Application for Criminal Record Certificate

Who can apply

  You can apply for this certificate if the public organization (Embassy,Immigration Bureau etc.) of the destination country (region) requires the certificate AND one of the following:

• Your current registered residential address is in Saitama Prefecture.
• You currently reside outside of Japan but your last registered residential address was in Saitama Prefecture.

Note:

• Fingerprints are required to be taken to verify your identity, so you must apply in person.
• If you do not bring required items, your application may not be processed. 
• Depending on who requested your criminal record certificate and for what reason, your application may not be processed.
• Anyone under the age of 14 is not punishable under the Penal Code, and therefore, their applications are not accepted.
• Depending on your destination country and/or the reason for your application, the required documents may differ.  Please make sure to inquire by phone before your application.

Documents Required for Application 

• Original identification must be presented with your application.
• Your name on your application must be written as in your official identification.

If your registered residential address is in Saitama Prefecture, you will need:

Japanese Nationals

1. Passport; currently valid, with any official documentation regarding changes
2. Documents requesting your criminal record certificate from the public organization of the destination country (region) with your name on it
3. One of the following documents which verifies your registered residential address in Saitama Prefecture

• Resident record ("Juminhyo") which has been issued within the last 6 months
• Driver's license with any updates properly documented 
• Basic resident registration card ("Jumin-Kihon-Daicho-card") with your photo on it
• Individual number card ("My Number Card") with your photo on it (Notification card is not accepted.)

Note:

If you are required to include your pre-married name in the certificate in kanji by the public organization of the destination country, you need to bring one of the following documents:

- Resident record ("Juminhyo") which includes your pre-married name (Issued within the last 6 months)

- Certificate of Entries Recorded in Resident Record which includes your pre-married name (Issued within the last 6 months)

- A document or other similar item issued by the public offices which has the applicant's name and address recorded in the basic resident registration (e.g. a valid Japanese driver's license or individual number card ("My Number Card"), etc. which includes your pre-married name)

Foreign Nationals

1. Passport; currently valid, with any official documentation regarding changes
2. Documents requesting your criminal record certificate from the public organization of the destination country (region) with your name on it
3. One of the following documents which verifies your registered residential address in Saitama Prefecture

• Residence card with any updates properly documented
• Special permanent resident certificate with any updates properly documented
• Resident record ("Juminhyo") which has been issued within the last 6 months
• Japanese driver's license with any updates properly documented 

If you currently reside outside of Japan but your last registered residential address was in Saitama Prefecture, you will need:

Japanese Nationals

1. 　1 Passport; currently valid, with any official documentation regarding changes
2. 　2 Documents requesting your criminal record certificate from the public organization of the destination country (region) with your name on it
3. 　3 Documents which verify your current overseas address (residence certificate issued by your local Japanese Embassy or Japanese Consulate, overseas driver's license etc.)      
4. 　4 Certificate of your resident deregistration ("Juminhyo-No-Johyo") which has been issued within the last 6 months

※ If "Juminhyo-No-Johyo" cannot be issued by your local city, town, or village office, please bring certificate of your residential address history ("Koseki-No-Fuhyo") which has been issued within  the last 6 months 

Note:

If you are required to include your pre-married name in the certificate in kanji by the public organization of the destination country, you need to bring one of the following documents:

- Resident record ("Juminhyo") which includes your pre-married name (Issued within the last 6 months)

- Certificate of Entries Recorded in Resident Record which includes your pre-married name (Issued within the last 6 months)

- A document or other similar item issued by the public offices which has the applicant's name and address recorded in the basic resident registration (e.g. a valid Japanese driver's license or individual number card ("My Number Card"), etc. which includes your pre-married name)

Foreign Nationals

1. Passport; currently valid, with any official documentation regarding changes
2. Documents requesting your criminal record certificate from the public organization of the destination country (region) with your name on it
3. Documents which verify your current overseas address (e.g. documents issued by the public organization, foreign driver's license etc.)
4. Certificate of your resident deregistration ("Juminhyo-No-Johyo") which contains your status of residence and the date of expiry of your visa.  It must have been issued within the last 6 months.

※ If "Juminhyo-No-Johyo" cannot be issued by your local city, town, or village office, please contact us before your application.  

 Office Hours

Monday through Friday

(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and 12/29～1/3)

From 9:00 am to 4:15 pm

• You do not need an appointment to make an application.
• The whole application procedure will take approximately 20 minutes.
• We will ask you to wait for your application when there are other applicants especially when the office just opened or about to close. Please ensure you have plenty of time to wait. 

Where to Apply

Identification and Criminal Investigation Laboratory Center located on the 6th fl., Omiya Police Station 

1-197-7, Kitabukuro-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama Prefecture, 〒330-0835

Identification Division (in charge of Criminal Record Certificate)

 

Nearest Station>> JR Saitama Shintoshin Station

To get to this office, please take the Utsunomiya Line, Takasaki Line, or Keihintohoku Line to JR Saitama Shintoshin Station and take the East Exit. 

The office is approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Saitama Shintoshin Station.
Click here for direction to the Center 

Applications cannot be made at another police facilities.

Contact Information

Identification Division, Criminal Investigation Department, 　
Saitama Prefectural Police Headquarters   

TEL 048-641-1050 
Monday through Friday
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and 12/29～1/3)  
From 9:00 am to 4:15 pm

※ Please contact us during the office hour for inquires.  

Fee

Free

Issue of Certificate

Certificate is written in five languages (Japanese, English, French, German, Spanish) and it is issued to you sealed.

Days required for processing  

Approximately 10 to 14 days (It cannot be issued immediately.)

It may take approximately 3 weeks if application is made just before consecutive national holidays. e.g. year-end holidays, new-year holidays, and Golden Week holidays.) 

Issuance

Certificate cannot be sent by mail. 

Either you or an authorized individual must collect the certificate in person.

　If you would like to authorize someone to collect your certificate on your behalf,

　please notify us at the time of your application.

  

 When Applying Outside of Japan

　If you currently reside outside of Japan, your application can be made at your local Japanese

　Embassy or Japanese Consulate.

　Please contact them for more information on how to apply.

　Note: If you have already made an application in a country outside of Japan, you are not allowed to make the same application in Japan. 

Regarding the documents requesting your criminal record certificate  from the public organization of the destination country (region) with your name on it

Since the criminal record certificate is submitted to the public organization of your destination (region), we have to check the reason why it is needed.

The following are the examples of documents justifying your application:

• ✔ A letter produced by the Embassy which requests the criminal record certificate
• ✔ Visa application form which is filled out

Note: Documents must contain the name of the applicant.

The following are not accepted for application:    

• ☓ Checklist of required documents
• ☓ Blank visa application form
• ☓ Documents made by a third party or proxy 

Print out documents and present the hardcopy. (e.g. PDF files etc.)

Documents displayed on your PC or smartphone will not be accepted.

Depending on your destination country and/or the reason for your application, 

the required documents may differ.  Please make sure to inquire by phone before your application.

(Please refer to "Contact Information".)   

Examples of Documents

Documents written in the language of the destination country are acceptable.

United States of America

 A letter from the National Visa Center for those who plan to obtain Permanent, Immigrant or Fiancé(e) Visa (Applicant's name, type of visa or case number etc. must appear in the letter.)

China

"Application Form for Alien Employment Permit" or "Visa Application Form" for those who wish to work in China

Vietnam

"Application Form for Work Permit" for those who wish to work in Vietnam

Brazil

Printout of the final page of the Brazilian Embassy visa application for those who wish to obtain Temporary Visa (not Transit or Tourist Visa) or Permanent Visa (copy of online application form)

Spain

 "Application for a National Visa" who wish to study or work in Spain 

 Back to "Documents Required for Application"

 Access to Identification and Criminal Investigation Laboratory Center   The Center is located in Omiya Police Station.

【 Location 】

 1-197-7, Kitabukuro-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama Prefecture, 〒330-0835

【 How to access 】

• Access by vehicle: Approximately 350m north of "Kitabukuro-cho 2 chome" intersection of "Sangyo douro" road
• Access by public transportation: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from the East Exit of JR Saitama Shintoshin Station

※ At JR Saitama Shintoshin Station, you can also take a "Tobu" shuttle bus "Omiya Keisatsu Minami" us stop located in front of Identification and Criminal Investigation Laboratory Center.

Please check the website of Tobu Bus Co., Ltd. for information on the bus service.

Omiya Police Station