Getting a Japanese Passport for Your Newborn

Congratulations on the birth of your child! Here is information on where to go, what to bring and how to get a Japanese passport for your newborn. One of the child’s parents has to be a Japanese citizen to apply for a Japanese passport. The procedure below is based on our personal experience. Getting a passport in Japan for our dual citizen children seemed to be so much simpler than getting their USA passports. Note: You will need to renew the passport at years 5, 10 and 15 of age; for Japanese passport renewal process click here.

Getting a Japanese Passport for Your Newborn

There are 4 Japanese Passport offices in the Tokyo area. Please locate the office closest to you.

1) Metropolitan Government Building Citizens Square 1st Fl (都庁都民広場地下１階 )
2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku (宿区西新宿２－８－１)
Access: Shinjuku Station: The West Exit just west of Keio Plaza Hotel

2) Tokyo Traffic Hall 2nd floor (東京交通会館２階)
2-10-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku (千代田区有楽町２－１０－１)
Access: Yurakucho Station: The Kyobashi Exit; there is also good public parking under the building

3) Sunshine City World Import Mart 5th Floor (サンシャインシティ内ワールドインポートマート５階 )
3-1-3 Higashiikebukuro, Toyoshimaku (豊島区東池袋３－１－３)
Access: Ikebukuro Station: The East Exit

4) Lumina Tachikawa 9th Floor (ルミネ立川店９階)
2-1-1 Akebonocho, Tachikawa-shi (立川市曙町２－１－１)
Access: Tachikawa Station: 9th floor of the Lumine/Station Building

Locations: http://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/access/

Items to take with you to the Japanese Passport Agency:
– An official copy of your Koseki (family registry) from your ward or city office.
– Alien Registration Card
– National Health Insurance Card
– A passport-sized (45x35mm) photo of your child. The best way to get a photo is place your child on a white sheet in your home and take pictures while standing above the child. Eyes must be open in the photo. My kids photos were not perfect – just get the whole face with no hands in the way.
– Proof of the spelling of your child`s name in English on a birth certificate, child`s insurance card or foreign passport. If you do not have this, you will have to copy a letter in Japanese, by hand, to assure the government that that is the correct spelling of your child`s name in English.
– Your child

You can see a sample application form filled out here:
http://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/passport/documents/0000000374.html

You will have to write your child`s name in English in the orange rectangle under their passport photo. Below your child’s name, in the small space marked by a dotted orange line, you will have to write “[Your Name] (by Mother/Father)”. Be sure to write this below the dotted line and totally within the box to avoid having to rewrite the entire form. Once submitted and approved they will give you an 8.5 x 11″ paper receipt with the date for pick-up stamped on it.

Processing takes as little as 2-4 weeks. Children’s passports are valid for 5 years. The cost of a 5-year passport is 6,000 yen. Payment must be made in yen which will be reflected in a printout on your receipt and in the form of a 4,000 yen stamp.

DO NOT lose this form. You will need this and your child in order to pick up your child`s passport.

Japanese Passport Information
http://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/passport/0000000487.html (in Japanese)

FAQs about Kids with Dual-Citizenship and Passports</
1. Does a child have to choose Japanese or second citizenship by a certain age? The Japanese government would like dual-citizen children to choose one nationality by age 22. However, there is no law that states this is mandatory, nor is there any legal action that can be taken.

2. What is the best way to use dual passports when traveling? Our children leave and enter Japan using their Japanese passport. They enter the USA and exit the USA using their USA passport.

3. Can you apply for a Japanese passport overseas? Yes, you may apply for Japanese passports at consulates abroad. From my personal experience, the process is similar to executing in-country but the time to receive takes 4-6 weeks.

4. Can my child have three names on the passport – first, middle and last? Yes, three names are possible. However, it is easier if the child has their second passport completed with the names desired. Bring this passport with you to show that you want the three names similar to their foreign country passport. For some reason, this makes the conversation go more smoothly.

5. If my child is born in Japan can we get a Japanese passport? Japanese passports are only provided to children who are born to parents where both or one are Japanese citizens. If the child is born in Japan but to parents who are not Japanese the child will not be eligible to get a Japanese passport.

6. Until what age can my child apply for a Japanese passport? The age is 18 years.

P.S. Visit our Top Recommended Baby Posts

Renewing a Japanese Passport for Your Child

Guide to Baby Diapers in Japan – Pampers, Merries, Moony, GOO.N, Genki!

Tokyo English Speaking Pediatricians

Tokyo Baby Kids Clothing Stores

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