9 Basic Requirements For Passport Biometric Capture In Kenya

In Kenya, passport application involves a series of processes that need to be undertaken before a passport can be considered complete and ready for collection by you.

With the initial process starting out at the ecitizen portal whereby you are required to create a personal account in order to commence the application phase available via the Department of Immigration Service menu option.

The online application process involves the accurate completion of three crucial sections covering basic information, making payment as per the prevailing passport charges then finally booking of biometrics capture appointment

The term “biometric capture” refers to the process of gathering data relating to a person’s distinctive physical and behavioral traits, such as their fingerprints, facial features and digital signature, for the purposes of generating a digital identification record.

Such biometric data when incorporated into the passport, ultimately contribute towards improvement of security, fraud reduction and enhance the overall legitimacy of the passport.

In general, the biometric capture process involves the collection of your specific biometric information, its storage into the passport database followed by its embedding into the passport’s microchip thereby transforming it from a traditional passport to an e-passport

Therefore, in summary an e-passport is composed of your personal details, biometrics data as well as your digital signature.

Benefits of the Biometrics Capture Process During Passport Application

As highlighted earlier, biometrics plays a vital role in passport issuance. Some of these benefits include;

1. Security enhancement– Since facial features and fingerprints are unique to each individual, biometrics facilitate the prevention of identity theft through the use of counterfeit passports.
2. Reduction in passport fraud -The biometric data stored within the passport’s microchip renders impersonation and forging of travel documents difficult since both applicant’s details and chip bio-data must match.
3. Global integration – Biometric passports can be seamlessly verified across major immigration checkpoints worldwide due to their alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
4. Time Saving – Due to biometric technology, verification processes at immigration checkpoints are simplified hence less queues and waiting times for travellers.
5. Personal data security – Unauthorized access to your personal data is prevented by the secure storage of the bio-data within the passport microchip.

How To Book/Reschedule For Passport Biometrics Capture Appointment

Before you can proceed for the biometrics capture process, you require prior booking of an appointment for the same.

To do this, you need to have completed filling all the previous sections in regards to your basic information such as passport specifics, personal/parents’/next of kin/recommender details.

Also, you need to have uploaded the necessary documents such as a current passport-size photo with a white backdrop, a signature on a white background, a copy of both the front and back of your national ID, a copy of your birth certificate, a copy of your parents’ ID, and a copy of your recommendor’s ID.

Lastly, payment should have been made in accordance to your chosen passport specifics in terms of passport type, application type and page count.

To proceed and book for the passport biometrics capture, simply click on the “Book Now” option and select your preferred biometrics capture station of choice as per the list provided.

Submission And Biometrics Capture Stations

1. Eldoret – Public Works Building
2. Embu – Embu PC’s office
3. Kisii – County Commissioner’s Building
4. Kisumu – New PC’s Office
5. Mombasa – Uhuru Na Kazi Building
6. Nairobi – Nyayo House, Ground Floor
7. Nakuru – Regional Commissioner’s Building

Afterwards, also select a convenient date and time for this exercise since you will be required to appear in person at the selected station.

Upon completion, a summary reflecting your selection will be displayed for your confirmation.

If there are still booking slots available, you can select the “Reschedule” option to reschedule to a more convenient date if there are any changes to the original booking schedule.

Requirements For Passport Biometric Capture

Note: Failure to avail any of these requirements for passport biometric capture may lead to a possible passport delay

Before the appointment date, you should ensure that all the passport biometric documentation requirements are in order. These include:

1. Pre-filled ecitizen application form

This refers to a printed copy of the ecitizen online form which can be obtained by clicking on the ‘Downloads’ option to download and print the filled application form.

2. Ecitizen government invoice ( 2 copies)

This refers to the invoice generated upon payment of the passport application service which can be obtained by clicking on ‘Payments’ option to download and print the (2) government invoices.

3. Ecitizen customer copy invoice ( 1 copy)

This refers to the invoice generated upon payment of the passport application service which can be obtained by clicking on ‘Payments’ option to download and print the (1) customer copy invoice.

4. Birth certificate (Original & Photocopy)

A birth certificate serves a variety of purposes in Kenya such as proof of identity, citizenship confirmation as well as proof of age.

Birth certificate as among the requirements for passport biometric capture, aims to confirm the accuracy of the information submitted during the application phase such as full names, date of birth, gender, place of birth and birth entry number.

5. National ID card (Original & Photocopy)

Your national ID acts as a primary form of identification in terms of age, citizenship and background location. The national ID as among the requirements for passport biometric capture verifies the correctness of the details submitted during the ecitizen application phase.

Some of the details to be verified include; full names, date of birth, home county etc

6. Photocopy of either parents’ national ID card

A photocopy of either of your parents’ ID card as among the requirements for passport biometric capture facilitates the verification of the particulars such as full names and ID number entered in the parents’ details section of the ecitizen application phase.

7. Photocopy of recommender national ID card

A recommender national ID card as among the requirements for passport biometric process ascertains the details such as full names and ID number provided in the recommender section during the ecitizen application phase.

8. Parents’ death certificate (if applicable)

In the scenario, whereby your parents are deceased, you are required to produce a death certificate to confirm this.

9. Current full color passport size photos

Although, you will undergo a passport photo shoot during the biometric process, you are still required to avail three passport size photos of your own as among the requirements for passport biometric capture.