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.

New: The Embassy no longer provides guidance on citizenship applications. To obtain information on citizenship applications, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or contact them directly for any questions.

Online applications: You are encouraged to apply online if eligible. Check to see if you are eligible online.

Paper applications:  The Embassy can receive and forward your paper application and forward it to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for processing. However, the Embassy does not check the completeness of your application. IRCC will contact you directly by e-mail if they need additional information.

To submit a paper application at the Embassy, fill out a proof of citizenship application and ensure to provide a valid e-mail address on the form. Pay the fee online payment and submit a printed receipt with your application with all requirements found in the application guide.

Submit the application using one of the following 2 options:

1. Submit your complete application in a sealed envelope in the drop-off box at the Consular section of the Embassy in Tokyo, Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm
2. Send your application by traceable mail to: Embassy of Canada, Attn: Consular section – Citizenship Services, 7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-8503

Note: In person applications at the Embassy will not be accepted. If you need urgent citizenship services, consult Apply for citizenship: Urgent processing.

Proof of citizenship applications - Children: If you are a Canadian citizen and your child was born in Japan, please refer to the application document checklist (PDF). Refer to the guidance provided below for the corresponding required documents.

Official birth certificate for a child born in Japan: Either the certificate of acceptance of birth registration (Shussho todoke juri shomeisho) or the family register (Koseki tohon/ Shohon), issued by Japanese municipal offices.

Documents to support child’s identity: 2 additional pieces of ID are required in addition to the Japanese birth certificate. For example:

Mother and Child Handbook (Boshi techo) - the page that shows registration information at the municipal office, Health insurance card (Hoken sho), Resident certificate (Jumin hyo), Foreign passport, Hospital appointment card (Shinsatsu ken), Hospital birth certificate.

Child’s name: The name issued on the Canadian Citizenship certificate will be the name as is recorded on your child’s official Japanese birth certificate. If you present documentation containing a name (or names) that is in accordance with Japan's naming convention, but is not the name the applicant identifies with, 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 non-English/French documents must be accompanied by the English or French translation (and an affidavit if applicable). 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 English/French and Japanese and not a family member of the applicant or child - an affidavit from the person who did the translation must be sworn in the presence of a notary public (website in Japanese only). The Embassy does not offer this notary service.

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

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

Processing time: Check the current processing times. 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.

Application status check: Track your application. For paper applications submitted to the Embassy, you can track your application online only after you receive the acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) e-mail by IRCC. It could take several months for you to receive the AOR e-mail from IRCC after you submit your paper application at the Embassy.

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.

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.

You cannot get married at a Canadian embassy or consulate in a foreign country. Canadian consular officials do not perform marriage ceremonies.

Marriages are registered at ward or city offices in Japan. Canadians planning to marry in Japan should contact the ward or city office of your choice for detailed information and requirements. 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. Please note that appointment booking opens one month in advance. 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.

Services for residents of Tohoku, 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.

Important: The Embassy and the Consulates of Canada in Japan do not issue proof or certificate of marriage. If you were married in Japan, please contact the local municipal office where the marriage was registered to obtain official documentation.

• The official proof of marriage in Japan can be either Certificate of Marriage Registration ("kon-in todoke no juri shomeisho" or 婚姻届の受理証明書) or Family Register (“Koseki Tohon” or 戸籍謄本) if your spouse is a Japanese citizen
• The Embassy/Consulates cannot request a proof of marriage from the local authorities in Japan on your behalf.

Recognition by Canada of marriages in Japan : Solemnization of marriage falls within provincial or territorial jurisdiction in Canada. 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 for your visa/immigration applications. In that case, please present the information in Marriage Overseas as well as below:

• カナダでは各州・準州が州内での婚姻を登録します。在日カナダ大使館・領事館は婚姻の登録を行いませんので婚姻証明書を発行することはできません。
• 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。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。
• 外国で成立した結婚の有効性に関してのご質問はカナダ国内の州の人口動態統計局にお問い合わせ下さい。

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.

New: Effective April 1, 2026, the Embassy and Consulates of Canada in Japan will no longer notarize declarations or affidavits of signature, which has been used in Japan in lieu of signature certificate (“Sain Shomei”). If you require this service, please contact a local notary public in Japan for assistance. In all circumstances, the Embassy and Consulates of Canada do not certify individuals’ signatures, addresses or identity.

If you are getting married and require a marriage affidavit, please see the Marriage abroad section.

Canadian consular officials abroad have authority under the Canada Evidence Act and corresponding provincial and territorial statutes to perform notarial services. These services are offered, however, only when no local service providers exist. Consular officials cannot offer advice on legal issues or represent you before the courts. They do not post bail, pay legal fees or pay fines. Consular officials also reserve the right to refuse notarial services.

If you seek notary 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 in Japan by appointment only.

As there are a number of documents that we are unable to notarize, consular officials will assess the document(s) first before confirming your appointment. If we are unable to notarize your document, contact the requesting institution for further instructions.

Service standards and fees are applicable to all notarial services offered.

Apostille (replaces authentication or legalization services)

The Embassy is able to deliver the apostille service for:

• Canadian civil documents (birth, marriage, death or name change certificate) issued by a provincial office of vital statistics in Canada.
• documents that would have qualified to receive the apostille from Global Affairs Canada.

See Authentication of documents to find out if your documents qualify.

Consular officials will assess the document(s) first. Please provide a scanned copy of the documents to the Embassy by email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca. You may request this service by mail.

Certify true copy of original document

Consular officials can provide certified true copies of certain original Canadian documents with a disclaimer that we do not validate the content, which will be stamped on the certified copy and bear the date and signature of a consular official. You may request this service by mail.

Certify true copy of Canadian passport by Passport Canada

Consular officials can validate the bio-data page of a Canadian passport against the electronic record and certify a true and authentic copy of the original, dated and sealed. The Canadian passport must not have been damaged or previously reported as lost or stolen. Your original Canadian passport must be presented along with a completed PPTC516 form. You may request this service by mail to the Embassy.

Witness of signature on an affidavit or statutory declaration

If you need your signature witnessed, and if the authority requesting the signature witnessing does not accept notarization by a local service provider such as notary public, send draft documents by email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca. A consular official will contact you with their assessment. Signing an affidavit or a statutory declaration at the Embassy does not validate the content of the document.

Services at the Embassy:

Notarial services are provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 14:00 to 16:00 with an appointment only. Under normal circumstances, you will receive your notarized document the same day.

• For marriage affidavit, please book your appointment online.
• To reserve an appointment for notary requests, other than marriage affidavit, you must email at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca.

Notes:

• Non-marriage affidavit reservations made online without prior consultation with the Embassy will be refused and cancelled.
• Walk-in clients cannot be accommodated.

Services at other Consulates in Japan:

Please contact them directly to book your appointment.

For residents of Tohoku, 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.

Applying for a passport in Japan:

Select and complete your passport application. If this is not your first adult passport, you may be eligible for a simplified renewal. Otherwise, you will need to apply for an adult general passport.

Your passport application must be submitted at least 6 weeks before the expiry of your current passport, or your anticipated departure date, to avoid processing delays. We do not provide expedited passport services. Instead, apply for a temporary passport or emergency travel document in person at the Embassy. Contact tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca for urgent travel requests.

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

Submit the passport application, with the receipt and all other required documents by one of the following 3 options:

1. Book an appointment onlineto submit all documents to the Consular section of the Embassy, Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to noon (except Embassy closure dates).
2. Submit your complete application in a sealed envelope at the Embassy’s Consular section drop-off box Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (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

If you are submitting your application in person, you can choose to pick it up in person, or have it mailed to you by traceable mail. If you mailed in the application, the passport will be sent to you by traceable mail unless requested otherwise.

Find out who can act as your guarantor and your reference.

If supporting documents are not in English or French, you must provide an official translation. Find a list of Canadian certified translators.

Find out who can submit a passport application on your behalf.

Note: We are unable to confirm receipt or the status of your application. We will contact you only if additional information is required.

Lost, stolen or damaged passports: See Lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found passports.

Child passport

Proof of Canadian citizenship is required to apply for a child passport. If your child urgently needs a passport, but does not yet have proof of citizenship, contact tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca to request a limited-validity travel document.

Proof of parentage is required. For children born in Japan, it can be the certificate of acceptance of birth registration (shussho todoke juri shomeisho), or the family register (Koseki tohon). An official translation is required. Find a list of Canadian certified translators.

Submit a copy of both parents’ valid signature ID, such as passport, for the child’s application.

Either parent can be the applicant (if you are not separated or divorced). The Canadian parent can also be the guarantor, if he or she meets the guarantor requirements; in this case, the Canadian parent will be the “other parent” not the applicant.

Notes

Dual Canadian Citizens require a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada. If you do not have a valid Canadian passport but have an urgent travel plan, you may apply for a special authorization which allows you to travel on a non-Canadian passport of your other citizenship.

Passport photos must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio. Photos taken at a photobooth cannot be accepted. The Embassy does not provide photo services, nor photographer recommendations. Ensure photos meet all photo specifications, including a plain white or light-coloured background; a blue background may be declined. Required information on the back of the photos must be written in English/French by the photographer (or by the applicant if the photographer cannot do so). Photos with information in Japanese on the back will be rejected.

Local Japanese addresses can be handwritten on the printed form.

Consult the Passport Help Center and Canadian passports: Applying from abroad if you have questions before contacting us. The Embassy cannot respond to emails or phone calls if the answers can be found online.

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.