Congratulations to all the foreign couples whose babies were born in Japan.
With that joy comes the question, "What about the birth certificate? What about visas? What about my nationality?" Many of you may have questions and concerns.
In this article, the three main procedures required after the birth of a child:
- Submission of birth certificate
- Obtaining residency status for children
- Registration and nationality-related procedures in home country
and a comparison chart that shows the different types of visas.
Procedural flow after delivery
| timing | Required Procedures | term | point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 14 days after delivery | Submission of birth certificate | Within 14 days | Submitted to the ward, city, town or village office. If it is a holiday, the due date is the next open day. |
| Within 30 days after delivery | Application for permission to obtain status of residence | Within 30 days | If you forget to apply, you may be considered an illegal alien. |
| Within 3 months after delivery | Notification of Reservation of Nationality (if required) | Within 3 months | Required if you wish to retain both Japanese and other nationalities. |
1. submission of birth certificate
The first thing to do is to submit a "birth notification. Births in Japan must be reported to the municipal office within 14 days of birth.
- Required documents: birth certificate, parents' residence cards/passports, etc.
- Due date: Within 14 days from the first day of birth (or the next open day if the day falls on a holiday)
- Submit to: Municipal office of residence
Caution:Notification can still be submitted after the deadline, but a "Notice of Lapse of Period" is required, which adds an additional step.
2. acquisition of status of residence for children
Because the child does not have a status of residence (visa) at the time of birth,Application for permission to obtain status of residence" within 30 days of birthmust be done.
- If both parents are on a work visa → child is on a "Family Residency".
- Parents are Permanent Residents → Possible to qualify as "Child of Permanent Resident
- One parent is Japanese → can apply as a "Japanese child".
*Documents required to obtain a visa include a certificate of acceptance of birth certificate, certificate of residence, a personal reference, a certificate of tax payment, and a certificate of employment of the parent or guardian.
Caution:If the stay exceeds 30 days, it is considered an "illegal stay" and may be subject to deportation and penalties.
3. choice of nationality
You may be thinking, "If I was born in Japan, does that make me a Japanese citizen?" Some people may think that Japan is a"Pedigree-based (determined by the nationality of the parents)."is adopted.
- Both parents are foreign nationals → not Japanese nationals
- One parent is Japanese → Japanese citizenship is automatically granted
Furthermore, Japanese and foreign nationalsIf you wish to retain dual citizenship, "Notification of Reservation of Nationality".must be submitted within 3 months of birth.
Comparative Table by Visa Type
| Status of Residence of Parents | Nationality of the child | Resident status to be applied for | birth registration | important point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| permanent resident | foreign nationality | Children of Permanent Residents | Required (within 14 days) | Apply within 30 days; also note proof of income less than 2 years. |
| Work visa (e.g., Gijin country) | foreign nationality | dependent (e.g. in a family) | necessary | Must meet support requirements |
| Spouse Visa | Japanese nationality | No visa required | Notification of birth + notification of reservation of nationality (within 3 months) | Future nationality selection required (until age 22) |
| International Students/Working Holiday | foreign nationality | Permanent Resident or Special Screening | necessary | Note the intent to continue stay and income requirements. |
5. frequently asked questions
- Q: What if I give birth in my home country?
→ Instead of an application to obtain status of residence in Japan, an "application for certificate of eligibility" is required. - Q: What if my parents are of different nationalities in an international marriage?
→ Possibility of acquiring dual citizenship. To retain Japanese nationality, "Notification of Reservation of Nationality" is required. - Q: What about unmarried parents?
→ If the mother-child relationship can be proven, it is possible to apply for a visa for the child.
Inquiry / Access
Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Office (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Attn: Gyoseishoshi Scrivener Yukiko Horiuchi
Affiliation: Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Association, Shinjuku Branch
Tokyo Immigration and Residency Management Bureau, Application Agency Gyoseishoshi Scrivener
Member of Foreign Employment Support Organization (FESO)
Member of AIL (Alien Visa Experts Network)
Access:
5-minute walk from Higashi Shinjuku Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
8-minute walk from Shin-Okubo Station on the JR Yamanote Line
12-minute walk from Okubo Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines
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