship before taking office.
This does not apply if the law of your other country does not allow you to give it up.
You can still stand for Parliament or county government while holding both citizenships.
Citizenship can be revoked
Citizenship gained by registration can be taken away for reasons including fraud, false statements or hiding an important fact.
You must receive written notice, a chance to respond and reasons for the decision.
You can appeal to the High Court within 30 days and remain lawfully in Kenya while a filed appeal is decided.
Documents issued to a person whose citizenship is revoked become invalid and must be returned.
Revocation does not erase obligations or debts that arose before it.
Giving up citizenship
You can give up Kenyan citizenship.
Giving it up does not erase obligations or debts that arose before you did so.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Kenya immigration matters🇰🇪
English Facebook group for people interested in Kenyan citizenship
Join on Facebookr/Kenya
English Reddit group for people interested in Kenyan local life
Join on RedditStatehouse kenya forum
English Facebook group for people interested in Kenyan local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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