Legalising documents and getting a residence certificate in Mali: fee and timing
Town hall (general secretariat); police station for the residence certificate
A vehicle sale certificate, a power of attorney or a copy of an ID document often has to be legalised before an administration will accept it. In Mali, legalisation is done at the town hall. The residence certificate, required for a driving licence, naturalisation or a school file, is free at the police station or the town hall. This page follows the two sheets on the official procedures portal.
Key points (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Legalisation: at the town hall's general secretariat, with a valid ID card and the written document; 1,000 FCFA per copy; under 24 hours.
- Residence certificate: at the police station or the town hall, with a valid ID card or a birth certificate; free; under 24 hours.
Getting a document legalised
You go to the town hall's general secretariat with your valid identity card and the written document. The secretariat records the request and submits it for the mayor's signature; you pay against a receipt. Legalisation costs 1,000 FCFA per copy and takes under 24 hours. The sheet relies on law no. 64-021/AN-RM of 15 July 1964 on legalisation in Mali.
A registration card change of owner, for example, requires a sale certificate legalised by the mayor or a notary and a legalised copy of the seller's ID card: see our page on vehicle registration and road tax.
Since the law of 13 March 2023, Bamako no longer has communes but seven arrondissements; the portal sheet still refers to the "commune town hall". Ask your arrondissement's services which desk handles legalisation.
Getting a residence certificate
You go to the general secretariat of the police station or the town hall. The secretariat fills in a form, records it and submits it for the signature of the police superintendent or the mayor.
| Document | valid identity card, or birth certificate |
| For a minor | ID card of the parent or guardian (or a copy of their birth certificate) and the child's birth certificate extract |
| Legal fee | free |
| Processing time | under 24 hours |
The sheet also mentions a stamp or 200 FCFA in the list of documents while stating that the legal fee is nil: bring a 200 FCFA tax stamp just in case.
The residence certificate is required for the driving licence and naturalisation, among others.
Frequently asked questions
How much does legalisation cost in Mali?
1,000 FCFA per copy, according to the official portal.
Where do I get a document legalised in Bamako?
At the town hall's general secretariat.
Is the residence certificate free?
Its legal fee is nil according to the sheet, which nevertheless lists a 200 FCFA stamp among the documents.
Where do I get a residence certificate?
At the police station or the town hall.
Official sources (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Government of Mali, procedures portal, Legalisation of documents (French): place, documents, fee, timing, legal basis.
- Government of Mali, procedures portal, Residence certificate, application (French): place, documents, fee, timing.