One family’s ordeal at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport is a cautionary tale:
Without a certified English translation of their daughter’s birth certificate, they were denied boarding to South Africa.
As global regulations tighten to prevent child trafficking, many countries now require unabridged birth certificates showing both parents’ names—plus certified translations if not in English. Documents like Japan’s Koseki Tohon or Shussei Todoke are acceptable, but timing and local availability matter. Avoid costly, last-minute chaos by preparing the right paperwork and verifying requirements with the destination country’s embassy before you fly.
bY SAECULI TRANSLATION JAPAN
