While every case is different, the following are the general case steps, in order, that need to be taken to naturalize to Japanese:
- Find your closest 法務局 that has a 国籍課 (Nationality Section) that has jurisdiction where you live
- Call and make an initial appointment. Should take at least three to six weeks
- At the appointment, meet your assigned public civil servant and determine the initial paperwork to prepare
- Get two copies and an original of your 外国人登録原票記載事項証明書
- Get two copies and an original of the paperwork proving your current nationality (not your passport or birth certificate)
- Get two copies and original (certified copies) of your own and your immediate family birth certificates and/or death certificates if directed
- Get two copies and the original of your parent's marriage and/or divorce certificates if directed
- Get two copies and the original certified copy of your spouse's 戸籍 (family register) within the last six months if applicable
- Get two copies and the original of your spouse's 住民票 (residency registration) within the last six months if applicable
- Get two copies and the original of your 源泉徴収票 within the last year
- Get two copies and the original of your 所得税の納税証明書 within the last three months
- Get two copies and the original of your 法人税の納税証明書 within the last three months, if applicable
- Get two copies and an original of your 在職証明書 (Proof of Employment), showing proof of one (1) month's salary, if applicable
- Get two copies and an original of your high school and college diplomas if directed
- Get two copies and the originals of professional certifications — such as 日本語能力証明書 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) — if directed
- Get two copies and the originals of all stamped pages of your passports
- Get two copies and the original of your five year Japanese driving record within the last last three months, if directed
- Get two copies and the certified original of your record for entrances and exits to Japan
- Take two visa-style photos of yourself
- Collect some family photographs if directed
- Complete the 帰化許可申請書 form
- Complete the 親族の概要 forms
- Complete the 帰化の動機書 (motivation essay)
- Complete the 履歴書 forms
- Complete the 生計の概要 forms
- Complete the 事業の概要 forms, if necessary
- Make a second appointment. Should take at least two to four weeks
- At the appointment, confirm that the paperwork is all in order
- At the appointment, sign the 宣誓書 (Oath Statement) for the Japanese Constitution and law.
- At the appointment, sign the 宣誓書 (Oath Statement) for the promise to renounce (if applicable)
- At the appointment, sign the 帰化許可申請書 (Application for Naturalization Permission)
- At the appointment, provide a contact number and address for your interview
- While waiting for your interview (should take at least four to eight weeks), contact the 法務局 (Bureau of Legal Affairs) at the number they provided you with your case number anytime you leave or enter Japan (including temporary vacations or business trips) or if anything major in your life changes (marriage, divorce, loss/change of job, etc)
- Be available (either via phone and/or postal mail) to followup with any missing or need-to-be-revised paperwork
- Interview with either the same or a different immigration officer, either at your home or at the 法務局 (Bureau of Legal Affairs), with your spouse (if applicable)
- Be available (either via phone and/or postal mail) to followup with any missing or need-to-be-revised paperwork
- While waiting for the results (should take at least six months), contact the 法務局 (Bureau of Legal Affairs) at the number they provided you with your case number anytime you leave or enter Japan (including temporary vacations or business trips) or if anything major in your life changes (marriage, divorce, loss/change of job, etc)
- Get a call or postal mail from the 法務局 (Bureau of Legal Affairs) regarding your successful (hopefully not unsuccessful!) naturalization
- Go to the 法務局 (Bureau of Legal Affairs) to receive your 帰化者の身分証明書 (proof of naturalization) and possibly/optionally participate in a small ceremony
- Bring your completed 帰化届 to the 区役所 or 市役所 along with your 外国人登録証明書 (Alien Registration Card) and/or another 帰化者の身分証明書 (proof of naturalization) to convert your records from foreigner to citizen, getting a 戸籍 (family register) and a 住民票 (resident registration). Bring your spouse if necessary
- (optional) Apply for a 住基カード (Residency Registration identification card)
- Go to the embassy or consulate to renounce your previous citizenship. Depending on your nationality, you may need to renounce before naturalizing.
- For Americans: make an appointment to meet with a consular officer. Meet with a consular officer. Pay a fee for renunciation (!). Turn in your passport. Wait at least six months.
- (U.S. citizens) Receive a Certificate of Loss of Nationality in the mail with your cancelled passport
- (former U.S. citizens) File a 8854 with your last 1040 Income Tax Statement
- (optional) Apply for your 日本国の旅券 (Japanese passport) and optionally register for use of the automated gates at immigration as a Japanese citizen.
- Change your name on your Japanese driver's licenses, bank, loan and credit accounts, utilities and services, membership cards, etc.
- (optional) Apply for a new 実印 (registered seal) with your new name and register it at the 区役所 {kuyakusho} or 市役所 {shiyakusho}
- (may be optional) Change your name on your overseas identification, bank, loan and credit accounts, membership cards, etc.
- (optional) Get a copy (digital or real) of the 官報 (Diet's Official Gazette) with a copy of your name in it showing you've naturalized as a souvenir.
