The Kenya National Examination Council is a state-owned parastatal under the Ministry of Education, established in 1980 under the KNEC Act, Cap 225A. Today, the organization is not just focused on administering Various Key examinations in the country for Primary School students (KPSEA & KILEA) and KCSE for secondary school students, but they are also involved with other activities such as setting exams, marking the exams, and issuing KNEC exam certificates to all.
However, when it comes to giving our various KNEC certificates to students, sometimes common errors, such as misspelled names, etc, the Good news is that if you have a certificate with any of the issues or want to change your KNEC certificate for reasons best known to you, the process is easier than you think. You have to meet the eligibility criteria and know where to make your application. Well, if you don’t know where to get help, this article will attempt to walk you through everything that you need to know about the KNEC Certificate name change in 2025.
What is a KNEC Certificate?
In Kenya, it is a common practice that after each level of education, students must sit for Various examinations. If you are a primary student, you will have to sit for the KILEA and KPSEA, depending on the grade that you are in. On the other hand, for Secondary School students, there are the KCSE examinations. When these exams are released, KNEC will issue you a certificate.
So basically, a KNEC certificate is a document that shows you have completed successfully at a certain level of education. The certificate contains your name, the schools you sat for the exam, and the grades you scored. Below is an example of a KNEC certificate issued to a KCSE student:
KNEC also oversees examinations for teacher training programs, which include:
- Diploma in Teacher Education (DTE)
- Primary Teacher Education (PTE)
- Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE)
- Teacher Certificate for Adult Education (TCAE)
Additionally, KNEC conducts business and technical examinations, as well as foreign examination equivalence services, for those with international qualifications seeking recognition in Kenya.
Important Timelines and Deadlines
Before reviewing the name change process, it’s crucial to understand that KNEC allows candidates or institutions thirty (30) days after the date of release of the results/certificates to raise any queries arising from the released examination results/certificates. After this period, queries may attract additional penalties, so it’s important to act quickly if you notice any errors on your certificate.
Requirements for a Name Change
While KNEC has made it easier for anyone to change their name on various academic certificates, it is only permitted for applicants who have met the various requirements. They include:
- A copy of your Original National ID card
- If you changed schools, you must have an Official letter written by the head of the former school
- A copy of the Birth certificate and Result Slip
- A police abstract for those applying for Lost KNEC certificates
- Obtain a sworn legal affidavit from a lawyer or advocate
- A bank slip copy of the application fee of Ksh 5,000
Applicants who have legally changed their names MUST attach the legal documents used to change the name, e.g., a marriage certificate for women or a copy of the Kenya gazette in which the changed name appears. (Original)
Note
Sworn Affidavits are NOT acceptable for legal name changes. This is particularly important for married women who have changed their surnames or individuals who have undergone formal name changes through legal processes.
Suppose you sat your examination at a school that is now closed or at a private examination center. In that case, an applicant is required to get a letter recommending the replacement from the relevant education authorities or KNEC directly, as the original school head may not be available to provide the required documentation.
How to change your name in a KNEC certificate
The application for the KNEC certificate name change is made at the school level or the official institution where you sat your KNEC examinations. This is the official recommendation that KNEC recommends. All you need is to visit your former or current school and request a name change from the school head office.
While doing so, ensuring that you have prepared all the required documents we discussed above is essential to facilitate easy application processing.
Online Application Process
KNEC has moved all the certificate replacement process to an online platform. You can now apply through the Query Management Information System (QMIS) portal, which provides a more streamlined approach to handling certificate-related issues.
To access the online system:
- Visit https://qmis.knec.ac.ke to access the QMIS system
- Register as a new user if you haven’t used the system before
- Complete the online application form
- Upload the required supporting documents
- Pay the application fee through the available payment methods
Alternatively, you can also request a name change by sending the completed application letter along with the required documents to the KNEC CEO using the address below:
P.O. Box 73598 – 00200, City Square, Nairobi.
Once you have submitted your application with all the required documents and paid the necessary fees, you can collect the certificate at the KNEC offices after 15 days. However, processing times may vary depending on the complexity of your case and the current workload at KNEC.
Name Change vs. Certificate Replacement
It’s important to distinguish between a name change and certificate replacement, as these are different processes:
- Name Change/Amendment: This is when you need to correct or change the name on your existing certificate due to errors or legal name changes.
- Certificate Replacement: This applies when you have lost or damaged your original certificate and need a completely new copy issued.
Both processes may have different requirements and fees, so ensure you’re applying for the correct service based on your specific situation.
KNEC Contacts
For immediate assistance, you can reach out to KNEC directly using the contacts below:
- Phone: 0720741001/0720741003/0720741094 /0732333530/0732333780
- E-mail: info@knec.ac.ke
- Website: https://www.knec.ac.ke/
- Fax: +254-020- 2226032
- QMIS Portal: https://qmis.knec.ac.ke/
For job applications and other official correspondence, you can also use: ceo@knec.ac.ke
The End
Well, I hope this article has helped you figure out how to change a KNEC Name certificate in Kenya as of 2025. By following all the tips in the article, including meeting the requirements and paying the necessary fee, you can achieve the end goal. Whether you choose the traditional application method or the modern online QMIS portal, the process is more accessible than ever before. All the best.
