# FAQs: Attesting Japanese Documents > Frequently asked questions about obtaining Apostille in Japan and to legalize Japanese documents for use in other countries - birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, academic documents and more. **Source** [Japan](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-attestation-FAQs)> **Related:** [Apostille Japanese Documents for international use](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-Legalization-Services) · [Apostille Japanese Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### Can Japanese documents be legalized by Apostille? Yes - Japan is a member of the Apostille Convention. Japanese documents can be legalized for use abroad with an Apostille Stamp when destined for other signatory countries without additional certification by the destination country. When Japanese documents are required for non-apostille countries, such as United Arab Emirates - Qatar - Thailand - Taiwan - Vietnam they need additional authentication by the embassy of the destination country. For further information about Apostille certification in Japan, see: [Japan Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-Legalization-Services) ### What types of documents can be legalized in Japan for use abroad? Japanese Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be obtained for official documents issued in Japan including: - [Japanese Family Registration Certificates (Koseki)](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) - [Japanese birth, death and marriage certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) - Certificates of criminal record issued by the Prefectural Police - Certified Copies of the Commercial Register - apanese University diplomas and high school certificates - Certificates issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (e.g. Certificates of Origin) - Other documents certified by a Japanese notary, including powers of attorney - Documents must be no more than 3 months old. Except for documents which are issued one time only (e.g. university diplomas), documents with an issue date older than 3 months cannot be authenticated, and new copies must be obtained from the issuing authority in Japan to obtain an Apostille. The date of issue must be shown on the document, as well as the name of issuing agency (name and title of the issuer), and the official seal (not a private seal or signature).To confirm whether your document is eligible for apostille authentication in Japan, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) and Isarey’ll check your document free of charge. For further information about Isarey's Japanese apostille services and for assistance obtaining official copies of Japanese documents, see: [Japan Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-Legalization-Services) ### How long does it take to obtain an apostille on a document in Japan? Japanese Apostilles from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are normally obtained in **3 business days** (JAPAN: Apostille Stamps from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs are normally obtained in around 3 business days. NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Japanese Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### How can I legalize Japanese documents for use in the United Arab Emirates? Japanese university degrees can be legalized at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Tokyo. Diplomas must have been issued in the last six months. If your diploma is more than six months old, a new diploma or certificate of graduation should be obtained from the university. ### What is a Japanese Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A Japanese Apostille is a certificate that is affixed to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in Japan and confirms the capacity of that official. Japanese Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a Japanese document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in Japan (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) ### What is document legalization in Japan? Document legalization (or attestation) is a procedure which authenticates a public Japanese document so that it can be submitted in another country for official or legal purposes - for example, if you need to submit a Japanese birth certificate to the authority or embassy of another country, it will often need to be legalized. Legalizing a document in Japan certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in Japan and confirms the capacity of that official. - Because Japan is a member of the Apostille Convention, Japanese documents can be legalized by means of an Apostille Stamp when being submitted to countries that are also members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - If a Japanese document is required for a country that is not a member of the Apostille Convention, it will need to be legalized both by Japanese authorities and by the embassy of the recipient country (embassy in Japan or non-resident embassy accredited to Japan). See: [Document legalization - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document_legalization) ### What services does Isarey Certification Services provide in Japan? Isarey Certification Services provides a range of services in Japan including Apostille and legalization services, notarization services, certified translation services and document retrieval services. ### What do Japan Apostilles and legalizations look like? Japan Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of Japanese documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [Japanese Acceptance of Birth Report with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Japanese-birth-certificate-Apostille-Stamp) - [Japan Koseki Family Register with Apostille Stamp](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Japan-Koseki-Apostille) - [Japan Acceptance of Notification of Birth with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Japan-Acceptance-Notification-Birth-Apostille) - [Japanese Certificate of Graduation legalized by the UAE Embassy](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Japanese-Certificate-Graduation-legalized-Embassy-United-Arab-Emirates) See [What does an Apostille look like?](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/FAQs-Document-Attestation#faq_236_s) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain an Apostille on a Japanese Koseki (family registry certificate)? Family Registry Certificates (Koseki) are only issued to Japanese citizens. They can be obtained from the municipality responsible for your registered domicile (honseki). Family Registry Certificates do not have a fixed validity, but must have been issued within the last 3 months if an Apostille Stamp is required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are two types of Koseki certificate available:|Koseki Tohon - is a record of all family members.|Koseki Shohon - is a record of one individual family member.Isarey can obtain a copy of Japanese Koseki certificates directly in Japan for overseas clients requiring an Apostille stamp or consular legalization. For further information, see: [Japanese birth, death and marriage certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) ### How can I obtain a copy of a Japanese birth, marriage or death certificate? Japanese birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as Family Registry (Koseki) Certificates can be obtained from the Municipal Office where the event was notified or Legal Affairs Bureau. Consular certificates are also available from Japanese [Embassies and Consulates](https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html) in English, but cannot be authenticated with a Japanese Apostille Stamp. Isarey can obtain certificates directly in Japan for overseas clients requiring Apostille Stamps or Legalization. Please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) for assistance. ### How can I obtain an apostille for a Japanese birth, death or marriage certificate? Japanese birth, death and marriage certificates can be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An original certificate is required, issued by the Municipal Office or Legal Affairs Bureau within the last 3 months. For further information, about obtaining Japanese Koseki family registers and other certificates, see: [Japanese birth, death and marriage certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Japan-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) ## Criminal record certificates ### How can I obtain an Apostille on a Japanese criminal record certificate? Japanese Criminal Record Certificates can be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Certificates must be no more than 3 months old and must be submitted unopened. ### I need an apostille for my Japanese criminal record certificate - do I need to provide an original certificate? The original unopened certificate is required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to obtain an Apostille Stamp. ### How can I obtain my Japanese Criminal Record Certificate to use abroad? Criminal Record Certificates can be obtained in Japan from the Prefectural Police covering your areas of current residence (or last registered residence in Japan if currently residing overseas). Outside Japan, certificates can only be obtained from Japanese [Embassies and Consulates](https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html) In both cases, applications must be submitted in person by the applicant (fingerprints are required). Proof must be provided showing that a Japanese criminal record certificate is required by a foreign embassy or immigration authority. Note that applications submitted abroad through Japanese embassies can take 2 months to process. To obtain an Apostille stamp, the certificate must be submitted unopened to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ## Academic documents ### How can I legalize a Japanese degree certificate for submission to the United Arab Emirates? Japanese university degrees required for submission to the authorities of the United Arab Emirates must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then attested by the UAE embassy in Tokyo. Diplomas issued by incorporated public universities and private universities will need to notarized before they can be legalized. ### How can I legalize a Japanese degree certificate for submission to Saudi Arabia? Japanese university degrees required for submission to the authorities of Saudi Arabia can be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with an Apostille Stamp. Since Saudi Arabia joined the Apostille Convention, attestation by the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo is no longer required. ### How can I obtain an apostille for my Japanese University Degree and Transcripts? Apostilles on Japanese university diplomas are obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomas require prior notarization in Japan when issued by the following institutions: - National and public universities which have been incorporated (except diplomas issued before the date of incorporation). - Private universities - Colleges of Technology - Private vocational schools ## Other documents ### How can I obtain a Japanese Apostille on a medical certificate or doctor's letter? Japanese Medical Certificates can be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when issued by a public hospital or Red Cross hospital. The certificate must include the hospital’s official seal and date of issue, as well as the name of the hospital and doctor. Certificates from other hospital need to be notarized before an Apostille can be obtained.