SHA Multiple Spouse Registration
SHA allows one husband to register up to four wives, plus an unlimited number of children, as long as each marriage can be documented. Each wife is added as a separate dependant, with her own proof of marriage, her own premium, and her own waiting period. Use the tool below to see exactly what’s needed for the number of wives you’re adding.
How many additional wives are you registering right now?
Each wife must also complete her own individual SHA registration before she can be added as a dependant.
What Each Wife Needs Before You Start
Every additional spouse requires her own complete set of documents — none of this can be shared or reused across wives:
- Her valid National ID card
- An active phone number registered to her (for OTP verification)
- Her own individual SHA registration, completed first, before she can be added as a dependant
- Proof of marriage — a marriage certificate, a statutory affidavit, or a letter from your local chief
| Requirement | Applies once, or per wife? |
|---|---|
| Individual SHA registration | Per wife |
| Proof of marriage document | Per wife |
| OTP confirmation | Per wife |
| Premium contribution | Per wife |
| 14-day waiting period | Per wife, from her own declaration date |
| Primary contributor’s own registration | Once, covers the whole household |
Step-by-Step: Adding Each Wife
- She registers individually first — through the Afya Yangu portal at afyayangu.go.ke, or by dialing *147#, using her own National ID and phone number.
- You add her as a dependant — log in at sha.go.ke or via Afya Yangu, go to My Profile → Dependants → Add Dependant, and select Spouse.
- Enter her ID details exactly as printed on her National ID.
- Upload her proof of marriage — certificate, affidavit, or chief’s letter.
- She confirms via OTP sent to her own phone number.
- Submit and wait for approval — then repeat the whole process for the next wife.
How Premiums and Waiting Periods Work
SHA doesn’t charge a single flat fee for the whole household. A means-testing instrument assesses total household income, and each wife is assigned her own premium on top of that. For salaried contributors, each employed spouse’s contribution is deducted straight from her own salary; in non-salaried households, the family decides internally who pays what.
Once a wife’s premium is paid, she isn’t covered immediately — a 14-day waiting period applies before she can access benefits, counted from her declaration date. This is shorter than the standard 30-day wait that applies to other types of dependants, and it’s waived entirely if she’s being added to replace a spouse who has passed away.
Registering More Than One Wife?
Message us on WhatsApp with each wife’s details and whichever proof-of-marriage document you have, and we’ll guide you through adding all of them.
WhatsApp Us NowFAQ: SHA Multiple Spouse Registration
How many wives can I register on SHA?
Up to four, under one husband, plus an unlimited number of children — as long as each marriage can be documented.
Do I pay one premium for the whole family or one per wife?
One per wife. Each additional spouse has her own premium, set by SHA’s means-testing instrument based on total household income, not a single flat household fee.
How long before a newly added wife can use her SHA benefits?
Fourteen days from the date of declaration and premium payment, for spouses added under a polygamous declaration. A standard 30-day period applies to other dependants, and the wait is waived when replacing a deceased spouse.
What if I don’t have a marriage certificate for one of my wives?
A statutory affidavit sworn before a commissioner of oaths, or a letter from your local chief confirming the marriage, can serve as an alternative for that spouse’s application.
Can I add all my wives in one application?
No. Each wife is added as a separate dependant application, with her own proof of marriage, her own phone number, and her own OTP confirmation.
Does each wife need her own SHA registration first?
Yes. Every spouse must complete individual SHA registration through the Afya Yangu portal or USSD before the primary contributor can add her as a dependant.
