Kenya Embassy Attestation: Legalizing Indian Documents for Kenya
Kenya embassy attestation is how an Indian document becomes usable in Kenya, since India and Kenya do not use the apostille with each other. The paper is verified in India, attested by MEA and then legalized by the High Commission of Kenya in New Delhi. INFINITYGRO handles each stage for clients across India.
By the INFINITYGRO documentation teamUpdated Facts checked against MEA and HCCH
Documents from India for Kenya
Does Kenya accept an apostille from India? No, Kenya is not an Apostille partner with India. Use Kenya embassy attestation instead. Verify the document at the state department, through a notary and SDM, or at a Chamber of Commerce. MEA then gives normal attestation, which has no MEA fee. The High Commission of Kenya in New Delhi adds the final stamp. English documents usually need no translation.
English papers, so the focus is on the stamps
Kenya uses English in law and government, so most Indian documents go as they are. That removes the translation step that slows other countries. The work is in getting the three stamps in the right order. Kenya was a British colony like India, and many Kenyan offices are used to Indian degrees, so the content is rarely questioned. The stamps are what get checked.
Documents in Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil or another Indian language are the exception. A birth certificate from a village panchayat, for instance, may be bilingual or only in the regional language. In that case Kenyan offices usually want an English translation. INFINITYGRO can arrange a certified translation and tell you whether it should travel with the original.
Key facts
| Route | Embassy legalization |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | State department, notary/SDM or chamber |
| Stage 2 | MEA attestation (no MEA fee) |
| Stage 3 | High Commission of Kenya, New Delhi |
| Apostille | Not accepted from India |
| Language | English and Kiswahili; English papers usually fine |
| Typical users | Professionals, investors, exporters, families |
Who needs Kenyan legalization
Kenya has a large community of Indian origin and strong trade ties. Indian companies export pharmaceuticals, vehicles, steel, rice and machinery to Kenya. Professionals take jobs in banks, hospitals, schools and IT. Families need birth and marriage records for dependant passes or for registering children. Each group needs Kenya embassy attestation in a slightly different form.
Investors registering a company in Kenya, or opening a branch of an Indian company, often deal with Kenyan registries and banks. These offices may ask for a certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, a board resolution naming local directors, and identity papers of shareholders. Every one of these starts in India with notarisation where needed, then a chamber, then MEA and the High Commission.
Kenya embassy attestation: the three Indian stages
- Indian verification. Degrees: the university or state education department. Birth, marriage and police certificates: the state Home or GAD department, or notary and SDM where allowed. Company documents: a recognised Chamber of Commerce.
- MEA attestation. Submitted through MEA's authorised outsourced centre.
- Kenyan legalization. The High Commission of Kenya in New Delhi stamps the paper. It sets its own fees.
Our embassy attestation service page explains how submissions work.
Each stage confirms the one before it. The High Commission checks the MEA stamp, and MEA checks the state or chamber signature. If one stamp is missing, the chain breaks and the paper comes back. Handwritten corrections and laminated sheets are also refused.
Work permits and professional registration
Kenyan employers usually ask for degree certificates, transcripts and experience letters for work permit files. Doctors, nurses and engineers may need extra documents for registration with Kenyan professional boards. Each board publishes its own list. We legalize the Indian side. For degrees, start with our degree certificate page.
Exporters and tenders
Pharma exporters registering products in Kenya, and companies bidding for Kenyan tenders, often need legalized certificates of incorporation, GMP and free sale certificates, powers of attorney and board resolutions. Shipments may also need a legalized certificate of origin. The chamber stage comes first for all of these.
Tender deadlines are fixed, and the embassy stage is the last one. Start the chain early.
What to courier to INFINITYGRO
- Original documents, flat and unlaminated
- Passport copy
- Employer, board or buyer checklist
- Company letterhead copies signed by the authorised signatory
Send a scan on WhatsApp first. Then courier to New Ashok Nagar, Delhi. We return the legalized papers by Blue Dart or another tracked courier.
Mistakes to avoid
- Getting an MEA apostille instead of attestation.
- Sending a degree without transcripts when the employer asked for both.
- Laminated certificates.
- Commercial papers that do not match each other.
Document guides for Kenya
The same route applies to most documents; each guide covers what to send and the common mistakes.
What the stamps look like
Click any sample to enlarge. Personal details are masked.
Kenya FAQs
Is Kenya part of the Apostille Convention with India?
No. Indian documents need MEA attestation and legalization by the Kenya High Commission.
Do I need a Kiswahili translation?
Usually not. English is an official language in Kenya.
Is MEA attestation free?
Yes, MEA does not charge for normal attestation. The High Commission sets its own fee.
Can you do Kenya embassy attestation for a police certificate?
Yes. The PCC is verified, attested by MEA and legalized by the High Commission.
How long does it take?
It depends on the state stage and High Commission timing. We give you an estimate with our written quote.
Can I send personal and business documents together?
Yes. Each follows its own first stage, and then they move through MEA and the High Commission together.
Other embassy legalization countries
AngolaEmbassy legalization
BhutanEmbassy legalization
CambodiaEmbassy legalization
ChinaEmbassy legalization
EgyptEmbassy legalization
EthiopiaEmbassy legalization
GhanaEmbassy legalization
IranEmbassy legalization
No country matches. Call us: we handle most embassies in New Delhi.
Apostille MEA Apostille is the final stepEmbassy legalization MEA attestation, then the embassy in New DelhiGerman verification verified through the German Embassy
Sending documents to Kenya?
WhatsApp a photo of the document and tell us its use. We reply with the route and a written quote.