How to Replace a Lost JLPT Certificate or Score Report

If you lose a JLPT Score Report or Certificate of Proficiency, request a duplicate Certificate of Result and Scores from the organization responsible for the location where you tested. This official certificate contains pass/fail and scores by scoring section and can be used for school or employment proof.

From April 2025, the general issuance fee is 1,000 yen per copy. Overseas DHL shipment adds 1,000 yen under the worldwide notice. Procedures differ for Japan, Taiwan, Korea and other countries.

Key takeaways

• The practical replacement is a Certificate of Result and Scores.
• It contains pass/fail and section scores.
• The request destination depends on test location.
• Japan candidates use JEES/MyJLPT procedures.
• The issuance fee is generally 1,000 yen per copy from April 2025.
• Overseas DHL shipment adds 1,000 yen under the central rule.
• Lost-document replacement is different from correcting an error.
• JLPT certificates do not expire, but recipients can require recent results.

In this guide: document choice · location route · Japan · overseas · fees · missing number · correction · research

Which JLPT document can be replaced

JLPT uses several document names:

The official FAQ answers lost documents by directing candidates to request a duplicate Certificate of Result and Scores for a fee. This is the document designed for admission, employment and other official proof.

Do not promise an employer that the decorative or original Certificate of Proficiency will be reproduced exactly. Ask whether the Certificate of Result and Scores meets the requirement.

Use how to read a JLPT score report to understand the replacement document fields.

Choose the request route by test location

The official certificate page separates requests into:

• Japan.
• Taiwan.
• Korea.
• Other countries.

The place where you currently live does not necessarily decide the route. The location where you took the test does.

Examples:

• Tested in Tokyo, now living in Vietnam: use the Japan/JEES route.
• Tested in Kathmandu, now living in Japan: use the overseas route tied to Nepal.
• Tested in Taiwan: use the Taiwan instructions.
• Tested in Seoul or Busan: use the designated Korean route.

Start from the official certificate issuance selector. Do not send fees or identity documents to an address copied from an old forum post.

Replacement for tests taken in Japan

Japan testing is administered by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. Candidates generally use MyJLPT's Test Result and Certificate Issuance area and the current JEES certificate process.

Prepare:

1. MyJLPT account.
2. Test year and session.
3. Level.
4. Registration details.
5. Current delivery address.
6. Payment method.

The JEES commercial-transactions page currently lists:

• Certificate issuance handling fee: 1,000 yen including tax.
• Optional express or delivery-certified domestic mailing: 500 yen.
• International EMS option: 1,000 yen.
• Credit card, Pay-easy or convenience-store payment.

The central international notice separately states 1,000 yen for DHL overseas shipment for its route. Follow the amount displayed in the actual Japan application rather than combining fee tables from different routes.

If MyJLPT access is lost, contact the JLPT Application Center. The official contact page says Japan administration inquiries are handled by phone, not email.

Review JLPT registration in Japan for account context.

Replacement for tests taken overseas

For "other countries," the official application form asks for:

• Name in Roman alphabet.
• Date of birth.
• Test year.
• Registration number if known.
• Test level.
• Country and city where the test was taken.
• Mailing address, postal code, phone and email.
• Intended use of the certificate.

The form asks for a photocopy of identity evidence, preferably a passport. If the ID name is written in kanji, the candidate should provide both kanji and Roman alphabet forms.

A proxy such as a friend, teacher or colleague needs a letter of proxy. Never let a third party improvise one without the candidate's authorization.

The current form provides a Japan Foundation fax route, while the online certificate page and fee notice may provide updated payment and delivery steps. Always follow the latest location page attached to the form.

Candidates can find the local host through the official overseas host list. For examples, see JLPT registration in India and JLPT registration in Nepal.

Fees and shipping

The worldwide JLPT notice effective April 2025 states:

Accepted central payment methods include major credit cards, PayPal, Alipay+ and WeChat Pay. The Japan MyJLPT/JEES route can display different payment options and optional mailing charges.

Before paying, verify:

• Number of copies.
• Test location route.
• Delivery country.
• Address is inside DHL service area where required.
• Exact total and currency.
• Recipient name matches the application.

Fees are time-sensitive. Do not mail cash unless the current official route explicitly instructs it.

If you do not remember the registration number

The overseas application form says candidates without the registration number should make sure to provide:

• Test year.
• Test level.
• Test location.

Also provide exact name and birth date used at registration. If you remember the test month or session, include it in remarks.

Search old email, test vouchers, result screenshots and school records before applying, but do not guess a number. An incorrect number can delay identification.

For result timing and access, use JLPT December 2026 results date.

Correcting a name or birth-date error

Correction is not the same as replacing a lost document.

The official FAQ says overseas errors in name or date of birth are corrected and reissued only when reported within one year from the test date, subject to local conditions. Candidates may need:

1. Test Voucher or Application Form C.
2. Photo ID used for registration.
3. Original Certificate of Result and Scores.
4. Original Certificate of Proficiency if issued.

A name change that happened after the test is not treated as correction of an original mistake.

The downloadable correction form says a certificate can be reissued only when the original name or date of birth was wrong and not more than one year has passed since original issuance. It asks candidates to send original documents, the application and ID copy.

For Japan, contact the JLPT Application Center. Overseas, contact the local host or Japan Foundation route for the test location.

Certificate validity and recipient rules

JLPT certificates do not expire, including old-test results through 2009. However, a company or school can set its own recency requirement.

Ask the recipient:

• Which JLPT document is required?
• Is a duplicate Certificate of Result and Scores acceptable?
• How recent must it be?
• Does it need direct authenticity confirmation?
• Is a scanned copy acceptable initially?

Read Japanese level required to work in Japan, Japanese language school requirements, and Japanese university admission requirements.

Authenticity confirmation

The authority handling verification depends on test location:

• Tests in Japan: JEES Center for Japanese-Language Testing.
• Tests outside Japan: Japan Foundation Center for Japanese-Language Testing.

Usually the receiving organization requests verification for an appropriate reason. Do not email personal certificates broadly or post verification data publicly.

The overseas contact accepts Japanese or English inquiries. Japan administrative inquiries must go to the designated JEES channel.

Old tests from 2009 or earlier

The official certificate page says people who took the old test can receive a certificate showing the old pass/fail result and scores by the old test sections.

Do not rewrite an old Level 1-4 result as a new N1-N5 certificate. The official FAQ explains the comparison, but the issued record remains tied to the original test system.

For current levels, use JLPT levels explained, N1 guide, N2 guide, N3 guide, N4 guide, and N5 guide.

Common replacement mistakes

Productive Japanese after replacement

A replacement proves a historical exam result; it does not refresh current speaking ability. Practice Japanese speaking with AI, Japanese conversation at work, and Japanese job-interview self-introduction.

Start a free Japanese speaking session while waiting for delivery.

Try another free conversation and explain your certificate level and current abilities accurately.

Final replacement checklist

• Identify the test location.
• Ask which document the recipient needs.
• Open the official certificate selector.
• Gather test year, level and city.
• Recover the registration number if possible.
• Prepare accepted identity evidence.
• Use a proxy letter when applicable.
• Confirm copies, fee and shipping.
• Keep payment and submission confirmation.
• Protect personal data.
• Separate loss replacement from correction.

Practice Japanese speaking free so the document remains connected to current skill.

How we researched

We checked the official JLPT certificate selector, FAQ, overseas application forms, April 2025 fee notice, JEES fee disclosure, host list and contact page on 22 October 2026.

We distinguish the Certificate of Proficiency from the duplicate Certificate of Result and Scores and separate lost-document replacement from error correction.

Sources

• JLPT official certificate issuance selector
• JLPT official FAQ on lost and incorrect documents
• JLPT overseas certificate application form
• JLPT April 2025 duplicate fee notice
• JEES fees and payment disclosure
• JLPT official contact routes

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