Check with the office. The official pages for this service leave out some details, or are older than a year. Use this page as a starting point and confirm fees and documents before you apply.
A certificate proving a Japanese national's address abroad, used for Japanese property registration, pension or benefit procedures, tax-free shopping or school entry. It is issued at the counter or applied for online as a paper or electronic certificate.
Where to apply in Australia
Embassy in Canberra (ACT) and Consulates-General in Sydney (NSW and NT), Melbourne (VIC, TAS and SA), Brisbane (QLD, plus a consular office in Cairns) and Perth (WA), each for its own area. Details read for the Sydney Consulate-General (NSW and NT).
Brisbane: online booking only (brisbane.rsvsys.jp), one booking per person, up to 35 days ahead; required for Japanese passport applications and collections, residence and signature certificates, and visas; police certificate and family registrations by email booking; no appointment for visa or police-certificate collection, My Number card collection or voting processes. Cairns consular office (North and Far North Queensland): in-person visa applications need no booking, 9:00-12:00 and 13:30-16:00. Perth: online booking required for passports, police certificates, family-register and nationality notifications and visa applications (WA residents only); no booking to collect documents. Melbourne: online reservation for passport, police certificate and certificates (visas only through accredited agencies since 2019 for most applicants); Japanese election card registration without booking.
Contact details for every office are on the page of the embassy and consulates of Japan.
How to apply
At the counter: book online (walk-ins before 11:00 only) | or online via the ORR system, with the paper certificate collected at the counter or an e-certificate downloaded
Documents you need
- Application form (format 1 or 2)
- Valid Japanese passport
- Koseki extract only if the recipient needs the registered domicile
- Proof of pension/benefit receipt for those procedures
- Proof of current address and period of residence (lease, utility bill, bank statement)
- At least three months in the area and residence report on file
Fees and processing time
- Official fee: amount only in image fee table (not readable)
- Other charges: counter payment in cash; online paper by cash or card; e-certificate by card; free for the applicant's own pension or benefit procedures
Processing time: Usually same day at the counter; 3-5 business days online.
Official sources
- sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/consul_zairyu_shomei.html
- sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/consul_shomei_kanren_top.html
- brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.applications.html
- brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_cairns.html
- perth.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00751.html
- melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/reservation-en.html
Check before you apply
This page summarises information published by Japan's official channels, last checked on 24 octubre 2026. Fees and requirements can change at short notice, so confirm with the office that will handle your case.
Spotted a change? Let us know.
More services of Japan in Australia
- Birth, marriage, divorce and family-register certificates (in English)
- Certificate of capacity to marry
- Driving licence translation / licence extract
- Emergency travel document (travel document for return)
- Family register notifications (birth, marriage, divorce, death, nationality)
- Overseas residence report (zairyu todoke)
- Overseas voting registration
- Passport (new, renewal, replacement)
- Police certificate (Japan National Police Agency)
- Short-term visa (temporary visitor)
- Signature certificate (substitute for seal certificate)
- Working holiday visa