Consular Services

We accept applications by postal mail and at the Service desk, but for applications at the Service desk in Tokyo after October 5 2026, the applicant needs to book an appointment online from this link (Booking an Appointment at the Service desk) and there is no walk-in service. We return certified documents by postal mail only. Please purchase and bring a trackable postal envelope (Japan Post Letter Pack, etc.) with the return address on it in advance.

• What is an Authentication (of official seals) / Apostille?
  • Information on Authentication / Apostille

• Application Procedure Guide
  • Please refer to the following for information regarding the procedure flow, certifiable documents, the application procedure and required documents.
    • 1 Certifiable Documents
    • 2 Procedure Flow
    • 3 Application Procedure and Required Documents
    • 4 Pre-application Checklist
    • [Reference] Signatory countries (regions) of the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention)

• Download Application Form / Sample of Power of Attorney
  • Click above to download application forms for an authentication or an apostille and a sample of power of attorney.

• Business Hours / Contact Information / Addresses
  • Click above for contact and access information on the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tokyo) and Osaka Liaison Office.

• Frequently Asked Questions
  • Please check these FAQ before you make an enquiry.

• Links to Relevant Websites
  • Click above for locations of notary public's offices and (district) legal affairs bureaus.

• Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has acceded to the Convention Abolishing re Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention) (The effective date : September 11, 2026)
• People's Democratic Republic of Algeria has acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention) (The effective date : July 9, 2026)
• A website has been launched to verify the authenticity of apostilles (only for those issued on or after June 1, 2026)