Family Register Matters
A Japanese person's life events such as birth, marriage, divorce, and death must be reported to the proper authorities in order to update the Family Register (Koseki). For more information, please refer to the following link Japanese-language on Family Register (in Japanese only) or contact the Consular Section at the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
Death Registration
Japanese-language on the death registration
When a Japanese national dies, a death registration form must be submitted within 3 months to register the death on the Official Japanese Family Register (Koseki)
Once the documents have been submitted at the Embassy, the registration will be complete in about two months.
If you are considering cremation or burial in Japan, we recommend that you submit the registration documents directly to the authority in Japan. This is because you will need a permission for cremation or burial. The death can be registered directly in Japan by the deceased’s relatives, and this is often the most straightforward way to register the death of a Japanese national.
The Choice of Nationality
Japanese-language on the choice of nationality
Those who have Japanese nationality and other foreign nationalities (a person of multiple nationality) must select one of the nationalities within a certain time limit (Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Japanese Nationality Act). Please refer to the Ministry of Justice's website
about the choice of nationality.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Consular Section at the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
Declaration of the Choice of Japanese Nationality
(Kokuseki Sentaku Todoke)
Renunciation of Japanese Nationality
A Japanese national who holds both Japanese and foreign nationalities can renounce their Japanese citizenship by submitting a registration to the Minister of Justice.
(Kokuseki Ridatsu Todoke)
Loss of Japanese Nationality
Japanese-language on the Loss of Japanese Nationality
A Japanese national shall lose Japanese nationality when he or she acquires a foreign nationality by his or her own choice. If you have acquired a foreign nationality or citizenship by choice, you must submit a Notification of Loss of Japanese Nationality registration form.
(Kokuseki Soshitsu Todoke)
Submission Procedure
For submissions at the Consular Section
You need to bring the required documents, Photo ID and appointment booking number to the Embassy.
Visits to the Consular Section are by appointment only. Appointments can only be booked ONLINE .
For submission by Post※
Send all required documents to the Consular Section at the Embassy of Japan in the UK. Please do NOT submit the original passport, however a copy of the passport is required.
The Embassy will not bear any responsibility whatsoever for any loss, damage, non-delivery or misdirection of documents submitted by mail.
※Submissions by post are not accepted for the Renunciation of Japanese nationality procedure.
Mailing address
Family Registration officer, Consular Section, Embassy of Japan101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT