Register as a Kenyan in the diaspora or legalise documents
From: Government of Kenya (public information)
Published 3 June 2026 · Last updated 3 June 2026
Find out how to register your presence with the nearest Kenyan Embassy while living abroad, verify or attest academic and legal documents, and process out-of-country fingerprints for DCI Police Clearance certificates.
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Quick facts
- Processing time
- Instant for diaspora registration; 3 to 5 working days for document attestations; 4 to 8 weeks for overseas police clearance fingerprint processing.
- Base cost
- From Free to Ksh 1,550 depending on the consular service
- How to apply
- Hybrid (Online form and physical attendance required)
Fees and times can change. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
Before you start
- The applicant must be a legally documented Kenyan citizen (holding a valid National ID or Passport).
- Any document submitted for attestation or legalisation (e.g., degree certificates, marriage certificates) must first be certified by relevant authorities in Kenya (like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the High Court) if being verified from abroad.
Documents you need
- Scanned clear color copy of your valid Kenyan Passport bio-data page and your current foreign residency/work visa.
- For Document Legalisation: Scanned copies of the specific certificates requiring official embassy stamp attestation.
- For Police Clearance Fingerprints: Your printed eCitizen DCI C24 form transaction receipt, plus the manual ink fingerprint card provided by local foreign police or the embassy.
Fees and charges
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Diaspora Portal Emergency Registration Tracking Service | Free |
| Consular Document Attestation / Legalisation Stamp Surcharge (Per Document) | Ksh 1,500 |
| Overseas Fingerprint Forwarding Surcharge (DCI Clearance Processing) | Ksh 1,000 |
| eCitizen Portal Convenience Charge | Ksh 50 |
Office visits
- Attestations & Fingerprints: Physical presentation of original documents to be stamped, or physical rolling of ink fingerprints on the official DCI card system. — You must book an appointment slot and physically attend the nearest Kenyan High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate General in your country of residence.
You may also use a Huduma Centre where the service is offered.
Questions
Why is it important to register on the eCitizen Diaspora Portal?
Registering your global location maps your contact information directly onto the Ministry of Foreign Affairs secure locator index. If an emergency occurs in your host country (such as political conflicts, natural disasters, or health crises), the local Kenyan Embassy can track your position, issue evacuation alerts, and coordinate safety networks for your family.
Can the Kenyan Embassy legalise documents issued by foreign institutions?
No. A Kenyan Embassy can only legalise and attest documents that originated within the Republic of Kenya (such as KRA tax clearance certificates, HELB logs, or Kenyan academic files). If you need to legalise a foreign certificate for use in Kenya, you must have it stamped by the host country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs first.