Birth Certificate Replacement on eCitizen: Lost or Damaged Certificate Guide
Birth certificate replacement eCitizen requests are for situations where the original certificate has been lost, damaged, or is otherwise unusable, and you need an official reissued copy. This is a different service from an amendment — a replacement reissues the same record exactly as it was, while an amendment changes incorrect details on it.
This guide covers what you’ll need, how the process works, and what to do if you don’t have any details from the original certificate to hand. If you’d rather have this handled for you, the buttons above connect you to assisted help via WhatsApp.
✓ Key fact: You don’t need the original physical certificate to request a replacement — but having any surviving details (registration number, approximate date, full names as registered) makes locating the record much faster.
Replacement vs. Amendment — Don’t Confuse These
Replacement (this page)
Reissues an identical copy of an existing certificate that was lost or damaged. The details on the certificate stay exactly the same.
Amendment
Changes incorrect details already on the certificate. See our amendment guide instead if something on the certificate is wrong, not just missing.
What You’ll Need
- Your own National ID or passport (or the registrant’s, if you’re a parent/guardian applying on a minor’s behalf)
- Any details you still have from the original certificate — registration number, full names as registered, approximate date of registration
- A copy of the damaged certificate, if it’s damaged rather than fully lost
- An active eCitizen account
How the Replacement Process Works
Sign in to your eCitizen account and navigate to Civil Registration Services.
Choose the replacement option specifically — not a new application or amendment.
Enter whatever known details you have — the registrant’s name, ID number, and approximate registration date — to help the system locate the existing record.
Attach your ID and a copy of the damaged certificate if you have one. If fully lost, your ID and any other identifying documents will be used instead.
Pay the applicable fee once your request is submitted.
You’ll be notified once the replacement is approved and ready to download or collect.
Fee for Replacement
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Replacement (lost/damaged certificate) | KES 1,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace a birth certificate if I don’t have the original anymore?
Yes. You don’t need the original document itself, but having any details from it (registration number, approximate date) makes locating the record faster.
How much does a replacement birth certificate cost?
The current official fee for a replacement certificate is KES 1,000.
What’s the difference between a replacement and an amendment?
A replacement reissues an identical copy of an existing certificate that was lost or damaged. An amendment changes incorrect details on the certificate. They’re different services with different requirements.
Can someone else request a replacement on my behalf?
Typically the registrant themselves, or a parent/guardian for a minor, should make the request, since identity verification is central to the process.
Use the buttons at the top of the page to WhatsApp us — we’ll help locate the record and submit the replacement request properly. You can always apply directly through eCitizen yourself; this is optional, paid assistance.
Disclaimer: MyCyber Kenya is an independent assisted-services provider and is not affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, Civil Registration Services, or eCitizen. Process and fee details reflect official information available at the time of writing and may change. Always verify directly at crs.ecitizen.go.ke. Legal basis: Births and Deaths Registration Act, Cap 149, Laws of Kenya.
