2018 Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Certified Documents
Applicants to APU must submit various documents that are extremely important to theirapplications. In order to ensure authenticity of these documents, we request thatapplicants submit the original certificate.
However, APU is aware that some necessary documents, such as certain academictranscripts, have only one original certificate. In cases like these, we understand thatapplicants may find it difficult to submit the only original. Therefore, APU will also
accept a certified document* in place of the original certificate.
*Please note that documents proving Language Proficiency cannot be submitted as
certified documents. For details on how to properly submit language test scores, pleasecheck the Application Handbook that corresponds to your admissions category.

What is the difference between a certified document and an original certificate?
A certified document is a copy of the original certificate that has been deemed theequivalent of the original with an official seal from the issuing institution (e.g., a schoolor test center) or other institutions (e.g., a notary public). The official seal proves thevalidity of the copy, certifying the document.

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

What institution can issue a certified document?
1.

The institution issuing the certificate (Preferable)

Applicants are highly recommended to request the issuing institution (e.g., the school)
to make a certified document.
If it is not possible for applicants to request the issuing institution for a certified
document, it is also possible to request it from the following institutions.
2. Notary public
3.

Embassy

4.

Public institution that is responsible for education（e.g., a Ministry of Education）*Please be aware that translation agencies cannot certify your documents. APU will not
accept the copy of a certificate with the official seal of a translation agency as a certified
document.

Please follow the steps below to create a certified document.

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

Unacceptable as a certificate
Just copying a certificate is insufficient and will not be acceptedby APU.

3. The institution will add a comment along with their official seal in the margin or on
the back of the paper saying they certify that the copy is the same as an original
certificate.
Copy ofOriginal

Acceptable as a certified document

Certificate
Comment[Example] I hereby attest that this is a true copy of the original document.
Year/Month/Day

Seal

Name of institution

Official Seal

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 acertified document is unacceptable.
Copy ofCertifiedDocument

Unacceptable as a certificate

4. If an original certificate/certified document is not written in English or Japanese,
attach an official English or Japanese translation for the original document. Please
include the translator’s name, address, telephone number or email address, andsignature or official seal.
Original Certificate
orEnglish orCertified Document

Japanese*Written in theTranslation

original language

Necessary Information
1. Translator’s name/Name of the company
2. Address
3. Telephone number/Email address
4. Signature/Official Seal

If you have checked and followed all of these necessary steps, you will now have acertified document that is ready to be submitted.