A Certificate of Good Conduct — often called a police clearance certificate — confirms whether a person has a criminal record in Kenya. Employers, the Teachers Service Commission, universities abroad and immigration offices commonly ask for it.
The application is made online through eCitizen and processed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). This guide walks through each stage so you know exactly what to expect.
What you need before you start
- Your original national ID card (foreign residents use a passport or alien card)
- An eCitizen account registered with your ID details
- A phone number and email address you can access
- A way to pay the official fee (for example M-Pesa)
Step-by-step application
- 1
Log in to eCitizen
Sign in to your eCitizen account. If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery option with your registered phone number or email.
- 2
Open the DCI service
Find the Directorate of Criminal Investigations among the listed agencies and choose the application for a police clearance certificate.
- 3
Fill in the form
Confirm your personal details and state the purpose of the certificate. Check spellings carefully — they must match your ID.
- 4
Pay the official fee
Pay through the payment options shown. Keep the payment confirmation.
- 5
Print the fingerprint form
Download and print the fingerprint form and invoice. You will need them for the next step.
- 6
Take your fingerprints
Visit an approved fingerprint location with your original ID and the printed documents.
- 7
Download the certificate
Monitor the application in eCitizen and download the certificate once it is ready.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the application until the week of your deadline
- Using an email address you can no longer access
- Typing names in a different order or spelling from your ID
- Forgetting to carry your original ID to fingerprinting
- Paying through unofficial channels — always pay through eCitizen
How long is it valid?
The certificate itself shows the date of issue. Many employers and institutions only accept a recently issued certificate, so check what the organisation asking for it requires before you apply.
