Getting A Koseki-Tohon
QUESTION
I am a half Japanese and when I was 16, my Mom arrange my papers so that I could finally see for the first time my father who was a Japanese living in Obi, Miyazaki. There were people arranging my papers and there was a lawyer who is Japanese that said that he could help fix my family register (Koseki-tohon). Through the lawyer, my father recognized me as his child and was able to submit my recognition paper to the municipal office. Then, we tried applying for a visa at the Japan Embassy, but unfortunately our application got denied for the reason that my mom got deported from Japan. And, since I was her daughter, my visa also got denied, which was tragic because months after our failed attempt to go to Japan, my father passed away. Ever since then, I didn’t try to re-apply for a visa because I really didn’t see the point anymore since I won’t be seeing my Dad. I am turning 25 this year, I feel like somehow I have reconciled with the past and want to get to know another side of myself, which is my Japanese side. Somehow, getting to go to Japan and living there would feel like getting to know my dad, too. I would also love to finally pay respect and visit my dad’s final resting place and meet my siblings from my Dad’s wife. How would I go on about securing or verifying if I do have a koseki-tohon? Would it be still valid though my father has already passed away? Would my age be an issue with me getting a child of a Japanese visa? Are there other ways to arrange may citizenship? Years ago, We have this Japanese document. They told us that it was a Koseki-tohon but unfortunately, I no longer have it. Additional information is that my Mom, prior to my Dad’s passing, and Dad were still together. They didn’t marry because my Dad still has a wife but they separated long ago before I was born.
– Maria Teresa, San Fernando City
ANSWER
1) How would I go on about securing or verifying if I do have a koseki tohon?
Let me see the Koseki-tohon of your father even if it may be used and old. It is necessary to obtain a new koseki-tohon of your father in order to prove the social position relation between you and your father.
His “full name” in Chinese character, “date of birth” and “permanent domicile” are required in order to acquire a copy from the municipal office.
２) Would it be still valid though my father has already passed away?
As you have already explained it to me, there is no problem at all if your Japanese father had submitted your cognitive report to Obi-town office, Nichinan-city, Miyazaki-prefecture, and it was accepted at the office so that your name had already been recorded on his Koseki-tohon.
That is, you can prove publicly that you are his child by birth based on the Koseki-tohon after he died since the cognition, which he performed, has been effective.
３）Would my age be an issue with me getting a child of a Japanese visa?
You can prove your identification with your father based on his Koseki-tohon since the social position relation between you and your father had been formed publicly. Besides, you may be authorized the Immigration status “Spouse/Child of Japanese National” regardless of age in accordance with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law in Japan.
４）Are there other ways to arrange my citizenship?
In accordance with the Laws (Civil Code and Nationality Law) of Japan, the method of acquiring Japanese national does not exist except for the “naturalization” since you are aged 20 and over. In order to make a naturalization application, you are required the following requirements:
-having an address in Japan
-living in Japan for five years or more as a principle
-having a good behavior
-having a livelihood maintenance capability
First, you must enter into Japan with the status of residence of “Spouse/Child of Japanese National” and you may make an application for naturalization after providing the above-mentioned requirements.
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