Hey Everyone,
I recently posted about using my Japanese family name in Japan. All your answers really helped me and I appreciate it. I humbly ask for your support once again.
I was asked if I had Japanese citizenship and I am not sure. I was born in the United States and can not get a clear answer from my parents if I was registered on the koseki.
How would I go about finding out if I was registered on the koseki?
If, I find that I am on the koseki, how do I get a Japanese passport while living in the States? I was never issued a Japanese passport in the first place.
For reference, I am in my late twenties.
Once again, thank you everyone for your help.
TLDR: How do you find out if you are on your Japanese parent’s koseki?
If you are on the koseki, how do you get a Japanese passport while living in the United States?
Never been issued a Japanese passport.
6 comments
Get a family member to request a copy of the koseki from their local city hall.
Figure out which city the koseki is in and then call the relevant cityhall (or check if they have a website) for instructions for how to request a certified copy of it.
For example, here are the instructions for Kawasaki city:
[https://www.city.kawasaki.jp/templates/faqen/170/0000090684.html](https://www.city.kawasaki.jp/templates/faqen/170/0000090684.html)
Not every city will have exactly the same process so your mileage may vary.
>How would I go about finding out if I was registered on the koseki?
Ask your parents. Since you were born in the US they had to expend actual effort to register your birth.
If your parents are unwilling to answer, well… That’s probably your answer. They may be giving you ambiguous answers to avoid a conflict about it.
If you really want to dig, your options are:
1. Ask a relative in Japan to get you a copy of the Koseki.
2. Hire an attorney to investigate.
[deleted]
I think if you were born in the U.S. your Japanese parent had to report your birth to the Japanese embassy. And also ask about where their family koseki is registered. If they did that’s good but idk your citizenship status if it wasn’t reported.
I was able to get a copy of my koseki sent to America from my city hall where I’m registered. You’ll need that to get a Japanese passport at a nearby Japanese embassy. [link](https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/e_m03_01_02.html) you can see there all the documents you’ll need.
The only way you’ll know if you’re registered on a koseki is by asking your Japanese parent if they have their own family koseki and did they add you on it. Then ask what city it’s registered at and you can Google the website for that city hall where you can print a form to request a copy of your koseki.
Not sure why you’re checking for citizenship, but if you’re seeking a long term visa in Japan you can apply for a heritage visa.