A certificate of good conduct has become a must-have document for Kenyans, especially job seekers. All government positions require applicants to present this document and the private sector is quickly following suit.
Additionally, you need a valid certificate of good conduct when running for public office, applying for a PSV license or applying for a visa. So, whether you’re a job seeker or not, it’s good to have a certificate of good conduct since you never know when you may need it.
The certificate, which is also referred to as a Police Clearance Certificate, confirms whether the applicant has a criminal record or not by searching through the police database. If there’s no criminal record, the certificate will indicate a nil outcome. If there’s a record or an ongoing court case, the certificate will indicate the details of the crime or case.
The certificate issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The process is straightforward and can be done at any Huduma Center or online through the eCitizen website.
Note: You can apply for a certificate of good conduct whether you’re above 18 years old or not. For applicants below 18 years, apply using your birth certificate and parent’s/guardian’s eCitizen account.
Requirements for a certificate of good conduct
Before application, you need to ensure that you meet the following requirements:
citizens
- An original second generation ID card and a clear copy
- Application fee of Ksh 1050 and the official receipt
Foreign citizens
- Certified copy of your country’s passport
- A document verifying you have lived in Kenya for 3 months or more
- Application fee of Ksh 1050 and the official receipt
Refugees/aliens
- Certified copy of your country’s passport
- A document verifying you have lived in Kenya for 3 months or more
- Verified refugee/alien ID card
- Application fee of Ksh 1050 and the official receipt
Application process for a certificate of good conduct
- Visit the eCitizen website
- Log into your eCitizen account
- On the dashboard, click on Get Service on the Director of Criminal Investigations tab
- Click Police Clearance Certificate on Our Services tab
- Click on the Make Application button on the right corner of the screen
- Choose the application you want to make then click Apply Now
- Fill in the information accordingly including where and when you intend to have your fingerprints taken then click Continue
- Review the details then click Submit
- Click on your preferred payment option and pay Ksh1,050 ie Ksh1,000 for the police clearance certificate and Ksh50 convenience fees
- Once the payment is confirmed, select Print Invoice inside the Billing Summary Menu.
- Print 2 copies of invoice
- Select Downloads on the top right corner of the screen and download the C24 form, where your fingerprints are taken, then print 1 copy on both sides of A4 sized paper
- Present the C24 form, two copies of the payment receipt, original ID and a copy, original birth certificate and a copy for minors, to a DCI office near you or Huduma Centre for fingerprint processing
- DCI or Huduma Center personnel will take your fingerprints. It takes about 1-2 weeks for the certificate to be ready. Once it’s ready, you will receive a notification via text or email
- To download the certificate, log into your eCitizen account, click on Get Service on the Director of Criminal Investigations tab
- Click on the link of the Ref No of your police clearance application
- Click Downloads button to access your certificate
- Click the link to preview your certificate
- Click Print Service at the bottom of the screen to download the certificate
A certificate of good conduct is valid for 1 year. When it expires, you need to go through the application process again.