Legalization of a Marriage Certificate in Kenya

Legalization of a Marriage Certificate in Kenya

Legalization is the process through which a document is verified and attested through a legal process for use abroad or in another country. The process determines that the document presented is valid for use and can be accepted as a genuine document in the country that it’s required. 

Kenya has not signed the Hague Convention that abolishes the legalization of documents issued in another Kenya. 

In Kenya, the process of legalization is as follows for a marriage certificate;

1. The Marriage Certificate will need to be Certified by the Registrars of Marriage in Kenya. The process is done online through the website ecitizen.go.ke.
2. Once the marriage certificate has been certified, the certified copy will be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya.
3. The Marriage Certificate is then taken to the Embassy in Kenya for which the document will be used. Different Embassies e.g. the UAE, Oman, Italy, UKraine, Costa Rica, Belgium have a presence in Kenya. The cost and duration depends on the Embassy.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need to travel to have my marriage certificate legalized? No, you don’t have to travel to have your marriage certificate legalized in Kenya. You can send us your copy of the marriage certificate to info@swkadvocates.com and we will apply for a Certified copy for you.
2. What if I don’t have a copy of my marriage certificate? You will need to give as many details as possible and contact the church/place where the marriage was conducted.
3. How long will the process take? While the standard number of days is 10 working days, this highly depends on if the document can be easily traced. We will communicate in the event that there are any expected delays. 

4. What is your office location? We are located at Royal Offices, Mogotio Road, Westlands off Chiromo Lane, 1st Floor, No. 17. 

If you would like us to help you legalize your marriage certificate in Kenya, please contact us on info@swkadvocates.com or by Whatsapp +254726328555.