At the Judicial Scrivener Nakajima International Legal Office in Takatsuki City, Osaka, we handle numerous requests for English translations of family registers (koseki tohon) and other certificates. We can also manage the entire process of obtaining notarization and Apostilles (or Authentication of official seals) on your behalf.
English translations of official documents issued in Japan are often required for visa applications and other procedures overseas.
Typically, we attach an English “Certificate of Translation” bearing the signature and seal of the judicial scrivener, who serves as the translator, to the translated document. However, depending on the country or the destination institution, notarization or an Apostille may also be required.
Notarization refers to certification by a notary public at a notary office.
A Certificate of Translation issued by a translation company, translator, or law firm is simply a private certification. Therefore, certification by a notary public, who is a public official (essentially a civil servant), is required to give the document official weight.
At our office, we take the original official document sent by the client (copies are sometimes acceptable), the English translation, and the Certificate of Translation (Declaration) to the notary office. We then sign the Certificate of Translation in the presence of the notary public to obtain notarization.
An Apostille is a certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the form of a separate sheet (apostille) issued under the “Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961).”
If the destination country is a signatory to the Hague Convention, an Apostille is generally obtained. However, if the destination country is not a signatory, an Authentication of official seals must be obtained from MOFA instead, followed by the acquisition of Legalisation (consular authentication).
For details and the differences between an Apostille and Authentication of official seals, please refer to the MOFA website.
As of 2026, notary offices in several prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, offer a “One-Stop Service.”
This service allows for the simultaneous acquisition of the notary public’s certification, the seal certification of the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau, and the Apostille (or Authentication of official seals) by MOFA, all at the notary office.
As our office is located very close to a notary office in Osaka Prefecture, we can utilize this “One-Stop Service” to handle everything from translation to notarization and Apostille (or Authentication of official seals) swiftly in a single process.
We accept requests not only from neighboring areas in Osaka but also from all over Japan and overseas.
Estimates are free, so please feel free to contact us.
* Judicial scriveners are bound by a legal duty of confidentiality. Please be assured that any personal information provided will not be used for any purpose other than fulfilling your request.
* As a general rule, please confirm with the submission destination whether notarization and/or an Apostille is required for the translated document.
Fees
| Notarization Fee | 12,500 yen / set * The notarization fee is 12,500 yen per set as of January 2026. Please note that this is subject to change due to legal amendments. There is no separate fee for the Apostille (or Authentication of official seals). |
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| Our Fees (Remuneration) | 16,500 yen (tax included) and up / set * The above fees include translation fees, notarization handling fees, and postage from our office. Postage from the client to our office and bank transfer fees are to be borne by the client. |