-- Consular Legalization Services

Pursuant to relevant regulations, consular legalization refers to an activity in which a consular legalization institution, upon application by a natural person, legal person, or other organization, certifies the authenticity of the last seal or signature on a foreign document.

Consular legalization is an act by which a Chinese embassy or consulate confirms a document in the name of the country. Its purpose is to enable a document issued in one country to be recognised in another country, so that the document’s extraterritorial legal effect is not impaired by doubts about the authenticity of the seal or signature on it. Consular legalization does not certify the matters stated in foreign notarial certificates or other certifying documents, nor does it bear responsibility for the truthfulness or legality of the contents of the document; the issuing authority is responsible for the contents of the document.

The Chinese Embassy in Kenya may process consular legalization for relevant documents issued by Kenyan administrative, judicial, law enforcement or other authorities, which have been authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya and the Supreme Court of Kenya, and are intended for use in China.

-- Instructions for Applying for Consular Legalization

Procedure for applying for consular legalization at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya:

1. The applicant shall have the relevant document notarised by a local notary institution in Kenya;

2. The applicant shall submit the document to the Supreme Court of Kenya, which will issue a certificate confirming that the notary is legally qualified;

3. The applicant shall apply to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya for authentication;

4. The applicant shall apply to the Chinese Embassy in Kenya( through China Visa Application Service Center in Nairobi) for consular legalization.

Documents required for consular legalization:

1. A completed, truthful, complete and accurate Application Form for Consular Legalization of the Embassy/Consulate of the People’s Republic of China (available for download in the attachment). The form contains signature boxes for “Applicant’s Signature” and “Agent’s Signature”, both of which must contain original signatures; faxed or photocopied signatures are not acceptable.

2. The following identity documents:

(a) A photocopy of the applicant’s valid identity document;

(b) If an agent acts on behalf of the applicant, a photocopy of the agent’s valid identity document and a photocopy of the applicant’s valid identity document shall be submitted;

(c) If the applicant is a minor, a photocopy of the guardian’s valid identity document, a photocopy of the applicant’s valid identity document, and a photocopy of the proof of kinship shall be submitted;

(d) If applying for legalization of enterprise documents, a photocopy of the legal representative’s passport and the certificate of the legal representative’s status shall also be submitted. If an agent is entrusted to act, a power of attorney issued by the legal representative and a photocopy of the agent’s identity document shall be provided;

(e) Other materials deemed necessary by the consular legalization institution.

3. The following documents shall be bound into a volume in the order below (if the document to be legalized consists of more than two pages, it shall be bound in a manner that prevents tampering, such as by using a wax seal, affixing a cross-page seal, or using a embossed seal):

(a)Authentication Certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya;

(b)Authentication of Signature of a Notary Public issued by the Supreme Court of Kenya;

(c)The material to be legalized (which has already been notarised by the local notary institution).

4. A complete identical photocopy (not bound) of the document to be legalized.

Processing time for consular legalization:

With effect from 6 July 2026, applicants shall apply and submit their consular legalization materials at the China Visa Application Service Center in Nairobi. Chinese citizens who need to apply on humanitarian or other urgent grounds may visit the Embassy on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.

If the applicant has reasonable grounds and obtains the consent of the Embassy/Consulate, expedited processing may be available. Time required for supplementary materials, inquiries with domestic authorities for verification, force majeure, and other reasons shall not be counted within the above time limits.

Fees and collection:

1. Except for certain countries subject to reciprocal fees, for Chinese citizens, the fee is KES 800 per copy for civil-type documents and KES 1,600 per copy for commercial-type documents; for foreign citizens, the fee is KES 1,800 per copy for civil-type documents and KES 3,600 per copy for commercial-type documents. For expedited service (collection on the 2th working day after acceptance), an additional KES 2,500 per copy is charged; Upon verification of genuine urgent circumstances and after approval, an application for express handling may be submitted, an additional KES 3,700 per copy is charged.

2. The Chinese Embassy in Kenya operates a bank collection system and does not accept cash or personal cheques. Applicants shall bring the pick-up form and make payment at any of the following four branches of the National Commercial Bank of Africa designated by the Embassy:

Upper Hill: Mara & Ragati Roads, Upper Hill, Tel. 0202884000/2734555

Wabera: Wabera & Standard Streets, City Centre, Tel. 0203254000/2228881-9

Mama Ngina: International House, Mama Ngina Street, City Centre, Tel. 02022288102/66/67

Junction: Ngong Road, Tel. 0203864035/3864008-9

3. After payment, please bring the pick-up form and the bank payment receipt to the Embassy’s consular service window during opening hours to collect the document. Please collect it in a timely manner. Documents not collected after more than one month will be destroyed, and this may affect the applicant’s future applications. Any consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the applicant.

4. Other important notes

(a) The document shall be truthful and lawful; the notarisation and authentication procedures shall be complete and standard; the document shall not contain any content that is detrimental to the national interests or public interests of China;

(b) When notarising the document, the local notary institution shall ensure that the signatures, seals, and labels on the document have consistent names. If there is any discrepancy, the notary institution shall issue supplementary supporting documents such as an affidavit;

(c) The applicant’s name, document number, date of birth and other information on the document shall be exactly the same as those on the applicant’s valid identity document. If there is any discrepancy, supplementary supporting documents shall be provided;

(d) Notarised certificates of marital status, declarations of no spouse, or certificates of no impediment to marriage intended for use in registering marriage in Mainland China shall have a validity period of no more than 6 months from the date of notarisation or issuance to the date of applying for consular legalization. Those exceeding the validity period will not be legalized;

(e) Notarised certificates of marital status, health, property, income, and criminal record intended for use in adoption procedures in Mainland China shall have a validity period of no more than 6 months from the date of notarisation to the date of applying for consular legalization. Those exceeding the validity period will not be legalized;

(f) Documents intended for use in a third country will not be legalized;

(g) Documents issued by a third country will not be legalized on common grounds;

(h) The embassy or consulate will review the documents submitted for legalization. If any problems are found, including incomplete local notarisation or authentication procedures, non-standard format, illegal content, alterations, tampering, etc., the legalization application will not be accepted;

(i) The consular officer may require the applicant to provide other materials related to the legalization matter;

(j) If the content of a document that has been consularly legalized is altered or replaced, the consular legalization shall become invalid;

(k) Documents that have been legalized by the embassy or consulate shall not be altered or replaced. Any problems and legal liabilities arising from the applicant’s own alteration or replacement of documents shall be borne by the applicant;

(l) The specific requirements for consular legalization at each embassy or consulate shall be governed by that office’s own notice on application procedures.