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国籍選択 (choice of nationality) and change of surname for a child with dual nationality

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 17 May 2025　／　Last updated 21 August 2026

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

Answer

Giving up a foreign nationality and choosing Japanese nationality is 国籍選択 (choice of nationality). It is not 帰化 (naturalisation), which is the way to acquire Japanese nationality anew. A change of surname may need a separate procedure from the choice of nationality, and what you have to do depends on the surname recorded on the 戸籍 (family register) now.

What is this enquiry about?

A mother asks about the choice of nationality and a change of surname for her child, who was born to a British father and holds dual nationality.

Subject: nationality and the 戸籍 (family register)
Situation: the enquirer married a British man. Their child, about 12 years old, holds both Japanese and British nationality. The couple plan to divorce, and the enquirer and the child plan to move to Japan.
Question: if the child gives up British nationality, is that a choice of Japanese nationality, or does it become naturalisation instead? And what is needed to change the child's surname?

How is 国籍選択 different from 帰化?

Giving up a foreign nationality and choosing Japanese nationality is not the same as acquiring Japanese nationality anew by naturalisation.

The child holds both British and Japanese nationality from birth. Under the Japanese 国籍法 (Nationality Act), a person with dual nationality has a duty to choose one of the two by a certain time. Giving up British nationality is treated as part of the procedure for choosing Japanese nationality. The procedure and the requirements differ from 帰化, which is the way to acquire Japanese nationality anew.

The main routes for the choice of nationality are the following.

A declaration that you choose Japanese nationality (国籍法第14条): a person with dual nationality tells the Minister of Justice that they choose Japanese nationality and give up the foreign one. In principle this must be done before reaching 20 years old. It is done at a city or ward office in Japan, or at a 法務局 (Legal Affairs Bureau) or 地方法務局 (District Legal Affairs Bureau).
Filing a certificate that the foreign nationality has been given up (国籍法第16条): you file with the Minister of Justice a document showing that you have given up the foreign nationality. Giving it up follows the law of that country. Filing the certificate with the 法務局 or 地方法務局 in Japan completes the choice of Japanese nationality.

What is needed to change the surname?

A separate procedure from the choice of nationality may be needed, and what you do depends on the surname on the 戸籍 now.

Changing the child's surname may need a procedure separate from the choice of nationality. What is needed depends on the surname recorded on the 戸籍 now.

If the surname is different from the mother's: you need to apply to the 家庭裁判所 (Family Court) for permission to change the surname. Once permission is given, file the notification of change of surname at the city or ward office.
If the surname is the same as the mother's: as a rule, the procedure for the choice of nationality alone does not change the surname. If you want to keep the same surname, nothing special is needed. If you want to change it, you need permission from the 家庭裁判所 and must file the notification of change of surname.

What should I watch for as I go through this?

Keep the deadline for the choice of nationality in mind, and allow time for giving up the foreign nationality and for the change of surname.

A person with dual nationality has a duty to choose one of the two nationalities before reaching 20 years old. Even if there is still time, we suggest you go ahead soon after you move to Japan. Giving up a foreign nationality needs steps on that country's side and can take time, so it is important to start gathering information early. Getting permission from the 家庭裁判所 to change a surname also needs an application, supporting documents and time for the court to decide, so start preparing early. The documents required can differ by counter and by situation. Please check with the city or ward office, the 家庭裁判所, or the 法務局 or 地方法務局 in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

By when does a child with dual nationality have to choose a nationality?

In principle before reaching 20 years old, by making the declaration that they choose Japanese nationality, or by one of the other routes.

If the foreign nationality is given up, does the surname automatically become Japanese?

The procedure for the choice of nationality alone does not change the surname. To change it, you need permission from the 家庭裁判所 and must file the notification of change of surname separately.

Where is the procedure for the choice of nationality done?

The declaration that you choose Japanese nationality is made at a city or ward office in Japan, or at a 法務局 or 地方法務局.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.