Authentication of Documents Procedure and Schedule in Kenya
Authentication of documents procedure and schedule in Kenya is done by the Legal and Host Country Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Relevant issuing authorities certify documents prior to authentication.
The nature of the documents informs the process of certification by the issuing authority as shown below:
- Academic Certificates – Ministry of Education
- Marriage Certificates – Registrar of Marriages
- Islamic Marriage and Divorce Certificates – Chief Kadhi or Deputy Chief Kadhi
- Adoption Certificate – High Court
- Certificate of Birth/Death – Registrar of Births/Deaths
- Court Order –Seal of the issuing court
- Certified copy of an entry of marriage – Registrar of Marriages
- Certificate of no impediment to Marriage – Registrar of Marriages
- Driving Licence – National Transport & Safety Authority (NTSA)
- Medical Certificate Report – Kenya Medical & Dentists Practitioners Council (KMPDC)
- Police Clearance Certificate – Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
- Power of Attorney – Registrar of the High Court
- Notary Public – Registrar of the High Court
- Trade Documents (Original/Copy) – Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry or the Joint Arab-Kenya Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The Legal Directorate is sensitive to emergency/ urgent cases especially where the applicant(s) needs to travel abroad for medical attention. In such cases, the documents are processed on priority basis.
Refer to the process and procedure below for authentication of documents:
- Receipt of request and requisite documents at Counter 39, Huduma Centre at City Square – Nairobi.
- -Issuance of receipt
- -Issuance of collection slip
- Documents conveyed to the Legal and Host Country Affairs Directorate at MFA.
- Processing time is within two (2) working days.
- Collect your documents after two (2) working days.
- NB: Requisite documents are received at Huduma Centre, City Square, on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays ONLY at 0900hrs.
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SCHEDULE:
| Service: Authentication of Documents | Requirements to obtain a service | Cost per Copy (Kshs) | Timeline | |
| 1. | Academic Certificate (Original) | -Must be certified and stamped by the Director of Quality Assurance & Standards, at the Ministry of Education. | 200 | Within two (2) working days |
| 2. | Academic Certificate (Copy) | 100 | ||
| 3. | Adoption Certificate | -Must have the stamp of the Registrar of the issuing Court. | 500 | |
| 4. | Certificate of Birth/Death | -If child is born in Nairobi:-Obtain certification from the Registrar of Births at ACK Bishop House Gardens;-If Child is born outside of Nairobi:– Obtain certification from Registrar of Births at Hass Plaza;Similar procedure applies for death certificate. | 200 | |
| 5. | Court Order | -Must have a seal of the issuing Court. | 500 | |
| 6. | Certified Copy of an Entry of Marriage | -Must obtain a copy of certificate of Entry of Marriage and/or Certificate of no impediment to marriage from the Registrar of Marriages at the Attorney General’s Chambers. | 200 | |
| 7. | Certificate of no Impediment to Marriage | 200 | ||
| 8. | Driving Licence | -Old generation Driving Licences are authenticated as is.-New generation driving licences (smart cards) MUST be accompanied by a letter from the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) prior to authentication. | 200 | |
| 9. | Islamic Marriage Certificate | -Must be certified and stamped by the Chief Kadhi’s Chambers in Mombasa or Deputy Chief Kadhi in Nairobi.-Issuance of certificate of an entry to Islamic marriage. | 200 | |
| 10. | Islamic Divorce Certificate | 200 | ||
| 11. | Medical Certificate Report | -Must be certified by the Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Medical Practitioners & Dentist Council | 200 | |
| 12. | Police Clearance Certificate | -Authenticated as is. | 200 | |
| 13. | Power of Attorney | -Must be notarised and accompanied by a letter confirming the status of notarising Advocate from the Registrar of the High Court or Court of Appeal. | 500 | |
| 14. | Notary Public | -Must be accompanied by a letter from the Registrar of the High Court or Court of Appeal. | 500 | |
| 15. | Trade Document (Original) | -Must be certified and stamped by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry or the Joint Arab-Kenya Chamber of Commerce & Industry. | 600 | |
| 16. | Trade Documents (Copy) | 300 |
ATTENTION:
- FORGERY of documents is a crime under the Penal Code, Cap 63, Laws of Kenya, Chapter XXXV;
- Section 349 – General Forgery
- Section 351 – Official Documents/ Judicial
- Section 352 – Forgery in relation to stamps
- Section 353 – Uttering false documents
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Credit: Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs of Kenya.
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