Hi Everyone,
I’ve searched on my own but couldn’t find an answer to a situation similar to mine so need to ask, hope someone has a similar experience. The TLDR is that I’m a dual citizen (US/Japan), born in the US to Japanese parents, wanting to obtain a Japanese passport for the first time.
I am over the 22 (or 21?) age that is rumored (or so I’ve heard) that’s the cut-off to obtain a Japanese passport “legally.” All of this is really confusing. People have told me different rules to how you can or cannot obtain it and really not sure.
I know there’s the whole they make you pick nationality’s etc, but I know people get away with it, so not too concerned about that (at least atm). Just want to know more info about the passports.
Not sure what facts other than the above are needed, but the basics are:
\-Dual citizen, born in the states to Japanese national parents
\-No previous Japanese passport (I have an US one)
\-Have koseki touhon in Japan
TIA 🙂
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/vcfhm7/how_to_obtain_a_first_time_japanese_passport_as_a/
5 comments
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/passport/pass_6.html
Was in the same situation for several years except I had a passport since I was born. The renewal came after age 22, which required a visit to consulate and paperwork. Tbh, too much of a hassle, esp having to talk to someone at the consulate. We always used my grandparents address in JPN and I was worried I couldn’t hold the lie well enough. Figured at some point they would allow dual citizenship (some 20 years later, I was very wrong)
Check out this link to generate the forms and provide you with a list of required documents.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/passport/download/top.html
The most important document would be a copy of your family registry issued within the last 3 months. Many cities allow you to request copies by mail, but not all. So Google the city hall where your family registry is stored and find out the process. If you have a family member in Japan who can get it for you, that would be even easier.
Did you ask you local consulate office? My wife called and got the info for our sons (born dual citizens) whose passports expired and they were able to get their Japanese passports in their mid 20s about 3 years ago. At least here with Los Angeles Consulate they have the process in place for born dual citizens.
I had my Japanese passport expire. The process to get a new passport is similar or the same as getting a passport for the first time. The consulate issued me a passport no problem, but they also slipped a pamphlet about choosing a nationality.