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Japan

Destination Guide

Korean Documents for Japan

Most Korean documents submitted in Japan need a Japanese translation rather than an apostille. The Immigration Services Agency asks for a Japanese translation of any foreign-language document and says anyone may translate it, as long as the translation is accurate and signed by the translator. For marriage registration at a city office (市区町村), Korean nationals submit the Basic Certificate, Family Relation Certificate and Marriage Relation Certificate with a Japanese translation signed by the translator. When a Japanese body separately asks for a Korean document to be authenticated, the method is an apostille. Japan has been a Hague Convention party since 1970, and the Convention applies to Korean documents from 14 July 2007, when it entered into force for Korea. Our specialists handle obtaining the documents, the Japanese translation and, when it is asked for, the apostille.

Requirements & key facts

Japan has been a Hague Convention party since 27 July 1970, and the Convention applies to Korean documents from 14 July 2007 — when a Japanese body asks for authentication, the method is an apostille, not embassy legalization
Immigration Services Agency: foreign-language documents need an attached Japanese translation; anyone may translate as long as the translation is accurate and signed by the translator. No notarized translation is asked for
Marriage registration at a city office (市区町村): Korean nationals submit the Basic Certificate, Family Relation Certificate and Marriage Relation Certificate with a Japanese translation signed and sealed by the translator. Requirements can differ between offices, so check with yours
Work visa and residence status applications: attach a Japanese translation to foreign-language documents; the agency's guidance does not ask for an apostille
Registering a Korean company in Japan (foreign company registration): the Legal Affairs Bureau asks for certain documents certified by a home-country authority, a Japanese consul or another authorized official, with a Japanese translation — check with the registry what form it accepts
Who issues a Korean apostille: the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) for public documents, the Ministry of Justice for notarized private documents — processing time depends on how you apply (in person, by post) and how many documents you submit

Apostille guides by document type

Step-by-step instructions for each Korean document you need apostilled for Japan.

Birth CertificateDiplomaAcademic TranscriptMarriage CertificateCriminal Background CheckPower of AttorneyFamily RegisterCorporate Registration

Available services for Japan

ApostilleCertified TranslationNotarization

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an apostille for Korean documents used in Japan?

The Immigration Services Agency asks for a Japanese translation, not an apostille. If a Japanese company, school or licensing body separately asks for a Korean document to be authenticated, the method is an apostille and no embassy legalization is needed. Japan has been a Hague Convention party since 1970, and the Convention applies to Korean documents from 14 July 2007, when it entered into force for Korea. The Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) issues apostilles for public documents and the Ministry of Justice for notarized private documents.

I am registering my marriage in Japan with a Korean partner. What documents are needed?

The Korean partner submits the Basic Certificate, Family Relation Certificate and Marriage Relation Certificate with a Japanese translation, and the translator signs and seals the end of the translation. The exact requirements, including whether anything more is needed, can differ between city offices, so check with the office where you register.

What Korean documents do I need for a Japanese work visa?

It depends on the residence status you apply for, so follow the Immigration Services Agency's document list for that status. Any document in Korean needs an attached Japanese translation, which anyone may prepare as long as it is accurate and signed by the translator. The agency's guidance does not ask for an apostille or a notarized translation.

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