Notarization Requirements For POA In Kenya (Complete Guide)
Notarization Requirements For POA In Kenya
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes someone to make legal, medical or financial decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
In Kenya, the following are the key requirements for notarizing a POA:
- The POA document must be signed by all parties consenting to it, either through signature, thumbprint or other identifying mark, before a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public.
- The executors of the POA must physically appear before the Notary/Commissioner with a witness to execute the POA.
- The Notary/Commissioner will verify the identity of the executors and witness(es) and sign the POA to authenticate it.
- For a POA executed outside Kenya, it must be notarized by the embassy of the POA’s country of origin in Kenya to verify authenticity. Alternatively, any other form of legalization by the foreign country is acceptable.
- The POA should be registered with the relevant government agencies in Kenya such as the Lands Ministry.
- The POA must have been duly registered in its country of origin as per the procedural requirements there.
How Do I Notarize A Document In Kenya?
Here are the key steps to notarize a document in Kenya:
- Prepare the original document and a copy of the document to be notarized.
- Visit a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public with the documents. You can find accredited notaries through the Law Society of Kenya.
- Present a valid government-issued ID such as passport, national ID or driver’s license to confirm your identity.
- The Commissioner/Notary will verify your ID, witness your signature on the document and stamp the document to certify it is a true copy of the original.
- Pay the required notary fees, which is usually around Ksh 500-1000 per document.
- The Commissioner/Notary will sign and stamp the notarized copy attesting it is a true copy. This now becomes the certified notarized document.
- For foreign documents, additional steps may be needed like legalization by the relevant embassy in Kenya.
Some documents that commonly require notarization in Kenya include affidavits, powers of attorney, sale agreements, sworn statements, educational certificates, consent letters among others.
It’s advisable to notarize documents before submitting to government institutions or using them for official purposes.
How Much Is Notary Fee In Kenya?
The notary fees in Kenya vary depending on the type of document being notarized and the notary you use. Here are some typical notary fees charged in Kenya:
- For basic documents like affidavits, letters, photocopy certification: between Ksh 500 – 1,000 per document.
- For more complex documents like powers of attorney, contracts, agreements: between Ksh 1,000 – 5,000 per document.
- For very large or complex documents like land title deeds, company resolutions etc: can range from Ksh 5,000 – 15,000 per document.
- Additional fees may apply for mobile notary services, delayed services, or urgent/express services.
- Government institutions like embassies and courts tend to have lower fees, around Ksh 500-2,000 per document.
- Private notary services and advocates typically charge the higher end of the fee range.
- Foreign notarization like embassy legalization attracts higher fees, around Ksh 5,000 – 10,000 per document.
So in summary, most standard notarizations in Kenya cost between Ksh 500 to Ksh 5,000 depending on the type and complexity of the document. The exact notary fees are usually confirmed before providing the service.