Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Certified Documents
Applicants to APU must submit various documents required for the application. In orderto ensure the authenticity of these documents, we ask that applicants submit the original
document.
However, we realized that applicants may wish to keep certain documents that can only
be issued once, such as diplomas and academic transcripts. For such documents, APU
will accept certified copies* in place of the original documents.
*Note: APU does not accept certified copies of documents proving language proficiency
test scores; we only accept the original language test score documents. For details on how
to properly submit language test scores, please check the Application Handbook relevant
to your admissions category.

What is the difference between a certified document and an original document?
A certified document is a copy of the original document that has been deemed equivalent
to the original with an official seal from the issuing institution (e.g. a school or testcenter) or another institution (e.g. a notary public). The official seal proves and certifies
the validity of the copy.

What should I do if the original document/certified document isnot written in English or Japanese?
When applicants have a certified document for an original document that is not written in
English or Japanese, they will also need to attach an official English or Japanese translation
for the original document. For details regarding how to get an official translation, please
review step 4 of Getting a Document Certified below.

Which institutions can issue a certified document?
The institution issuing the original document (Preferred)
We strongly prefer that applicants request the issuing institution (e.g. the school) toissue a certified document.
If the issuing institution cannot issue a certified document, it is also possible to request it
from the following institutions:Notary publicEmbassy
Public institution that is responsible for education（e.g. a Ministry of Education）*Please be aware that translation agencies are not authorized to certify your documents.
APU will not accept a copy of a certificate with the official seal of a translation agency asa certified document.
(Ver. 2)Please follow the steps below to create a certified document.

Getting a Document Certified
1. Prepare the original document.
OriginalDocument
2. Have one of the institutions mentioned above make a copy of the original certificate.
Copy ofOriginal

Not acceptable as an official certified document

Document

Just copying a certificate is insufficient and will not be accepted byAPU.

3. The institution will add a comment along with their official seal in the margin or on theback of the document certifying that the copy is equivalent to the original document.
Copy ofOriginalDocument
Comment
Seal

Acceptable as an official certified document[Example] I hereby attest that this is a true copy of the original
document.
Year/Month/Day
Name of institution
Official Seal

Note: Applicants are required to submit the original version of the certified document (thedocument that has been stamped with the official seal of the institution). A copy of a certified
document is unacceptable.
Copy ofCertified

Not acceptable as an official certified document

Document

4. If an original document/certified document is not written in English or Japanese, attach an
official English or Japanese translation of the original document. Please include thetranslator’s name, address, telephone number or email address, and signature or official
seal.
Original Document

Required Information:orEnglish or

1. Translator’s name/Name of the company

Certified Document

Japanese

2. Address*Written in theTranslation

3. Telephone number/Email address

original language

4. Signature/Official Seal

If you have followed all of the necessary steps above, you will now have a certified documentthat is ready to be submitted to APU.
(Ver. 2)