Legitimation Certificate (Kor.Ror.14) + Apostille → Japan 🇯🇵
MOFA + Family Court · Civil Code Art. 752+ · sole custody only (joint custody from 2026 reform) · domestic surrogacy banned
To use the Legitimation Certificate (Kor.Ror.14) + Apostille in Japan, the document must be translated to Japanese and Apostilled, then filed with MOFA + Family Court (Civil Code Art. 752+ · sole custody only (joint custody from 2026 reform) · domestic surrogacy banned).
Family-law counsel + Hague mediator network in 14 countries — US family attorneys, UK barristers, AU FCFCOA accredited, Notaire FR, Notar DE, 弁護士 JP, MSF SG panel.
Japan family regime: Civil Code Art. 752+ · sole custody only (joint custody from 2026 reform) · domestic surrogacy banned — Apostille accepted · 2026 reform opens joint custody · MOFA = Hague Central Authority · koseki update.
Treaty: Hague 1980 (since 2014) · not in Hague Adoption 1993 · Document language: Japanese.
End-to-end: prepare Legitimation Certificate (Kor.Ror.14) + Apostille (7-21 days) → MFA Apostille → Japanese translation → MOFA + Family Court.
First-pass acceptance: 94-96%.
Coverage
How it works
- 1
Jurisdictional analysis under destination rules
Plan against Civil Code Art. 752+ · sole custody only (joint custody from 2026 reform) · domestic surrogacy banned.
- 2
Prepare Legitimation Certificate (Kor.Ror.14) + Apostille
7-21 working days at 8,500-22,000 บาท.
- 3
Japanese translation
Family-law specialist translator + Hague Convention glossary.
- 4
MFA legalisation
Chaeng Wattana — 2-3 working days.
- 5
Apostille
MFA Apostille route.
- 6
File with MOFA + Family Court
Central Authority portal or via destination counsel.
Frequently asked questions
What is Japan's family-law regime?
Civil Code Art. 752+ · sole custody only (joint custody from 2026 reform) · domestic surrogacy banned
Does Japan accept Thai Apostille?
Yes — MFA Apostille suffices (Thailand Apostille effective Jan 2025).
Which treaty applies?
Hague 1980 (since 2014) · not in Hague Adoption 1993
Translation language?
Japanese, by a translator recognised by destination law or by the Thai MFA.
Can surrogacy/adoption be done in Japan?
Commercial surrogacy banned; adoption via Central Authority.
Estimated total cost?
8,500-22,000 บาท + translation THB 1,500-3,000/page + MFA THB 400 + free Apostille + court/Central Authority fees.
Timeline?
Document prep 14-45 days + destination determination 60-540 days (case-type dependent).