Consular Services

Consular services include:

1. Registration of Kenyans
2. Translation and authentication of documents by the Embassy
3. Assistance to Kenyans in distress [arrest & detention]
4. Application for birth certificates for children born abroad, or for duplicates of a lost birth certificate.
5. Application for certificates of good conduct
6. Requirements for non-Kenyans wishing to conduct a marriage ceremony in Kenya
7. Kenyan driving licenses
8. Application for certificate of "no impediment to marriage"
9. Renunciation of Kenyan nationality
10. Authentication of documents issued by the Kenyan government
11. Issuing of letters confirming nationality (Upon presentation of valid Kenyan passport, valid Kenyan ID card and birth certificate)

1. Registration of Kenyans

Consular services to Kenyans residing in Japan or visiting can be offered more efficiently if registration with the Embassy is done promptly upon arrival in Japan. Those who are not registered are therefore required to do so immediately they visit the Embassy. Registration can also be done on-line (see form herebelow) or through the post/in person by down loading the "Registration of Kenyans" form and completing it.

Click here to download the Registration of Kenyans form. Kindly note that your names should be entered as they appear on your passport. All details required on the registration form are very important and should not be overlooked when filling out the form. In addition, please print the form on a single sheet of paper. Remember to provide your telephone contacts and e-mail address for faster communication.

It is always advisable to include copies of the relevant pages of your own and your family's Kenyan passports. These will come in handy in cases of emergency (e.g. stolen passport). For the same reason, you should keep copies of all Kenyan documents at home.

2. Translation and authentication of documents by the Embassy

The Kenyan Embassy translates and authenticates documents at a cost of yen 3,075 per copy, and the process takes at least two working days between the time of submission and collection. For documents meant for use in Kenya, an accompanying letter is required if the documents are being sent through the post/courier service. This category of documents must first be translated, certified and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and then brought to the Embassy for authentication.

3. Assistance to Kenyans in distress

Kenyans residing or visiting Japan are strongly urged to ensure that they observe the laws and regulations of this country in order to avoid getting into costly legal processes. Kenyans are particularly urged to keep their immigration status valid at all times, and avoid being at the risk of facing deportation proceedings. All travel documents should in addition be kept valid. It is extremely important to register with the Embassy in case of any eventualities.
If for any reason you are arrested and/or detained:

1. Do not resist the arrest; it will only serve to aggravate your legal problems just seek an explanation from the law enforcers and ask to talk to the Consular section at the Embassy.
2. Give consent to the law enforcement agency to notify the Embassy, Consular Section, of your arrest/detention. This could be the only way for the Embassy, and your next of kin, will learn about your predicament and find possible ways for assistance.
3. When talking to the Embassy, state your case honestly and provide names and contacts of individuals, both in Japan and in Kenya, you wish to inform about your situation. The Embassy will communicate your messages to them as soon as possible.
4. If you can afford an attorney or lawyer, decline to answer questions relating to your case except in the presence and with the advice of your attorney or lawyer.

4. Birth certificate for a Kenyan child born in Japan.

1. Birth registration form (download from the website or obtain at the Embassy).
2. Copies of relevant pages of parents' passports and birth certificates, duly certified by the Embassy.
3. Copy of child's Japanese birth certificate.
4. Translation into English of Japanese birth certificate at accost of yen 3075.
5. Yen 500 processing fee.

1. Photocopy of original birth certificate.
2. Statement explaining loss of original.
3. Parents’ passport copies or ID cards
4. Yen 500 processing fee.

1. Written statement explaining when and the place of birth in Kenya as well as the circumstances under which it got lost.
2. Birth notification slip issued by hospital (for original), or photocopy of original birth certificate (for duplicate).
3. Copies of parents’ passports
4. Statement explaining reasons for application.
5. Yen 500 processing fee.

Principal Civil Registrar
Department of Civil registration
P.O. Box 49179
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-227461
Fax: +254-20-215651

5. Certificates of Good Conduct:

In order to facilitate a search into the records of those applying for a certificate of good conduct, the Kenyan police will require the applicant's fingerprints to be taken by the police authorities in the country of residence at the time of application and on a prescribed Kenya Police form. The form can be obtained from the Embassy by writing and providing your personal contact details and information. The finger prints must be taken at a police station and have an official endorsement with the police station seal or official stamp. Photocopied prints or prints used in previous years are not acceptable. For foreigners, the Kenya police require documentary support for the period lived in Kenya stating also the immigration status by the time. This evidence can be in form of copies for residence permits, passport endorsements or copies of alien registration, letters from place of employment (appointment letters).
A search fee of yen 2,000 is payable upon submission of application documents. Issue of certificates may take more than three months. If the applicant wishes to send the prints direct to the Criminal Investigation Department, return postage for the same is to be included.

Requirements for Certificate of Good Conduct for those living abroad

• A complete set of finger prints and palm prints (form to be obtained at the Embassy)
• If the applicant is over 18 years of age, a clear photocopy of the Kenyan second generation identity card. (If the applicant was never issued with the ID card, he/she must prove he/she left Kenya before reaching the age of 18 years and is yet to return, and must provide the Embassy with a certified copy of the birth certificate and of the Kenyan passport);
• If the applicant is below 18 years, a certified copy of the birth certificate and/or Kenyan passport;
• An application letter;
• Attach a fee of yen 2,000 cash to be paid at the Embassy or for those sending the application directly to Nairobi enclose a banker’s cheque of Kshs 1,000.00 payable to the Director of Criminal Investigation Department, P.O. Box 30036, Nairobi.

• A complete set of fingerprints and palm prints (form to be obtained at the Embassy);
• A certified photocopy of the applicant’s passport;
• Documentary proof that the applicant ever resided in Kenya for three months or more;
• If the applicant is below 18 years, a certified copy of the birth certificate;
• An application letter;
• Attach a fee of yen 2,000 cash to be paid at the Embassy or for those sending application directly to Nairobi, enclose a banker’s cheque of Kshs 1,000.00 payable to the Director of Criminal Investigation Department, P.O. Box 30036, Nairobi;
• Those applicants who happen to be in Kenya should endeavour to apply in person at CID Headquarters in Nairobi.

6. Requirements for non-Kenyans wishing to conduct a marriage ceremony in Kenya

Non-Kenyan parties wishing to conduct a marriage ceremony in Kenya are required to produce the following documents:

• Birth certificates
• Valid passports
• Decree Absolutes (if divorced)
• Death certificate (if widowed)
• Statutory declarations or family register from city Office stating the fact that one is single and free to marry. This should bear the city hall seal and official stamp.
• Parental consent in the form of a legal document, for persons below twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Residency in the country for twenty-one days. If this is not possible, a special license should be obtained beforehand by contacting the Registrar's Office in Kenya.
• All documents must be seen and stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and legalized or authenticated by this Embassy.

The Registrar of Marriages
Department of the Registrar-General
PO Box 30031-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-227461
Fax: +254-20-215651

Senior Assistant Registrar General
PO Box 80366
Mombasa, Kenya
Tel: +254-41-316061/2

7. Kenyan driving licenses

Kenyan driving licenses may only be renewed and verified by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, who are the issuing authority and can be contacted at the following address:

Registrar of Motor Vehicles
Times Tower
PO Box 30160
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-310900

8. Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage

Issued, upon request by the Japanese authorities, to Kenyans who wish to marry in Japan to show that they are legally free to marry. In order to apply for the certificate through the Embassy in Tokyo, the following are required:

• Valid Kenyan passport with copies for certification.
• Passport copies of the spouse to be.
• Application letter.
• Application form, which can be downloaded from the website or obtained at the Embassy.
• Payment of yen 10,000 fee.
• Copy of birth certificate

The certificate can also be applied for directly from the
Registrar of Marriages
Department of the Registrar-General
P.O. Box 30031-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-227461

9. Renunciation of Kenyan nationality

Once a Kenyan has obtained Japanese nationality, he/she has to renounce his/her Kenyan one. Kenyan law currently does not permit dual nationality.

As soon as the Japanese nationality is confirmed, the person must present him/herself at the Embassy with the following documents:

• Kenyan passport ( for surrender )
• Duly signed and completed "Declaration of renunciation of citizenship" form L
• Registration certificate (Japanese) or
• Naturalization certificate (Japanese)
• Yen 5,000 fee