비전 아포코리아
Apostille Convention Member
Japan Document Authentication Guide
Submitting Korean documents to Japan?
Check issuing agencies, the translation/notarization/apostille process, and official Japan institution information.
3-Second Summary — Convention member country → most documents can be submitted with apostille alone. Depending on the receiving institution, a Japanese translation or translation notarization may also be required — check exactly at Find Your Path.
HCCH official status — Ratification deposited 1970-05-28 · entry into force 1970-07-27 · Applies with Korea: yes (no objection by Korea). HCCH Apostille Convention status table (checked 2026-10-03)
What documents are you submitting to Japan?
Tap a document to check the issuing agency, whether online issuance is available, and authentication notes. Only links marked Official are official government, court, or public-institution sites.
Family & Personal
Family Relation Certificate · Basic Certificate · Marriage Relation Certificate
Issuing Agency — Korean courts (city/county/town/district office handling family relation registration)
Online Issuance — Available. Requires identity verification such as a joint certificate
Electronic Family Relation Registration System (Official) ・ Gov.kr (Official)
A public document subject to apostille when submitted to Japan. Japanese city/ward offices and other receiving institutions often require a Japanese translation.
Education & Career
Graduation Certificate · Enrollment Certificate · Academic Record Certificate
Issuing Agency — School attended/graduated from (university, high school, etc.)
Online Issuance — Varies by school. Most universities offer immediate online issuance via their own certificate-issuance system ("Certificate Issuance" on the school website).
Gov.kr – University Graduation (Expected) Certificate Issuance Guide (Official)
Japanese schools often require a translation (and original-document verification). Check the exact online issuance link on the website of the school you attended or graduated from.
Transcript
Issuing Agency — School attended/graduated from
Online Issuance — Check your school's own certificate-issuance system. The issuance method may differ by school and program.
Confirmation of the official online issuance link needed — refer to the certificate-issuance guidance on the website of the school you attended or graduated from.
Career Certificate · Employment Certificate
Issuing Agency — Current or former employer (HR/general affairs department)
Online Issuance — Not issued by a government agency; follows the issuing company's own procedure.
May be used for Japanese work visa applications, but employer requirements should be confirmed.
Corporate & Business
Business Registration Certificate · Business Registration Confirmation
Issuing Agency — National Tax Service
Online Issuance — Available
Corporate Registration Certificate
Issuing Agency — Korean courts (registry office)
Online Issuance — Available
Articles of Incorporation · Contract · Power of Attorney
Issuing Agency — Not a government-issued document; drafted directly by the company/party.
Private documents require notarization before an apostille can be obtained. Whether notarization/apostille is needed depends on the receiving institution's requirements and should be confirmed.
Official institution names and URLs are current as of the time of verification and may change. Please recheck the latest information on the relevant institution's site. Documents without a confirmed link are marked "requires confirmation."
Authentication Process for Submission to Japan
How do you prepare Korean documents for submission to Japan? Here is the basic flow.
Japan Submission Guide by Purpose
Required documents vary by receiving institution and situation, so the list below is for reference only and not a definitive guide.
International Marriage
Marriage Relation Certificate and Family Relation Certificate may be used, but the exact list requires confirmation.
Employment / Immigration
Criminal Record Certificate and Degree Certificate may be used, but the exact list requires confirmation.
Study Abroad
Degree Certificate and Transcript may be used, but the exact list requires confirmation.
Business / Corporate
Corporate Registration Certificate and Business Registration Certificate may be used, but the exact list requires confirmation.
Documents Issued in Japan for Use in Korea
If you are submitting a document issued in Japan to Korea, the authentication procedure may vary depending on the issuing agency.
Documents Issued by Japanese Government Agencies
You obtain certification (公印確認) or an apostille from the Certification Division of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In-person or postal application is possible at the Tokyo head office or the Osaka branch office, and the fee is free.
Documents Notarized by a Japanese Notary
A private document notarized at a Japanese notary's office (公証人役場) may need to go through certification at a regional Legal Affairs Bureau before obtaining an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Official Japan Institutions
The links below are guidance from the Japanese government and related official institutions. Please check the latest information before actual submission.
To use a Japanese document in Korea, you apply for certification/apostille at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Certification Division (Tokyo) or the Osaka branch office. Contact phone numbers differ across sources, so we have not listed one here ("requires confirmation") — please always verify the exact application method, contact details, and required documents on the official sites above.
How Vision ApoKorea Can Help
Finding it difficult to prepare on your own? From document issuance to translation, notarization, and apostille, Vision ApoKorea can help you check and complete the necessary procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do documents submitted to Japan require an apostille?
Japan is an Apostille Convention member, so public documents meeting the Convention country's issuance requirements can be submitted with an apostille alone, without consular confirmation. Private documents must be notarized first.
Is a Japanese translation required?
It depends on the receiving institution. Many institutions require a Japanese translation, but not all require it identically, so please confirm with the specific receiving institution.
Is translation notarization required?
It is needed when the receiving institution also requires certification of the translation. Some institutions only require the translation itself.
Are translation notarization and apostille different?
Yes, they are different procedures. Translation notarization confirms that the translation matches the original, while an apostille grants internationally recognized certification to the document.
Is the apostille obtained on the original or the translation?
Generally, the apostille is obtained on the original Korean-issued public document. Whether the translation also needs certification depends on the receiving institution.
Can a Family Relation Certificate be apostilled?
Yes. It is a public document issued by a government agency and is eligible for apostille.
Can a document issued online also be used?
It depends on the issuance method and document requirements. We will confirm this during a consultation.
How long does processing take?
This varies by document type, whether translation is needed, and quantity, so we cannot give a fixed timeframe. We will advise individually after reviewing your documents.
How much does it cost?
Government fees, translation fees, translation notarization fees, and agency fees are all separate and vary by document and quantity. Please request an individual quote at Get a Quote.
Do I need to submit documents in person?
In many cases, submission is possible by mail or online without an in-person visit. This can vary by document type — we will advise during a consultation.
Can I apply by mail?
Yes, postal application is possible.
Can the finished documents be shipped directly to Japan?
Yes, we can ship the completed documents directly to Japan. Please confirm the method and cost separately.
Can I submit multiple documents at once?
Yes, you can submit multiple documents together. Let us know the quantity at Get a Quote.
Is expedited processing available?
In some cases, depending on the document and procedure. Please confirm exact availability and any additional cost through a consultation.
