This is a guide on how to replace lost or damaged ID in Kenya. One of the worst things that can happen to anyone is losing an ID. The first thing that you should do upon realizing you have lost your national identification document is to report to a police station or Huduma centre.
This will enable you to be issued with a police abstract. Getting an abstract can exonerate you in case your lost ID is used for wrongdoing.
In Kenya, national Identity Cards – simply known as ID Cards are issued in line with the Registration of Persons Act CAP 107, Laws of Kenya and an Act of Parliament that make provision for the registration of persons and for the issue of identity cards possible.
All citizens (and permanent residents) are issued a national identification card at the age of 18. Identification cards are the most common forms of identification, although passports can also be used interchangeably in most instances.
How to Apply For Duplicate ID in Kenya
There are two common ways you can apply for a lost or damaged ID card in Kenya
- Apply from any Huduma center
- You can get it from District Officers office
Apply From Huduma Centres
- Book a Huduma Appoint online and choose the option of duplicate ID.
- Visit the Huduma center you chose when booking appointment to make the duplicate ID application.
- Once there, obtain a waiting ticket for the service.
- If you have not applied for police abstract, head straight to the Kenya Police desk. You will be issued with a police abstract for Id replacement. After being issued with the police abstract proceed to make payments for the application.
- Go to the KCB Bank payment desk where you will make a payment of Ksh 100 for the application. After payment you will be issued with a receipt which you will present to your third stop; which is the ID replacement / renewal desk.
- Your third and final stop is the ID replacement/ renewal desk. Present the payment receipt and police abstract to the officer involved in ID replacement or renewal.
- You will be required to allow your biometric information to be taken for verification. This includes your fingerprints and passport photo.
After this step, you will be issued with a waiting card which you will have to present back on the day of collection of your new ID.
The processing period is two weeks, after which you will receive a text message informing you to pick your ID.
How to Apply for Lost ID from District Officers Offices
1. Obtain Police Abstract
- Visit your nearest police station and report your missing or lost ID card and your intention to get a duplicate Id.
- Provide your personal details and information on the circumstances under which you lost your ID.
- Obtain a police abstract that you will use at the District Officers Office. This abstract will also help you transact business as you await for your new ID.
- The police abstract is issued free of charge and is produced immediately.
2. Make ID Replacement Application in District Officers Office
- Visit the nearest District Officer office to make an application to renew your ID. Make sure to carry your Police Abstract form for the application to proceed. Fill in appropriately the provided application form to apply for a duplicate national identity card.
- Ensure you fill out the details on the form without any errors.
- The form will be taken to the office of the District Officer in charge of duplicate IDs where the details on the filled form are scrutinized and verified. The officer then appends a signature to the form. If the form passes this stage, finger prints and a passport size photograph of the applicant are taken to be sent together with the form to the relevant offices mandated with the creation of the national identity cards.
- You will be issued with a waiting card which can be used as the national identity card as you wait for the identity card to be processed. The waiting period may last up to one month.
- When the time has elapsed, go the center where you applied to collect your national identity card.
Final Notes on Lost Kenyan ID Replacement Process
- You can check the status of your ID online at the website identity.go.ke. This site might not be in operation all times.
- You can also check the status of your application by sending the serial number of your waiting to the SMS number 20031.
- You can follow the above procedure to replace an old or damaged ID.
