FCDO e-Apostille for Japan: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in Japan?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO apostille services for Japan.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express e-Apostille option may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on verification, submission times and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in Japan

Japan and the United Kingdom use the Hague Apostille system.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the United Kingdom as a country where the Apostille Convention applies. Therefore, an eligible UK document can normally use an FCDO apostille instead of further legalisation by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate.

Before starting, ask the Japanese recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an e-Apostille or paper apostille
• a Japanese translation
• separate apostilles for each document
• one combined legalised PDF
• a recently issued document

These checks can prevent delays and extra costs.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many UK documents.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• school certificates
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• commercial agreements

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• consent orders
• probate documents
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• proof of address
• employment letters
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• professional certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates

The correct route depends on the document and its intended use in Japan.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This statement may meet a simple certified-copy request. However, it does not confirm that the issuing organisation created a genuine document.

Therefore, a Japanese university, employer or public authority may ask for stronger proof.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. The source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official online system.

Next, we prepare stronger wording, such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the Japanese recipient receives both a certified copy and confirmation of the source check.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate steps.

Verification means checking the document with its issuing source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Meanwhile, company checks may involve Companies House records.

Court-document checks can include the court seal, case number, issue email or official record.

Afterwards, our solicitor prepares and signs the certificate.

What Does the FCDO Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records. It then issues an apostille when the document meets the legalisation rules.

UK qualification certificates, contracts, powers of attorney and certified copies may receive legalisation after certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

However, an apostille does not confirm every fact inside the document.

For this reason, enhanced solicitor certification can add an important extra step.

The legalisation chain may look like this:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor electronic signature → FCDO apostille

Together, these stages create a clear document trail for use in Japan.

FCDO e-Apostille for Japan

The FCDO offers paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For the electronic route, a UK solicitor or notary must electronically sign the PDF. Once completed, the client can download and share the legalised file digitally.

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

Japan introduced an electronic register for Japanese apostilles carrying a QR code from 1 June 2026. However, this relates to apostilles issued by Japan and does not mean that every Japanese recipient automatically accepts a foreign e-Apostille.

Therefore, ask the recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed version of the digital file
• a paper apostille attached to an original

A paper apostille may work better when the Japanese authority requires a physical original.

Express e-Apostille Service for Japan

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day when:

• the document is clear and complete
• verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no extra checks

Nevertheless, signature checks or further questions may extend the timeframe.

Therefore, urgent clients should send the document and the Japanese recipient’s instructions as early as possible.

Educational Documents for Japan

UK educational documents may support:

• Japanese university admission
• postgraduate study
• employment
• professional registration
• teaching applications
• research positions
• immigration or residence procedures
• qualification checks

Common documents include a Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the award. In contrast, an Academic Transcript lists subjects, grades, credits and study dates.

However, an apostille does not decide how Japan will recognise a UK qualification.

Recognition of UK Qualifications in Japan

Japan does not use one central service to issue equivalency certificates for every foreign qualification.

MEXT explains that Japanese universities assess overseas degrees, admission qualifications and previous credits according to the relevant education rules. Applicants should contact the individual university for detailed requirements.

NIC-Japan supports this process by providing reliable information on foreign education systems and qualifications. However, the final recognition decision may rest with MEXT, another responsible ministry or the individual higher-education institution.

Therefore, apostille and academic recognition serve different purposes:

The apostille authenticates the relevant signature or seal.

The Japanese institution decides whether it recognises the qualification.

Before arranging legalisation, ask whether the recipient needs:

• the Degree Certificate
• the Academic Transcript
• direct university verification
• course descriptions
• proof of study length
• a Japanese translation
• separate apostilles

UK Degree Verification for Japan

A basic certified copy may not satisfy every Japanese recipient.

For stronger proof, our solicitor can verify a UK qualification where the university provides a reliable route.

The process may include:

• reviewing the Degree Certificate
• checking the Academic Transcript
• using an official verification platform
• contacting the university
• preparing enhanced certification
• electronically signing the PDF
• arranging the FCDO apostille

This process records how we checked the qualification.

However, it does not replace an admission, employment or professional-recognition decision by the Japanese recipient.

Professional Qualifications in Japan

Japan regulates a range of professions.

Applicants may need approval before working as:

• doctors
• nurses
• pharmacists
• dentists
• lawyers
• architects
• teachers
• accountants
• other regulated professionals

The relevant Japanese ministry or professional body decides which documents it needs.

As a result, an applicant may have to provide:

• a Degree Certificate
• an Academic Transcript
• proof of UK registration
• course details
• work-experience evidence
• apostilled documents
• Japanese translations

Obtain the regulator’s written checklist before arranging certification.

Company Documents for Japan

UK company documents may support:

• registering a Japanese branch
• forming a Japanese subsidiary
• opening a corporate bank account
• investment transactions
• commercial contracts
• proving directors or shareholders
• appointing a representative in Japan
• court or tax procedures

Official Companies House certificates may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

However, company-created documents usually need solicitor certification first.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• company powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• authorised signatory letters
• commercial agreements

Japanese registration, banking and notarial requirements may differ.

Therefore, request a document checklist from the Japanese lawyer, judicial scrivener, bank or business partner before starting.

Court Documents for Japan

UK court documents may need legalisation for:

• divorce matters
• probate
• inheritance
• civil claims
• family proceedings
• debt enforcement
• commercial disputes

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

The correct route depends on the document format.

For example, a court document carrying a wet-ink court seal may qualify for direct paper legalisation.

By contrast, an electronic court document may need solicitor verification and certification first.

Because Japanese court and registry rules vary by procedure, confirm the required format with the Japanese lawyer, court or local authority.

Does Japan Require a Japanese Translation?

Many Japanese procedures require a Japanese translation.

For example, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency states that applicants should attach a Japanese translation when supporting documents use another language.

Other bodies may apply different rules.

Before arranging a translation, ask:

• whether the recipient accepts English
• whether it needs a Japanese translation
• whether the translator must sign a certificate
• whether the apostille also needs translation
• whether every page and annex needs translation
• whether the translator must provide their name and contact details

Some Japanese procedures require the translation to include the translator’s name, date and confirmation that the translation is accurate.

Often, applicants obtain the apostille first. Afterwards, the translator prepares the Japanese version of the full legalised document.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for certain document types.

Examples include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

In addition, a Japanese recipient may request a physical document even when the FCDO offers an electronic option.

Separate or Combined Apostilles?

Several related documents can sometimes form one certified PDF.

However, this approach does not suit every Japanese application.

Separate apostilles may work better when:

• the Degree Certificate and Transcript have different uses
• the university wants separate files
• each document will go to a different authority
• the recipient requests individual apostilles
• the documents come from different issuers

Therefore, confirm the required format before submission.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the Japanese Requirements

Include any instructions from the Japanese authority, university, employer, court, bank, lawyer or company.

Step 3: Check Whether an Apostille Is Needed

We first review whether the recipient requires legalisation.

Step 4: Select the Correct Route

Next, we check whether the document needs an e-Apostille or paper apostille.

Step 5: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 6: Prepare Enhanced Certification

We draft the correct wording and apply the solicitor’s electronic signature.

Step 7: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

Our team then submits the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 8: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed legalised document.

The Japanese recipient can verify a UK paper or electronic apostille online using its issue date and apostille number.

Need an Apostille for Japan?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in Japan
• the name of the Japanese recipient
• any written requirements
• your required completion date

We will check whether an apostille is necessary and confirm the suitable verification, certification and legalisation route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Japan accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the United Kingdom as a Hague Apostille Convention country. An eligible UK document can therefore use an FCDO apostille for Japan.

Does Japan accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

Acceptance can depend on the Japanese recipient and its filing system. Therefore, confirm that it accepts an electronically signed PDF before selecting the e-Apostille route.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some Japanese recipients may also want confirmation that the solicitor checked the document with its issuer.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the university provides a reliable verification route.

Does an apostille prove that Japan recognises my degree?

No. The apostille authenticates the relevant signature or seal. The Japanese university, employer, regulator or ministry decides how it will recognise the qualification.

Can you apostille an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify eligible Academic Transcripts before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Does Japan require a Japanese translation?

Often, yes. Immigration procedures generally require Japanese translations of foreign-language supporting documents. Other recipients may apply their own rules.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

No. An ACRO Police Certificate must use the FCDO paper apostille route.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, the Japanese recipient may request a separate apostille for each document.