Japan Civil Registration

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Japan

Civil Registration

How to Find the Records

FamilySearch Online Collections

• 709-1982: Japan Village Records, 709-1982, images
• 709-1949: Japan, Village Records, 709-1949, images, ($) (in Japanese).
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Japan, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Japan, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)

Offices to Contact

Local governments (municipalities) keep the records and the additional information:

For a list of cities, see List of cities in Japan.

Historical Background

"A koseki (戸籍) is a Japanese family registry. Japanese law requires all Japanese households (known as "ie") to report births, acknowledgements of paternity, adoptions, disruptions of adoptions, deaths, marriages and divorces of Japanese citizens to their local authority, which compiles such records encompassing all Japanese citizens within their jurisdiction."

For additional information, see Japan's Family Registry System, on the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Japan.

Coverage and Compliance

Japanese censuses started in the 6th century. The modern koseki started in 1872 for all Japanese citizens. This was the first time that all Japanese were required to have family names.

Only Japanese citizens are in these family registers.

Information Recorded in the Records

"A typical koseki has one page for the household's parents and their first two children: additional children are recorded on additional pages. Any changes to this information have to be sealed by an official registrar.

Information:

• Family name
• Given name
• Date of birth
• Date of records and causes (marriage, death, adoption, etc.)
• Names of the father and the mother and the relation to them
• If adopted, names of the adoptive father and mother
• If married, whether husband or wife
• If transferred from another koseki, the former koseki
• Registered residence

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