◆Required Documents for Naturalization Application - Kamakura Yokosuka Visa and Business Support

The documents required for naturalization can be broadly divided into three categories:

those obtained from the applicant’s home country, those collected within Japan, and those prepared directly by the applicant.

In principle, the naturalization process involves a review by the Legal Affairs Bureau of the applicant’s personal information and related records from birth to the present.

For individuals who serve as corporate representatives or executives, or who hold prominent social positions, additional materials concerning their affiliated organizations may also be required, which often results in a larger volume of documents to be submitted.

●Documents Required from the Applicant’s Country of Origin

The documents that must be obtained from the applicant’s home country vary depending on the nation.

In some cases, documents required in Japan may not be issued in the home country, or they may only be issued once in a lifetime, which can present difficulties.

Even when issuance is possible, the process may take considerable time. Therefore, once you decide to proceed with naturalization, it is advisable to begin gathering information promptly from the embassy in Japan and the relevant authorities in your home country.

As a general rule, these documents must be accompanied by a Japanese translation bearing the translator’s signature. You may prepare the translation yourself if you wish.

●Documents Obtained in Japan

The documents to be collected within Japan may vary depending on the Legal Affairs Bureau handling the application and the individual circumstances of the applicant.

Here, we introduce the minimum required documents. As a general rule, any documents obtained more than three months prior are not considered valid.。

・Certificate of Residence

This document can be obtained at your local municipal office, and you do not need to include your Individual Number (My Number).

・Family Register (Koseki) Documents: Full Certificate, Removal Certificate, and Supplementary Record

If you have a Japanese spouse or Japanese children in your family, these documents will be required. They can be obtained at the municipal office of the city, ward, town, or village where you currently reside.

・Certificate of Personal Records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death, etc.)

If birth, marriage, divorce, or death notifications for yourself, your siblings, or your parents have been submitted to a municipal office in Japan, these certificates will be required.

However, if your spouse is Japanese, submitting a certified copy of the family register (koseki tōhon) will establish the family relationship, and these certificates will not be necessary.

・Municipal Tax Payment Certificate (Income from the Year Before Last)

This certificate serves as proof of how much municipal tax you have paid. It can be obtained at the municipal office of the city, ward, town, or village where you reside.

If any cohabiting family members have income, their certificates must also be submitted.

If the tax payment certificate shows any outstanding balance, naturalization will be difficult. Therefore, any unpaid taxes must be settled before applying for naturalization.

・Municipal Taxation Certificate (Previous Year’s Income)

This certificate serves as proof of the amount of tax that has been levied. It can be obtained at the municipal office of the city, ward, town, or village where you reside.

・Real Estate Register

If you own a house, land, or building in Japan, submission of this document is required. It can be obtained from the Legal Affairs Bureau.

・Certificate of Pension Enrollment Records (Inquiry Response)

This document shows your enrollment history in the pension system.

If you have a “Nenkin Teikibin” (Annual Pension Statement), it can be used as a substitute.

・Certificate of Driving Record (Last Five Years)

This certificate records traffic violations from the past five years. If the number of violations is excessively high or if a serious violation has been committed, the procedures may become difficult.

Please note that the validity period of the document may be short. The application form must be submitted at a police box or similar facility, and the certificate will be sent by mail from the Japan Safe Driving Center.

●Required Documents for Company Managers

If you manage a company, you will need to provide company information in addition to your personal information.

If you operate multiple companies or have served as an executive in their management, information must be submitted for each company.

Even if you are listed only as a nominal executive without being involved in actual management, submission is still required.

If your name has remained as a company executive until recently, you may also be required to submit information.

Therefore, if you plan to apply for naturalization, it is advisable to organize your affairs in advance to avoid unnecessary submission of information.

・Corporate Registration Certificate / Closed Registration Certificate

Company owners, current company executives, former company executives, and those whose relatives manage a company are required to submit the relevant documents.

・Income Tax Payment Certificate (Form 1 and Form 2) — Documents Required for Naturalization

“Tax Payment Certificate No. 1” serves as proof of your tax payment status, while “Tax Payment Certificate No. 2” serves as proof of your income amount. Both certificates can be obtained from the competent tax office.

・Certificate of Corporate Prefectural Tax Payment (Latest Term)

It can be obtained at the Prefectural Resident Tax Office.

・Certificate of Corporate Municipal Tax Payment (Latest Term)

It can be obtained at the municipal office of the city, ward, town, or village.

・Corporate Business Tax Certificates (Last Three Years)

都道府県税事務所で取得します。

・Certificates of Corporate Tax Payment (Forms 1 and 2, Past Three Terms)

“Corporate Tax Payment Certificate No. 1” records the amount of tax payable, the amount paid, and any unpaid balance, while “Corporate Tax Payment Certificate No. 2” records the amount of income declared. Both certificates can be obtained from the tax office where the corporate tax return was filed.

・Consumption Tax Certificates (Last Three Years)

It can be obtained at the competent tax office.

・Social Insurance Premium Payment Certificate (Past Year)

This certificate verifies that the corporation has paid Employees’ Pension Insurance and Health Insurance contributions. It can be obtained from the competent Pension Office.

●Required Documents for Individual Business Owners

・Individual Business Tax Certificates (Last Three Years)

Individual business owners are required to submit this document. It can be obtained at the Prefectural Tax Office.

●Documents to Be Completed by the Applicant

As a general rule, all documents prepared by the applicant must be written in Japanese. The documents are required to be as detailed as possible. By providing detailed information, the examiner may also be assessing the applicant’s intention to naturalize.

・Application for Naturalization Permission

The form is available for download on the Immigration Services Agency’s website.

・Overview of Relatives Residing in Japan

The form is available for download on the Immigration Services Agency’s website.