Consular Services
Certification
June 1, 2026
Information on certification services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Japan) (Authentication (of official seals) / Apostille)
We accept applications by mail and at the counter, but we kindly ask you to submit by postal mail as possible.
- 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.
- 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.
What's New
- A website has been launched to verify the authenticity of apostilles (only for those issued on or after June 1, 2026)
- People's Republic of Bangladesh acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention) (The effective date : March 30, 2025)
- Republic of Rwanda acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention) (The effective date : June 5, 2024)
- Canada has acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention) (The effective date : January 11, 2024)