I’m seriously considering naturalization. I’m trying to understand exactly what’s needed for the long process.
I know I need to get my parents birth certificates so a family registry can be made for me. But do I need to provide proof of my siblings as well? My family is very complicated (7 children, father married several times and a couple of out of wedlock children), so it would be really troublesome if I somehow had to get all of their birth certificates.
Most resources I find just say parents’ info, but I did see one that said something about siblings. Any insight is appreciated.
6 comments
I have some completely out-of-contact siblings from my father’s previous marriage. Discussed with my case worker how to handle it and we decided simply not to mention them in the application or try to put them on the koseki. If you’re ok with that, it should be fine just having your parents’ info.
Yes, your siblings info is more important that your parents.
Me myself and other 3 ppl I know did the process, never got asked for parents birth certificates. Only yours and your siblings, marriage certificate of parents and death certificates if aplicable.
Plus, a handwritten declaration from your mother listing all her children (your siblings). It had to be sent from abroad, and also needed to submit the stamped envelope. So idk why, but they really want to know about siblings
You tell everything about your family to your case officer, leave nothing behind. Then he will decide what proofs/documents you will need. No need to scrounge the internet for pieces of fragmented information. You’ll be given ample time to provide the documents, so no need to rush, even after submission, anything lacking, they’ll ask.
I didn’t need to get my parents’ birth certificate, only their marriage certificate.
My friend who has siblings had to get all 4 of their siblings’ birth certificates, in addition to their parents’ marriage certificate.
When you go to your first consultation, just explain the facts to your case worker, and they will tell you who will go on your family register and whose birth certificate/s you need.
There will be other documents you need your parents to provide (such as the 陳述書, where they declare how many children they have, etc.) so it would be better to consult with a case worker first so that you can ask your parents to fill in the forms correctly.
Second hand info that I might be remembering wrong, but fwiw I’ve heard that there is some amount of discretion, so if you can show you are making a good faith effort the case worker can help you navigate the paperwork around documents you genuinely can’t get ahold of.
Every case is different, you should go first to the case worker at homukyoku and explain the impossibility. Better yet hire a scrivener and make your life easy. You can’t compare to others but understand those are not hard requirements. So a solution can be made if impossible or extremely difficult. The hard requirements are more financial and criminal record .