How to get a vaccination “passport”

Once you are done with getting your COVID-19 vaccine shots you might want to consider getting a vaccine passport - the proof of vaccination that you get from the vaccination center or clinic is only valid in Japan. If you plan to travel overseas, you will have to get a different document that by most people is called vaccination passport. Officially it is called Vaccination Certificate of COVID-19 and it is not a passport but just a one-page document in Japanese and English.

The application process is determined by the area in which you got vaccinated so you will have to check the website of that city or ward for details but in general, it should be similar. In my city, you could apply via two methods, by mail or by visiting the city office.

If you apply by mail, you have to prepare a copy of your passport, the proof of vaccination you received when getting vaccinated, and fill out the application form. It should be available to download on the city or ward website. Then you prepare a return envelope and send everything in.

If you apply in person in my city, you have to make an appointment via phone call first. Then you bring the documents with you on the day and you can fill out the application form at the office directly. I was able to get an appointment real quick and could go only a few days after I had called. When I went there they checked my documents and told me the vaccination passport would be ready in an hour. I was also asked when I am planning to go overseas as apparently the passport is only issued for people that have plans to travel. I did not have to show any proof of that though.

I came back an hour later and could pick up the document. As they only had to print it out I am not sure why it takes one hour to do so but apparently, that is how it works here.

I heard that in other areas it is only possible to send in your documents via mail so depending on where you got vaccinated the process might take longer than it took for me. If you got your first and second shot in different areas, you should first confirm which area is responsible for your vaccine passport application if you plan to get one.