family register
A family register (koseki) is an official document that records and certifies the identity and family relationships of Japanese citizens on the basis of family law.

What does Koseki Tohon mean?

A koseki tohon is the full registry with all family members and their births, deaths, and marriages. A koseki shohon gives information for only one family member, including their parents, birthdate, place of birth, and gender.

How do I get a copy of my Koseki?

In order to get a copy of a Koseki, you must either be listed on the Koseki yourself, or you must be able to document that you are a direct descendent of someone who is listed on the Koseki. The first step in obtaining a copy of a Koseki is to determine where your ancestor lived. This is often the most difficult step.

How can I get Koseki from Japan?

Anyone who is listed on a koseki, even if their name has been crossed off by reason of divorce and even if they are not a Japanese citizen, is eligible to get a copy of that koseki. One can obtain a copy in person or by mail.

How do I request koseki Tohon?

If requesting a Certified Copy of Your Family Register (Koseki Tohon) (Excerpt), a Certificate of Removal (Josekihon) (Excerpt), or a Supplementary Family Register (Koseki no Fuhyo) via overseas mail, send the following documents to the Kawasaki City Mail Request Center (Kawasaki-shi Yuso Seikyu Jimu Center).

What is Koseki used for?

The koseki is used to register births, marriages, divorces, deaths, adoptions, and other changes in personal or family status. An extract of a person’s koseki issued by the appropriate municipal office serves as official proof of marital status, parenthood, and adoptive relationships.

How do I request Koseki Tohon?

Does Koseki Tohon expire?

If i recall correctly, those two documents expire 6 months after their date of issue, and must be submitted to cic before that date.

Does Japan have death certificates?

In the event of a natural death with no suspicious circumstances, the hospital or family doctor prepares a Death Certificate (Shibo Todoke Kisai Jiko Shomeisho). The person reporting the death must fill in a Notification of Death (shibo todoke sho), which must be written in Japanese.

Why is Koseki important?

What is a koseki and how do I get one?

The koseki is a necessary document for family altering events (death, divorce, and marriage are too big ones) or for signing up for something like a passport. The only legitimate way for a foriegner to get a koseki is to become a naturalized citizen.

How to apply for koseki-Tohon?

If the city office accepts both International Postal Money Order and International Reply Coupon, send a claim form of Koseki-tohon with the money order and coupon. All document and form should be written in Japanese. The fee of copy of Koseki-tohon is normally 450 YEN per copy. Ask the city office first.

What is the difference between koseki Tohon and shohon?

(戸籍抄本). The Koseki Tohon is a complete Koseki of all members of a family, showing details of their birth, death and marriage. The Koseki Shohon is different; it contains a similar record- but for one individual member of the family only.

How to claim koseki-Tohon with international postal money order?

If the city office accepts both International Postal Money Order and International Reply Coupon, send a claim form of Koseki-tohon with the money order and coupon. All document and form should be written in Japanese. The fee of copy of Koseki-tohon is normally 450 YEN per copy.