Certificate Types

1. Residency Certificate (Zairyu Shomei)

The Residency Certificate will prove where you reside currently (including your past residences and household members). For example, this certificate will prove that your life is based overseas to start receiving pension benefits and Onkyu, to proceed with asset distributions and real estate registrations, or for school examinees to prove the number of years they lived abroad.

2. Signature Certificate (with a thumbprint) (Sign Shomei)

The Signature Certificate will replace the Inkan Shomei in Japan. It certifies signatures required for asset distributions, written oaths, and contracts to submit to government and public offices, or for real estate registrations, bank loans, and transfer of vehicle ownership in Japan.

3. Birth Certificate

This English certificate will provide the date and place of birth based on the Family Registry.

4. Marriage Certificate

This English certificate will provide the date and place of marriage between two people based on the Family Registry.

5. Divorce Certificate

This English certificate will provide the date of divorce between two people based on the Family Registry.

6. Certificate of Recorded Contents (Koseki Kisaijiko Shomei)

This English certificate will provide information of contents recorded on the Family Registry that is not indicated on the certificates listed above.

7. Police Certificate

This certificate reports whether you have a criminal record for the duration you lived in Japan.

8. Japanese Passport Certificate (Ryokenshoji Shomei)

This English certificate is required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for residents who need to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

9. Translation Certificate (Honyaku Shomei)

This certifies that the English translation of an official Japanese document is a faithful translation.

10. Other

For other certificates not indicated here, please contact the Consular Section at (213) 617-6700.