A deed poll is a legal document that allows someone to officially change their name. You can change your forename or surname, remove names or rearrange your existing names. It provides documentary evidence that you have changed your name and that you legally bind yourself to using your new name . Any adult Kenyan desirous to change their Names in Kenya may do so in accordance with the laid down procedures.

The process of changing a name in Kenya is governed by

1. The Registration of Persons Act,
2. The Births and Deaths Registration Act,
3. the Registration of Documents (Change of Name) Regulations.

To legally change one’s name in Kenya, a deed poll must be registered and the Deed Poll advertised in the Kenya Gazette.

Steps for deed poll application in Kenya

1. Apply in person Section 12 of the Registration of Documents Act provides that Every document presented for registration shall be presented by the party executing or claiming an interest under it or his agent or attorney duly appointed, or by the representative or assign of such person .
2. Complete form Complete a deed poll prescribed as Form 1 of the Regulations to the Act. The deed poll is accompanied by a birth certificate of the applicant. Regulation 3 provides for the documents evidencing the change of name endorsed on registration.
3. Registration Present the documents to the Registrar of Documents for registration. Section 14 of the Registration of Documents Act provides that; The persons executing the document shall appear personally before the registrar and satisfy him that they are the persons they represent themselves to be, and if they admit the execution of the document the document shall be registered as provided by this Act. The method of registration is provided under Section 24.

Documents Required for a deed poll in Kenya

Some of the documents required depending on the nature of your application include the following:-

1. Letter from the area chief
2. Finger print printout
3. Deed poll and affidavit to which shall be attached certain requisite documents
4. An affidavit by a witness who has known you for at least 10 years
5. Two Passport size photo
6. Birth certificate or Baptism certificate
7. Identity cards of you parents.
8. Marriage Certificate
9. School Leaving Certificate
10. Divorce Certificate

Procedure for Registering a Deed Poll in Kenya

Letter from the Area Chief

You are required to process and obtain a letter from your area Chief, confirming that he knows you and your residence and that you are a citizen of Kenya.

Complete a deed poll prescribed as ( Form 1 ) of the Regulations to the Act;

Finger Print-Out ,

You must process a print out of your national registration fingerprints from the offices of the registrar of persons. This is required for purposes of registration of the deed poll below

Deed Poll and Affidavit

In the deed poll, you shall firmly state that you abandon the use of your former names and adopt your new name. It shall also emphatically state that from the date thereof, you authorize all persons to address you by your new name and not your former name. In order to effect a change of name, you are required to execute the following.

• A statutory declaration/ affidavit
• A deed poll,
• certified true copies of your current birth certificate
• certified true copies of your National ID
• certified true copies of your passport
• certified true copies of your KRA PIN
.

gazettement

Upon registration, the Registrar causes the deed poll to be advertised in the Kenya Gazette. Name change is effected upon gazettement Section 22 provides that upon receiving for registration any document, the registrar may give public notice in such manner with such particulars as the Principal Registrar may from time to time direct..

How much does it cost to register a deed poll in Kenya?

There are several processes involved in registering a deed poll in Kenya including

1. Drafting of the deed poll.
2. Preparation of the statutory declarations.
3. Certificate of Advocate
4. Process of regostration as a document
5. etc
You may consult your lawyer or agent for the fees levied.

How long does it take to process a deed Poll in Kenya?

from application to gazette and registration of a deed poll. Can take an average of three months.

---

Business compliance is our specialty, Business startup is our passion. We are in the Business of Business.