RVS Kenya assists individuals, companies, students, employers and diaspora clients with document attestation services in Kenya. We help with document review, certified copies where required, notary coordination, Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication, embassy legalization and return delivery for documents intended for use outside Kenya.
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What is document attestation in Kenya?
Document attestation in Kenya is the process of confirming the authenticity of a document for official use in another country. Depending on the document and receiving authority, the process may involve a certified copy, issuing authority verification, notarial certification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication and final embassy or consular legalization.
In everyday client instructions, the terms attestation, authentication, legalization and certificate attestation are often used together. The correct route depends on where the document will be used and what the receiving office has requested.
Documents commonly attested in Kenya
RVS Kenya assists with attestation support for the following common documents:
| Document category | Examples | Common use abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Personal records | Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, certificates of no impediment to marriage | Immigration, spouse visa, family visa, school admissions, succession and family registration |
| Police clearance | Good conduct certificate / police clearance certificate | Employment abroad, residence permits, immigration filings and professional licensing |
| Academic certificates | Degree certificates, diplomas, transcripts, professional certificates | Study abroad, employment, credential evaluation and professional registration |
| Commercial documents | Company certificates, CR12, contracts, powers of attorney, board resolutions, trade documents | Foreign company filings, banking, litigation, procurement and commercial transactions |
| Court and notarized documents | Court orders, affidavits, statutory declarations, notarized copies | Foreign court processes, legal filings, immigration and business use |
Step-by-step procedure for document attestation in Kenya
- Confirm the destination country requirement. We check whether the receiving authority requires certified copy, notary, MFA authentication, embassy legalization, translation or courier handling.
- 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.
- Obtain certified copies or issuing authority confirmation where required. Some documents must be confirmed by the issuing body before attestation can proceed.
- Notarization or certification. Where required, the document is certified by a Notary Public or the relevant certifying authority before government authentication.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication. The document is submitted through the MFA authentication/legalization process and the official stamp or output is obtained.
- 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.
- Return delivery. Once completed, the attested document is returned to the client or couriered to the destination requested.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication in Kenya
MFA authentication is usually the central government step for Kenyan documents intended for foreign use. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs lists document authentication categories such as academic certificates, marriage certificates, birth and death certificates, court orders, police clearance certificates, powers of attorney, notarized documents and trade documents.
The official online process is available through the State Department for Foreign Affairs eCitizen platform. Applicants can access MFA services through an eCitizen account, select the relevant authentication service and follow the portal instructions.
Good conduct attestation in Kenya
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 good conduct attestation route
- Obtain the police clearance certificate through the official process.
- Confirm whether the receiving authority wants MFA authentication only or MFA plus embassy legalization.
- Submit the certificate for MFA authentication.
- Complete embassy or consular legalization if required.
- Return or courier the attested certificate to the client.
Academic certificate attestation in Kenya
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
Commercial and company 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 is not one fixed amount. It depends on the document, the number of copies, whether notarization is required, the MFA/eCitizen charge, embassy fees, translation, courier and urgency.
| Cost item | When it applies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document review and advisory | All matters | Confirms correct route before submission so the document is not rejected by the receiving authority. |
| Certified copy / replacement copy | Where the original is old, damaged, missing, unclear or not acceptable | Some birth, death, marriage, company and court records may need certified copies first. |
| Notary or certification fee | Where notarization is requested or required before MFA | Charged by the notary or certifying office depending on document type and volume. |
| MFA / eCitizen authentication charge | Where Ministry authentication is required | Paid according to the official portal or current government process. |
| Embassy or consular fee | Where the destination country requires legalization after MFA | Varies widely by embassy and may require appointment booking, bank payment or courier handling. |
| RVS Kenya handling fee | For file management, submission, follow-up and collection | Quoted depending on urgency, number of documents, embassy steps and courier requirements. |
How long does document attestation take in Kenya?
Straightforward document attestation can often be completed within 3–14 working days. However, the final turnaround depends on the issuing authority, MFA processing, embassy appointments and whether translation or document replacement is needed.
| Scenario | Estimated timeline | Possible delay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple notarized document + MFA authentication | About 3–7 working days | Portal queues, appointment availability or missing supporting documents |
| MFA authentication + embassy legalization | About 5–14 working days | Embassy appointment slots, payment mode, courier return or additional review |
| Academic certificate attestation | About 1–3 weeks | University or college verification delays |
| Certified copy first, then attestation | Varies by registry | Registry search, old records, manual files or missing entry details |
Requirements for document attestation in Kenya
The standard checklist depends on the document type, but most matters require:
- 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
Document attestation vs legalization vs verification
To avoid confusion, use this page for clients searching for document attestation services in Kenya. Keep the supporting pages focused as follows:
| Page | Main intent | Recommended internal anchor |
|---|---|---|
| Document Attestation | End-to-end service route for making documents acceptable abroad | document attestation services in Kenya |
| Document Legalization | Embassy/consular legalization after MFA authentication | document legalization in Kenya |
| Document Verification | Checking whether a document or record is genuine before use | document verification in Kenya |
Why use RVS Kenya for attestation services?
- Practical routing: we confirm whether the document needs notary, MFA, embassy legalization, certified copy, translation or verification first.
- Kenya-wide support: we assist clients in Nairobi, Kisumu and across Kenya, including diaspora clients who cannot attend offices personally.
- Clear communication: we give a document-specific checklist, price guide and estimated timeline before the file is started.
- Related services: document verification, public records search, certified copy support, due diligence and background checks.
Start your document attestation today
Send the document type, destination country and whether the receiving authority has given a specific instruction such as “MFA attestation,” “embassy legalization,” “apostille,” “notarized copy” or “certified true copy.”
Contact RVS Kenya or email info@rvskenya.com
FAQs on document attestation services in Kenya
What is the difference between attestation and legalization?
Attestation is the broad client-facing term for confirming a document for foreign use. Legalization usually refers to the formal government and embassy steps, especially MFA authentication followed by embassy or consular legalization.
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 the receiving institution determine the final requirement.
Can RVS Kenya handle attestation if I am outside Kenya?
Yes. Many diaspora clients instruct RVS Kenya remotely. You may need to courier original documents where originals are required, and we will confirm this before the file begins.
Can a copy be attested instead of the original?
In some cases, a certified true copy may be accepted. In other cases, the original must be presented or a fresh certified copy must be obtained from the issuing registry.
Can you attest birth, marriage and death certificates?
Yes. RVS Kenya assists with birth certificate attestation, marriage certificate attestation and death certificate attestation. If the record is old or unclear, we may recommend obtaining a certified copy first.
Can you attest company documents?
Yes. We assist with commercial and corporate documents, including company certificates, CR12, board resolutions, contracts, powers of attorney and trade documents.
Last reviewed: 4 June 2026. Government portal processes, official fees and embassy requirements may change without notice. Always confirm the receiving country’s current requirements before submission.