Kenyan nationals who act as directors or people with significant control, known as PSCs, of UK companies must complete Companies House identity verification.

The deadline depends on the person’s role and when Companies House recorded that role.

After a successful check, Companies House issues an 11-character personal code. The code belongs to the individual rather than to one company.

Therefore, the same personal code can be used for every UK company where the person acts as a director or PSC. However, it must be connected separately to each appointment and role.

Quick Answer for Kenyan Directors and PSCs

For most Kenyan nationals, a valid Kenyan biometric ePassport provides the clearest Group A identity document.

Kenya also issues a national identity card. The current third-generation card is commonly called the Maisha Card. Many people still hold the earlier second-generation Kenyan national ID.

However, PRADO currently lists Kenyan passports only. It does not list the Kenyan national identity card or Kenyan driving licence. Therefore, neither the Maisha Card nor a Kenyan Smart Driving Licence should automatically replace the formal Companies House document combination.

For a person-led remote check through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, applicants normally need either:

• two Group A photographic identity documents; or
• one Group A photographic identity document and one Group B supporting document.

The most practical combinations for Kenyan directors and PSCs are often:

• Kenyan passport and bank statement;
• Kenyan passport and utility bill;
• Kenyan passport and mortgage statement;
• Kenyan passport and insurance policy;
• Kenyan passport and birth certificate;
• Kenyan passport and marriage certificate;
• Kenyan passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• Kenyan passport and an eligible UK immigration document;
• Kenyan passport and another current passport held through dual nationality; or
• one Kenyan biometric or machine-readable passport through a suitable technology-led Option 1 process.

Direct answer: The strongest person-led route will usually use a Kenyan passport together with an accepted Group B supporting document.

A Maisha Card, earlier national ID or Kenyan Smart Driving Licence may help support the identity review. However, these documents should not replace the accepted document combination under the current published standard.

Kenyan National Identity Cards

Kenyan citizens aged 18 or over must hold a physical national identity card.

The current third-generation national ID is called the Maisha Card. It is replacing the earlier second-generation identity card.

The physical card remains important even though Kenya also offers a Digital ID. Official guidance describes the physical ID as mandatory for adult Kenyan citizens and the Digital ID as an optional virtual form of the national ID.

What Is a Maisha Card?

The Maisha Card is Kenya’s third-generation national identity card.

It forms part of Kenya’s newer identity system, which also includes:

• Maisha Namba;
• Digital ID;
• electronic civil registration;
• biometric identity checks; and
• links with eCitizen services.

Existing adult ID holders generally retain their current Kenyan ID number. That number is then referred to as their Maisha Namba.

For a child registered under the newer civil-registration system, the Maisha Namba is intended to act as a lifelong personal identifier that continues into adulthood.

Can a Maisha Card Provide Group A Evidence?

Do not rely on the Maisha Card as one of the two formal documents under the current person-led Companies House route.

Companies House allows another photographic identity document listed on PRADO as Group A evidence.

However, PRADO’s current Kenya page lists only:

• two ordinary passport models; and
• one diplomatic passport model.

It does not contain a Kenyan national identity-card category.

The practical conclusion is:

A Maisha Card can provide useful supporting evidence, but it should not replace the Kenyan passport and accepted Group B document used for the formal check.

How the Maisha Card Can Support the Review

Although it is not automatically Group A, the physical card may help the ACSP compare:

• the applicant’s photograph;
• full registered name;
• Kenyan ID number;
• Maisha Namba;
• date of birth;
• sex;
• citizenship;
• signature;
• current or earlier personal information; and
• details shown in the Kenyan passport or birth certificate.

Applicants should send clear images of the complete card where it is requested.

They may also need to show the original physical card during the video call.

Can a Maisha Card Qualify Under Option 1?

No, not through the current Companies House identity-card category.

Option 1 accepts biometric identity cards issued by:

• an EU country;
• Norway;
• Iceland; or
• Liechtenstein.

Kenya is not included in that category.

Therefore, the Maisha Card does not qualify merely because it:

• contains a photograph;
• uses modern security features;
• is issued by the Kenyan government;
• is linked to fingerprints;
• contains electronic functions;
• is connected with Maisha Namba; or
• can be checked through Kenyan government systems.

Does the Maisha Card Expire?

The Maisha Card has a ten-year electronic renewal cycle.

Official guidance expects the holder to apply for a duplicate after ten years and surrender the earlier card when collecting the replacement.

However, the current Registration of Persons Rules state that the expiry date on the polycarbonate electronic card relates to the card’s electronic functionality.

Therefore, the printed date should not be considered in isolation. The ACSP should check:

• whether the card remains the holder’s current card;
• whether a replacement has been issued;
• whether it has been cancelled;
• whether it was reported lost;
• whether the photograph remains suitable; and
• whether its electronic functions remain active.

For Companies House purposes, the main limitation remains that the Maisha Card is not currently listed on PRADO.

Second-Generation Kenyan Identity Cards

Many Kenyan nationals still hold the earlier second-generation national identity card.

Official Maisha Card guidance states that replacing an existing second-generation card is optional. At the same time, new identity-card production has moved to the Maisha Card system.

A second-generation card may help confirm:

• earlier photograph;
• Kenyan ID number;
• former name;
• date of birth;
• citizenship;
• earlier signature; or
• information connecting an older passport to the current identity.

Nevertheless, it should not be treated as automatic Group A evidence because PRADO does not list it.

Can You Use an Old ID After Receiving a Maisha Card?

No.

Once a replacement Maisha Card has been issued, the earlier national ID should not be used as the applicant’s current identity document.

The old card may still provide historical evidence. For example, it may help explain:

• a former name;
• an earlier photograph;
• an old signature;
• a previous ID format; or
• information that changed during replacement.

The current Maisha Card should be shown instead.

Lost, Stolen and Damaged Kenyan ID Cards

Do not rely on a national ID that:

• was reported lost;
• was reported stolen;
• has been replaced;
• is badly damaged;
• has been perforated;
• has an unreadable photograph;
• has been altered; or
• no longer reflects the holder’s current details.

An application receipt, police abstract or collection slip may explain why the current card is unavailable. However, it does not replace an accepted Group A or Group B document.

Maisha Namba

Maisha Namba is Kenya’s newer lifelong personal identifier.

For an existing adult ID holder, the current Kenyan ID number is generally retained and treated as the person’s Maisha Namba.

For newer registrations, the number is linked with the civil-registration and national identity systems.

A Maisha Namba is not:

• a passport;
• an identity card by itself;
• photographic evidence;
• a driving licence;
• a birth certificate;
• a Companies House personal code; or
• proof that a particular person is presenting the number.

Is Maisha Namba the Companies House Personal Code?

No.

A Maisha Namba belongs to Kenya’s national identity system.

The Companies House personal code is a separate 11-character code created after successful Companies House identity verification.

Do not enter any of the following when Companies House asks for the personal code:

• Maisha Namba;
• Kenyan national ID number;
• passport number;
• driving-licence number;
• KRA PIN;
• eCitizen account number;
• UK National Insurance number;
• company authentication code; or
• immigration application number.

Kenyan Digital ID and eCitizen

Kenya offers a Digital ID through its eCitizen identity system.

The Digital ID is a virtual representation of the person’s physical identity. Its activation can involve:

• eCitizen login;
• facial scanning;
• fingerprint scanning;
• one-time password checks;
• physical ID scanning; and
• assisted activation at a Huduma Centre.

The service is designed to support secure access to government and commercial services.

Can Digital ID Replace the Required Documents?

No.

The Digital ID does not automatically fall within the Companies House Group A or Group B lists.

Do not rely only on:

• Digital ID profile;
• eCitizen login;
• Gava Mkononi screen;
• successful biometric activation;
• QR code;
• screenshot;
• one-time password;
• mobile identity display; or
• downloaded account page.

An ACSP may review the live Digital ID as additional evidence. For example, it may help confirm:

• control of the eCitizen account;
• current identity information;
• biometric enrolment;
• connection with the physical ID;
• recent government activity; or
• consistency with other Kenyan documents.

Even so, the formal document combination should use an accepted passport and another qualifying document.

Kenyan KRA PIN

The Kenya Revenue Authority issues a Personal Identification Number known as the KRA PIN.

For an individual, a KRA PIN normally:

• contains 11 characters;
• begins with the letter A;
• contains nine digits; and
• ends with a letter.

This can cause confusion because the Companies House personal code also contains 11 characters.

However, the two codes have completely different purposes.

A KRA PIN is used for tax and specified Kenyan transactions. It is not photographic identity evidence.

Do Not Use a KRA PIN as the Personal Code

Do not enter any of the following as a Companies House personal code:

• KRA PIN;
• KRA PIN certificate number;
• iTax login;
• taxpayer number;
• tax-compliance certificate number;
• Kenyan national ID number; or
• Maisha Namba.

A KRA PIN certificate may provide supporting information. However, it is not one of the accepted Group A or Group B documents.

Kenyan ePassports

The Government of Kenya issues electronic passports to Kenyan citizens.

Official immigration guidance describes the Kenyan ePassport as:

• compliant with ICAO document standards;
• supported by biometric enrolment;
• issued for international travel; and
• valid for ten years.

A current Kenyan ePassport normally provides the strongest identity-verification route.

Current PRADO-Listed Kenyan Passport

The principal current ordinary passport model is:

KEN-AO-03001

PRADO records that the passport:

• is issued to Kenyan nationals;
• remains a valid document model;
• has maximum validity of ten years;
• has an East African Community cover;
• contains 34 pages;
• has an integrated polycarbonate personal-details card;
• contains a black-and-white facial image;
• contains optically variable features; and
• contains ultraviolet security features.

A current passport under this model normally provides the clearest Group A evidence.

Kenyan Passport Page Numbers

Kenya offers ordinary passports in different page sizes.

These include:

• A Series with 34 pages;
• B Series with 50 pages; and
• C Series with 66 pages.

The number of pages does not change the holder’s nationality or the basic Companies House passport category.

The verifier should still check the exact document model, security features and validity.

Is the Kenyan Passport Biometric?

Current Kenyan passports are ePassports.

Applicants enrol their photograph and other biometric information when applying. In addition, the passport is designed to comply with ICAO electronic travel-document standards.

A current Kenyan ePassport may therefore work through the GOV.UK One Login app where:

• the chip is working;
• the phone is compatible;
• the app supports the passport;
• the personal-details page is clear;
• the photograph remains suitable; and
• the applicant completes the live facial check.

Older Kenyan Passport Models

PRADO also lists the earlier ordinary passport model:

KEN-AO-02001

This older model was first issued in 2008 and used a laminated biodata page rather than the current integrated polycarbonate card.

Kenya later moved to the East African Community ePassport system.

Therefore, an old-generation passport should not be assumed to remain usable simply because the document model appears in PRADO.

The ACSP should check:

• individual issue date;
• printed expiry date;
• whether it was replaced during ePassport migration;
• cancellation marks;
• whether Kenyan authorities still treat it as current;
• physical condition; and
• whether a current ePassport has been issued.

In practice, applicants should use their current Kenyan ePassport wherever possible.

Kenyan Passports Issued Through the London High Commission

Kenyan nationals living in the United Kingdom can obtain passport services through the Kenya High Commission and the Kenyan diaspora passport system.

Applications use the eCitizen process. Applicants also attend for document submission and biometric enrolment.

A passport obtained through the London High Commission remains a standard Kenyan passport. It is not a lower-status document merely because the holder applied abroad.

The ACSP should review:

• passport model;
• passport number;
• issue date;
• expiry date;
• biometric symbol;
• electronic chip;
• personal-details page;
• machine-readable zone;
• photograph;
• document condition;
• observation pages; and
• whether a newer passport has replaced it.

Expired Kenyan Passports

An expired Kenyan passport may still work in limited ACSP cases.

Technology-Led Option 1

A biometric or machine-readable passport may be up to six months expired where the identity-checking technology can still validate the required security features.

Person-Led Option 2

A passport may be up to 18 months expired.

However, the passport must not have been:

• cancelled;
• replaced;
• reported lost or stolen;
• cut or perforated;
• physically invalidated;
• seriously damaged; or
• altered.

A current passport will normally provide a simpler route.

Lost, Stolen and Damaged Kenyan Passports

Do not use a Kenyan passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

This remains important even if the holder later recovers it.

Kenyan passport replacement procedures may require:

• national identity card;
• statement explaining the loss;
• sworn affidavit;
• police abstract; and
• copy of the lost passport biodata page where available.

Once a replacement passport has been issued, the earlier passport cannot provide current identity evidence.

A damaged passport also requires careful review. Damage near the following areas is especially important:

• polycarbonate biodata card;
• photograph;
• passport number;
• machine-readable zone;
• biometric chip;
• laminate;
• binding; or
• observation pages.

Kenyan Temporary Permit

Kenya issues a Temporary Permit for travel within the East African region.

The permit is generally:

• valid for one year;
• intended for regional travel;
• different from an ordinary passport; and
• issued for a limited travel purpose.

PRADO does not currently list this permit under Kenya’s document page.

Therefore, do not rely on it as the routine Companies House passport document.

A current Kenyan ePassport provides the clearer route.

Who Must Complete Companies House Verification?

The requirement applies to Kenyan nationals who are:

• directors of UK limited companies;
• becoming directors of UK companies;
• directors of overseas companies registered in the UK;
• registered as PSCs;
• becoming PSCs;
• forming UK companies as directors or PSCs; or
• applying to become Companies House authorised agents.

Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025.

However, that date began a phased transition rather than one identical deadline for every person.

Existing Directors

An existing director normally provides the personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement.

Where the person acts as a director of several companies, the code must be connected separately to each appointment.

New Directors

A new director provides the code during the appointment process.

Similarly, a proposed director of a newly formed company must provide the code during incorporation.

PSCs

PSCs have separate 14-day compliance periods.

The correct period depends on:

• whether the PSC is also a director;
• when Companies House first recorded the PSC; and
• the company’s confirmation statement date.

Verification Routes for Kenyan Nationals

Kenyan applicants can use one of two main routes.

GOV.UK One Login

Companies House offers a free verification service through GOV.UK One Login.

Depending on the applicant’s documents and circumstances, the service may ask them to:

• use the GOV.UK One Login app;
• answer security questions; or
• attend a participating UK Post Office.

Verification Through an ACSP

An ACSP can verify the person:

• remotely;
• by video call;
• in person; or
• through supported identity technology.

The ACSP route can be used from any country. Therefore, a Kenyan director does not need to be physically present in the United Kingdom.

Using a Kenyan Passport With GOV.UK One Login

A Kenyan national can normally try the GOV.UK One Login app using a current Kenyan biometric passport.

The app accepts a non-UK passport containing a biometric chip.

The process usually requires the applicant to:

1. photograph the passport’s personal-details page;
2. scan the biometric chip;
3. scan their face;
4. complete a live identity comparison; and
5. answer any remaining questions.

The original physical passport must be used.

The app does not accept:

• photocopy;
• scanned PDF;
• screenshot;
• photograph displayed on another device;
• passport number without the passport;
• cancelled passport;
• replaced passport; or
• expired passport.

What If the Passport Chip Cannot Be Read?

A failed chip scan does not automatically mean that the passport is false or invalid.

First, the applicant may try to:

• remove the phone case;
• turn on near-field communication;
• move the phone slowly over the passport cover;
• place the phone over a different part of the passport;
• retry the scan; or
• use another compatible phone.

Where the app still cannot read the passport, an ACSP route may remain available.

The passport may work:

• through another identity technology provider; or
• through a person-led Option 2 check.

Can You Use a Kenyan National ID in the One Login App?

No.

The published GOV.UK One Login app document list does not include a Kenyan identity card.

The app currently accepts:

• UK passport;
• non-UK biometric passport;
• UK photocard driving licence;
• specified UK biometric immigration documents; and
• UK Frontier Worker permit.

A Maisha Card does not become an accepted app document merely because it contains modern electronic or biometric features.

Can You Use a Kenyan Driving Licence in the App?

No.

The GOV.UK One Login app accepts a UK photocard driving licence rather than a Kenyan driving licence.

A Kenyan Smart Driving Licence is also outside the Companies House Option 1 category for UK and EU photocard driving licences.

Answering Security Questions

Some Kenyan nationals living in the United Kingdom may receive the option to answer security questions online.

The service may use information connected with:

• UK bank accounts;
• credit cards;
• loans;
• mortgages;
• mobile phone contracts;
• tax records;
• benefits; or
• other UK financial records.

The applicant may also need details from:

• UK passport;
• UK photocard driving licence; or
• current account with a UK bank or building society.

A Kenyan director living outside the UK or with little UK financial history may find this route less practical.

Name differences can also cause matching problems. For example, one record may omit:

• a middle or tribal name;
• one of several given names;
• the father’s tribal name;
• an English or religious name;
• a married surname;
• a hyphen;
• an apostrophe; or
• part of a compound name.

Post Office Verification

GOV.UK One Login may offer some applicants a Post Office route.

The applicant must first:

1. begin the Companies House service online;
2. enter the requested identity information;
3. receive confirmation that the Post Office route is available;
4. obtain the customer instructions or QR code;
5. attend a participating Post Office; and
6. present the original document specified in the instructions.

A Kenyan passport will normally provide the clearest Post Office route.

Do not assume that the Post Office will accept:

• Maisha Card;
• second-generation Kenyan ID;
• Kenyan Smart Driving Licence;
• Digital ID;
• eCitizen profile;
• KRA PIN certificate;
• birth certificate displayed on a phone; or
• temporary permit.

The applicant must follow the document instructions produced for their individual case.

The result usually arrives within one day of the Post Office appointment.

Verification Through an ACSP

The ACSP route may suit a Kenyan director or PSC who:

• lives in Kenya;
• lives elsewhere outside the UK;
• cannot complete GOV.UK One Login;
• cannot scan the passport chip;
• has only one clearly accepted photographic document;
• needs help choosing a Group B document;
• has a Maisha Card that is not PRADO-listed;
• has an earlier Kenyan national ID;
• has a Kenyan Smart Driving Licence;
• has several name elements;
• has a tribal or patronymic name;
• has changed their name;
• has a Kenyan and foreign passport with different names;
• has an incorrect date of birth at Companies House; or
• wants a remote solicitor-led process.

How Many Documents Are Required?

Option 1: Technology-Led Check

One photographic document may be enough where suitable identity technology can validate it.

Eligible document categories include:

• biometric or machine-readable passport;
• UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or EU photocard driving licence;
• biometric identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;
• specified UK biometric immigration documents;
• UK Frontier Worker permit; or
• eVisa.

For a Kenyan national, the strongest Option 1 document is usually:

• Kenyan biometric ePassport.

Other possible Option 1 documents include:

• UK photocard driving licence;
• eligible UK immigration document; or
• eVisa.

The Kenyan national ID and driving licence do not fall within the current Option 1 country categories.

Option 2: Person-Led Check

A trained person can inspect the original documents remotely or in person.

The applicant must provide either:

• two Group A photographic documents; or
• one Group A document and one Group B supporting document.

Anyone living outside the UK must provide at least one government-issued document.

A passport may be up to 18 months expired where it has not been cancelled or replaced.

Other documents normally need to remain current.

Group A Documents for Kenyan Nationals

Kenyan ePassport

A current Kenyan ePassport normally provides the strongest Group A evidence.

The clearest current PRADO-listed ordinary passport is:

KEN-AO-03001

Another Passport Held Through Dual Nationality

Kenya recognises dual nationality.

A Kenyan national who also holds another nationality may provide a second current passport. Two passports can provide two Group A documents under person-led Option 2.

Examples may include:

• Kenyan and British passports;
• Kenyan and Irish passports;
• Kenyan and Canadian passports;
• Kenyan and Australian passports;
• Kenyan and United States passports; or
• Kenyan and another recognised passport.

The ACSP must connect the passports where they show:

• different name order;
• omitted middle or tribal name;
• different surname treatment;
• married and birth surnames;
• different place-of-birth descriptions;
• shortened names; or
• different spelling.

UK Photocard Driving Licence

A Kenyan national living in the United Kingdom may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as another Group A document.

A Kenyan passport and UK driving licence can provide two strong photographic identity documents.

Eligible UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide another Group A option.

Examples may include:

• qualifying biometric residence permit;
• biometric residence card;
• UK Frontier Worker permit;
• photographic government-issued work permit;
• photographic immigration document;
• photographic visa; or
• eVisa through the relevant technology-led route.

The ACSP must review the exact document and apply the current expiry rules.

Kenyan Smart Driving Licence

Kenya issues a Smart Driving Licence in plastic card format with a microprocessor-based chip.

Current NTSA services generally use a three-year Smart Driving Licence renewal process. Kenyan law and NTSA systems also provide for provisional, interim and other driving records.

However, PRADO does not currently list Kenyan driving licences.

Therefore:

Do not rely on a Kenyan Smart Driving Licence as the formal second Group A document under the current Companies House route.

How the Smart Driving Licence Can Help

An ACSP may still review the physical licence as supplementary evidence of:

• photograph;
• full name;
• driving-licence number;
• Kenyan ID number;
• date of birth;
• driving classes;
• current licence status; and
• recent government activity.

The licence should be checked against:

• passport;
• national ID;
• NTSA record;
• bank statement; and
• Companies House information.

Expired or Replaced Smart Driving Licences

Do not rely on a licence that:

• has expired;
• has been replaced;
• was reported lost;
• is seriously damaged;
• has been suspended;
• has been revoked;
• has been cancelled; or
• no longer matches the applicant’s identity.

Digital and Interim Driving Records

Kenyan drivers may access online or downloadable driving records through eCitizen and NTSA systems.

These can include:

• interim driving licence;
• renewal slip;
• online driving record;
• provisional driving licence; or
• downloadable confirmation.

Do not rely only on:

• eCitizen screen;
• screenshot;
• printed online record;
• typed licence number;
• QR code;
• provisional licence; or
• renewal receipt.

These records may support the review but do not replace the accepted document combination.

Kenyan Provisional Driving Licence

A Kenyan Provisional Driving Licence is issued to a learner driver.

It is generally valid for three months and may be renewed for further three-month periods.

The provisional licence:

• is not a UK or EU photocard licence;
• does not appear on PRADO;
• may be issued electronically; and
• should not be used as formal Group A evidence.

Kenyan Documents That Should Not Replace Formal Evidence

The following items may provide useful supporting information. However, they should not replace accepted Group A or Group B evidence:

• Maisha Card;
• second-generation Kenyan national ID;
• Kenyan Smart Driving Licence;
• Digital ID;
• eCitizen account;
• Maisha Namba;
• KRA PIN;
• KRA PIN certificate;
• NSSF record;
• health-insurance record;
• voter record;
• student card;
• employee card;
• professional membership card;
• police-clearance certificate;
• military or service card;
• bank payment card;
• Huduma Centre receipt; or
• screenshot of a government service.

Kenyan Foreigner Certificates and Residence Documents

Kenya issues Foreigner Certificates, sometimes called Alien Cards, to qualifying non-Kenyan residents.

These cards:

• are issued to foreign nationals;
• can contain a photograph and fingerprints;
• reflect immigration or residence status; and
• do not prove Kenyan citizenship.

A Foreigner Certificate should not be described as a Kenyan national identity card.

A Kenyan citizen will normally use a Kenyan passport and national ID instead.

Group B Supporting Documents

Where the applicant has only one suitable Group A photographic document, they can provide one Group B document.

Accepted Group B categories include:

• birth certificate;
• adoption certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• civil partnership certificate;
• non-photographic immigration document;
• non-photographic visa;
• non-photographic work permit;
• bank statement;
• mortgage statement;
• utility bill;
• insurance policy;
• UK council tax statement; or
• qualifying UK social-housing rental agreement.

A Kenyan document must be genuine, complete, clear and capable of validation.

Kenyan Bank Statements

A Kenyan bank statement may provide Group B evidence.

The statement should:

• show the applicant’s full name;
• identify the bank;
• display a recent statement date;
• show genuine account activity;
• remain complete;
• remain legible;
• contain no sign of editing; and
• show the current address where it is used as address evidence.

A complete PDF downloaded directly from online banking will normally provide stronger evidence than a cropped mobile-banking screenshot.

Name Differences on Bank Statements

A Kenyan bank statement may:

• omit one given name;
• omit a middle or tribal name;
• use initials;
• use only the first and last names;
• treat a father’s tribal name as the surname;
• use a married surname;
• show a former name; or
• remove punctuation.

These differences do not automatically make the statement unacceptable.

However, the ACSP must connect the statement to the passport and other evidence.

Postal Address Versus Residential Address

A Kenyan bank statement may show:

• P.O. Box;
• business address;
• branch address;
• correspondence address; or
• family postal address.

A P.O. Box alone may not establish the person’s current home address.

Therefore, the ACSP may request an additional document showing the physical residential address.

Kenyan Utility Bills

A Kenyan utility bill may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Examples may include:

• electricity bill;
• water bill;
• gas bill;
• fixed-line telephone bill; or
• household internet bill.

The verifier must be able to identify:

• service provider;
• account holder;
• service address;
• billing date;
• account information; and
• connection to the applicant.

A payment receipt, M-PESA transaction or bank entry does not necessarily amount to the complete utility bill.

A bill in another household member’s name will not normally prove the applicant’s address without further evidence.

Kenyan Mortgage Statements

A Kenyan mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows:

• applicant’s name;
• identifiable lender;
• current residential address;
• statement date; and
• genuine mortgage information.

The following documents are not automatically the same as a mortgage statement:

• title deed;
• land search;
• sale agreement;
• allotment letter;
• rates demand;
• property valuation; or
• land-registration record.

These records may provide additional information, but the formal Group B mortgage category should use an actual mortgage statement.

Kenyan Insurance Policies

A Kenyan insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and shows their current residential address.

Examples may include:

• home insurance;
• buildings insurance;
• contents insurance;
• vehicle insurance; or
• another genuine policy.

A quotation, premium notice, payment receipt or renewal invitation may not amount to the complete policy.

Kenyan Birth Certificates

An official Kenyan birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

Kenya’s Civil Registration Services registers:

• births occurring in Kenya;
• births of Kenyan citizens occurring abroad;
• current birth registrations;
• late birth registrations; and
• changes to registered particulars.

The department also issues and replaces birth certificates.

Information on a Kenyan Birth Certificate

The certificate may contain:

• child’s full registered name;
• date of birth;
• place of birth;
• sex;
• parents’ names;
• birth entry number;
• date of registration;
• issuing authority; and
• later corrections where relevant.

Provide the complete official certificate rather than:

• hospital birth notification;
• clinic card;
• baptism certificate;
• cropped photograph;
• application receipt;
• eCitizen screen;
• translation without the original; or
• informal family document.

Replacement Birth Certificates

A replacement Kenyan birth certificate may have a different entry number from the earlier certificate.

This does not automatically mean that one of the certificates is false.

The ACSP should compare:

• applicant’s name;
• date and place of birth;
• parents’ names;
• issuing authority;
• registration information;
• reason for replacement; and
• current passport.

Online Birth-Certificate Services

Kenyan birth-certificate applications and some verification services are available through eCitizen.

Where an electronic certificate or official digital output is provided, the applicant should send the complete original file rather than:

• screenshot;
• converted image;
• copied text;
• cropped page; or
• printout that removes validation information.

The ACSP must be able to identify the issuer and validate the document.

Kenyan Citizens Born Abroad

A Kenyan citizen born outside Kenya may have:

• foreign birth certificate;
• Kenyan registration of the foreign birth;
• Kenyan passport;
• Kenyan national ID;
• certificate of Kenyan citizenship;
• parents’ Kenyan identity documents; or
• consular birth-registration evidence.

Kenyan registration of a foreign birth may require the original foreign certificate and an English translation where needed.

For Companies House verification, useful evidence may include:

• complete foreign birth certificate;
• Kenyan birth-registration evidence;
• current Kenyan passport;
• current national ID;
• citizenship evidence;
• certified translation; and
• documents connecting different name forms.

Kenyan Marriage Certificates

An official Kenyan marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

Kenyan law recognises several forms of marriage, including:

• civil marriage;
• Christian marriage;
• Hindu marriage;
• Islamic marriage; and
• customary marriage.

The Registrar of Marriages registers marriages and issues certificates or certified copies for registered marriages.

Civil Marriage Certificates

A civil marriage is registered through the Registrar of Marriages.

The certificate should identify:

• both spouses;
• date of marriage;
• place of marriage;
• marriage-registration details;
• names used at the time of marriage;
• registrar or marriage officer; and
• certificate number.

Christian Marriage Certificates

A Christian marriage may be conducted by an authorised minister or marriage officer.

Some church-issued certificates may be handwritten.

Where the original is old, difficult to read or incomplete, a certified copy from the Registrar of Marriages may provide clearer evidence.

Islamic Marriage Certificates

Islamic marriages are conducted under the relevant Islamic marriage procedures.

An Islamic marriage may not always have been formally certified at the time of the ceremony.

Where the applicant relies on the marriage-certificate category, provide the registered certificate or certified copy rather than only:

• religious letter;
• nikah ceremony record;
• photograph;
• mosque note; or
• statutory declaration.

Customary Marriage Certificates

A customary marriage is recognised under Kenyan law.

However, a formal certificate may not exist until the marriage has been registered.

Therefore, the applicant should provide the official registered marriage certificate rather than only:

• family statement;
• customary ceremony evidence;
• dowry record;
• witness letter; or
• chief’s letter.

Hindu Marriage Certificates

A Hindu marriage must be properly registered for an official civil-register certificate to be issued.

Where the applicant relies on Group B, provide the complete registered certificate.

Certified Copies of Kenyan Marriage Certificates

A certified copy from the Registrar can confirm that a marriage is registered under the recognised Kenyan marriage categories.

A certified copy may provide stronger evidence where:

• original certificate is handwritten;
• original has been lost;
• document is damaged;
• names are difficult to read;
• later annotations exist;
• marriage took place at a church or other venue; or
• the applicant needs an official replacement.

Kenyan Citizens Married Abroad

A Kenyan national married outside Kenya may hold:

• foreign marriage certificate;
• registration of the foreign marriage in Kenya;
• apostille or legalisation;
• certified translation;
• updated passport;
• updated national ID;
• former passport;
• deed poll; or
• other name-change evidence.

Kenyan law provides a process for registering qualifying foreign marriages.

An official foreign marriage certificate may itself provide Group B evidence.

However, the ACSP may request Kenyan linking evidence where:

• the person adopted a new surname;
• the passport remains in the former name;
• the Kenyan ID shows an earlier name;
• the foreign passport uses another surname;
• the marriage has not been registered in Kenya; or
• Companies House shows an old name.

English Translations

Kenyan passports, national IDs and most Kenyan civil records are generally issued in English.

However, a foreign birth or marriage certificate used by a Kenyan applicant may be written in another language.

The ACSP may request an English translation where it cannot clearly understand:

• document type;
• issuing authority;
• applicant’s name;
• parents’ names;
• spouse’s name;
• current address;
• birth information;
• marriage information;
• annotations; or
• name-change details.

The translation supports the original document. It does not replace it.

Recommended Document Combinations

Kenyan Passport and Bank Statement

This combination provides:

• one Group A document; and
• one Group B document.

It often provides the clearest route where the applicant:

• has no UK driving licence;
• has only a Maisha Card as another photographic document;
• has no second passport;
• wants to show genuine financial activity;
• needs to establish a Kenyan or UK address; or
• has a name difference across records.

Kenyan Passport and Utility Bill

A utility bill may provide the required Group B document where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

The provider, account holder and service address must remain capable of validation.

Kenyan Passport and Mortgage Statement

A Kenyan mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Kenyan Passport and Insurance Policy

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and current address.

Kenyan Passport and Birth Certificate

An official Kenyan or foreign birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

This combination can help where:

• Companies House omits one of several names;
• a middle or tribal name is missing;
• a father’s tribal name is treated differently;
• date or place of birth needs clarification;
• the applicant was born abroad;
• the applicant changed their name;
• the passport and national ID differ; or
• the verifier needs stronger civil-registration evidence.

Kenyan Passport and Marriage Certificate

An official Kenyan or foreign marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can also help connect:

• birth and married surnames;
• former names;
• names added after marriage;
• Kenyan and foreign identity documents;
• handwritten church records; or
• an earlier Companies House appointment.

Kenyan Passport and UK Photocard Driving Licence

A Kenyan national living in the United Kingdom may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as the second Group A document.

Kenyan Passport and UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide another Group A document.

An eVisa may qualify through the technology-led route.

Kenyan Passport and Second Foreign Passport

A Kenyan dual national may use another current recognised passport as a second Group A document.

The ACSP must connect any differences in:

• full name;
• surname;
• name order;
• place of birth;
• nationality;
• married name; or
• spelling.

Kenyan Names and Name Structure

Kenyan identity records require careful name checks.

Official UK guidance describes Kenyan names as commonly consisting of:

• a given name;
• a middle or tribal name; and
• a surname or the father’s tribal name.

However, not every Kenyan uses exactly the same structure.

The verifier should not assume that:

• the final name is always the only surname;
• the middle name can always be omitted;
• a tribal name is merely an informal name;
• the father’s name is a hereditary surname;
• every family member uses the same surname; or
• a shortened UK record is automatically incorrect.

Several Given Names

A Kenyan passport may show more than one given name.

For example, a person may have:

• an English given name;
• a religious or baptismal name;
• an indigenous given name;
• a middle or tribal name; and
• a family or father’s tribal name.

A UK bank or Companies House record may show only:

• first name and last name;
• initials;
• everyday name;
• English name;
• one indigenous name; or
• a shortened professional name.

A shorter record may still belong to the same person.

However, the complete evidence must support one consistent identity.

Middle and Tribal Names

A middle or tribal name may be important to the person’s legal identity.

A UK system may:

• treat it as an optional middle name;
• omit it;
• place it in the surname field;
• use only an initial; or
• join it to another name.

The ACSP should compare:

• passport;
• national ID;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• bank statement;
• foreign passport; and
• Companies House record.

Father’s Tribal Name

Some Kenyan records may use the father’s tribal name in the surname position.

Another country may classify the same name as:

• middle name;
• patronymic;
• family name;
• second surname; or
• additional given name.

The ACSP should not determine the correct structure solely from the word’s position.

The labelled passport fields and Kenyan civil records provide the main guide.

English, Religious and Indigenous Names

A Kenyan may use both:

• an English or religious name; and
• one or more indigenous names.

Different records may not show every element.

For example:

• passport may show the full legal name;
• national ID may show several names;
• bank statement may use the English name and final name;
• church record may use a baptismal name;
• professional record may use initials; and
• Companies House may omit one name.

These differences do not automatically establish separate identities.

Name Order and Initials

Separate records may:

• reverse two names;
• use initials;
• omit a middle name;
• join two names;
• separate a compound name;
• use only the everyday name; or
• place the father’s name in the surname field.

The ACSP should compare the complete document set rather than relying only on the order used by one database.

Marriage and Kenyan Surnames

Marriage does not create one automatic naming result for every Kenyan.

A person may:

• retain their existing name;
• add a spouse’s surname;
• replace an earlier surname;
• use a married name socially;
• use a married name professionally;
• retain a former name on an old passport; or
• use different surname forms under two nationalities.

Useful evidence may include:

• current passport;
• current national ID;
• marriage certificate;
• former passport;
• former national ID;
• deed poll;
• Kenya Gazette notice; and
• documents showing the Companies House name.

Formal Name Changes

Kenya allows formal name changes.

A change of name by deed poll is registered with the Registrar of Documents and published in the Kenya Gazette.

Passport changes may require:

• written explanation;
• deed poll;
• Kenya Gazette notice;
• marriage certificate;
• previous passport; and
• current national ID.

After a formal change, the person may need to update:

• passport;
• Maisha Card;
• driving licence;
• KRA records;
• bank accounts;
• employment records;
• insurance policies; and
• Companies House information.

Name Changes From Overseas

Kenyan nationals abroad can address certain passport name corrections or changes through the Kenya High Commission where they have the correct supporting documents.

A power of attorney may be used for parts of an overseas deed-poll process.

Kenyan and Foreign Passport Names

Kenya recognises dual nationality.

Therefore, a Kenyan applicant may have another passport that shows a different name form.

Differences may arise because of:

• omitted middle or tribal name;
• different surname selection;
• married surname;
• name-order differences;
• shortened passport fields;
• initials;
• different punctuation; or
• an earlier legal name.

Provide both passports and the civil-status documents connecting the names.

Passport Machine-Readable Name

The machine-readable zone may format the Kenyan name differently from the visible personal-details page.

It may:

• remove punctuation;
• remove apostrophes;
• remove hyphens;
• merge spaces;
• shorten a long name; or
• divide the surname and given names differently.

The ACSP should compare:

• visible passport name;
• machine-readable zone;
• national ID;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• deed poll;
• bank statement; and
• Companies House record.

Check the Date of Birth

The date of birth linked to the Companies House personal code must match the date held by Companies House.

Problems may arise where:

• someone made an error during incorporation;
• Companies House holds the wrong date;
• the passport and company record differ;
• an old birth certificate contains an error;
• a replacement certificate has different information;
• UK and Kenyan date formats were confused;
• the ACSP submitted incorrect details; or
• the applicant entered the wrong personal code.

Use:

• passport;
• birth certificate;
• national ID as supplementary evidence; and
• other official civil records.

Where the Companies House date of birth is wrong, correct the register before trying to connect the personal code.

Kenyan Addresses and Address History

The ACSP must collect:

• the applicant’s current home address; and
• address history for the previous 12 months.

A Kenyan applicant’s documents may show different addresses because:

• national ID contains an earlier address;
• passport does not show a home address;
• bank uses a P.O. Box;
• applicant lives permanently abroad;
• utility account is in another family member’s name;
• the person recently moved;
• rural address uses village, location or county details;
• urban address uses an estate, plot or building name; or
• the applicant has both Kenyan and UK homes.

The actual current residential address must be provided.

Where one document shows only a postal address, the ACSP may request another document showing the physical home address.

Same-Day Remote Verification

Ginkgo Advisory is registered with Companies House as an ACSP.

Our solicitor-led service can arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call for Kenyan directors and PSCs.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where:

• the documents are reviewed and approved in advance;
• the applicant provides all required information;
• the document combination meets the Companies House standard;
• the applicant has the original documents;
• the verifier can validate them;
• the applicant appears clearly on camera;
• the Companies House information matches; and
• no unresolved identity or compliance concern remains.

Strong person-led combinations include:

• Kenyan passport and bank statement;
• Kenyan passport and utility bill;
• Kenyan passport and mortgage statement;
• Kenyan passport and insurance policy;
• Kenyan passport and birth certificate;
• Kenyan passport and marriage certificate;
• Kenyan passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• Kenyan passport and eligible UK immigration document; or
• Kenyan passport and another recognised passport.

The Maisha Card, earlier national ID, Kenyan driving licence, Digital ID and KRA PIN should not replace the formal accepted combination.

Remote Verification Process

Step 1: Send the Documents

For a passport, provide:

• complete personal-details page;
• complete machine-readable zone;
• observation pages;
• name-amendment pages; and
• relevant endorsements.

Where requested, send the front and reverse of:

• Maisha Card;
• second-generation national ID; or
• Kenyan Smart Driving Licence.

For a Group B document, send the complete file rather than a cropped image.

Applicants must also provide:

• full name;
• all former names;
• date of birth;
• current residential address;
• previous 12 months of address history; and
• individual email address.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

The review may cover:

• passport model;
• passport chip;
• passport expiry date;
• whether the passport was cancelled or replaced;
• Maisha Card or second-generation ID;
• whether the applicant proposes the national ID formally;
• Kenyan driving licence;
• whether the licence is current;
• Digital ID;
• KRA PIN;
• Group B document;
• middle or tribal names;
• father’s tribal name;
• several given names;
• initials;
• married and former names;
• dual-nationality documents;
• current address; and
• Companies House information.

Where the documents do not meet the standard, a stronger combination will be identified before the video call.

Step 3: Attend the Video Call

During the call, the applicant must:

• appear clearly on camera;
• show the original documents;
• move or tilt them when requested;
• display visible security features;
• confirm personal details;
• complete the facial comparison; and
• answer relevant identity questions.

The verifier must be satisfied that:

• the applicant is a real person;
• the documents appear genuine;
• the identity belongs to the applicant; and
• the evidence meets the Companies House standard.

Step 4: ACSP Submission

After the checks, the ACSP submits the required verification information to Companies House.

The ACSP normally retains rather than submits the document copies.

The records must be kept for seven years. They include:

• copies of the documents;
• supporting evidence;
• checks completed;
• failed verification attempts; and
• other required information.

Step 5: Receive the Personal Code

Companies House sends the personal code to the applicant’s individual email address.

The applicant should:

• confirm that the email address is correct;
• ensure that the account is accessible;
• check the spam or junk folder;
• keep the code secure; and
• share it only with a trusted adviser or company administrator.

The email should normally arrive within a few hours after the ACSP completes the submission.

Using the Personal Code

Directors

An existing director normally connects the personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement.

A new director provides the code during appointment.

Where the person is a director of several companies, the code must be connected separately to each appointment.

PSCs

A PSC must connect the code separately to the PSC role.

This applies even where the same person has already used it as a director.

Director and PSC of the Same Company

As a director, the person provides the code through the company’s confirmation statement.

As a PSC, the person uses the separate PSC service during the relevant 14-day period.

That period normally starts on the day after the company’s confirmation statement date.

PSC Who Is Not a Director

A PSC who is not a director of the same company normally provides the code during the first 14 days of their birth month.

New PSC

A new PSC may provide the code when first added to the Companies House register or within 14 days of being added.

How Ginkgo Advisory Can Help

Ginkgo Advisory can help Kenyan nationals by:

• reviewing Kenyan biometric ePassports;
• checking whether a passport matches KEN-AO-03001;
• reviewing older Kenyan passport models;
• assessing whether a passport should work through GOV.UK One Login;
• checking passport-chip problems;
• reviewing expired Kenyan passports;
• checking whether a passport has been cancelled or replaced;
• reviewing Maisha Cards as supplementary evidence;
• reviewing second-generation Kenyan ID cards;
• explaining why Kenyan ID cards do not automatically qualify as Group A;
• reviewing Maisha Namba information;
• explaining why Maisha Namba is not the Companies House personal code;
• reviewing Digital ID and eCitizen information;
• reviewing Kenyan Smart Driving Licences as supplementary evidence;
• explaining why Kenyan driving licences do not automatically qualify as Group A;
• distinguishing a KRA PIN from the Companies House personal code;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• reviewing Kenyan bank statements and address documents;
• checking Kenyan birth certificates;
• checking replacement birth certificates with different entry numbers;
• checking civil, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and customary marriage certificates;
• obtaining or reviewing certified marriage-certificate copies;
• reviewing foreign certificates for Kenyans born or married abroad;
• reviewing middle and tribal names;
• checking father’s tribal names used as surnames;
• reviewing several given names and initials;
• connecting English, religious and indigenous names;
• checking deed polls and Kenya Gazette notices;
• connecting married and former names;
• reviewing dual-nationality passports;
• identifying date-of-birth and address differences;
• arranging the video call;
• completing the ACSP checks; and
• submitting the verification to Companies House.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use My Kenyan Passport?

Yes.

A current Kenyan ePassport provides strong Group A evidence.

The principal current PRADO-listed ordinary model is KEN-AO-03001.

Is the Kenyan Passport Biometric?

Yes.

Kenya issues ePassports and enrols applicants’ biometric information.

How Long Is a Kenyan Passport Valid?

Official Kenyan immigration guidance states that Kenyan ePassports are valid for ten years.

Always check the printed expiry date.

Can I Use My Kenyan Passport in the GOV.UK One Login App?

Potentially.

The passport chip, document photograph and facial comparison must pass the app’s checks.

What If the Passport Chip Does Not Work?

The passport may still qualify through an ACSP.

A person-led Option 2 check may remain available where the original passport can be examined and validated.

Can I Use an Expired Kenyan Passport?

Potentially.

Option 1 may allow a biometric or machine-readable passport that expired within the previous six months.

Option 2 may allow a passport that expired within the previous 18 months.

The passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

Can I Use a Cancelled Kenyan Passport?

No.

A cancelled passport may provide historical evidence but cannot provide current formal identity evidence.

Can I Use a Lost Passport That I Later Recovered?

No.

A passport reported lost or stolen should not be used.

Can I Use an Older Kenyan Passport?

Do not assume that an old-generation passport remains current.

Kenya migrated to the East African Community ePassport. Use the current ePassport wherever possible.

Can I Use a Kenyan Passport Issued in London?

Yes.

A passport obtained through the Kenya High Commission remains a standard Kenyan passport, subject to the usual validity and document checks.

Can I Use a Kenyan Temporary Permit?

Do not rely on it as the routine passport document.

The permit is intended mainly for travel within East Africa and requires individual review.

Can I Use My Maisha Card?

The Maisha Card may provide useful supplementary evidence.

However, it should not replace the formal Companies House document combination because PRADO does not currently list Kenyan identity cards.

Is the Maisha Card Group A?

Not automatically.

It does not fall within the current biometric EU identity-card category and is not currently listed on PRADO.

Is the Maisha Card Group B?

No.

A foreign national identity card is not included in the published Group B list.

Does the Maisha Card Expire?

It has a ten-year electronic cycle.

Official guidance expects the holder to obtain a duplicate after ten years. However, the current rules state that the printed expiry relates to electronic functionality.

The card’s current status should therefore be checked carefully.

Can I Use a Second-Generation Kenyan ID?

It may provide supplementary evidence.

However, it should not be treated as an automatic Group A document.

Must I Replace My Second-Generation ID?

Official Maisha Card guidance states that replacement is optional.

However, new ID issuance uses the Maisha Card system.

Can I Use an Old ID After Receiving My Maisha Card?

No.

Use the current Maisha Card.

Can I Use My Maisha Namba?

No.

Maisha Namba is a personal identifier rather than photographic identity evidence.

It is also different from the Companies House personal code.

Can I Use Kenyan Digital ID?

Do not rely on Digital ID as the formal document.

It may provide supplementary live evidence but does not replace the passport and accepted second document.

Can I Send a Screenshot of My Digital ID?

No.

A screenshot does not provide the same security or live verification as the Digital ID service.

Can I Use eCitizen?

An eCitizen account may support the review.

However, it is not a passport, identity card, driving licence or Group B document.

Can I Use My KRA PIN?

No.

A KRA PIN is a tax identifier rather than a photographic identity document.

Is a KRA PIN the Companies House Personal Code?

No.

Both may contain 11 characters, but they are separate codes issued for different purposes.

Can I Use My Kenyan Driving Licence?

Do not rely on it as the formal second Group A document.

Kenyan driving licences do not currently appear on PRADO, and Kenya is not within the UK or EU driving-licence categories.

Can I Use My Smart Driving Licence as Supporting Evidence?

Potentially.

It may help confirm the applicant’s photograph, name, ID number and current activity.

Can I Use an Interim Driving Licence?

Do not rely on an interim licence as formal Group A evidence.

It may provide supplementary information only.

Can I Use a Kenyan Provisional Driving Licence?

No, not as the formal Group A document.

A PDL is temporary, does not appear on PRADO and is outside the UK or EU photocard categories.

Can I Use a Kenyan Bank Statement?

Potentially.

A bank statement falls within Group B.

It must be genuine, complete, clear and capable of validation.

Can I Use a Statement Showing Only a P.O. Box?

A P.O. Box may not establish the current residential address.

The ACSP may request another address document.

Can I Use a Kenyan Utility Bill?

Potentially.

A utility bill falls within Group B where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Can I Use an M-PESA Statement?

An M-PESA statement is not automatically the same as a bank or building society statement.

It may provide supplementary evidence of activity, but the ACSP should use a clearly accepted Group B document wherever possible.

Can I Use a Kenyan Mortgage Statement?

Potentially.

A mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the current home address.

Can I Use a Kenyan Insurance Policy?

Potentially.

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and current address.

Can I Use a Kenyan Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

An official Kenyan birth certificate falls within the Group B birth-certificate category.

Can I Use a Replacement Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

A replacement certificate may have a different entry number. The ACSP should connect it to the applicant’s current identity.

Can I Use an Electronic Birth Certificate?

Potentially, where it is an official electronic output and its issuer and integrity can be verified.

Provide the complete original file rather than a screenshot.

Can I Use a Foreign Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete certificate together with any necessary translation, authentication and Kenyan citizenship evidence.

Can I Use a Kenyan Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

An official registered Kenyan marriage certificate falls within Group B.

Can I Use a Church Marriage Certificate?

Potentially, where it is the official registered certificate.

A certified copy from the Registrar may provide clearer evidence where the original is handwritten or difficult to validate.

Can I Use an Islamic Marriage Certificate?

Potentially, where the marriage has been officially registered and the complete certificate is provided.

Can I Use Evidence of a Customary Marriage?

Use the official registered marriage certificate.

Family statements, customary ceremony evidence and witness letters should not replace the registered certificate.

Can I Use a Foreign Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete official certificate together with any required translation, authentication and Kenyan linking evidence.

Do Kenyan Documents Need an English Translation?

Most Kenyan documents are issued in English.

A foreign certificate used by a Kenyan applicant may need an English translation.

What If Companies House Omits My Middle or Tribal Name?

Provide the passport, national ID and birth certificate.

A shortened Companies House record may still relate to the same person.

What If My Father’s Tribal Name Is Treated as My Surname?

Provide the complete Kenyan identity documents.

The ACSP should use the passport fields and civil records to determine the correct name structure.

What If I Use an English and Indigenous Name?

Provide documents showing the complete registered name.

The ACSP must connect the everyday or shortened name to the passport identity.

What If I Use Initials?

Provide the full passport and supporting documents.

Initials may not provide enough information by themselves.

What If I Changed My Name by Deed Poll?

Provide:

• registered deed poll;
• Kenya Gazette notice;
• current passport;
• current national ID;
• former passport where available; and
• documents showing the name used at Companies House.

What If I Changed My Surname After Marriage?

Provide:

• current passport;
• national ID;
• marriage certificate;
• deed poll or Gazette notice where relevant;
• former passport; and
• documents showing the Companies House name.

Can I Use Two Passports?

Potentially.

Kenya recognises dual nationality.

Both passports must remain current, and the ACSP must connect any name or nationality differences.

What If My Kenyan and British Passports Show Different Names?

Provide both passports and the supporting civil-status or name-change documents.

The ACSP should establish the current legal identity and explain the difference.

What If My Date of Birth at Companies House Is Wrong?

Correct the Companies House record before attempting to connect the personal code.

The date of birth linked to the code must match the company record.

What If My National ID Shows an Old Address?

Use a current Group B address document.

The applicant must provide their actual home address and the previous 12 months of address history.

Can I Verify My Identity While Living in Kenya?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the process remotely where the documents meet the Companies House standard and the video process allows the verifier to confirm the applicant’s identity.

Do I Always Need Two Documents?

Two documents are required for person-led Option 2.

One eligible document may be enough under technology-led Option 1.

Must I Post My Original Kenyan Passport?

Usually not for an approved remote video process.

Clear images are sent first, while the original documents are shown during the video call.

Can I Use One Code as Both Director and PSC?

Yes.

However, the code must be connected separately to each role.

Can the Verification Be Completed on the Same Day?

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the complete document set is approved in advance.

Companies House controls the later issue and delivery of the personal code.

Need Companies House Verification for a Kenyan Director or PSC?

Kenyan nationals will usually have one of these practical routes:

• Kenyan biometric ePassport and accepted Group B supporting document;
• Kenyan passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• Kenyan passport and eligible UK immigration document;
• Kenyan passport and another recognised passport held through dual nationality; or
• one eligible Kenyan biometric or machine-readable passport under Option 1.

Applicants should not currently rely on:

• Maisha Card as the formal second Group A document;
• second-generation Kenyan ID as formal Group A evidence;
• Kenyan Smart Driving Licence as formal Group A evidence;
• Digital ID;
• eCitizen profile;
• Maisha Namba;
• KRA PIN;
• interim driving licence; or
• provisional driving licence.

Some cases need extra care, including those involving:

• unreadable passport chips;
• older Kenyan passports;
• expired passports;
• cancelled or replaced passports;
• lost or stolen documents;
• Kenyan Temporary Permits;
• Maisha Card electronic expiry;
• second-generation identity cards;
• lost or replaced national IDs;
• Digital ID screenshots;
• Smart Driving Licences;
• P.O. Box addresses;
• several given names;
• middle or tribal names;
• father’s tribal name;
• English and indigenous names;
• initials;
• married or former names;
• deed polls and Kenya Gazette notices;
• dual-nationality documents;
• replacement birth certificates;
• handwritten marriage certificates;
• foreign birth or marriage records;
• incorrect date of birth;
• old Kenyan address information; or
• details that do not match the Companies House register.

Ginkgo Advisory can review the documents, confirm the best route and arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the applicant provides a complete and suitable document set.