Getting a certificate of good conduct in Kenya is an important document that you may need for visa applications, job applications, or other official purposes. This certificate, also known as a police clearance certificate, provides proof that you do not have a criminal record in Kenya.
Downloading your certificate of good conduct in Kenya is now an easy online process if you follow these steps:
To download your certificate of good conduct online in Kenya, you must meet these eligibility criteria:
If you meet all these requirements, you can proceed to apply and pay for your certificate online. However, if you do not meet any of the above, you will need to visit a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) office in person to apply manually.
To start your online application, visit the eCitizen website at https://www.ecitizen.go.ke. This is the official Kenyan government portal for accessing various government services online.
On the eCitizen homepage, click on the “Services” tab and then select “National Police Service.” From the menu, choose “Apply for Certificate of Good Conduct.” This will open the online application form.
The online application form for the certificate of good conduct will require you to provide the following personal details:
Ensure you fill in the accurate details as they appear on your official identification documents. Any inaccuracies may lead to delays or your application being rejected.
After filling in your application details, you will be required to book and pay for a fingerprint capture appointment. This appointment should be done at the nearest Criminal Investigations Department (CID) office.
You can choose your preferred date and location for the appointment. Then pay the fingerprint capture fee using your mobile money account. The current fee is Ksh1,400/_.
Ensure you take note of the appointment details including the reference number. You will need to present the reference number when you go for the fingerprint capture appointment.
On the booked appointment date, visit the CID office to have your fingerprints captured. Carry your original national ID card and the appointment reference number.
The officers will verify your ID, take and scan your fingerprints using a biometric machine, and upload them to the system. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
If you miss the appointment date, you will have to book and pay for a new one which leads to delays. So ensure you keep the appointment.
Once your fingerprints are captured, you can now proceed to pay the certificate application fees. This is done via mobile money on the eCitizen portal.
The application fee is Ksh3,000/_ for Kenyan citizens. International applicants will pay higher fees.
Pay via M-PESA, Airtel Money, T-Kash or Equitel. Ensure you enter the correct reference number provided.
You will receive an SMS and email confirming receipt of your application fee.
After completing the application and payments, you will now wait for it to be processed by the CID headquarters.
This may take anything from 2 days to 3 weeks depending on the volumes of applications. You will be notified of the status via email and SMS.
Be sure to check both your email spam folder and texts in case you miss any communication.
Once your certificate of good conduct application is approved, you will receive a notification that it is ready for download from the eCitizen portal.
Be sure to download and save it as you may not be able to access it later on the portal.
Print or share the PDF file as required for your visa applications or job applications. The certificate has security features including a QR code to enable authentication.
And that’s it! Following these simple 8 steps will help you successfully apply and download your official certificate of good conduct online in Kenya. Let us now look at some additional information that may help in your application process.
Here are some useful things to keep in mind when applying for your certificate of good conduct in Kenya:
It is advisable to check the status of your application every 2–3 days after submission. This enables you to spot any issues or delays early. You can check the status by logging into the eCitizen portal. This avoids unnecessary delays.
While the certificate can be downloaded in 2 days if you are lucky, it may also take up to 21 days in some cases. Applying with enough time allows your application to be processed smoothly without rushed timelines.
When filling the application, carefully confirm all your details match your ID exactly. Any small errors may lead to failed verification and application rejection.
The fingerprint capture appointment is mandatory to submit fingerprints to the system. Missing the appointment leads to delays as you have to re-book and make payments again. Be sure to attend on the date booked.
Once you download the certificate of good conduct, ensure you save it as a soft copy and print a physical copy as well. It’s advisable to have both digital and printed copies for convenience.
While you can book an appointment in any county, applying from your home county where your details are already in the system makes the verification process faster. But you can still apply from any county.
If faced with any challenges in the application process, don’t hesitate to visit the nearest police station for help. The officers are usually happy to assist applicants complete the process.
The certificate of good conduct in Kenya is an essential document required by various institutions and organizations from Kenyan citizens.
Some of the main scenarios where one will need a valid certificate of good conduct include:
One of the most common uses for the certificate is for visa applications to other countries.
Whether you are applying for a visitor’s visa, student visa or work permit abroad, many embassies and consulates will request a certificate of good conduct as part of the application process. Some examples include:
Therefore, having an up-to-date certificate of good conduct is essential if planning to apply for any category of visa to go abroad.
Nowadays, the majority of formal employers in Kenya request a certificate of good conduct before hiring new staff.
Both public institutions like government departments and private companies require this clearance certificate before taking up employment. Some examples are:
Therefore, always ensure you have an updated certificate if actively applying for jobs whether in government or the private sector.
Schools, colleges and universities in Kenya also require the certificate of good conduct before admitting students.
As such, remember to apply for the certificate if planning to join any recognized education institution in Kenya.
Kenyan courts may sometimes ask for your certificate of good conduct during legal proceedings. Some examples are:
Therefore, having an up-to-date certificate can be beneficial if facing any court proceedings.
Certain business activities in Kenya require a certificate of good conduct:
So ensure your certificate is valid when applying for select business permits and licenses in Kenya.
There are various official registration bodies that may require your certificate of good conduct such as:
Always check if the institution needs the certificate before applying for membership or licenses.
Some other uses for the certificate of good conduct in Kenya include:
Once issued, the certificate of good conduct remains valid for a period of 3 months from the date of issue.
After this 3-month validity period, the certificate expires and is deemed invalid for any applications that may require it.
Therefore, you should apply for a new certificate after every 3 months if you still require it for ongoing applications. The application process is the same for renewals.
Some institutions may be willing to accept a recently expired certificate, for example, up to 6 months old. However, it is best to always use a valid certificate if possible.
While the online eCitizen process is efficient, not everyone can use it to apply for a certificate of good conduct in Kenya.
The following categories will NOT be able to use online applications:
Such people will need to visit the CID offices in person to submit physical applications. The process takes longer and has more bureaucracy.
However, the vast majority of adult Kenyans can now utilize the efficient online eCitizen application platform. Make sure you have all the required documents and fulfill eligibility criteria.
Apart from pending court cases, there are certain past criminal offences that will make you ineligible to receive a certificate of good conduct in Kenya.
Such criminal offences include:
If you have any past conviction for the above offences, your application for a certificate of good conduct will be declined.
Minor offences like traffic fines and petty crimes may still be eligible depending on when they occurred. The processing officers will determine if you qualify or not.
Parents and guardians can also apply for certificates of good conduct on behalf of their children who are minors under 18 years.
The process is similar but with a few adjustments:
Eligibility
Application
Downloading
Therefore, minors can still access the certificate through applications made by parents or legal guardians on their behalf.
Kenyans living abroad in the diaspora can also apply for their certificates of good conduct back home without having to travel.
The process is convenient using the following guidelines:
Eligibility
Application
Downloading
This allows Kenyans abroad to acquire the important document without travelling which minimizes costs and time wasted. Just ensure you authorize a trusted relative or friend to act as proxy.
Once you submit your certificate of good conduct application online, how can you check the progress? Here are some tips:
The main way to track your application status is to log in to your eCitizen account online and click on the “Application Status” section.
It will display the current stage of processing such as:
Logging in often allows you to get real-time status updates on the processing.
In addition to the portal status, you will receive notifications about the key stages via SMS and email.
Checking these notifications provides useful prompts on the progress without having to log in.
For urgent inquiries or if you are stuck, you can call the eCitizen support. The toll-free number is 0800 721 253.
Ask the agent to check the status of your application and advise you accordingly. They can even escalate urgent cases.
If need be, you can physically visit the local police station or CID office and have them assist with checking the status.
Carry your application reference number or ID number for them to check the National Police Database.
Recall that the processing can take 2–3 weeks especially during peak periods when many people are applying.
Have some patience and only start making inquiries if it goes beyond 3 weeks with no feedback. Avoid unnecessary follow ups.
If you get a notification that your application was rejected or delayed, promptly act on it.
Follow up to determine the issues and address them so that your certificate can be approved. This may require new appointments, payments or providing more information.
By monitoring the progress and addressing issues, you can get your certificate processed as fast as possible!
Here are some common questions that people ask about the certificate of good conduct in Kenya:
Yes, the certificate of good conduct and police clearance certificate are names for the same document that shows you have no criminal record. Either name can be used.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) under the National Police Service issues the official certificates after conducting background checks.
It carries the national emblem and CID watermarks, your photo and details, issue date, stamped signature of the issuing officer and a serial number. There are security features like microtext and QR code.
It will show all reportable crimes based on the CID records and fingerprint database. Minor traffic fines may not appear.
No. Once approved, you can download the official certificate securely as a PDF on your eCitizen account and print copies yourself.
You can apply for a replacement by submitting a sworn affidavit and police report about the loss. New fingerprints will be taken before issuing a certified true copy.
Yes, you can authorize a third party like parent, spouse, relative or lawyer in writing to collect and deliver the hardcopy certificate after downloading it.
Yes. The certificate remains valid for only 3 months from the date it is issued. After expiry, apply again for a new certificate.
It costs Ksh3,000 for electronic applications payable via mobile money and Ksh1,400 for fingerprint capture appointment. Total is Ksh4,400 for citizens.
Some institutions like schools require proof that minors have no criminal records before admission, hence the need for children’s certificates too.
The certificate of good conduct has become an essential document for Kenyans seeking visas, jobs, admissions or any other official registrations locally and overseas.
Luckily, the digitized online application via eCitizen portal makes getting one much easier nowadays. Despite a few limitations, the vast majority can apply and download their clearance certificates from anywhere.
Ensure you follow all the step-by-step application guidelines provided in this article. Read the notes on eligibility, validity, FAQs and monitoring your application progress.
This will help avoid delays or rejections. Keep photocopies and scanned copies ready for the various official uses. Renew it promptly every 3 months if required.
With the convenience of the online system, a certificate of good conduct enables you to access opportunities seamlessly. All the best!