Apply Online

1. Individuals intending to verify the authenticity of a Film Classification Certificate can do this by making an application to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB). This can be done online by visiting the Kenya Film Classification Board Website.
2. Upon visiting the Kenya Film Classification Board Website homepage scroll to down to the mid of the page and click on the Online Licensing Tab to proceed to the KFCB online portal.
3. Upon entering the KFCB online portal’s homepage, the applicant needs to click on the “Create Account” tab to register with KFCB or Log into their KFCB online account using either their Username, ID number, Passport number or Business number
4. To register for a KFCB account, provide the required information and click on the “Register” Button to register for the KFCB account.
5. A prompt message will appear informing that the applicant accounts account is successfully registered. Click on the “Log in” button to enter the KFCB portal so as to make the application.
6. Upon entering the KFCB portal select the Others option. This will take the applicant to the “License Verification” page to continue the application process.
7. Fill in the Film Classification Certificate Number and click on the “Submit order” Button to proceed to the next page.
8. This will make the license details to be verified. The verification results will show the following:
   • The name on the Film Classification Certificate .
   • Activity status
   • Expiry Date
9. The applicant can print this information for future reference.
10. The application is free of charge and the verification results are immediate

• Film Classification Certificate.

Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) - Head Office,
Uchumi House 15 Floor
P.O. Box 44226-00100, Nairobi,
Tel: 0711 222204/ 0777753355 /020 22 50600
Email: info@kfcb.co.ke, licensing@kfcb.co.ke
Website: contact link

KFCB Portal ; Link

• Any person / individual wishing to verify the authenticity of a Film Classification Certificate , is eligible to make the application.

• The application is free of charge.

• The verification is valid on the day of the application.

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

• The processing time is immediate.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M".

Classification Categories

• GE (General Exhibition): Suitable for general family viewing – all ages.
• PG- (Parental Guidance): May contain scenes that may corrupt the morals of children under the age of 10.Parents are cautioned that the content might confuse or destabilise the mental and emotional status of children who consume it on their own. While the content may be suitable for children, parents are advised to monitor the content.
• 16 (Unsuitable for persons under age of 16): May contain scenes unsuitable for persons under the age of 16.Content is legally restricted and no person under the age of 16 years is allowed to consume it. Themes may be adult-focused and the results are not necessarily positive.
• 18 (Adults Only): May contain scenes suitable for adults only. Content is legally restricted and no person under the age of 18 years is allowed to consume it. The themes may be adult-focused and the results are not necessarily positive.
• Restricted/Banned: Films in this category may contain materials that erode the moral fabric of society, undermine national interest and/or stability; or create disharmony among various racial and religious groups. Content is not allowed for commercial screening
• Film Restriction: Section16(4) of Part III of the Film and Stage Plays Act stipulates that KFCB shall not approve a film or poster that, in the Board’s opinion, tends to prejudice the maintenance of public order.

The Board also restricts any content that may offend common decency; or which may be undesirable in the public interest.

• Certificate number.

• It is illegal to distribute, exhibit or broadcast any film or class of film which without a Film Classification certificate or with an invalid one.

Legal Basis for Film Classification
Part III, Section 12 of the Films and Stage plays Act cap 222 stipulates that:

• No person shall exhibit any film at an exhibition to which the public are admitted or distribute such film unless he is registered as an exhibitor or distributor by the Board and issued with a certificate.
• No film or class of film shall be distributed, exhibited or broadcast, either publicly or privately, unless the Board has examined it and issued a certificate of approval in respect thereof:Provided that this sub-section shall not apply in respect of i. educational documentaries which are approved by the;
• Kenya Institute of Education; or
• Films restricted for use in the medical profession.
• Any person who exhibits any film in contravention of the provisions of subsections (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence.

The Purpose of Film Classification

• To provide consumer advice to enable individuals to make informed viewing choices for themselves and for any children under their care.
• To protect children from exposure to disturbing and harmful content, and from premature exposure to adult experiences.

Factors Considered during Film Classification

• Context and the overall theme of the content.
• Possible impact that the content might have on the audience, especially young ones.
• Frequency and intensity of classifiable elements observed in a film.

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

• Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222
• Classifying film and broadcast content

• The Kenya Film Classification Board, a state corporation under the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts is mandated by Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of Laws of Kenya to regulate the creation, broadcasting, possession, distribution and exhibition of films in the country with a view to promote national values and morality.

The Films and Stage Plays Act has empowered the Board to:

• Regulating the creation, broadcasting, distribution, exhibition and possession of film and broadcast content by:
  • Classifying TV and radio programmes as stipulated in the Programming Code for free-to-air Radio and TV Services in Kenya
  • Classifying all non-programme matter, namely commercials, infomercials, documentaries, programme promotions, programme listings, community service announcements and station identifications.
• Ensuring that content which depicts, contain scenes or are of the language intended for adult audience are not aired during the watershed period
  • Giving consumer advise by empowering film and broadcast content consumer with knowledge to make informed choices
• Registering and licensing film agents, local and international filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors.

Prescribing and developing guidelines