Tsukino Administrative Scrivener Office is a licensed gyoseishoshi (administrative scrivener) office in Atsugi, Kanagawa. We translate Japanese documents such as your koseki tohon (family register) and juminhyo (certificate of residence) into English with a certificate of translation, and we obtain apostilles and notarization for documents you need to submit abroad.
Everything is handled by mail, so you can order from anywhere in Japan or from overseas. You can contact us in English.
At a glance
- Certified English translation: from ¥5,500 per page
- Apostille for Japanese public documents: from ¥11,000
- Translation + notarization + apostille: from ¥35,600 (one 1-page koseki)
- By mail from anywhere in Japan or overseas
- Questions in English are welcome. We reply within 2 business days.
All prices include Japanese consumption tax. Shipping is charged separately.
Which service do you need?
Most requests fall into one of these three types. If you are not sure which one you need, please ask the office or organization that will receive your documents, or simply contact us.
| What you need | Typical case | Our service |
|---|---|---|
| 1. English translation only | The receiving office accepts a translation without an apostille | Certified English translation |
| 2. Apostille only | You can submit the Japanese original (for example, a koseki or juminhyo) as it is | Plan A: Apostille for Japanese public documents |
| 3. Translation + notarization + apostille | The English translation itself must carry an apostille | Plan B: Notarization + Apostille (with our translation) |
To choose, check these three points with the receiving office:
- Do they require an English translation?
- Do they require an apostille?
- Should the apostille be attached to the Japanese original or to the English translation?
Our services
Certified English translation
We translate Japanese certificates into English and attach a certificate of translation signed by the gyoseishoshi who translated them. We follow the layout of the original, including its lines and tables, so the receiving office can easily compare the translation with the original.
- Koseki tohon / koseki shohon (family register), including computerized joseki (removed register)
- Juminhyo (certificate of residence)
- Certificates of acceptance of notification (marriage, birth, divorce, death)
- Other certificates issued in Japan
Just send us a PDF or a photo of your document. We deliver the translation as a PDF. We translate from Japanese into English only.
Plan A: Apostille for Japanese public documents
Public documents issued in Japan, such as a koseki, juminhyo or certificate of registered matters, can receive an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) as they are, in Japanese. We apply to MOFA on your behalf and send the document back to you.
Plan B: Notarization + Apostille
Translations, private documents and passport copies cannot receive an apostille from MOFA directly. They must first be certified by a Japanese notary public (koshonin). We book the notary office, prepare the translator’s declaration, and handle the whole procedure for you.
We usually use a notary office in Kanagawa that offers a one-stop service: the notarization, the certification by the Legal Affairs Bureau and the apostille can all be obtained at the notary office in a single visit.
Fees
All prices include Japanese consumption tax. Shipping is charged at cost. MOFA does not charge a fee for apostilles.
Certified English translation
| First page (A4) | ¥5,500 |
| Each additional page | ¥4,500 |
Pages are counted across your whole order. Computerized koseki in horizontal A4 format, including joseki, are charged at the same rate. For older koseki in vertical format, please contact us.
Plan A: Apostille for Japanese public documents
| First document | ¥11,000 |
| Each additional document (if we can apply to MOFA on the same day) | ¥5,500 |
| Documents applied for on different days | ¥11,000 each |
Plan B: Notarization + Apostille
| First document (includes booking and visiting the notary office and preparing the declaration; translation not included) | ¥17,600 |
| Each additional document (if all documents can be handled at the notary office on the same day) | ¥5,500 |
| Documents handled on different days | ¥17,600 each |
| Notary fee, per document (paid to the notary office) | Japanese: ¥6,500 Foreign language, including English translations: ¥12,500 |
Other fees
| Overseas shipping and handling (for clients living outside Japan) | ¥3,850 |
| Obtaining documents on your behalf | Please ask us |
Examples of total cost
| Case | Total (plus shipping) |
|---|---|
| English translation of one 1-page koseki | ¥5,500 |
| Apostille on one koseki, in Japanese (Plan A) | ¥11,000 |
| Apostille on two koseki, same day (Plan A) | ¥16,500 |
| One 1-page koseki: English translation + notarization + apostille (Plan B) ¥5,500 + ¥17,600 + notary fee ¥12,500 | ¥35,600 |
| Living outside Japan: apostille on one koseki, in Japanese, sent overseas ¥11,000 + ¥3,850 | ¥14,850 |
We will send you an exact quote before you order.
Express service (Plan B only)
If you have a tight deadline, we offer an express service for Plan B (Notarization + Apostille).
| Express fee | +¥16,500 per order (added to the Plan B fees) |
| Available for | Up to 2 documents, with up to 3 A4 pages of translation in total. For larger orders, please ask us. |
| Without translation | Shipped within 3 business days |
| With English translation | Shipped within 5 business days |
- The days count from when we have received all the required documents and confirmed payment of our fees and the notary fees. For express orders, notary fees are paid in advance.
- Business days do not include Saturdays, Sundays or Japanese national holidays.
- These are shipping dates. Delivery time depends on the shipping method and destination.
- Example: one 1-page koseki with English translation + express: ¥52,100 (plus shipping).
- Plan A (apostille on a Japanese original) is not eligible for express service. We will tell you whether your deadline can be met when we send you a quote.
When you contact us, please write “Express” and your deadline.
How it works
Contact us
Use the inquiry form. Tell us the document, the country or organization it is for, and what they require. We reply within 2 business days.
Receive a quote
We send you the total cost and an estimate of the schedule.
Send your documents and payment
For translation only, a PDF or photo is enough. For apostilles, please send the original documents by mail.
We handle the procedure
Translation, the notary office and MOFA, as needed.
We send the documents to you
To your address in Japan or overseas.
Turnaround time
Translation only: as fast as 24 to 72 hours after we receive your documents. For apostilles, the schedule depends on the availability of notary office appointments, so we will give you an estimate with your quote.
Payment
Payment is by bank transfer to a Japanese bank account. Credit card payment is available for translation-only orders and for clients living outside Japan.
Living outside Japan?
MOFA does not accept apostille applications mailed from overseas, and it returns documents only to addresses in Japan. If you live abroad, you can ask family in Japan to apply, or you can ask us.
We receive the documents in Japan, complete the procedure, and send the finished documents to your address overseas. An overseas shipping and handling fee of ¥3,850 applies, and you can pay by credit card.
Before you order
- Check what the receiving office requires. For example, whether they need a koseki tohon (full copy) or a koseki shohon (extract), and whether the apostille goes on the original or on the translation.
- Use a recently issued original. As a rule, MOFA requires documents issued within the last 3 months. Copies are not accepted.
- Do not remove staples or write on the document. Documents that have been altered cannot receive an apostille.
- A translation attached to a public document is treated as a private document, so it needs notarization first (Plan B).
- Certificates issued by universities (both private and incorporated national or public universities) cannot receive an apostille from MOFA directly. Please contact us and we will check the right procedure.
- If the destination country is not a party to the Apostille Convention, a different process is needed (certification of the official seal by MOFA, followed by legalization at that country’s embassy). Please contact us to discuss your case.
Why choose us
Translated by the gyoseishoshi herself
She has collected and read many koseki for inheritance cases, so she understands the details of family registers.
English communication
She has lived in an English-speaking country and can talk with you in English.
Translation, notarization and apostille in one place
You do not need to deal with a translator, the notary office and MOFA separately.
Clear prices in advance
Our fees, including the translation, are shown on this page. We send an exact quote before you order.
Examples of our work
Case 1 · International marriage
“I was told I needed an apostille on my koseki tohon for an international marriage.”
Our solution: We checked the documents and certification required by the destination country and found that it required a different type of certification, not an apostille. We translated the koseki tohon into English and obtained the certification that the country accepts. Since the required certification differs by country, please start by sending us the instructions from the receiving office.
Case 2 · Working abroad
“I need to submit my university graduation certificate for a job overseas.”
Our solution: We translated the graduation certificate into English and obtained notarization and an apostille. Because we handle everything from translation to certification, you do not need to visit the notary office or MOFA yourself.
Case 3 · Overseas bank
“An overseas bank asked me for a certified passport copy.”
Our solution: We obtained the certification of the passport copy. If you are not sure which documents need which type of certification, send us the instructions from the receiving office and we will suggest the right procedure.
FAQ
Is a Japanese notary the same as a U.S. notary public?
No. We arrange certification by a Japanese notary public (koshonin) for documents to be used abroad. If you need a U.S. notary for a U.S. document, please contact the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate in Japan.
Do I need to visit your office?
No. Everything can be done by email and mail.
Do you translate English documents into Japanese?
No. We translate from Japanese into English only.
Can you obtain my koseki for me?
Please ask us. We will explain what is needed for your case and the cost.
Can I pay by credit card?
Credit card payment is available for translation-only orders and for clients living outside Japan. Other orders are paid by bank transfer to a Japanese bank account.
How long does it take?
Translation only takes as little as 24 to 72 hours after we receive your documents. For apostilles, we will give you an estimate with your quote. If you are in a hurry, see our express service.
About your gyoseishoshi
Ayumi Tsukizaki, Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener)
Tsukino Administrative Scrivener Office, Atsugi, Kanagawa
Drawing on her experience of collecting and reading koseki for inheritance procedures and her time living in an English-speaking country, Ayumi handles everything from the English translation of your koseki to notarization and the apostille. She accepts requests from all over Japan and overseas, and consultations on weekends and holidays are welcome.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us the document and where it will be submitted. We will reply within 2 business days with the right service and a quote.
Get a free quote