Government of Canada services and information in Tokyo, Japan

Refer to International adoption.

Surrogacy is not recognised in Japan.

Refer to Children born outside of Canada.

You are not obliged to register the birth of a baby born abroad. However, you may apply for a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship as proof of citizenship for a child born outside Canada.

Online applications: Check to see if you can apply online. If eligible, you can apply for proof of Canadian citizenship (new or replacement) online.

Paper applications: Complete your proof of citizenship application on paper and pay your fee online. Include a copy of your online payment receipt with your application. Paper applications must be submitted by one of the following 3 options:

1. In person at the consular window of the Embassy in Tokyo, Monday to Friday from 9:30am to noon (except Embassy closure dates). Appointments are not
2. Drop-off box at the Consular section of the Embassy in Tokyo, Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm (except Embassy closure dates).
3. Send your application by traceable mail to: Embassy of Canada, Attn: Consular section – Citizenship Services, 7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-8503

Notes: Quebec birth certificates issued after January 1, 1994 are acceptable; Quebec birth certificates issued prior to January 1994 require an updated birth certificate.

Contact the Vital Statistics authority to replace your Canadian birth certificate

Proof of citizenship applications - Children: If you are a Canadian citizen and your child was born in Japan, refer to the application document checklist (PDF). Refer to the guide for application on paper or online.

* Official birth certificate for a child born in Japan:

Certificate of acceptance of registration of birth (”Shussho todoke juri shomeisho”); or “Koseki tohon/ Shohon “(family register) if your child also has Japanese citizenship. *Both documents are issued by Japanese municipal offices.

* To support the identity of a child born in Japan, 2 pieces of ID are required, in addition to the Japanese birth certificate. They can be, for example:

Mother and Child Handbook (“Boshi techo”), Health insurance card (“Hoken sho”), Resident certificate (“Jumin hyo”), Hospital appointment card (“Shinsatsu ken”), Hospital birth certificate, Foreign passport, etc.

* If your child was born in Japan and has a Japanese birth certificate, the primary document used to establish the name record is your child’s official Japanese birth certificate. Some applicants may present documentation containing a name (or names) that is in accordance with Japan's naming convention but is not necessarily the name with which the applicant identifies. In these instances, the applicant may seek a legal change of name once in Canada, in accordance with the policies/procedures of the province or territory of residence.

Translation: Any documents submitted that are not in English or French must be accompanied by the English or French translation; and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation when it was not translated by a certified translator. Translations may be done by:

• a Canadian certified translator(a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada); or
• a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French, and the local language) - an affidavit must be attached swearing to their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.

The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of a notary public (website in Japanese only). The Embassy does not offer notarization of the translator’s affidavit.

E-certificate: You can choose to receive an e-certificate instead of a paper certificate (print it).

Other citizenship related applications accepted: Search of citizenship records and Renunciation of Canadian citizenship

Processing time: Check the current processing times. Urgent application processing is available for special cases. If your child does not yet have the certificate of Canadian citizenship but needs a Canadian passport urgently, please contact us at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca. You can also track your application online.

Dual citizenship: Canada permits dual or multiple nationality. However, in accordance with Japanese law, a Japanese citizen having a foreign nationality must choose either of the nationalities. See the Ministry of Justice of Japan for details.

For information on dual Canadian citizens’ travel to Canada, see: Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport. For additional Citizenship assistance, consult the Citizenship Help Centre. If an answer can’t be found there, you may email tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca.

All requests for getting a certified criminal record check from Canada must go through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada (RCMP). Please follow the RCMP’s steps for getting a certified criminal record check and contact an RCMP accredited company to receive instructions.

The Embassy/Consulates of Canada do not provide any forms nor take fingerprints.

For questions, please contact the RCMP.

Refer to About Divorce and Separation.

In Japan

There are several ways in which divorce procedures are carried out in Japan. You should seek legal advice on how to proceed with your divorce. A list of legal service providers and lawyers can be found at Ask Travel under General Consular Services.

You do not need to report your divorce to the Embassy. We do suggest, however, that you have a copy of your divorce certificate (rikon todoke no juri shomeisho) translated and notarized as required.

Refer to Marriage outside Canada.

Marriages can be registered at ward or city offices throughout Japan. Canadians planning to marry in Japan should contact the ward or city office of your choice for detailed information.

As part of the marriage registration process in Japan, the ward or city office will require you to submit proof that you are legally free to marry. This evidence is accepted in the form of a marriage affidavit that you must swear in person at the Canadian Embassy or Consulates.

Services at the Embassy:

Services to notarize marriage affidavits are provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 14:00 to 16:00. You must book your appointment online in advance and bring the following documents to your appointment. Under normal circumstances, you will receive your notarized document on the spot.

• Your valid Canadian passport
• Template for a marriage affidavit(PDF)
  • Please fill out this template prior to your appointment, but do not sign until you are asked to do so at the Embassy.
• Proof of divorce such as your divorce certificate, if applicable
• Service fee: 50 Canadian dollars – please complete the Credit Card Authorization form
  • Payment is accepted by credit card only (Visa or MasterCard only; in Canadian dollars only) by filling out the credit card authorization form. Other methods of payment are not accepted.

Services at other Consulates in Japan:

Please contact them directly to book your appointment.

For residents of Tohoku, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Okinawa:

Please contact the Embassy's consular section by email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca for information on the Signature Witness Service rendered by designated local law firms in your region.

Notes:

• It is not necessary for the non-Canadian fiancé(e) to be present at the appointment at the Embassy/Consulate.
• The local authorities require the Japanese translation of the marriage affidavit when you register your marriage. The Embassy and the Consulates do not offer translation services but will provide you a courtesy copy of the Japanese translation template for the marriage affidavit.
• Once your marriage is registered with the ward or city office, you should ensure that you keep the original Certificate of Marriage Registration ("kon-in todoke no juri shomeisho" or 婚姻届の受理証明書) as this becomes your proof of marriage. The Embassy/Consulates cannot issue a marriage certificate nor request one from the local authorities in Japan on your behalf.
• If you wish, you can contact your province or territory of residence in Canada to see if they will register your marriage and issue you a certificate.

Recognition by Canada of marriages in Japan

Marriages that are legally performed in a foreign country are usually valid in Canada, and you do not need to register them in Canada. If you have questions about the validity of your foreign marriage, contact the Vital Statistics Office of your province or territory. Japanese immigration authorities may require evidence of this fact. The information in Marriage Overseas can attest to this fact.

外国の法律に従って行われる結婚は通常カナダでも有効です。結婚を再びカナダで登録する必要はありません。外国で成立した結婚の有効性に関してのご質問は地元の州の人口動態統計局にお問い合わせ下さい。日本の入国管理局はこの事実確認のための資料を求める場合があります。その場合は海外での結婚に関するこちらのリンクをご案内下さい。

Same-sex marriage abroad

Marriage regulations and rules may vary according to each ward or city office. Please contact the office of your choice to confirm their policies on same-sex marriage.

If you require a marriage affidavit, please see the Marriage abroad section.

For notarial services, please contact a local notary public office first. When local service providers are unavailable, certain notarial services may be provided at the Embassy and Consulates of Canada in Japan by appointment only, such as administering oaths, declarations, marriage affidavit; witnessing a signature on a document; certifying and authenticating true copies of an original document. Fees apply to each service offered.

Please inquire with the Embassy by email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca and provide your full name, daytime phone number, and details of the type of service you require. As there are a number of documents that we are unable to notarize, please be sure to send us a scan of the document requiring notarization when you are contacting us.

If we and the notary public are unable to notarize your document, contact the requesting institution for further instructions.

Services at the Embassy:

Notarial services are provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 14:00 to 16:00. You must book your appointment in advance by email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca. Under normal circumstances, you will receive your notarized document on the spot.

Notes:

• Online booking is available onlyfor marriage affidavit requests.
• Appointments must be made by email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.cato request all other notary services.
• Walk-in clients cannot be accommodated.

Services at other Consulates in Japan:

Please contact them directly to book your appointment.

For residents of Tohoku, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Okinawa:

Please contact the Embassy's consular section by email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca for information on the Signature Witness Service rendered by designated local law firms in your region.

Complete your passport application by selecting an appropriate application. For adult applications, find out if you are eligible to renew your passport. If not, you must apply for a new passport.

• Adult Renewal application (PPTC482)
• Adult New application (PPTC040)
• Child application (under 16 years of age) (PPTC042)

Pay your application fees online and provide a copy of the receipt when submitting your application. Other methods of payment are not accepted.

Submit your application by one of the following 3 options:

1. In person at the consular window of the Embassy in Tokyo, Monday to Friday from 9:30am to noon (except Embassy closure dates). Appointments are not required.
2. Drop-off box at the Consular section of the Embassy in Tokyo, Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm (except Embassy closure dates).
3. Send your application by traceable mail to:

Embassy of Canada

Attn: Consular section - Passport Services

7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-8503

Note: To check if your application was received by the Embassy, contact the courier company you used.

Processing times

Check processing times.

Lost, stolen or damaged passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen, report it immediately to the nearest police station and get a police report. For passport replacement, see Lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found passports.

Child passports

• Proof of Canadian citizenship is required before submitting a passport application for a child. The processing time for getting a certificate of Canadian Citizenship is long. Apply as soon as possible after the birth of your child.

If travel plans are imminent, or if there is a residency requirement for your child to stay in Japan, request a limited-validity travel document. Email tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca for assistance.

• Submit a photocopy of both parents’ valid signature ID if this is the first application for a child passport application.
• Documents accepted as proof of parentage for children born in Japan can be the certificate of acceptance of registration of birth (shussho todoke juri shomeisho), or the family register (Koseki)
• Even if your spouse is not Canadian, either parent can be the applicant (if you’re not separated or divorced). The Canadian parent can sign as “other parent” and guarantor if they meet the guarantor requirements.
• If you are separated or divorced, consult this page.

General passports

• Dual Canadian citizens require a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada.
• The Embassy does not take passport photos. Try a photo shop/studio near you and show the photo specifications to the photographer.Only the photos with a plain white or light-coloured background can be accepted.
• See References and guarantors for Canadian passport and other travel document applications.
  • References and guarantors can be living in Japan or in any other country.
  • If you are using an occupation-based-guarantor, the guarantor must reside in Japan.
• If supporting documents are not in French or English, you must provide an official translation. Find a list of Canadian certified translators.
• You can combine multiple family members’ applications in the same envelope.
• There is no need to provide a return envelope. The Embassy will provide a registered LetterPack Plus envelope.
• Passports are printed in Canada. Express services are not available outside of Canada but you may be able to apply for a temporary passport or emergency travel document. Email tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca for urgent travel requirements.
• We cannot transfer your visas and stamps to your new passport. You must contact the issuing authorities for assistance.
• Passports are not waterproof. They are made of paper. Exposing the passport to any liquid or humidity is likely to cause damage and render it invalid.

For additional passport assistance, consult the Passport Help Centre. If an answer can’t be found there, you may email tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca.

Refer to Benefits for Canadians living abroad.

For more information, see the Agreement Between Canada and Japan on Social Security.

Visit EduCanada for more information on studying in Canada, including scholarships available to international students, study permit and visa information, and more.

International scholarships for Japanese citizens

• Prince Takamado Visiting Student Scholarship at Queen’s University
• Princess Takamado English Essay Contest

Additional scholarship opportunities are listed on the EduCanada Scholarship Search Tool.

Academic networks and organizations

• Japanese Association for Canadian Studies (in Japanese only)
• Canadian Literary Society of Japan (in Japanese only)
• Japanese Association of Quebec Studies (in Japanese only)
• Japan Studies Association of Canada
• Japan-Canada Academic Consortium
• Canada-Japan Co-op Program
• Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme

Contact

Public Affairs Section (Academic Relations)

Embassy of Canada

Tokyo.Education@international.gc.ca

Visa and immigration to Canada

The Visa and Immigration section at the Embassy of Canada to Japan is closed. Services have been transferred to the Visa office in Manila, Philippines.

• Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada.
• Find a visa application centre (VAC) to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
• Submit an enquiry using the IRCC web form to contact a visa office.

Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).

Visa and immigration to Japan

Canadians who wish to receive information about Japanese visas such as procedures, fees, or processing times should consult the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Japan if you are in Canada. If you are in Japan and have questions concerning immigration and residence procedures, please contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Please also consult our Japan Travel Advice page.

Refer to Voting in an election while outside Canada. Courier services arranged by the Embassy of Canada to Japan for sending voting ballots to Canada during federal general elections or by-elections is free of charge.