Certificate Apostille for Japan

Overview

If you’re planning to move to Japan for higher education, job opportunities, business expansion, or family relocation, your Indian documents must be legalized to gain legal recognition in Japan. Since Japan is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you don’t need embassy or consulate attestation. A single MEA apostille issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, is sufficient to validate your documents for use in Japan.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to get an apostille for Japan from India, the documents required, step-by-step procedures, costs, timelines, and more.

Why Apostille is Required for Japan?

For Higher Education or Job Purposes:
If you’re applying for a Japan student visa or employment visa, you will need apostilled academic and professional documents.
Documents Required: Degree Certificate, Experience Letter, Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
For Marriage Registration or Planning a Wedding:
You’ll need to apostille a Single Status Affidavit or Certificate.
Documents Required: Apostilled Single Status Certificate
For Family Visa or Dependent Entry:
If your spouse or children are accompanying you, apostilled personal documents are required for visa processing.
Documents Required: Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate.
For Legal Marriage Recognition in Japan:
A marriage certificate with an apostille is mandatory to register your marriage in the Japan.
Documents Required: Apostilled Marriage Certificate
For Business Expansion or Investment:
Apostilled business documents are essential for opening a Japan bank account, registering a business, or engaging in commercial activity.
Documents Required: GST Certificate, Articles of Association (AOA), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Incorporation Certificate, Power of Attorney, Certificate of Origin, Board Resolution, Commercial Invoice

What Information Does a Japan Apostille Include?

An apostille sticker issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) contains the following key elements:

Name of the issuing country (India)
Name and designation of the signatory
Name of the individual or organization concerned
Document type
Date and place of issue
Seal/stamp of issuing authority
Signature of the issuing authority
Apostille number (for tracking and verification)

This apostille proves the document’s authenticity and ensures its acceptance in Japan.

How to get your documents apostilled/attested

Personal Documents:

Educational Documents:

Commercial Documents:

Apostille Procedure for Indian Personal Documents (For Use in Japan)

The apostille process for personal documents in India intended for Japan includes the following four stages:

Initial Local Verification
Documents are verified by the respective issuing authority:
- Educational Certificates: Verified by the school or university
- Divorce Documents: Verified by the issuing court
- Marriage Certificates: Verified by the marriage registrar
- Birth Certificates: Verified by the municipal birth registrar
- Death Certificates: Verified by the registrar of births and deaths
Notary Attestation
After initial verification, documents are authenticated by a Notary Public or Collector’s Office. A legal stamp and signature are added to confirm verification, preparing the document for further attestation.
SDM or State Attestation
- State Attestation: Done by the state where the document originated. It is detailed but time-consuming, taking up to 30 working days.
- SDM Attestation: Faster and generally accepted by Hague countries. The Sub Divisional Magistrate reviews and attests within 3–5 working days.
Final MEA Apostille
The Ministry of External Affairs authenticates and stamps the apostille on the document, completing the legalization for the Japan.

To understand which path (SDM or State) suits your document type, it’s best to consult with an apostille service provider.

Apostille Process for Business/Commercial Documents for the Japan

Commercial documents being used in Japan go through a slightly different process:

Local Document Verification
Business-related documents (such as GST, AOA, MOU, registration certificates) are verified by the issuing regulatory authority, usually the Registrar of Companies.
Chamber of Commerce Authentication
Once verified, the documents are further reviewed by the relevant Chamber of Commerce, which confirms their accuracy and endorses them for apostille.
MEA Apostille on Commercial Papers
MEA applies the apostille, officially legalizing your documents for use in Japan for activities such as company formation, trade, or opening corporate bank accounts.

Note: Documents should be clean, unaltered, and clearly legible for successful apostille processing.

Validity of Japan Apostille

An apostille issued by the MEA is generally valid for 6 months, but this may vary depending on the nature of the document and the organization in Japan requesting it. Some institutions accept apostilles older than six months, but it’s safer to use recently issued apostilles.

Is Japan a Member of the Hague Apostille Convention?

Yes, Japan is a full member of the 1961 Hague Convention, which abolishes the need for further embassy legalization. MEA Apostille from India is enough for Japan, and no embassy visit is required.

How Long Does Japan Certificate Apostille Take?

The entire process can take anywhere from 7 to 20 business days, depending on:

Type and number of documents
Origin of the document (state of issuance)
Whether HRD attestation is needed
Embassy processing time
Selection of regular or urgent processing

Opting for a professional agency can often speed up the timeline.

Apostille/Attestation service in important cities

More States and Cities here

Why Choose Infinitygro for Japan Certificate Apostille/Attestation?

At Inifintygro, we ensure a transparent and hassle-free certificate attestation process tailored to country specific requirements. With over a decade of experience, we specialize in attesting documents for overseas employment, studies, and commercial use.

Benefits of Choosing Inifnitygro:

PAN India presence with free document pickup/drop
Skilled team and clear documentation guidance
Affordable pricing with no hidden fees
Constant updates and dedicated customer support
Faster turnaround with urgent processing available

Our guarantees

🕒 Speedy Processing: Timelines tailored to meet urgent international requirements.
🚚 Doorstep Collection & Delivery: No visits required—we come to you.
📍 Service Across India: Available in all states and major cities.
📞 24/7 Assistance: Continuous customer support throughout your application journey.

Top Tips for Smooth Attestation

Having processed thousands of attestation requests over the years, here are expert tips for a seamless experience:

✅ Review Destination Requirements: Each country has unique document rules.
✅ Use Certified Translations: If documents are in a regional language, have them officially translated.
✅ Verify All Signatures & Seals: Incorrect stamps can lead to rejections.
✅ Start Early: Allow extra time for potential delays.
✅ Pick the Right Service Provider: Choose a trusted attestation service with strong customer feedback.

Still confused? Don’t worry — our expert consultants are just a call or message away!

Get in Touch

Need help with the legalization or attestation of your documents?

Our team offers round-the-clock assistance and end-to-end services—from document pickup to delivery after completion.

📞 Call/WhatsApp: +91 8595558517
📧 Email: info@infinitygro.com

Whether you’re applying for higher education, migration, job opportunities, or professional licensing abroad, we simplify the process and save your time.

📝 Apply Now

Let us take the stress off your plate — because your dreams shouldn’t be delayed by paperwork.

✉️ info@infinitygro.com

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