Document Attestation Services in Kenya

Documents We Attest in Kenya

RVS Kenya assists with attestation support for the following common documents:

Good Conduct / Police Clearance Attestation

A good conduct certificate, also called a police clearance certificate, is commonly requested for employment abroad, immigration, residence permits and professional licensing. Once issued, it may still need MFA authentication and embassy legalization depending on the receiving country.

Typical route:

1. Obtain the police clearance certificate through the official process.
2. Confirm whether the receiving authority wants MFA authentication only or MFA plus embassy legalization.
3. Submit the certificate for MFA authentication.
4. Complete embassy or consular legalization if required.
5. Return or courier the attested certificate to the client.

Academic Certificate Attestation

Academic certificate attestation may require more than ordinary notarization. Universities, colleges, professional bodies or foreign credential evaluators may ask for confirmation from the issuing institution before the document is authenticated.

• Degree certificate, diploma or transcript
• Copy of passport or national ID
• Student admission letter or foreign employer request, where available
• University verification letter, if required
• Destination country or institution instructions

Company & Commercial Document Attestation

Businesses may need attestation for company registration documents, board resolutions, commercial contracts, powers of attorney, trade documents and due diligence files. These documents are often required for foreign company registration, overseas banking, litigation support, tendering, procurement or cross-border transactions.

For commercial documents, RVS Kenya can also assist with related document verification, company record checks and certified copy support where the document must first be verified or replaced.

Document Attestation Cost in Kenya

The cost of document attestation in Kenya depends on the document, destination country and the stages required. The figures below are RVS Kenya professional-fee guides; government, embassy and third-party charges are separate where applicable.

Procedure & Requirements for Document Attestation in Kenya

The exact route depends on the document and destination country. The practical sequence is to confirm the receiving authority's requirement first, then complete only the certification stages that actually apply.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Confirm the destination country requirement. We check whether the receiving authority requires certified copy, notary, MFA authentication, embassy legalization, translation or courier handling.
2. Review the original document. The document must be legible, complete and issued by the correct Kenyan authority. Older or damaged documents may require replacement or a certified copy first.
3. Obtain certified copies or issuing authority confirmation where required. Some documents must be confirmed by the issuing body before attestation can proceed.
4. Notarization or certification. Where required, the document is certified by a Notary Public or the relevant certifying authority before government authentication.
5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication. The document is submitted through the MFA authentication/legalization process and the official stamp or output is obtained.
6. Embassy or consular legalization. If the destination country requires embassy legalization, the MFA-authenticated document is submitted to the relevant embassy, consulate or visa application centre.
7. Return delivery. Once completed, the attested document is returned to the client or couriered to the destination requested.

Requirements

Most matters require the following:

• Original document or clear certified copy
• Copy of applicant’s passport or national ID
• Destination country and receiving authority instructions
• Supporting proof where required, such as marriage entry details, registry reference, university details or company registration number
• Translation where the receiving country requires a language other than English
• Authority letter if RVS Kenya is handling the matter on your behalf
• Courier address if the completed document should be delivered outside Nairobi or outside Kenya

How Long Does Attestation Take?

Straightforward MFA-focused files may take about 3–7 working days. Multi-stage files involving issuing-authority checks, notarization, MFA and embassy processing should generally be planned around 5–21 working days. These are practical planning ranges, not government or embassy guarantees.

• Issuer or registry verification can extend the timeline.
• Embassy appointments and payment procedures vary by mission.
• Translation, replacement copies or missing documents add extra steps.

MFA and Embassy Legalization

MFA authentication may be one stage in the attestation route. Some receiving countries or institutions then require embassy or consular legalization. The correct sequence depends on the document, destination and receiving authority.

For detailed MFA-to-embassy guidance, see our Document Legalization in Kenya guide. You can also access the official State Department for Foreign Affairs eCitizen portal.

Common Reasons for Delay

• Names, dates or document details do not match the passport or supporting records.
• An original is required but only a photocopy or uncertified copy is available.
• The issuing institution, registry or professional body must verify the document first.
• The document is old, damaged, incomplete or missing a page, annexure, seal or reference.
• The destination authority requires a specific MFA or embassy route that was not checked before filing.
• Translation, notarization or certified-copy steps were completed in the wrong sequence.

Why Use RVS Kenya?

• Correct route first: we review the document, destination and receiving-authority instruction before filing.
• Coordinated handling: we can manage notarization, MFA, embassy and courier stages where required.
• Remote and Kenya-wide support: we assist clients in Nairobi, Kisumu, across Kenya and abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every Kenyan document need embassy legalization?

No. Some receiving authorities accept MFA authentication only. Others require embassy or consular legalization after MFA. The destination country and receiving institution determine the final requirement.

Can RVS Kenya handle attestation if I am outside Kenya?

Yes. RVS Kenya can coordinate many attestation matters remotely. Where an original document is required, we confirm this before you courier it to Kenya.

Can a copy be attested instead of the original?

Sometimes. A certified true copy may be accepted in some cases, while other authorities require the original or a fresh certified copy from the issuing registry. The receiving authority's instruction determines the correct route.

Does Kenya issue Hague apostilles?

Kenyan documents are generally processed through authentication and legalization rather than a Kenya-issued Hague apostille. If a foreign institution asks for an “apostille,” confirm the exact legalization route it accepts for Kenyan documents before filing.