SHA Registration Documents: What to Upload for Each ID Type
You start SHA registration on the USSD menu, *147#, but USSD cannot take document uploads. After you enter your details on USSD, you finish registration on Afya Yangu (afyayangu.go.ke), where you upload the identification document that matches your ID type. This page lists what to prepare, which document to upload for each ID type, and the order of the steps.
Dial *147# to choose your ID type, enter your ID number, set a four-digit PIN, and declare your employment, civil and disability status. USSD cannot take documents, so finish on Afya Yangu (afyayangu.go.ke) and upload the identification document that matches your ID type: a Kenyan National ID for Kenyan citizens, and the matching document for foreign residents, refugees and mandate number holders.
Which SHA registration documents do you upload?
The ID type you choose on *147# decides which document you upload on Afya Yangu. The menu offers four options: Kenyan Citizen, Foreign Resident, Refugee and Mandate Number. Pick the one that matches the document you hold, then upload that same document on Afya Yangu. Uploading a different document from the one you selected is the most common reason an upload is rejected.
| ID type you select | What you upload on Afya Yangu |
|---|---|
| Kenyan Citizen | Enter your Kenyan ID number on *147#, then upload a clear copy of your Kenyan National ID on Afya Yangu. |
| Foreign Resident | The identification document issued to you as a foreign resident. Upload that document on Afya Yangu, not a Kenyan ID. |
| Refugee | The refugee identification document issued to you. Upload that document on Afya Yangu, not a Kenyan ID. |
| Mandate Number | The document that carries your mandate number. Upload that document on Afya Yangu, not a Kenyan ID. |
SHA registration documents to have ready before you start
| What you need | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Your ID document (matching your ID type) | Uploaded on Afya Yangu to prove your identity. |
| Your ID number | Typed exactly as on the document, then you click “Send”. |
| A phone you hold | The registration runs on the USSD menu from this phone, so it must be in your name and in use. |
| A four-digit PIN you can remember | You set it during registration and use it to log in later. |
| Your employment status | You will choose Employed, Self-employed or Unemployed. |
| Your civil status | You will choose Single, Married, Divorced, Widow or Widower. |
| Your disability status | You will confirm whether you are a Person With Disability (PWD). |
How to start on *147# and upload SHA registration documents on Afya Yangu
Registration starts on the USSD menu and finishes on Afya Yangu, where you upload documents. The steps below follow the USSD route in order, so you know what each screen asks for. The upload is the last step, on Afya Yangu.
Start on *147# with your SHA registration documents ready
Dial *147# from your phone and select USSD Registration. The menu opens the SHA registration process.
Select your ID type for your SHA registration documents
Select the ID type that matches your document: Kenyan Citizen, Foreign Resident, Refugee or Mandate Number. Enter the ID number and click Send. USSD does not take uploads, so the document goes on Afya Yangu in the final step.
- Upload a Kenyan ID only if you selected Kenyan Citizen.
- Upload the document for your own type if you selected any other type.
- Make sure the photo is clear, the whole document is visible, and the text is readable.
Complete user verification for your SHA registration documents
The menu checks the ID number you entered against your ID type. If verification passes, you move on to PIN setup. If it fails, check that the ID type and the ID number match your document exactly. Your document itself is uploaded later, on Afya Yangu.
Set your PIN after your SHA registration documents are verified
Enter a four-digit PIN and confirm it. Then choose one of the options offered: 1 to proceed, 2 to decline, 3 to get the Terms and Conditions link, 4 to get the privacy policy link, or 0 to go back. Choose 1 to continue with registration.
Choose your employment status for your SHA registration documents
Enter one of these options: 1 for Employed, 2 for Self-employed, 3 for Unemployed. Your employment status affects how your contributions are assessed, so pick the option that is true today.
Declare your civil status with your SHA registration documents
Enter one of these options: 1 for Single, 2 for Married, 3 for Divorced, 4 for Widow, 6 for Widower, or 0 to go back. The option list as shown on the menu lists 6 for Widower after 4 for Widow, so check the number on your own screen before you choose.
Declare disability status on your SHA registration documents
Confirm whether you are a Person With Disability (PWD): 1 for Yes, 2 for No, or 0 to go back.
Finish on Afya Yangu and upload your SHA registration documents
Go to afyayangu.go.ke and log in with your SHA details. Finish your registration there, then upload the identification document that matches the ID type you selected on *147#.
Uploading SHA registration documents on Afya Yangu
Afya Yangu is where your documents are uploaded, so do not stop after the USSD steps. Keep the file ready and check its size and format before you submit. Make sure the document you upload is the one that matches the ID type you chose on *147#.
Upload tips that protect your SHA registration documents
- Use the document that matches the ID type. The type and the upload must agree.
- Photograph in good light. Avoid glare, shadows and blur on the text.
- Capture the full document. Cut-off corners or edges cause failed checks.
- Type the ID number exactly. Check each digit against the document before you click Send.
- Use the same name spelling as the document, on your profile and on the form.
Common SHA registration documents problems and fixes
| What happens | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Upload rejected on Afya Yangu | ID type does not match the document uploaded | Re-upload the document that matches the type you selected on *147#, or restart the type selection on *147# |
| The ID number is not found | Typing error, or the number does not match the document | Re-enter the number from the document. See SHA registration error: ID not found |
| No OTP or code arrives | Phone number is not in your name or is not in use | Fix the OTP problem |
| You have no ID document of the right type | Document not yet issued or not held | See SHA registration without a valid ID |
| Registration cannot be completed on your own | Your case needs review | Call the toll-free line 0800 720 601 or email customercare@sha.go.ke. Visit a SHA office near you with your documents. |
Want your SHA registration documents checked before you upload?
Send us a photo of your ID on WhatsApp. We will tell you which ID type to select, whether the document is clear enough, and what to fix before you register.
Chat with us on WhatsAppSHA registration documents: frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to register on SHA?
You need an identification document that matches your ID type, uploaded on Afya Yangu. On *147# you also need your ID number, a phone you hold, a four-digit PIN you can remember, and your employment, civil and disability details.
Which ID do I upload if I am a Kenyan citizen?
Select Kenyan Citizen and enter your Kenyan ID number on *147#. Then upload a Kenyan National ID on Afya Yangu.
Can I upload a Kenyan ID if I am a foreign resident?
No. Select Foreign Resident and upload, on Afya Yangu, the identification document issued to you as a foreign resident. The ID type and the uploaded document must match.
What if I am a refugee or hold a mandate number?
Select Refugee or Mandate Number as applicable, and upload, on Afya Yangu, the document that corresponds to that type. Do not upload a Kenyan ID for these types.
Can I register on SHA with *147#?
Yes, to start. Dial *147#, select USSD Registration, select your ID type, enter your ID number and click Send, set your four-digit PIN, then declare your employment, civil and disability status. USSD cannot take uploads, so finish on Afya Yangu (afyayangu.go.ke) and upload your identification document there.
Do I finish registration on USSD or on Afya Yangu?
Start on USSD, then finish on Afya Yangu. USSD takes your ID type, ID number, PIN and status details. Afya Yangu is where you upload the identification document, so that step cannot be skipped.
Who can I contact if registration fails?
Call the SHA toll-free line 0800 720 601, or email customercare@sha.go.ke. You can also visit a SHA branch or Huduma centre.
More guides on SHA registration documents
Sources for SHA registration documents
- Social Health Authority USSD registration menu, covering the ID type selection, user verification, PIN setup, employment, civil and disability declarations.
- Afya Yangu portal, afyayangu.go.ke, where documents are uploaded, and the SHA toll-free customer care line 0800 720 601.
Disclaimer: MyCyber is an independent digital assistance service, not affiliated with SHA or any government body. This page explains the registration steps and is not legal or medical advice. Verify current details on sha.go.ke or by calling 0800 720 601, since menu options can change.
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