When you hear, “You need to submit a Japanese family register (Koseki Tohon) in the UAE,” very few people would know how to respond immediately. The reason is simple: unlike Japan, the UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so the simplified apostille procedure is not accepted. Instead, you must go through a two-step process: attestation by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and then consular attestation at the UAE Embassy in Tokyo.
In practice, this means multiple visits to MOFA, notary offices, and the embassy, as well as the preparation of precise translations. It is realistically very difficult for individuals to complete everything from scratch.
At ShinseiALL.com, we handle everything for you — from obtaining the Koseki Tohon, preparing an English translation, securing notarization, MOFA attestation, UAE Embassy attestation, and finally delivering the attested document to the UAE by EMS.
Entrust the complicated process to a professional and save your precious time with peace of mind.
Consular attestation of Koseki Tohon at the UAE Embassy: 66,000 JPY per document (tax and all fees included).
You can purchase the service from the link below.
Why is Consular Attestation at the UAE Embassy Necessary?
Apostille Cannot Be Used in the UAE
For international use of official documents, many countries have joined the Hague Convention on Apostille, meaning that once a Japanese apostille is attached, the document is valid overseas. However, the UAE is not a party to this treaty. As a result, Japanese documents alone carry no legal effect in the UAE unless they are processed through both MOFA attestation and UAE Embassy attestation.
Typical Situations Requiring a Family Register with UAE Attestation
- Marriage procedures: when a Japanese citizen marries a UAE resident.
- Family visa applications: to bring a spouse or children to live in the UAE.
- Inheritance or court proceedings: as proof of family relationships.
- Corporate-related procedures: for expatriates or company formation requiring proof of family ties.
In all of these cases, consular attestation of the family register is a prerequisite.
Procedure for UAE Embassy Consular Attestation
Here is a breakdown of the actual steps for consular attestation at the UAE Embassy. Each step requires careful preparation and often in-person visits, making it a challenging process to manage on your own.
Step 1: Obtain the Family Register (Koseki Tohon)
The process begins at the city hall. The applicant can request it personally at the counter, or an administrative scrivener (Gyoseishoshi) authorized by law may obtain it on behalf of the client. Some city halls also accept requests by mail, which requires a return envelope and fixed-amount postal money order.
Step 2: MOFA Attestation and English Translation
Since the family register must be used in the UAE, submitting it in Japanese alone has little value. Instead, it must be translated into English, notarized as a private document, and then submitted for MOFA attestation.
Visits to notary offices are often by appointment, and mistakes in formatting can result in rejection and delays. Translation is not a simple word conversion; it must be prepared at a level that is legally valid. Any mistranslation can lead to the attestation being denied. This is why professional expertise is essential.
Step 3: Consular Attestation at the UAE Embassy
With MOFA’s attestation in place, the documents are then submitted to the UAE Embassy. Consular attestation here is the final step that gives the family register legal effect in the UAE. Note that applicants usually must visit the embassy twice — once to submit and once to collect. Appointments and strict time slots make advance planning indispensable.
Step 4: EMS Delivery to the UAE
Finally, once consular attestation is complete, the document is sent from Japan Post via EMS (Express Mail Service). Delivery typically takes about 9 days, and tracking numbers allow clients to monitor the status of their shipment online.
Consular attestation of Koseki Tohon at the UAE Embassy: 66,000 JPY per document (tax and all fees included).
You can purchase the service from the link below.