Certified translation of Japanese vehicle export certificates

Does your state accept a translation certified in Japan?

We have read each state’s published titling rules and asked titling offices in states that publish none. In 21 states (Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia), a translation with the translator’s signed certificate, which is what we deliver, meets the requirement. For 13 states (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming) we found no published rule; if yours is one of them, ask the office that will issue your title whether an English translation with the translator’s signed certificate is enough, or whether it needs to be notarized. Our order form asks for your state and shows what applies (state statutes, DMV manuals, and forms checked; last reviewed 15 October 2026). The other 15 states and the District of Columbia, each listed here with its rule, either require notarization or a translator qualification we do not hold, or need to be confirmed with the titling office first. Rhode Island's DMV told us in writing that it does not require an English translation, so check with its office before you order.

• Colorado: Confirm first — ask whether a translator’s certificate signed without notarization is accepted. Translations must be signed and notarized, or signed under penalty of perjury; anyone who knows the language may translate. The bulletin is addressed to dealers (Colorado DMV Bulletin BL 17-01, Imported Motor Vehicles Titling Requirements, 27 March 2017).
• Connecticut: Not accepted — approved providers only. Only translators on the DMV's approved list (CT DMV, Approved translators).
• District of Columbia: Confirm with DC DMV first. Embassy translation, translation company with its stamp, or notarized affidavit (DC DMV guidance as reported in our August 2026 research; not traced to a published DC DMV document).
• Florida: Not accepted — notarization required. The translator must sign the translation before a notary public, state knowledge of both languages, and have no ownership interest in the vehicle. The manual applies Rule 15C-1.013, which on its own asks only for the translator’s certification (FLHSMV Motor Vehicle Procedure Manual TL-10, Original Certificate of Title, revised 12/25).
• Kentucky: Confirm with your County Clerk first. Translation papers from the vehicle manufacturer or a "certified translator", a term the page does not define (Kentucky DRIVE, Vehicle Titling, Foreign Titles).
• Maryland: Not accepted — embassy only. Translation through the embassy of the country of registration, with the embassy seal (Maryland MVA, Overseas vehicles).
• Minnesota: Not accepted — sworn translation by a listed credential holder required. The translation must be sworn to by a translator who is not related to the applicant and holds one of the listed credentials, such as ATA accreditation or court certification (Minn. Stat. §168A.085 subd. 2; Minn. R. 7410.0400 subp. 5; DVS Title Certification: New to Fleet, May 2026).
• Nevada: Not accepted — notarization required. Under the DMV’s internal policy, the translation must cover the complete document, state the translator’s title or the translation company they represent, be signed by the translator at the bottom, and be notarized (Nevada DMV Customer Services Division – Titles, written reply to our email inquiry).
• New Hampshire: Not accepted — notarization required. A foreign certificate of title must be printed in English or come with a notarized translation (N.H. RSA 261:4, III(a)).
• Ohio: Not accepted — institution letterhead required. Translation by an accredited institution, on its letterhead (Ohio BMV, Titles from out of state).
• Oklahoma: Not accepted — notarization required. For a vehicle not made for sale in the US and never titled in the US, the foreign ownership documents need a notarized translation (47 O.S. §1105(F)(1), as worded in enrolled HB 2111 of 2025).
• South Carolina: Not accepted — requirements an independent translator cannot meet. Form 4030: accredited translator plus an employer verification letter (SCDMV Form 4030, Translation Document).
• South Dakota: Confirm first — the only guidance found is from one county. No state rule found. One county treasurer asks for an English translation to be attached to foreign-language documents, without specifying the form (Oglala Lakota County Treasurer, Import Vehicle Requirements, as of January 2024).
• Texas: Not accepted — use a US-based provider that can notarize locally. The translation must contain a notarized or acknowledged affidavit from the translator; the underlying statute is Transportation Code §501.030(d) (TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual, ch. 19).
• Washington: Confirm first — ask whether a translator’s certificate without notarization is accepted. The translator must provide a "notarized or certified affidavit" attesting to the accuracy of the translation. We have not confirmed whether the Department of Licensing treats a translator’s signed certificate without notarization as a certified affidavit (WAC 308-56A-115(5)(b)).
• West Virginia: Not accepted — notarization required. Notarized translation of foreign ownership documents (W. Va. Code §17A-3A-3).

The complete state-by-state table, including states that accept translator-certified translations, explanations for why local counter practices can diverge from official DMV websites, and details on the New Zealand exemption, is available in our state-by-state DMV translation guide.

Which Japanese document is your DMV asking for?

Registries and online automotive forums refer to the same small set of Japanese documents by various names. What your local DMV refers to as a Japanese title or deregistration certificate is almost always one of the following:

"Deregistration certificate" is commonly used as an umbrella term by importers. Because Japan cancels domestic registration upon export, the certificate of that deregistration takes the title's role. If your paperwork is an export deregistration certificate (輸出抹消仮登録証明書) or a certificate of notice of planned export (輸出予定届出証明書), it is the document you need translated for titling.

Some state DMVs name the document themselves. Virginia DMV lists the Export Certificate among the ownership documents it accepts for imported vehicles, and asks for a bill of sale or invoice from the exporting company when the certificate is assigned to that company rather than to you. Illinois requires foreign ownership documents to be originals, not copies, so bring the Japanese certificate itself together with the printed translation. We have not found a published rule on originals for the other states in our guide, so check with the office that will issue your title.

If the deregistration certificate you have been asked for concerns your own residence in Japan rather than a vehicle, the Japanese document is the removed resident record (juminhyo no jokyo), issued by the municipal office of your last address after you move out. See our residence certificate translation page.

Sources: Japan Customs, Customs Answer 5502 (Customs Procedures for Exporting Used Vehicles); Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization, application for a Certificate of Notice of Planned Export; Virginia DMV, Imported vehicles. Last reviewed: September 2026. Illinois Secretary of State, VSD 272.23. Last reviewed: August 2026.

Orders for multiple vehicles

Importers and commercial dealers handling multiple vehicles receive automatic batch pricing: 10% off for 3 or more documents, and 15% off for 5 or more documents, reflected directly in your quote email. Standard delivery stays within 48 hours at typical batch sizes. Invoice terms are available for recurring dealer arrangements; contact us to set one up.