更新日:
2025年01月06日
Applicant requirements
You may apply for the police clearance certificate when you are asked to submit a police clearance certificate by the government agencies of your destination country or district (such as embassies, consulates, or Immigration Bureaus) and fall under each of the following conditions:
- you are currently registered as a resident in Kanagawa prefecture
- you live outside Japan and your last resident registration in Japan was in Kanagawa prefecture (no longer registered as a resident)
or
Notes:
* Please note that in some cases the police ask you to contact other administrative agency before processing your application depending on your destination and the reason of your request.
* We cannot accept a proxy's application because the applicant's fingerprints are required for the application.
Required items to apply for a police clearance certificate
Those who are registered as a resident in Kanagawa prefecture.
For Japanese nationals
- Valid passport (if there are changes in information such as name, they need to be reflected)
- One document that confirms the name and address of the applicant, such as certificate of residence (住民票: jyuminhyo) issued within the last 6 months, valid driver’s license, or valid individual number card (マイナンバーカード: my number card). The address on the document must be the same as that of a certificate of residence.
Documents that confirm the necessity of the police clearance certificate (if you have them as e-mails, please print them out and bring the physical copy)
Link to the information on necessary documents
For Foreign nationals
- Valid passport (if there are changes in information such as name, they need to be reflected)
- One document that confirms the name and address of the applicant, such as certificate of residence (住民票: jyuminhyo) issued within the last 6 months, valid residence card (在留カード: zairyu card), valid special permanent resident certificate (特別永住者証明書: tokubetsu eijusha shomeisho), or valid individual number card (マイナンバーカード: my number card). The address on the document must be the same as that of a certificate of residence. If you belong to the U.S. military, your military ID can serve as this document.
Documents that confirm the necessity of the police clearance certificate (if you have them as e-mails, please print them out and bring the physical copy)
Link to the information on necessary documents
Those who live outside Japan and their last resident registration in Japan was registered in Kanagawa prefecture.
For Japanese nationals
- Valid passport (if there are changes in information such as name, they need to be reflected)
- Record of removal from certificate of residence issued within the last 6 months or resident records of family register issued within the last 6 months which can confirm your last address in Japan
- Documents that confirm your current address in a foreign country, such as foreign driver’s license and ID card
- Documents that confirm the address where you are temporarily staying in Japan (such as mails addressed to you and reservation confirmation slip or receipt of the hotel you are staying in)
Documents that confirm the necessity of the police clearance certificate (if you have them as e-mails, please print them out and bring the physical copy)
Link to the information on necessary documents
For Foreign nationals
- Valid passport (if there are changes in information such as name, they need to be reflected)
- Record of removal from certificate of residence issued within the last 6 months
- Documents that confirm your current address in a foreign country, such as foreign driver’s license and ID card
- Documents that confirm the address where you are temporarily staying in Japan (such as mails addressed to you and reservation confirmation slip or receipt of the hotel you are staying in)
Documents that confirm the necessity of the police clearance certificate (if you have them as e-mails, please print them out and bring the physical copy)
Link to the information on necessary documents
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Cautions
- The police clearance certificate is written in 5 different languages (Japanese, English, French, Spanish, and German).
- You cannot apply for the certificate with a copy of your passport or copies of identity verification documents which confirm the name and address of the applicant. Please bring the original documents.
- When you fill out the application form, if you are a foreign national, your name on the application form must be the same as that of your passport. If you are a Japanese national, your name on the application form must be the same as that of your family register. Please check your name on the passport or family register in advance.
- If you need to renew your passport, make sure that you get it renewed before you apply for the certificate.
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Applying for a police clearance certificate from outside Japan
You can apply for the certificate at a Japanese embassy or a consulate in the country or the district you live in. Please contact them directly for instructions.
* If you apply for the certificate in a foreign country, you cannot apply dually in Japan.
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Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9:00-11:30 AM and 1:00-4:00 PM
(The office is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, and Year-End and New Year Holiday)
You don’t need to make an appointment for the application. It will take about 15 minutes to complete the whole procedure, not including queuing time.
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Location of Office
You cannot apply for the certificate at a police station. Please visit the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters for application.
Police Certificate Desk, Identification Division, Criminal Investigation Department,
1st Floor of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters (KPPHQ)
2-4 Kaigandori, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 231-0002
【Nearest Train Station】
- 10 minute-walk from the South Exit of JR Kannai Station
- 5 minute-walk from Exit 1 of Minato-Mirai (MM) Subway Line Nihon-Odori Station or Exit 6 of Bashamichi Station
* Please refer to the guide map of KPPHQ and vicinity map
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Application fee:
Free of charge
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Issuance of the certificate
- The certificate will be available in about a week after your application. If there is a national holiday during the week, it will take longer for the certificate to become ready.
- You cannot receive the certificate by mail. All applicants must come in person to receive it.
* You can collect the certificate from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the issuance day. From the following day, you can collect the certificate within the office hours.
*If your proxy is going to receive your certificate for you, please inform us at the time of the application.
【How to receive the certificate through a proxy】
When you wish to receive your police clearance certificate through a proxy, the following documents are required:
- Application receipt (It will be issued when you apply.)
- Applicant’s passport (Copy of the page with a headshot is acceptable.)
- Proxy’s ID card that shows their name and current address
Letter of proxy (Letter of proxy, PDF File)
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For more information;
Contact number: 045-211-1212 (switchboard number)
Identification Division, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters
The office is open on Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM- 5:15 PM
(The office is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, and Year-End and New-Year Holiday)
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Examples of documents to confirm the necessity of the certificate
If your case is different from the following cases and/or if you are not sure about which documents to bring for the application, please contact the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters beforehand by phone.
When you need the certificate for your job abroad:
Please bring an application form to be submitted to the government agency requiring the police clearance certificate that refers to the reason for issuing the certificate such as visa application form. The application form must have the applicant’s name on it. In addition, please bring documents such as a letter of assignment or a transfer notice by a corporation which you belong to or an employment agreement, acceptance letter, or invitation letter by the host company.
When you need the certificate to accompany your family member going abroad for work:
Please bring an application form to be submitted to the government agency requiring the police clearance certificate that refers to the reason for issuing the certificate such as visa application form. The application form must have the applicant’s name on it. In addition, please bring documents such as letter of assignment of the person who is going abroad for work which has your name on it as accompanying family member or issuance request from an embassy.
United States of America
If you are applying for permanent residency, immigrant visa, or fiancé(e) visa, please bring the physical copy of an e-mail or a letter from the U.S. embassy in Japan or U.S. National Visa Center that states applicant’s name and case number.
Brazil
If you are applying for a temporary visa (excluding sightseeing visa), transit visa, or permanent visa, please bring a physical copy of the last page of the electronic application (confirmation page) of the website of the Brazilian embassy in Japan.
Spain
If you are applying for a long-term stay or student visa, please bring a physical copy of the visa application form.
Other cases
Please bring a physical copy of your visa application form, or a request letter of the police clearance certificate or other letters from embassies in Japan.
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Identification Division, Criminal Investigation Bureau, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Department
Tel 045 (211) 1212 (switchboard number)