If you have lost your KCPE certificate, you can apply for an Examination Results Certification Letter through KNEC’s Query Management Information System (QMIS). This is the official service KNEC directs applicants to when an examination certificate is lost.
The application is submitted online, but the completed letter is collected in person. Here is what to prepare, how to apply and when to make payment.
Can you download a lost KCPE certificate online?
KNEC’s e-certificate portal currently lists KCPE certificates as “coming soon”. Do not assume that the online download service available for KCSE also covers KCPE.
For a lost KCPE certificate, follow the certification-letter procedure through QMIS.
Also check whether your certificate is actually lost. If you never collected it, contact your former school first. KNEC says original certificates for regular candidates are issued through schools; private candidates receive theirs through Sub-County Directors of Education.
Documents you need
KNEC’s certification guidelines dated 31 May 2024 list:
- A copy of the certificate or an acceptable result slip.
- A police abstract reporting the certificate’s loss.
- A national ID or passport copy. For applicants under 18, a birth certificate and a parent’s or official guardian’s ID copy.
- Confirmation of the applicant’s identity from the Registrar of Persons.
- One colour passport-size photograph.
For KCPE taken up to 2012, a result slip is not accepted under these guidelines. KNEC accepts primary result slips from 2013 onwards printed from its website or system.
If you sat KCPE before 2013 and have no certificate copy, ask KNEC what supporting evidence it requires before submitting an incomplete application or paying.
Prepare clear scans of your documents. Check the current upload requirements inside QMIS before arranging any additional paperwork.
How to apply for KCPE certification
1. Open the official QMIS portal
Go to qmis.knec.ac.ke.
Register if you are a new user. Existing users can sign in with their account details. Use an email address and phone number you can access because KNEC uses these contacts to communicate about applications.
2. Choose the lost-certificate service
Select the service for a lost certificate or certification letter. Consult the portal’s user manual if you cannot find the correct option.
This application concerns certification after loss. Make sure you have selected the appropriate service before proceeding.
3. Enter your examination details
Have your KCPE examination year, index number and the names used during the examination ready.
Check these against any surviving examination records. If you cannot remember your index number, start by asking your former school to help retrieve it.
4. Upload the required documents
Attach readable copies in the formats requested by the system.
Before submitting, check that each document is complete, correctly oriented and attached in the right place. Keep the originals safely for collection.
5. Wait for verification, then pay
KNEC’s published charge is Sh5,220 per certification letter, inclusive of VAT. Its guidelines say payment instructions, including the PayBill and account number, are generated after document verification.
Follow the instructions issued for your application and retain the payment reference.
6. Track your application
Sign back into QMIS to check progress. KNEC identifies the portal as the place to check whether processing has been completed.
If KNEC requests clarification, address the specific issue shown rather than starting another application unnecessarily.
How long does processing take?
KNEC gives a processing period of 15 working days after all requirements have been fulfilled. This is not necessarily 15 working days from account registration.
Allow time to gather documents and resolve any queries, especially if you need the letter for an approaching deadline.
How do you collect the certification letter?
KNEC notifies applicants through their supplied email address or phone number when documents are ready. Follow the collection instructions and bring the originals of the documents uploaded.
Collection is in person, with an original national ID or valid passport. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or official guardian carrying their original ID and the child’s original birth certificate.
Where to get help
For missing records, unclear requirements or application difficulties, contact KNEC before paying for documents or services you may not need.
KNEC lists:
- Email: info@knec.ac.ke
- Archives Section: 0720 741 004 or 0732 333 566.
Have your examination year, index number if available, and application reference ready. Explain the exact problem so the enquiry can be directed appropriately.



