How to Register Newborn on SHA: Documents and Steps
To register newborn on SHA you need the baby’s birth notification or birth certificate number and your own SHA login. This page lists exactly what to prepare, the steps on the portal, and what to do if the baby’s details are rejected or stay pending.
Log in at afyayangu.go.ke or sha.go.ke, open My Profile, then Dependants, click Add Dependant and choose Child. Enter the baby’s date of birth and birth notification or birth certificate number, upload the birth document, enter the OTP sent to your phone, then click Submit.
What is your situation?
| Your situation | Start at |
|---|---|
| My baby is under six months and I have the hospital birth notification | Step 1: prepare documents |
| I have no birth notification or certificate yet | No document yet |
| My baby is older than six months | Older baby |
| I have everything and want to add the baby now | Step 3: add the baby |
| I submitted but it shows pending or an error | Step 4: after you submit |
| I am pregnant or the baby was just delivered | Linda Mama and maternity |
Documents needed to register newborn on SHA
SHA’s published guidance for a baby under six months asks for a birth notification or a birth certificate number. The baby’s details must match the birth document exactly when you register newborn on SHA.
| What you need | Notes |
|---|---|
| Birth notification or birth certificate number | The hospital gives you the notification after delivery. For a baby under six months, either document can be used. |
| Baby’s details | Surname, first name, middle name, date of birth and sex, typed exactly as they appear on the birth document. |
| Your SHA login | Your National ID number with your password or PIN. You must be registered on SHA yourself. |
| Your phone | The OTP goes to the number on your SHA profile. |
The birth notification and the birth certificate are different documents. The notification comes from the facility where the baby was born, and the certificate is issued after you apply for it. If you still need the certificate, read our birth certificate for a newborn guide and the eCitizen birth certificate application steps.
Steps to register newborn on SHA
Get the documents ready
Do this first. Most problems when you register newborn on SHA come from details that do not match the birth document.
- Photograph the birth notification or certificate clearly, with all four corners visible, and save it on your phone.
- Copy the baby’s names exactly as printed, including the order of the names and the spelling.
- Note the date of birth and sex from the document.
Check your own SHA account
You cannot register newborn on SHA unless your own profile is registered and in order, because the baby is added under your household.
- You are registered on SHA. If not, follow how to register for SHA first.
- Your status is active, not pending. See how to check your SHA registration status.
- The phone on your profile is the one in your hand. If it is an old number, change your SHA phone number before you continue.
Add the baby on the portal
These are the steps to register newborn on SHA from your phone or computer.
- Go to afyayangu.go.ke or sha.go.ke and log in with your National ID number and password or PIN.
- Open My Profile, then Dependants.
- Click Add Dependant and select Child.
- Enter the baby’s date of birth and the birth notification or birth certificate number.
- Upload the birth document.
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered phone, then click Submit.
SHA also says you can add a dependant by dialling *147# and following the prompts. The upload step above is for the portal. For the USSD route, see SHA USSD code *147#.
After you submit, or if the baby will not go through
One news report says SHA takes about 14 days to approve a request to add a newborn, so a pending status in the first days is not unusual. Match what you see to the cause below.
| What you see | Likely cause | Where to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Birth notification number rejected | Typing error, or the details do not match the document | Re-enter it exactly as printed, then see SHA account and details |
| OTP never arrives | Old or wrong phone number on your profile | SHA OTP not received, change phone number |
| Baby shows as pending | Verification still running | Dependant status showing pending |
| Your ID is not found | Your own profile does not match | SHA registration error: ID not found |
| Still stuck after all of this | Needs SHA | SHA customer care or an SHA office near you. Carry the birth document. |
Never share an OTP with anyone who calls offering to “fix” SHA. Only you should enter it.
Registering a newborn on SHA when the baby is older than six months
The six-month route applies to a baby under six months. For an older child, SHA asks for the birth certificate number instead of a birth notification. Follow how to add a child to SHA below 18. The same portal steps apply, from My Profile, Dependants, Add Dependant.
Pregnant or just delivered: Linda Mama and maternity cover
Linda Mama now sits inside SHA. A mother registers like any other member, and the enhanced package includes newborn care. It also lets a mother add her household to her cover. If you are still expecting, read SHA maternity cover before delivery, then come back to this page to register newborn on SHA once you hold the birth notification.
Once you have finished registering a newborn on SHA, also check that the birth itself is registered. See how to get the birth certificate for a newborn, so you do not have to hunt for documents later.
Want us to check the documents first?
Send a clear photo of the birth notification on WhatsApp. We will tell you if it is ready to upload to register newborn on SHA, and what to fix, before you waste time on a rejection.
Chat with us on WhatsAppRegister newborn on SHA: frequently asked questions
How do I register a newborn on SHA?
Log in at afyayangu.go.ke or sha.go.ke, open My Profile, then Dependants, and click Add Dependant. Choose Child, enter the baby’s date of birth and birth notification or birth certificate number, upload the birth document, enter the OTP sent to your phone, then click Submit.
What documents do I need to register a newborn on SHA?
A birth notification or birth certificate number, and the baby’s names, date of birth and sex exactly as they appear on the birth document. You also need your own SHA login and your phone for the OTP.
Can I use a birth notification instead of a birth certificate?
Yes, for a baby under six months. SHA’s published guidance accepts either a birth notification or a birth certificate number. For an older child, use the birth certificate number.
Can I register a newborn on SHA using *147#?
SHA says you can add a dependant by dialling *147# and following the prompts. The upload step on this page is for the portal at afyayangu.go.ke or sha.go.ke.
How long does SHA take to approve a newborn?
One news report says SHA takes about 14 days to approve a request to add a newborn. If the status stays pending longer than that, see the pending status guide or call SHA on 0800 720 601.
When does my baby’s SHA cover start?
We could not find an official SHA statement giving a fixed start date for a newborn dependant. Register as soon as you have the birth notification, and confirm with SHA on 0800 720 601 if the baby needs care before approval shows.
Do I need to register the baby’s birth first?
You need a birth notification or birth certificate number to add the baby. The hospital issues the notification. Apply for the birth certificate separately through eCitizen, and read our newborn birth certificate guide for the steps.
Related SHA and birth registration guides
Sources
- Social Health Authority, “Add your child as a dependant today” (facebook.com/socialhealthauthority).
- Ministry of Health, SHA registration guide (health.go.ke).
- Kenyans.co.ke, “How to Add a Child on SHA”: under-six-months rule and the 14-day approval note (kenyans.co.ke).
- Money254, “SHA: How to Register, Add Dependents and Make Payments” (money254.co.ke).
- Willow Health Media, “Baby Steps: How to add dependents to your SHA profile” (willowhealthmedia.org).
- The Standard, “SHA assures free deliveries under enhanced Linda Mama package” (thestandard.ke).
Disclaimer: MyCyber is an independent digital assistance service, not affiliated with SHA or any government body. This page explains publicly reported SHA guidance and is not legal or medical advice. Verify current details on sha.go.ke, afyayangu.go.ke, or by calling 0800 720 601. Sources reviewed on 1 November 2026.
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