A criminal record certificate from the Japan National Police Agency, issued only when an Australian or other foreign authority requires it, for example for citizenship, permanent residence or a resident visa. Fingerprints are taken in person.
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.
Canberra: appointments by phone or email at the Embassy for ACT residents, 9:30-11:00 and 14:00-16:00. Sydney: lodging Monday-Friday 9:30-12:30 with online booking required; postal return only for distant NSW/NT locations. Melbourne: online appointment required for fingerprinting. 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
Book an appointment (Canberra by phone or email; Sydney and Melbourne online) | attend in person for fingerprints | collect in person, or have it posted if from a distant area (Sydney)
Documents you need
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Proof of the request from the foreign authority where asked, with Japanese translation (Sydney)
Fees and processing time
- Official fee: free
Processing time: About 2 to 3 months; no priority service; valid for one year in Sydney.
Good to know
Melbourne page itself was not read beyond its index entry.
Official sources
- au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_police_certificate_en.html
- sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/police_certificate.html
- melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.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
- Certificate of residence (zairyu shomei)
- 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)
- Short-term visa (temporary visitor)
- Signature certificate (substitute for seal certificate)
- Working holiday visa