❓️ Can I Use a Birth Certificate to Prove My Relationship with My Financial Sponsor?

🎯 Who is this for?

• International students applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

• Students asked by their school to submit documents proving their relationship with a financial sponsor

• Students from countries without a Family Register system

❓ Question

My school asked me to submit a Family Register to prove my relationship with my financial sponsor.
However, my country does not have a Family Register system.
My financial sponsor is my mother, so I think a birth certificate can prove our relationship.
Can I submit a birth certificate instead?

✅ Answer

Yes.
If your relationship with your financial sponsor can be clearly proven using a birth certificate, you may submit a birth certificate instead of a Family Register.
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan accepts this.

📝 Additional Information

• If your father or mother is your financial sponsor, one birth certificate is usually enough.

• If the relationship is not clear with one document, you may need to submit multiple documents together.

Examples:

• If your sponsor is your sibling
  Submit:

  • Your birth certificate

  • Your sibling’s birth certificate
    Since both documents show the same parents, the sibling relationship can be confirmed.

• If your sponsor is your stepfather or stepmother
  Submit:

  • Your birth certificate (to show your biological parents)

  • A marriage certificate showing that your parent married your stepfather or stepmother
    In some cases, an additional explanation document may also be required.

How to Proceed

• Prepare the appropriate documents based on your relationship with the sponsor.

• Submit them according to your school’s instructions.

Important Notes

• Required documents may differ depending on your situation.

• Always check with your school for the final decision and detailed guidance.