Translation and Legalization Services for Foreign Embassies in Kenya

By admin
July 3, 2025

Translation and Legalization Services for Foreign Embassies in Kenya

By WKA Advocates – Kenya’s Trusted Experts in Embassy Document Legalization, Academic Verification & Certified Translations

Translation and Legalization Services for Foreign Embassies in Kenya are essential for anyone submitting official documents such as birth certificates, academic transcripts, marriage licenses, police clearance certificates, and business records. Most embassies and consulates now require that these documents be accurately translated, officially verified, and fully legalized before acceptance. Academic credentials, in particular, must undergo verification by the issuing schools and the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) to meet international standards.

At WKA Advocates, a leading law firm in Nairobi, we provide a comprehensive solution for individuals and institutions needing certified translations, academic document verification, notarization, MFDA authentication, and embassy legalization—ensuring your documents meet both local and international embassy requirements.

Why Translation, Verification, and Legalization Are Critical in Kenya

Embassies abroad must ensure that Kenyan-issued documents are both valid and translated into the official language of the destination country. Moreover, when it comes to academic credentials like transcripts, diplomas, and thesis documents, most embassies now require official verification through:

Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Individual schools and institutions
Recognized academic verification bodies such as CUE and KNQA-aligned organizations

At WKA Advocates, we facilitate this full verification process, ensuring transcripts, thesis documents, and academic certificates meet both local and international compliance standards.

Who Needs Translation, Academic Verification, and Legalization Services?

Our services are ideal for:

Individuals applying for foreign visas, university admissions, or international jobs
Students submitting academic transcripts and thesis documents abroad
Professionals pursuing credential recognition or foreign licensing
Couples registering marriages internationally
Companies expanding abroad or participating in international tenders
Kenyans seeking dual citizenship, renunciation, or asylum applications

We also assist education consultants and NGOs supporting students or migrants needing certified and verified documents.

WKA Advocates: Certified Translators and Embassy Legalization Experts

As a leading provider of embassy-compliant translation and legalization services in Kenya, we offer:

Certified translation services (French, Arabic, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish)
Academic verification from KNQA, universities, and registered institutions
Notarization services in Nairobi by registered Notaries Public
Authentication by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA)
Embassy legalization in Kenya
Document courier and remote service support across Kenya

We are experienced in handling sensitive academic documents, including transcripts, thesis, KCSE certificates, and degree qualifications, and ensuring they meet embassy and educational institution standards.

Our 5-Step Embassy Legalization and Academic Document Process

Step 1: Document Review & Academic Verification

We begin by reviewing your documents for completeness and embassy requirements. For academic qualifications, we coordinate:

School-based verification of transcripts and degree awards
Thesis verification for graduate studies
Submission to the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) for formal recognition and validation
Support in liaising with CUE or relevant education regulatory bodies if required

We also verify the formatting of civil and legal documents such as:

Birth/marriage/death certificates
Academic certificates (KCSE, diplomas, degrees)
Police clearance certificates
CR12s, company registration papers
Power of attorney and affidavits

Step 2: Certified Translations

Once verified, we proceed with certified embassy-compliant translations into the required language. This includes:

French – For France, Belgium, Canada, Senegal
German – For Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Arabic – For UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt
Portuguese – For Brazil, Portugal, Angola
Spanish – For Spain, Mexico, South America
Chinese – For China and Hong Kong

Each translation is certified, matched to the original document, and stamped for acceptance by foreign missions.

Step 3: Notarization by WKA Advocates

As licensed Notaries Public in Nairobi, we provide:

Certification of both original and translated documents
Issuance of notarization certificates and declarations
Application of official notary seal for legal recognition in Kenya

This notarization is a prerequisite before authentication by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

Step 4: Authentication by MFDA (Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs)

We submit documents for authentication at the MFDA’s headquarters (Old Treasury Building, Nairobi), which confirms:

Legal standing of the document in Kenya
Credentials of the notary and translator
Issuance of an official MFDA authentication certificate

This is a critical step before embassy acceptance.

Step 5: Embassy Legalization in Kenya

Finally, we coordinate embassy legalization based on the receiving country’s requirements. We manage:

Document presentation and embassy appointments
Submission of authenticated translations and originals
Payment of embassy legalization fees
Document follow-up and collection

Each embassy has its own set of requirements, which our legal team knows and follows precisely.

Embassies We Work With for Legalization & Academic Submissions

We work closely with many embassies in Kenya, including:

U.S. Embassy in Nairobi
British High Commission
Canadian High Commission
Embassy of Germany
French Embassy in Kenya
Embassy of UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar
Embassy of China, Brazil, and India

Our staff are familiar with their document formatting, academic verification expectations, and translation requirements.

Why Choose WKA Advocates for Academic and Embassy Document Support

One-stop service: Translation, KNQA verification, notarization, MFDA authentication, and embassy legalization
Certified legal translators and Notaries Public
KNQA and university coordination for academic documents
Fast processing with express options for urgent deadlines
Secure courier support across Kenya
Full confidentiality for personal, corporate, and academic documents

We are trusted by students, professionals, businesses, NGOs, and international agencies to ensure legal document compliance with foreign embassies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do academic documents require verification before translation?
Yes. Most embassies require academic certificates and transcripts to be verified by the issuing institution and KNQA before translation or legalization.

Can thesis and academic transcripts be legalized?
Yes. We translate and process thesis documents, transcripts, and exam result slips, ensuring verification and embassy compliance.

What if I’m based outside Nairobi?
We offer document pickup, remote consultations, and nationwide courier delivery, including to Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Kitale, and Meru.

How long does the full process take?
Standard: 3–5 business days
Express: 1–2 business days (where embassy allows)

Contact WKA Advocates for Certified Translation, KNQA Academic Verification & Embassy Legalization Services in Kenya

Whether you’re submitting academic qualifications, legal documents, or civil records to a foreign embassy, WKA Advocates ensures your documents are correctly verified, translated, and legalized.

📍 Visit us in Nairobi | 🌍 We serve all of Kenya
📞 Call us today | 📧 Email us your documents for a free review

WKA Advocates – Kenya’s Leading Experts in Embassy Legalization, Academic Verification & Certified Translations