Whether you’re an Indian citizen living in Tokyo and need to authorize someone in India or Japan to act on your behalf, getting a Power of Attorney (PoA) done is a straightforward process—if you know the right steps. This article outlines everything you need to know, including where to get documents notarized and apostilled.
📝 What is a Power of Attorney (PoA)?
A Power of Attorney is a legal document allowing one person (the principal) to authorize another (the agent or attorney) to act on their behalf for specific or general matters—like handling property, bank accounts, or legal issues.
For Use in India
Steps:
- Draft the PoA
You can prepare the document yourself or have it drafted by a lawyer in India. Clearly mention your name, passport number, Tokyo address, and the agent’s name, address, and powers granted.
- Notarization in Japan
Visit a Notary Public Office (公証役場 / Kōshō Yakuba) in Tokyo. Fees are usually around 9,500 yen for English documents.
- Get it Apostilled
This step authenticates the notarized document. Japan and India are both part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so apostilled documents are legally recognized in India.
- Send to India
The apostilled document must be sent to the authorized agent in India, who may then need to register it at a local Sub-Registrar Office, depending on its purpose.
✳️ Alternate Option – Indian Embassy Attestation
Some Indian authorities or banks may insist on embassy attestation. You can visit the Indian Embassy in Tokyo to get this done.
For Use in Japan
If you're giving someone PoA for use within Japan (e.g., real estate or administrative matters), just:
- Draft the document in Japanese (or with a Japanese translation).
- Notarize it at a local Notary Public Office.
- No need for embassy or apostille.
✅ What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is an official certificate that confirms your document is genuine and can be used in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
In this case:
- You notarize your Power of Attorney in Tokyo.
- Then get an Apostille from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
- The document becomes legally valid in India (no further attestation required).
It replaces the old system of long embassy certifications and is now the international standard.
🏛 Notary Public Offices in Tokyo (with Address)
| Office |
Address |
Phone |
| Akasaka Notary Public Office |
3-9-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (Yashima Boueki Building 3F) |
03-3583-3290 |
| Azabu Notary Public Office |
1-4-5 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045 (Fukao Building 5F) |
03-3585-0907 |
| Shibuya Notary Public Office |
3-7-6 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002 (Shibuya Cross Tower 23F) |
03-3407-5181 |
| Ginza Notary Public Office |
2-2-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 (Daini DK Building 5F) |
03-3561-1051 |
| Kasumigaseki Notary Public Office |
2-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0013 |
03-3502-8239 |
| Hamamatsucho Notary Public Office |
1-4-14 Shiba Daimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0012 (Shiba Eitaro Building 7F) |
03-3433-1901 |
🏢 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) – Apostille
Address: 2-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8919
Phone: 03-3580-3311
Office Hours: 9:00–12:15 and 13:15–17:00 (Weekdays)
Website: MOFA Apostille Info
Indian Embassy in Tokyo (For Embassy Attestation)
Address: 2-2-11 Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074
Phone: 03-3262-2391
Website: Embassy of India, Tokyo
✅ Tips
- Always call ahead to the notary or embassy to confirm working hours and documents required.
- For embassy attestation: bring your passport, residence card, and two printed copies of the PoA.
- If unsure, embassy attestation is often the safer option for Indian purposes.
