Birth Certificate Form B3 and B4 Kenya: What They Were and What You Do Instead in 2026
If you’ve been searching for Form B3 or Form B4 to apply for a birth certificate in Kenya, here’s the short version: both are legacy paper forms that have been replaced by the eCitizen online system. You don’t need to download, print, or fill either one. This page explains what each form did, what information it captured, and exactly what you do instead today.
Form B3 vs Form B4 — what each one was for
Standard birth certificate application
For births registered within 6 months of occurrence
Used when a parent applied for a birth certificate within the legal six-month window. Submitted at the District Registrar’s office or a Huduma Centre together with the birth notification, parents’ IDs, and fee payment.
Fee in the paper era: KES 50. Current eCitizen fee: KES 250.
Paper form — no longer in useLate birth registration application
For births reported more than 6 months after occurrence
Used when a birth had never been registered, or was being registered long after it occurred. Required certification by the area Assistant Chief and additional supporting evidence. Submitted to the District Registrar.
Fee in the paper era: KES 100. Current eCitizen fee: KES 500.
Paper form — no longer in useSeveral websites still host downloadable PDFs of Form B3 and Form B4 as if they are current. They are not. Submitting a printed copy of either form at a Civil Registration office in 2026 will direct you back to the eCitizen portal. Save yourself the trip — apply online from the start.
What Form B4 asked for (standard registration)
The fields below are the complete Form B4 as issued by the Department of Civil Registration under the Office of the President. This is exactly what the eCitizen system will ask you — knowing this in advance means you can have everything ready before you start the online application.
| Field | What to provide |
|---|---|
| Child’s details | |
| District of birth | The district where the birth occurred |
| Province of birth | The province (pre-2013 administrative structure used in civil records) |
| Notification No. | The BN number from the birth notification (Form B1) issued by the hospital or chief |
| Exact place of birth | Name of hospital, home address, or facility |
| Name of child | Full name as it should appear on the certificate |
| Date of birth | Day, month, year |
| Sex of child | Male or female |
| Parents’ details | |
| Full names of father | As on his National ID. May be left blank if father is not named |
| Name of mother before marriage | Mother’s maiden name as it appeared on her ID at the time |
| Applicant details | |
| Name and address of applicant | The person submitting the application — usually a parent |
| Signature | Applicant’s signature confirming the information is correct |
| Official use (handled by the registrar) | |
| Entry No. | Assigned by the registrar — this becomes your birth certificate number |
| Name of registering officer | The civil registrar who processes the application |
| Date of registration | The date entered into the civil register |
| Fee paid / receipt number | Recorded by the registrar after payment confirmation |
What Form B3 asked for (late registration)
Form B3 required everything in B4 plus additional sections to verify the birth through local administration — because there was no hospital notification to rely on in most late registration cases. The eCitizen late registration route asks for the same information.
| Field | What to provide |
|---|---|
| Child’s details (same as B4, plus) | |
| Name | First name, middle/tribal name, father’s surname |
| Date of birth | Day, month, year — as accurately as known |
| Sex | Male or female |
| Place of birth | Village and sub-location, or street and town, plus district |
| Parents’ details | |
| Name of father | First name, middle/tribal name, surname |
| Name of mother | First name, middle/tribal name, father’s or husband’s surname |
| Year of birth of mother | Approximate year if exact date is unknown |
| Applicant details | |
| Applicant name | The person applying — parent, guardian, or the person themselves if adult |
| Address | Current address of the applicant |
| Relationship to child | e.g. parent, guardian, self |
| Signature and date | Applicant confirms the information |
| Local authority certification (extra step vs B4) | |
| Area Assistant Chief certification | The Assistant Chief of the sub-location certifies knowledge of the child and that facts stated are true |
| Countersignature by Chief | The location Chief countersigns. If unavailable, a baptismal certificate, clinic card, or doctor’s/midwife’s certificate substitutes |
| Fee and approval (handled by the registrar) | |
| Fee paid | Currently KES 500 for late registration via eCitizen |
| Cash receipt number | Issued after payment |
The birth notification — the document that comes before both forms
Before either B3 or B4 ever came into play, there was the birth notification (Form B1) — and it still exists today. It is the document issued at the time of birth, before any certificate application is made. For hospital births, the facility issues it. For home births, the area chief or a Community Health Volunteer facilitates it.
When you apply on eCitizen today, the notification reference number — the BN number — is one of the first things the system asks for. Have yours ready.
What a birth notification contains
What you do instead — the 2026 eCitizen process
The Civil Registration Services portal on eCitizen handles both standard and late registration through one application flow. The system presents the right questions based on whether you select “Birth Certificate” (standard) or “Late Birth Certificate” (late registration).
Log in to eCitizen
Go to crs.ecitizen.go.ke and log in with your National ID and registered phone number. Create an account first if you don’t have one — it takes under five minutes.
Select the right application type
Choose “Birth Certificate” if the birth is being registered within six months of occurrence. Choose “Late Birth Certificate” if it is more than six months since the birth. These are listed separately under Civil Registration Services.
Fill in the child’s and parents’ details
The system asks for everything the old B3 and B4 forms captured — child’s name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, father’s full name, mother’s maiden name. Enter everything exactly as it appears on your ID documents.
Upload supporting documents
For standard registration: birth notification reference number (BN number), parents’ National IDs, and the clinic card (ANC/mother-baby booklet). For late registration: all of the above plus a sworn affidavit, chief’s letter, and supporting evidence (baptismal card, immunisation records, or school records).
Pay and submit
Standard registration: KES 250. Late registration: KES 500. Pay by M-Pesa or card through the eCitizen platform and keep the payment receipt.
Download or collect the certificate
Standard applications are processed within working days. Late registration may take up to four weeks or longer due to additional verification.
Current fees at a glance
| Application type | Condition | Fee (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (Birth Certificate) | Birth registered within 6 months of occurrence | 250 |
| Late (Late Birth Certificate) | Birth registered more than 6 months after occurrence | 500 |
| Adult birth certificate | Adult applying for their own certificate for the first time | 1,000 |
| Change of particulars | Correcting details on an existing notification or certificate | Varies — see eCitizen |
Related guides
Need Help With a Late Registration or a Confusing Application?
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WhatsApp Us NowFrequently asked questions
What is Form B4 for a birth certificate in Kenya?
Form B4 was the official paper application form for a standard birth certificate — used when a birth is registered within six months of occurrence. It is now replaced by the online application on eCitizen under Civil Registration Services. You do not need to download or print Form B4.
What is Form B3 for a birth certificate in Kenya?
Form B3 was the official paper application form for late registration of a birth — used when a birth is being registered more than six months after it occurred. Like B4, it is replaced by the eCitizen online application. The “Late Birth Certificate” option on eCitizen captures the same information Form B3 required, including the chief’s certification.
Do I still need to download Form B3 or B4 in 2026?
No. Both forms are legacy documents from the manual civil registration era. The Department of Civil Registration Services now processes all birth certificate applications — standard and late — through eCitizen at crs.ecitizen.go.ke. You apply online, pay online, and as of June 2026 can download the certificate directly from the platform.
What documents do I need instead of Form B3 or B4?
For standard registration: the birth notification (Form B1) from the hospital, parents’ National IDs, and the clinic card (ANC booklet). For late registration: all of the above plus a sworn affidavit, a letter from the area chief, and supporting evidence — baptismal certificate, immunisation card, or school records.
How much does a birth certificate application cost on eCitizen in 2026?
Standard registration (within 6 months) costs KES 250. Late registration (after 6 months) costs KES 500. Adult birth certificate registration costs KES 1,000. All payments are made online via M-Pesa or card on the eCitizen platform.
What is the birth notification form and is it the same as B3 or B4?
No — the birth notification (Form B1) is a completely different document. It is issued by the hospital or area chief at the time of birth, before any certificate application is made. The BN number from the notification is what you upload when applying on eCitizen. Form B3 and B4 were the application forms submitted after the notification — both now replaced by the online eCitizen process.
