The Koseki tohon is the document that states the connection of the Japanese descendant with Japanese relatives and is essential to obtain visas
The Certificate of Personal and Family Relationship 「住民票・印鑑登録証明書・戸籍に関する証明書」are documents issued at the municipality where the applicant’s family is registered. This document is the base for applying for a visa due to Japanese ancestry required by the Japanese government. Through this document, the applicant can prove his or her Japanese descent.
Japanese law requires all Japanese families (basically defined as couples and their unmarried children) to report their records such as date of birth, acknowledgement of paternity, adoption, deaths, marriages and divorces to the local authority which includes these records covering all Japanese citizens under its jurisdiction. Loss of Japanese or foreign nationality should also be reported.
Marriages, divorces by mutual consent, recognition of paternity of non-marital children, and adoptions (among others) become legally effective only when such events are recorded in the Koseki by family members or other persons as permitted by law.
When a foreigner becomes a Japanese citizen, he creates a Koseki for his family.
How to get
For the issuance of each receipt, municipalities charge a fee. To request a receipt, please contact the municipality where your family is registered .
Usually the prefecture asks for some form of ID such as a driver’s license, passport, Zairyu Card, Hoken, etc.
If the application is made by a nominee (who is not under the same responsibility as the applicant), a proxy (ininjo) is required.
Source: Toyokawa Prefecture
