Kenya is a beautiful country that boasts the Big 5, a fantastic coastline, and diversity. So, it makes sense that many people would head here for business, marriage, inheritance, and other official reasons. Luckily, you don’t need to translate your documents, as Kenyans use English as the official language. But you must verify your documents by getting the equivalent of an apostille Kenya. We explain what this entails, how to get one, and when you need one.
Secure Your Travel to Kenya with U.S. Document Authentication
Suppose you want to open a franchise in Kenya and already have your business documents. Would they be acceptable to the authorities? Hardly. There is no way to verify the authenticity of your documents as Kenyan authorities do not have a direct link to U.S. authorities. So, how do you bridge this gap? In countries party to the 1961 Hague Convention, this is possible through an apostille. But you cannot get an apostille Kenya as this country does not participate in this treaty.
Instead, what you get is authentication and legalization, processes that are equivalent to an apostille Kenya. Authentication is a process done by the U.S. Department of State. It aims to verify the signatures, stamps, and seals on official documents. Legalization occurs at the Kenyan embassy, where the officials confirm the authentication and issue a legalization stamp. As you may have guessed, these processes take time as they depend on authorities from different countries. However, getting this stamp of approval benefits you in the following ways:
- It proves the legitimacy of your documents. When the U.S. Department of State and the Kenyan embassy validate your documents, you can use them in Kenya for official business. For example, you can use validated business papers to start or expand a business in Kenya.
- It establishes trust between you and other parties. Say you want to get married in Kenya and require a single status affidavit. If you present this authenticated document, you will have offered the equivalent of an apostille Kenya. So, those receiving the document will trust that you have acted in good faith.
- It is a legal requirement. Suppose you have legal proceedings and want to use documents issued in the U.S. The only way to verify the legitimacy of your papers would be through authenticated and legalized documents.
Getting the equivalent of an apostille Kenya will allow you to transact on business and social levels. And because of the versatility of authentication and legalization procedures, you can verify all types of documents. Examples include business documents, court documents, federal documents, and marriage certificates. Even academic and local documents fit the bill. You can always contact our team regarding what papers need authentication and legalization.
Your Guide to Document Authentication for Kenya Travel
Authentication and legalization processes leave you with the equivalent of an apostille Kenya. But since they occur under different authorities, you must follow a step-by-step procedure to qualify your paperwork. Below is how you should go about it:
a) Eligibility: All documents due for authentication and legalization must meet specific criteria. For example, state-issued documents must feature raised or stamped seals from the Department of Vital Records or the court. And those issued by the federal government must be on agency letterheads signed by federal officers. You should determine what criteria your document should meet before proceeding.
b) Notarization: You cannot authenticate documents that do not have notarization. The exception is only for FBI background checks. All other documents must get notarized before a notary public.
c) Certification: Only true certified copies can go through the legalization and authentication processes. A notary public can do the certification to pave the way for the equivalent of an apostille Kenya. However, the following documents can only get certified by the Secretary of State:
- Marriage certificates,
- Birth certificates,
- Death certificates,
- Divorce decrees,
- Federal documents, and
- Court documents.
d) Authentication: You should submit the documents by mail to the Office of Authentications, U.S. Department of State. The processing often takes several weeks to complete, after which you should receive the authenticated documents.
e) Legalization: The last step is to submit the authenticated documents to the Kenyan embassy. You should get the legalization stamp in a few weeks.
The whole process can drag on for weeks leading into months. So, it is best to ensure you provide correctly notarized and certified paperwork to avoid having your application thrown out.
Smooth Document Authentication Service for Kenya-Bound Travelers
Authentication and legalization processes are crucial to official transactions in Kenya. However, they are complex and time-consuming and can take months to complete. Travel Visa Pro addresses this hindrance by providing a simple 3-step process to getting the equivalent of an apostille Kenya. How does it work?
a) You submit an authentication order using our website. When filling in the form, you should include the following details:
- Your name,
- Your address,
- The document type, e.g., divorce decree,
- Where you will use the document, i.e., Kenya, and
- How soon you need the document – rush and standard processing options are available.
b) Our team will review your order and gauge what requirements you should meet to get the document authenticated. If there is a need for extra services, we will guide you on how to go about them before submitting your document. Luckily, we offer attestation, certification, notarization, document review, and concierge services under one roof. So, you can submit your document for processing as it is, and we will prepare it on your behalf. Moreover, we have offices nationwide, offering legalization services across fifty states. Thus, you can complete the order from the comfort of your home.
c) We will submit the document for authentication and legalization, alerting you at each stage. And we will provide the legalized document in no time, enabling you to start transacting in Kenya as soon as possible.
All our authentication and legalization processes take place under our in-house experts. They have handled countless applications and know exactly what you should provide to get the equivalent of an apostille Kenya.