Japanese / Korean → English translation for Australian authorities
Japanese koseki extracts and Korean family relation certificates record several people in a single document. The translation covers the full extract, including entries for family members, because Australian authorities read the relationship evidence from those entries.
Key facts
| Directions handled | Into English, and English into the source language |
|---|---|
| Most requested documents | Koseki extract, family relation certificate, marriage record, academic transcript |
| Delivery format | PDF carrying the translator's stamp, signature and statement |
| Must always match | Name spelling exactly as printed in the passport |
Documents most often translated in this pair
- Japanese family register extract (koseki tohon / shohon)
- Japanese certificate of residence (juminhyo)
- Korean basic certificate and family relation certificate
- Korean marriage and resident registration records
- University transcripts and degree certificates
- Criminal record certificates
Names, script and dates
- Japanese names are given in the passport Hepburn romanisation, with the kanji reproduced for reference.
- Korean names follow the passport romanisation, with hangul reproduced alongside.
- Japanese era dates (Showa, Heisei, Reiwa) are converted to the Gregorian calendar and the era is retained in brackets.
- Registered domicile (honseki) and issuing municipality details are translated in full.
Why translations in this pair get sent back
- Requesting an abridged extract when the receiving body needs the full extract.
- Missing pages of a multi-page koseki that continue family entries.
- Romanising a name differently from the passport because a different system was used.
- Certificates issued too long before submission where the authority sets a recency limit.
Frequently asked questions
Which koseki version should I request?
A tohon is the full copy of the register; a shohon covers one person only. Where the application relies on a family relationship, the full copy generally carries more of the evidence the authority is looking for.
Do Korean certificates need to be recent?
Many Australian bodies set their own recency requirements for civil status evidence. Check the stated limit before ordering, because a translation cannot make an out-of-date certificate current.
Continue reading
Content last reviewed: August 2026. Requirements set by receiving bodies can change; always confirm them on the authority’s own website before submitting.