TN 7 (05-24)

GN 00312.202 Japan – Vital Statistics Records

A. Policy for requesting birth, marriage, divorce, and death records

Japan has no single, nationwide repository of civil registration records. Records are held at the local level in municipalilities, towns, or villages where the head of the family had their legal residence at the time the event occurred. For most Japanese, the Family Register is a single document serves as a birth, marriage, divorce and death certificate, in addition to recording the names of one’s children.

Non-Japanese citizens records are maintained by the ward or city office where the reports were filed.

B. Procedure for requesting birth, marriage, divorce, and death records

1. Office to contact

Contact the municipality, town, or village where the head of the family had their legal residence at the time the event occurred. Obtain records for non-Japanese citizens from the ward or city where the report was filed. Contact the district court where the divorce was granted.

For birth, marriage, and death records:

•Identify the correct municipality, town, or village

•Address the request to the office of the municipality, town, or village

•Include a self-addressed envelope

2. Birth records

Include the following information in requests for birth records:

  • Family Name (show the name of the head of the household and their legal residence at the time of the event

  • Full name of child at birth

  • Current address

  • Gender of child

  • Date and place of birth

  • Date the birth was reported (if available)

  • Names of the parents, including the parent's maiden surname

    If transferred from another Family Register, the former Family Register

  • Purpose of the request, i.e., how you plan to use the requested document

    •Registered residence

3. Other records

Include the following information:

  • Family name (show the name of the head of the household and their legal residence at the time of the event

  • Given name

  • Date of records and causes (marriage, death, adoption, etc.

  • Names of the parents and the relation to them

  • If adopted, names of the adoptive parents

  • If married, which spouse is making the request

  • If transferred from another Family Register, the former Family Register

  • Registered residence

4. Fee

450 Yen.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200312202
GN 00312.202 - Japan – Vital Statistics Records - 05/01/2024
Batch run: 05/01/2024
Rev:05/01/2024