Key Documents and Points to Watch for Chinese Nationals Applying for Naturalization [Licensed Immigration Specialist]
Chinese nationals applying for naturalization must obtain all home country documents as notarial deeds (公证书). A licensed immigration specialist explains the types of notarial deeds required, how to obtain them at a Chinese notary office, the consular certificate, how loss of Chinese nationality works, and common pitfalls.
One major difference for Chinese nationals applying for naturalization — compared to applicants of other nationalities — is that all documents obtained from the home country must be obtained as notarial deeds (公证书 / gōngzhèngshū). This article focuses specifically on the China-specific documentation requirements, organizing the types of notarial deeds required, how to obtain them, translation requirements, and consular certificates.
A Rule Specific to Chinese Nationals: All Home Country Documents Must Be "Notarial Deeds"
Naturalization applications require submitting documents from the home country to prove family status. For Chinese nationals, in principle, all home country documents must be obtained as "notarial deeds" (公证书 / gōngzhèngshū).
A notarial deed is a legally effective certificate issued by a Chinese notary authority (公证处 / gōngzhèngchù). It is similar in function to a "Notarial Deed" (kōshō shōsho) under Japanese law and is widely used for public procedures both domestically and internationally.
Main Types of Notarial Deeds Required
The specific notarial deeds required will vary depending on the applicant's circumstances. The main ones are as follows:
① Birth Notarial Deed (出生公证书)
A document certifying when and where the applicant was born. Required for all applicants.
② Marriage Notarial Deed (结婚公证书)
Required if the applicant or their parents are married.
Since the Chinese marriage certificate (the red booklet) is not itself a notarial deed, you must submit the marriage certificate issued by the Civil Affairs Bureau (Mínzhèng jú) to a Chinese notary office to have a "Marriage Notarial Deed" issued.
③ Divorce Notarial Deed (离婚公证书)
Required if the applicant or their parents have been divorced.
④ Family Relationship Notarial Deed (亲属关系公证书)
A notarial deed listing the relationships between the applicant, their parents, and all siblings. This is an important document required for all applicants.
⑤ Other Notarial Deeds Based on Circumstances
If there are special family status matters — such as adoption, paternity recognition, or a change of custody — notarial deeds related to those matters will also be required.
How to Obtain Notarial Deeds
Where to Obtain Them
Notarial deeds are obtained at a Chinese notary office (gōngzhèngchù) with jurisdiction over the applicant's household registration address (户口所在地 / hùkǒu suǒzàidì). The name of the notary office varies by administrative district. There is no requirement to use a specific notary office.
Obtaining by Proxy
If the applicant cannot return to China in person, a family member living in China can obtain the documents on their behalf. A power of attorney and identification documents may be required.
The obtained documents are typically sent to Japan by international post (EMS, etc.).
Notarial Deeds With Japanese Translation
It is possible to request from the Chinese notary office that the notarial deed be prepared with a Japanese translation included. Obtaining the translation this way saves the effort of arranging a separate translation in Japan.
Consular Certificate (Certificate of Nationality)
As proof of holding Chinese nationality, naturalization applicants must obtain a "Consular Certificate" from the Chinese Embassy or General Consulate in Japan.
The Consular Certificate serves as evidence that "the applicant's Chinese nationality will be lost upon acquiring Japanese nationality."
Where to Obtain It
The certificate is obtained from the Chinese Embassy or General Consulate in Japan with jurisdiction over the applicant's address:
- Residing in Tokyo → Chinese Embassy in Japan (Tokyo)
- Residing in Osaka → Chinese General Consulate in Osaka
- Other regions → nearest jurisdictional consulate
Basic Rules for Submitting Documents
Two Copies of Original Documents Are Required
Naturalization applications require submitting one original (seihon) and one copy of the original (fukuhon) — two copies in total.
Translation Requirements
A Japanese translation on A4-format paper must be attached to all foreign-language documents. The translation must include the translator's address, name, and the date of translation. No translator qualifications are required, but obtaining a notarial deed from the Chinese notary office with a Japanese translation included saves the effort of arranging a separate translation.
Partial translations are not accepted — full translation of all content is required.
Common Problems and How to Address Them
The Notarial Deed Is Missing Required Information
Notarial deeds must contain specific information (for example, a family relationship notarial deed that does not list all siblings). When information is missing, the document must be reissued in China — resulting in a significant loss of time.
We recommend confirming what information must be included with the Legal Affairs Bureau officer or your licensed immigration specialist before placing the order with the Chinese notary office.
Documents Expire Before You Can Use Them
Because document collection takes time, it sometimes happens that Japanese-side certificates obtained earlier — such as the residence certificate (jumin-hyo) and tax certificate, which typically have a 3-month validity period — expire before the application is ready to submit.
We recommend starting with time-consuming documents such as notarial deeds first, and obtaining documents with validity period restrictions only after the other documents are coming together.
Attempting to Apply With Only the Hukou or Marriage Certificate Booklet
The household registration record (Hukou / 户口簿) and marriage certificate booklet (结婚证) are documents used for domestic procedures within China, but naturalization applications require notarial deeds. If you proceed with application preparation under the assumption that "having the Hukou is sufficient," your application may not be accepted due to missing documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I obtain notarial deeds if I have no family living in China?
A. Even if you have no family members living in China, it is possible for the applicant themselves to return to China and complete the procedures at a notary office. It is also possible to entrust a proxy — such as an attorney, immigration specialist, or trusted acquaintance — with a power of attorney to obtain the documents on your behalf, though the specific arrangements vary by notary office. If your situation presents particular difficulties, please consult the Legal Affairs Bureau officer.
Q. Both of my parents have passed away. Are documents related to their death also required?
A. When parents have passed away, a death notarial deed (死亡公证书) may be required. The Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau's document guidance also references the death notarial deed. Confirm the details of what documents are required with the officer at your local Legal Affairs Bureau.
Q. I registered my marriage in Japan with a Japanese spouse and did not register the marriage in China. Is the Chinese marriage notarial deed still required?
A. If the marriage was established in Japan through the Japanese registration process and the marriage was not registered in China, the Chinese marriage notarial deed is not required. Instead, submit the Japanese family register extract (koseki tohon) showing the date of the marriage. Note that the foreign national applicant does not have a Japanese family register — the residence certificate (jumin-hyo) serves as the official proof of address. If the marriage was established through a procedure conducted at the Chinese Embassy, the document source will differ.
Q. Do notarial deeds have an expiration date?
A. Some notarial deeds carry an explicitly stated expiration date, and the Legal Affairs Bureau's procedures may also treat documents issued more than a certain period ago as too old. If significant time has passed since a document was issued, you may be asked to reissue it. Confirm the timing for obtaining documents with the officer at your local Legal Affairs Bureau before proceeding.
Summary
There are three key points that Chinese nationals must be particularly careful about in their naturalization applications: obtaining all home country documents as notarial deeds, ensuring that the content of the family relationship notarial deed is accurate and complete, and obtaining the consular certificate from the Chinese Embassy or similar institution in Japan.
Since preparing notarial deeds takes considerable time, we recommend beginning the notarial deed preparation process as the very first step once you decide to apply. Missing information in documents will require reissuance and lead to significant delays. If you have any concerns, we recommend consulting a licensed immigration specialist who specializes in naturalization applications.
This article is based on the Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau's "Documents to Attach to a Naturalization Application (for Chinese Nationals)" and practical experience. Required documents vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and the procedures of the relevant Legal Affairs Bureau. Always verify the latest information with your local Legal Affairs Bureau.
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