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Family Relation Certificate for Japan: Translation & Apostille
The short answer: the Apostille Convention entered into force for Japan on 27 July 1970, so a Korean family relation certificate can receive an apostille without notarization, and because it is an e-Apostille document, you can also get it online. However, recipients in Japan often ask for a Japanese translation before anything else, so first confirm whether the recipient requires an apostille and how the translation must be prepared.
At a glance
- According to HCCH, the Convention entered into force for Japan on 1970-07-27, so Korean public documents can be submitted with an apostille.
- The family relation certificate, basic certificate and marriage relation certificate are public documents issued by the Supreme Court, so they need no notarization and are eligible for e-Apostille.
- The apostille goes on the Korean original; the Japanese translation is prepared separately in the format the recipient specifies (translator's details, notarized translation, etc.).
- Whether an apostille is required differs by recipient — city or ward office, school, employer — so check first.
Do you always need an apostille for Japan?
It depends on the recipient. Because Japan is a Convention party, a single apostille is enough when the recipient asks for “certification by your home government”, but not every recipient asks for an apostille. Some only need an attached translation, while others require both the apostille and a translation.
So the first step is to check the recipient's guidance or ask at the counter: (1) whether an apostille is required, (2) who must prepare the translation and in what format, and (3) within how many months of issue the document must be.
How do you get an apostille on a family relation certificate?
The family relation certificate is a public document issued by the Supreme Court (family relation registration offices), so the Overseas Koreans Agency apostilles it without notarization. The Supreme Court section of the e-Apostille website lists the family relation certificate, basic certificate, marriage relation certificate, adoption relation certificate, English-language certificates and full or abridged copies of closed family registers, so you can get the apostille free of charge without visiting.
If you apply in person or by mail, be sure to have the certificate issued “for submission”. The Overseas Koreans Agency states that “for viewing” copies have no legal effect and are not accepted. Family relation certificates come in types such as general and detailed, so confirming which one the recipient wants helps you avoid having to reissue it.
| Step | What to do | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check recipient requirements | Apostille required or not, translation format, issue-date limit |
| 2 | Issue the family relation certificate | For submission; required type (general/detailed) |
| 3 | Apostille | e-Apostille (free) or Overseas Koreans Agency in person/by mail (KRW 1,000 per document) |
| 4 | Japanese translation | Translator's details; whether a notarized or certified translation is required |
| 5 | Submit | Order of original and translation, keep copies |
Based on Overseas Koreans Agency and e-Apostille guidance (checked 2026-10-03).
Who translates into Japanese, and how?
City and ward offices in Japan and similar bodies often require a Japanese translation attached to foreign-language documents, and many ask the translator to write their name and contact details. For such recipients, a notarized translation may not be necessary. On the other hand, if the recipient requires official certification of the translation itself, the translation is notarized in Korea and the Ministry of Justice apostille is then placed on that notarized document.
Either way, the apostille is attached to the Korean original. The translation must match the original exactly, and it is safest to keep the kanji and kana spelling of names consistent with your passport and Japanese residence documents.
How do marriage registration, visas and inheritance differ?
Even with the same family relation certificate, the accompanying documents vary by purpose. Marriage registration may also require a marriage relation certificate and basic certificate, while visa/residence and inheritance procedures have their own document lists set by the recipient. Follow the recipient's list for each purpose, and use this article to plan the certification and translation order for your Korean documents.
Check before submitting in Japan
- Whether the recipient requires an apostille
- Type of family relation certificate (general/detailed) and issue-date limit
- Whether e-Apostille is acceptable or a paper original is needed
- How the translator's details must be stated, and whether a notarized translation is needed
- Whether the kanji/kana spelling of names matches your other documents
- Other documents to submit together, such as the marriage relation certificate and basic certificate
Tell us the recipient in Japan and the purpose, and we will outline the documents and translation method you need.
Consult on documents for JapanYou can proceed even while living in Japan.
Send us the recipient's guidance and we will walk you through each step.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does a family relation certificate for Japan need an apostille?
- It depends on the recipient. As Japan is a Convention party, an apostille covers any required certification, but some recipients only ask for a translation. Check the recipient's guidance first.
- Does the family relation certificate need to be notarized first?
- No. It is a public document issued by the Supreme Court, so you apply for the apostille without notarization. It is eligible for e-Apostille, so it can also be issued online free of charge.
- Is the apostille placed on the translation or on the original?
- On the Korean original. If the recipient also requires certification of the translation, the translation is notarized and that notarized document then receives a Ministry of Justice apostille.
- Can I do the Japanese translation myself?
- It depends on the recipient's rules. Some only need the translator's name and contact details, while others require a notarized translation. The translation must match the original exactly.
- What are the government fees and processing times?
- In-person or mail applications at the Overseas Koreans Agency cost KRW 1,000 per document, and e-Apostille is free. The official standard is within 1 hour on average for up to 10 documents per applicant in person, and usually 7–10 days by mail (checked 2026-10-03).
- I live in Japan. Can I still prepare Korean documents?
- Yes. If you have a means of identity verification, you can use e-Apostille yourself, and the Overseas Koreans Agency also accepts applications by a representative. See our remote service guide for overseas residents.
Official referencesHCCH Apostille Convention status table · e-Apostille & consular confirmation service · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan certification guidance
⚠️ This article is for general information only. Acceptance criteria, eligible documents and fees may change, so always check the official guidance of the Overseas Koreans Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the receiving organization at the time of application. Vision ApoKorea (Vision Administrative Agency) is a private agency service, not a government body.