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eCitizen passport application Kenya 2026

The KES 12,500 fee, the documents, biometrics, payment via 222222, and typical turnaround.

AO
by Reviewed by Michael Mwangi 11 min read Updated 26 August 2026Verified 26 Aug 2026

The Kenyan passport is issued by the Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) through eCitizen. Every application follows the same broad flow: apply online, pay via paybill 222222, get fingerprints and a photo taken at an Immigration office, and collect the finished document. This guide walks through each stage.

Current published fees

The fee is the same whether this is your first passport or a renewal.

  • 66-page ordinary, C series: KES 12,500. The only booklet the form currently offers.
  • 50-page ordinary, B series: KES 9,500. Withdrawn from the portal in February 2026.
  • 34-page ordinary, A series: KES 7,500. Withdrawn in July 2025.
  • Replacement of a lost or mutilated passport: KES 20,000, plus a police abstract.

Corrected on 16 September 2026. This page previously published KES 4,550, KES 6,050 and KES 7,550 as the three choices, and labelled them page counts of 32, 48 and 66. Those were an older schedule and the page counts were wrong: the series are 34, 50 and 66. A reader budgeting from the old figures would have arrived at the payment screen short by roughly two thirds of the fee. The fee actually charged is whatever eCitizen displays on your invoice, and that number is authoritative for your application. For the wider cost picture, including visas, see our Kenya visa, passport and permit fees guide.

Documents you need

  • Kenyan National ID (original + copy).
  • Original birth certificate.
  • Recent passport-size photo (some centres capture it in person; carry one anyway).
  • Parent details (names, ID numbers) for the application form.
  • For renewal: your existing passport, original + copy.
  • For lost passport: police abstract and a sworn affidavit.
  • For minors: birth certificate, both parents' IDs, plus a parental consent form on eCitizen.

The application flow

  1. Log in to accounts.ecitizen.go.ke.
  2. Select Directorate of Immigration Services.
  3. Choose Apply for a Passport. Select the class (A, B, C) and reason (new, renewal, replacement, minor).
  4. Fill personal details. Upload a passport photo if the application requires one at this step.
  5. Select the biometric capture centre.
  6. Submit. eCitizen generates the invoice reference and shows the fee.
  7. Pay via M-PESA paybill 222222 with the invoice reference as the account number.
  8. Once payment clears (typically minutes), the application status moves to Paid, Book Biometrics. Book the slot.

Biometrics appointment

  1. Attend the booked centre on the scheduled day, in person, with all original documents.
  2. The officer takes your fingerprints, digital photo, and digital signature.
  3. You get a print-out with the reference and the expected collection window.

Collection

  1. eCitizen sends an SMS when the passport is ready.
  2. Collect in person from the centre where biometrics were captured, with your original ID and the pickup slip.
  3. Sign the register. The officer books out the passport against your ID.

Renewals

The renewal flow is identical except that the old passport is surrendered at biometric capture (cut in the corner and returned to you as a keepsake). We recommend renewing at least 6 months before expiry, since many destinations require 6 months' validity on entry. Some countries (Schengen, USA) will refuse boarding with less than 6 months on the document.

Common issues

  • Name mismatch between ID and birth certificate: fix the discrepancy at Civil Registration first (see our birth certificate guide) before applying.
  • Payment cleared but application still Unpaid: use the recovery flow. Usually a reconciliation lag.
  • Biometrics booking full for months: try secondary centres (Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret, or Huduma Centres) before insisting on Nyayo House.
  • Missed collection window: passports are held at the centre for up to 6 months from readiness. Beyond that, DIS may require re-verification.

Sources

  1. eCitizen passport application page, immigration.ecitizen.go.ke, retrieved 26 August 2026.
  2. Directorate of Immigration Services, immigration.go.ke.
  3. Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, No. 12 of 2011.
  4. Fees marked unverified 2026 pending gazette confirmation of current schedule.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a Kenyan passport?

The Immigration Department has publicly targeted 21 working days from biometric capture to collection for standard applications, though actual turnarounds during 2024 to 2026 have ranged widely (2 weeks to 3 months) depending on backlog. Renewals of existing passports typically clear faster than first-time applications.

Can I still get an emergency passport?

The Directorate of Immigration Services offers expedited processing in genuine emergencies (medical evacuation, bereavement abroad), evidenced with supporting documents. There is no priced fast-track for general convenience.

Do I need to visit Nyayo House?

Biometrics can be captured at Nyayo House (Nairobi), the Kisumu regional office, the Mombasa regional office, Eldoret regional office, or any Huduma Centre with an Immigration desk. Book the slot from eCitizen after payment clears.

What if my parents were foreign but I was born in Kenya?

Citizenship by birth requires at least one Kenyan-citizen parent. If your parents are foreign, you may qualify for citizenship by registration or naturalisation, which is a separate eCitizen process before you can apply for a passport.