Last reviewed October 2026
- Issued by
- National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
- Valid for
- A fixed period stated on the certificate, commonly up to twelve months; check the current practice
- Who needs it
- Every employer; tenders ask for it from every bidder with staff
- Where to apply
- The NSSF employer portal, or an NSSF office
- Cost
- No fee for the certificate; contributions and any arrears or penalties must be paid
What it is
The NSSF compliance certificate is the Fund's confirmation that an employer is registered, has declared its employees and has remitted the contributions due up to the date of issue. Procuring entities ask for it to show that a bidder meets its obligations to its workers, and it has become a standard mandatory document alongside the TCC.
Who must have it
Every employer in Kenya must register with NSSF and contribute for each employee. A firm with no employees other than its directors should still register and contribute for them, since a tender that lists the certificate as mandatory will not accept the explanation that the firm has no staff.
Documents you need
- Certificate of incorporation or business name registration
- KRA PIN certificate
- A list of employees with their national IDs and NSSF numbers
- Evidence of contributions paid for the period, for a certificate application
- The CR12 or a director's ID, where the Fund asks
How to apply, step by step
- Register the firm as an employer on the NSSF employer portal and receive an employer number.
- Register each employee, or confirm their existing NSSF numbers.
- Each month, file the contribution return and pay the amounts due, by the deadline the Fund sets.
- When you need the certificate, apply on the portal or at an NSSF office. The Fund checks the account is clear and issues it.
- If arrears or penalties show, pay or agree a plan, then apply again.
Validity and renewal
The certificate states its validity period. Because it reflects contributions to a date, a lapse in monthly remittances will block the next one. Treat the monthly return as part of tendering: a firm that pays on time can obtain a certificate whenever a tender needs it, while a firm in arrears cannot get one quickly.
Why bids get thrown out over it
- The certificate had expired before the closing date.
- A registration certificate or a payment receipt was attached instead of the compliance certificate.
- The firm had never registered as an employer and could not obtain one in time.
How Tendakazi helps
The vault tracks the certificate's expiry and our analysts check it against each tender. If the monthly returns are behind, our accounting team can take on payroll statutory deductions, including NSSF, so the account stays clear, and employer registration or the certificate can be ordered as a quoted service.
Questions
Is an NSSF compliance certificate the same as the registration certificate?
No. Registration proves the employer is on NSSF's books; the compliance certificate proves contributions are up to date. Tenders ask for the compliance certificate.
How long is the certificate valid?
The validity is stated on it; it is commonly issued for a period of up to a year. Check the current practice with NSSF.
We have only directors, no staff. Do we need it?
Yes, if a tender lists it as mandatory. Register the directors as employees and contribute for them.
What blocks the certificate?
Unpaid or unfiled monthly contributions, or penalties outstanding. Clear them and apply again.
Not registered with NSSF yet? We register the firm as an employer as a quoted service, and the certificate goes into your vault with its expiry watched.
Read next
General information for suppliers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Procurement law, regulations, thresholds and government systems change: check the current rules with the procuring entity, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), the National Treasury or KRA, and speak to an advocate or tax adviser about your own case.