Kenyans urged to pick up IDs and birth certificates at Huduma Centres

Kenyans who applied for national IDs, driving licences, and birth certificates have been urged to collect their documents at any of the 59 Huduma Centres across the country.

Huduma Kenya issued a notice on Wednesday indicating that 82,506 IDs, 57,444 driving licences, and 22,524 birth certificates are ready for collection nationwide.

"Your government documents are ready for collection. Visit any of our 59 Huduma Centres nationwide and pick them today," the notice read in part.

The agency explained that applications for an ID or birth certificate typically take about two weeks to process, while a smart driving licence is ready within five days. Those seeking to replace lost or damaged ID cards must apply online through the eCitizen portal and pay a fee of Sh1,050.

Applicants who want to apply for or replace a birth certificate are required to submit their application online, upload the birth notification, and provide a parent’s ID number as per the application requirements.

Huduma Kenya noted that any corrections to misspelt letters on birth certificates must be processed through the Civil Registration office.

This announcement follows a statement by Director General of eCitizen Services, Isaac Ochieng, last week regarding plans to introduce digital notifications for citizens whose IDs are ready.

Speaking on September 4, 2025, during an interview on Radio Generation, Ochieng said that ID applications would soon start at birth, and once a child reaches 18 years, parents would receive a notification on their phone that their child’s national ID is ready for collection.

"Where we are now, if you attain the age of 18, we will notify your parents on their phone because we have their details. We will tell them that the national ID for your son or daughter is ready for collection," Ochieng stated.

He assured that the new process would be faster and more efficient, relying on information the government already holds about the child’s parents.