Kenyans abroadBusiness & trade
Document attestation & legalisation
Authenticate Kenyan certificates and commercial documents for legal use overseas.
Service standard: 3 working days from receipt of a complete fileLast updated: May 2026Available in: EN · SW
Who this is for
Kenyans and businesses who need a Kenyan-issued document - academic certificate, birth certificate, company record or commercial invoice - recognised by authorities or partners in another country.
Attestation confirms the signature and seal on your document are genuine so it can be accepted abroad. Some destinations also require onward legalisation by their own embassy.
At a glance
- Who can apply
- The document holder, or an authorised representative carrying a signed authority letter and a copy of your ID.
- What to bring
- The original document plus a clear copy, your ID or passport, and proof of the fee payment. Academic papers may need prior endorsement by the issuing institution.
- Cost
- A fee applies per document. Confirm the current rate before submitting your file.
- How long it takes
- About 3 working days once a complete file is received. Onward embassy legalisation adds time.
- Where
- Lodged online or at your mission; collected in person or returned by courier where offered.
What happens after you apply
The step most sites skip - so you know what to expect and don't need to call.
- Submit the originals and copies, online or at the mission counter.
- Staff verify the issuing authority and confirm the seal and signature are genuine.
- The attestation stamp is applied and the file is logged.
- Collect the attested document, or have it returned by courier where available.
If something goes wrong, or you need help
If you are detained, hospitalised, or in immediate danger, do not wait for the form - call the consular emergency line. For questions about an application already submitted, contact the mission directly.
One template, every missionThis page runs on a single service spine - who it's for, what to bring, cost, time, where, what happens next. Nairobi and all 60+ missions fill the same fields with their local facts (fee, address, hours, emergency number). Fix the spine once and every mission improves; only the local data changes.