Tracing your Japanese ancestry often begins with one essential document — The koseki (family register) or joseki (removed register).

These official records preserve family lineage across generations, listing births, marriages, adoptions, and deaths. But how do you actually request your family’s koseki in Japan?

Step 1: Know What to Request

For genealogy purposes, you’ll typically ask for the koseki tohon (a comprehensive register of current family members). To uncover earlier generations, the joseki tohon (a comprehensive register of removed family members) may contain invaluable records stretching back centuries.

To request these documents, you’ll need your ancestor’s honseki chi (permanent domicile address). Without this, locating the correct family register can be nearly impossible.

Step 2: Understand the Process

Requests for koseki records must be made at the local city or ward office where the register is kept—which is why identifying the honseki chi is so critical.

If you’re in Japan, direct relatives can apply on your behalf. For descendants living abroad, however, you’ll usually need a certified proxy or professional assistance to submit the request.

Once obtained, you’ll face another hurdle: these documents are handwritten in classical Japanese, often with archaic kanji. This is why professional koseki translation into English is essential. Without expert help, important details about your genealogy can easily be lost or misinterpreted.

Why Expert Help Makes the Difference

Requesting the koseki is just the first step: the true value lies in understanding it.

A skilled koseki translator not only reads the old handwriting but also interprets the historical and legal context, ensuring the accuracy of your family’s story.

AI tools and general translation services can’t capture this complexity. Only an experienced professional can turn these fragile records into a clear, trustworthy family narrative.

Decipher your heritage with clarity and care — Start your journey today with expert Koseki Translation