U.S. Embassy & Consulates
in Japan

I have not been in trouble with the law. Do I still need a police certificate?

Yes.  A Police Certificate is a statement which advises the consular officer whether any criminal convictions are held in your name.

Where can I find information about obtaining police certificates?

The information is on the Department of State website, Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder. Find the country and look under “Police Record”. For both immigrant and fiance(e) visa applicants, police certificate must be obtained from the country of nationality, the country of present residence if the applicant has resided there for six months or more, and all countries where applicant resided for one year or more since age 16. Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older.

For how long is a police certificate valid?

Police certificates expire after two years unless the certificate was issued from your country of previous residence, and you have not returned there since the police certificate was issued.

Do you require a police certificate for Japan?

If you have resided in Japan for six months or more since the age of 16 you are required to obtain a Japanese police certificate.

How can I obtain a police certificate for Japan?

Applicants residing in Tokyo should apply at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Headquarters (“keishi cho”).  Applicants living outside of Tokyo should apply at the Prefectural Police Headquarters (“ken keisatsu honbu”).

For more information on Japanese police certificates, see the police certificate page.

I reside outside Japan. How can I obtain a Japanese police certificate?

Applicants residing outside of Japan may apply for a Japanese police certificate through the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.

How much does it cost to obtain a Japanese police certificate?

There is no fee.

How long will it take to process the application for a Japanese police certificate?

Approximately one to three weeks. When you apply for a certificate, please ask how long it will take to be processed.

For how long is a Japanese police certificate valid?

For the purpose of applying for the immigrant visa and fiancée visa, two years from the date of issuance.

I opened the Japanese police certificate. Is it valid?

Japanese Police Certificates must be submitted sealed. If the seal is broken, the certificate is no longer valid. You will be required to have the certificate reissued or resealed by the issuing authority.

If I obtain the police certificate, am I still required to obtain court records?

If you have a conviction, you will be required to obtain the court record relating to all of the charges against you.

How do I obtain my court records for Japan?

Court records must be obtained from the District Prosecutor’s Office (“chiku kensatsu cho”) where the court proceeding was held. The applicant must also submit copies of all pertinent sections of the laws under which the applicant was charged, along with certified English translations.

Do you require court records for the United States?

If you have a conviction in the Unites States, you will be required to obtain court records relating to all of the charges against you.

How do I obtain court records for the United States?

U.S. police reports and court records can be obtained from police office where you were arrested or from the court where you were convicted.

I have a conviction from a country other than Japan or the United States. How do I obtain the court record?

Please visit the State Department Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder or contact that country’s embassy in Tokyo.

I’m in the U.S. Forces. My spouse is applying for a visa. Is she required to furnish police certificates to cover her period of residence in every country where I have served, or will you accept a letter from my commander/U.S. Forces?

Your spouse will be required to obtain police certificates from all countries in which she resided, even if she was there as your dependent