Japan's Legal Heir Information Certificate System (法定相続情報証明制度, Hōtei Sōzoku Jōhō Shōmei Seido) has been available at Legal Affairs Bureaus since May 29, 2017. It is a free service through which a Legal Affairs Bureau verifies and certifies the legal heirs of a deceased person in a single, authenticated document. When a death occurs in Japan, the surviving family must typically submit the same set of family register documents to multiple institutions — banks, the Legal Affairs Bureau for property registration, pension offices, and more. This system allows you to obtain a single certified copy that replaces the full family register bundle at each of those institutions.
How the System Works
① An applicant (one of the heirs) collects family register documents and prepares a Legal Heir Information Chart (a self-prepared A4 diagram listing all heirs)
② Submit the application form, the chart, and the family register bundle to the local Legal Affairs Bureau
③ A registration officer reviews the documents and issues a certified copy of the Legal Heir Information Chart (no fee charged by the Bureau)
④ Use the certified copies when dealing with each institution — banks, the bureau for inheritance registration, pension offices, etc.
※ As many copies as needed may be issued at no charge; reissuance is also free.
Documents Required for Application
- Family registers covering the deceased's life from birth to death (to confirm all legal heirs)
- Residence record cancellation certificate or Family Register Annex of the deceased
- Current family register extract for each heir
- Residence certificate of the applicant
- The Legal Heir Information Chart (prepared by the applicant on A4 paper)
- Application form (downloadable from the Ministry of Justice website)
- If applying through a representative (e.g., administrative scrivener): power of attorney plus professional seal certificate
Where the Certified Copy Can Be Used
- Bank and financial institution inheritance procedures: Account closures, withdrawals, and name changes
- Inheritance registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau: The certified copy substitutes for the full family register bundle
- Securities and investment trust transfers: Procedures at brokerages and trust banks
- Life insurance death benefit claims
- Pension-related procedures: Unpaid pension claims and survivor's pension applications
Benefits and Limitations
- ✓ Completely free: The Legal Affairs Bureau charges nothing for issuance (family register collection fees are separate)
- ✓ One document covers all institutions: Eliminates repeated submission of the same register bundle
- ✓ Original documents stay in your hands: Only certified copies are submitted, reducing the risk of loss
- ⚠ Inheritance waivers and division agreements are not included: Who receives what asset requires a separate inheritance division agreement (遺産分割協議書)
- ⚠ Processing can take a few weeks: Allow for lead time depending on the bureau's workload
How Sakura Central Legal Office Can Help
We handle the collection of family register documents, preparation of the Legal Heir Information Chart, and submission to the Legal Affairs Bureau on your behalf. We also coordinate with judicial scriveners for inheritance registration and draft inheritance division agreements. Free initial consultation available.
For Legal Heir Information Chart preparation, bureau submission, and inheritance division agreements, contact Sakura Central Legal Office.
Free initial consultation available.