How Do I Get a Death Certificate in Kenya?

After someone dies, one of the most important documents the family will eventually need is the death certificate.

It is different from the burial permit. The burial permit allows the burial or other lawful disposal of the body, while the death certificate becomes the permanent civil record of the death.

Where can you apply?

Once the death has been registered, an eligible applicant may apply through:

• a Civil Registration office
• a Huduma Centre
• the eCitizen platform

The applicant may be a relative, estate administrator, employer or another person entitled to obtain the record.

What may be required?

For a current death, you will normally need the burial permit and identification of the person applying.

If the burial permit is unavailable, the registrar may ask for information such as:

• the deceased person’s full name
• date of death
• place of death

This allows the record to be traced.

The source material currently lists the government fee for a death certificate as KSh200. Pasted text

Why should families obtain copies?

A death certificate may later be requested when dealing with:

• banks
• insurance companies
• pensions
• succession
• KRA matters
• property
• other estate administration

Where possible, keep several certified copies safely.

The funeral may end in a few days, but the administrative work that follows can continue for months.