Marriage paperwork explained for international and foreign couples in Japan.
Click here for these instructions in Japanese
If one of the partners in your marriage is a Japanese national, permanent resident, or mid-to-long term resident (in possession of a residence card), then you are eligible to get married in Japan. Legalizing your marriage in Japan will make it easier to get a spouse visa for Japan or to change to a spouse residence status in Japan, simplifying your visa and renewal procedures, make more employment opportunities available, and make it easier to apply for permanent residency later.
Paperwork, Not Ceremony, Not Marriage Counseling
This guide is about submitting the paperwork to legalize your marriage, not about celebrating a wedding. If you’re an international couple, or a couple living internationally, there are advantages to going ahead with the legal paperwork first, even if you cannot have your ceremony, yet. That was what we did- we got married in Japan (though we weren’t there at the time) before I started applying for my visa to move there. There is no such thing as a fiance visa for Japan.
I do not support marriages of convenience, visa marriages or getting married prematurely. I am not going to write a guide about getting divorced in Japan. Make sure this is really what you want to do before reading on.
Get Married in Japan, No Matter Where You Are
First, a quick note: I will use “you” to refer to the foreign spouse or the spouse without a mid-to-long term residence status in Japan. “Your spouse” will refer to the one who is the resident of Japan. If you are both legal residents of Japan, choose your roles yourself. I recommend that the better Japanese speaker play the role of “your spouse” below.
If Your Spouse is in Japan
This becomes a very quick and easy process. You mail your passport copy and notarized affidavit of competence to marry (download from the US Embassy in Japan marriage information page) to your spouse, he or she fills in the paperwork at the city hall, and you’re done.
If you’re from a country that has a family registration system, then you can submit a Japanese translation of your family register in place of the affidavit of competence to marry.
For the affidavit of competence to marry, you are allowed to translate it yourself if you are getting it notarized at a US Embassy in Japan, since they have Japanese-speaking staff that can check your work (the same goes for the forms related to the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, but that comes later). However, if you are getting it notarized in another country, then you may need to hire a professional translator to do it, even though the Embassy is only going to notarize the English version anyway. Consult with your local embassy (if abroad) or notary for their policy on this.
Get Married in Japan, Even if Neither of You Are There!
It is possible to get legally married in Japan, even if neither you or your spouse are present in the country. However, you will need some help from your spouse’s parents to visit the city hall on your behalf. If you continue to the next steps of this process, getting the Certificate of Eligibility, you’ll need a lot more help from the parents, so it’s best to get used to asking – and to get on their good side – now. We got legally married in Japan despite the fact that we were both living and working in Thailand at the time.
Why register your marriage in Japan?
There are many advantages to registering your marriage in Japan, even if you don’t intend to live there:
- Save on duplicate paperwork: Japan requires its nationals/residents to legally register their marriage in Japan, even if it’s already been registered under another country’s laws. The United States (and many other countries) has no such requirement. So, if you get your legal marriage in Japan, you only have to do the paperwork once.
- Easy access to extra records: Chances are, you’ll need to get a duplicate of your marriage certificate at some point. It’s easy to do this from a Japanese city hall, especially if you have parents-in-law in the area.
- No requirement for physical presence: Neither spouse actually has to be present to get legally married. You can file all the paperwork by mail.
It’s not terribly romantic, but it will save significant hassle to get your legal marriage done in Japan before you start thinking about planning a ceremony. Trust me, planning a wedding is plenty stressful even when you have all the legal paperwork out of the way beforehand.
Married by Mail
This method is only going to be available if one of you (“your spouse” for the purpose of these instructions) is a Japanese national. Registering your marriage is the easiest part of the entire process of moving to Japan as a spouse, as long as you have a little help in Japan. All you have to do is collect the following documents and submit them by post.
Parental Assistance Required
The first two documents you need come from your spouse’s hometown city hall. Hopefully, your spouse still has family there, as you are going to need their help to get the first two items.
- Kon’in Todoke-sho (婚姻届書):
This is your marriage registration form. Your spouse’ parents will need to pick it up from the the city hall, complete the “witness” blocks, and mail it to you to complete the rest, along with, - Koseki Tohon (戸籍謄本):
Your spouse’s family register. If your spouse has not been married before then he or she will still be listed on his/her parents’ family register. This is not a problem.
Documents You Need to Prepare Yourself
These are the same as the documents mentioned in the “If Your Spouse is In Japan” section above.
- Affidavit of competence to marry, or kon’in yoken gubi shomeisho (婚姻要件具備証明書):
If you’re from a country that has a family registration system, then you can submit a Japanese translation of your family register.
Otherwise, you will need to get an affidavit of competence to marry, or whatever the equivalent is for your country. The American version of the Affidavit of Competence to Marry form can be downloaded from the US Embassy in Tokyo’s website (opens in new window). There’s one page each in English and Japanese, and you can fill in both pages yourself. In Japan, it’s not necessary to have it officially translated, but if you’re trying to get it notarized while living abroad, then consult your local embassy or notary for their policy, first. The English page needs to be notarized by your embassy, but the Japanese does not.
Note: If you are not from America, you should still be able to use the form from the US Embassy site, but you should also check your own country’s embassy in Japan website to see if they have a preferred version of the form. - Copy of the your government ID:
If you’re in Japan, then you’ll submit a Residence Registration or Juminhyo (住民票). If you’re outside Japan, a copy of the information pages of your passport will do.
Mail all of the documents to your spouse’s city hall and within a few days, you’ll be legally married!
Confirming the Marriage Registration
There is a chance that the City Hall will not contact you to confirm that they received your paperwork or to let you know what day it was approved. In Japan, no reply typically means “no problems encountered,” but it’s always best to double-check. After all, you’ll want to know what day to call your anniversary in the future. We decided that we would base our anniversary on the mailing day, but I do not recommend this since you’ll have to use the official approval day when you fill out official paperwork, and keeping the two dates straight can be a bother.
At a more practical level, you will need proof of your marriage to move forward with your visa application paperwork, which means you’ll need your parents-in-law’s help again. In our case, our marriage was approved within four days of our mailing it (not bad, considering international postage time). I recommend sending your marriage paperwork by traceable mail (EMS, DHL, etc.) and waiting five working days after it arrives, then asking your parents-in-law to go to the city hall and pick up your marriage certificate (婚姻届受理証明書・婚姻証明書, Kon’in todoke juri shomeisho or Kon’in shomeisho) as well as your spouse’s new family register or koseki tohon (戸籍謄本). I recommend getting several copies, then having one copy formally translated into English (with multiple copies of the translation printed) for use in paperwork in your home country. If you plan to change your name to match your spouse, or to apply for your spouse to get a visa for your country, then you’re going to need original and translated marriage certificates for each of those procedures, so plan ahead!
The next step: Applying for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)
If you plan to change your name to match your spouse, or anything like that, I recommend doing that before you move forward to apply for your CoE. You’ll also have to register your name change at your spouse’s city hall once you’re in Japan, but that isn’t as urgent.
The Certificate of Eligibility is the first, biggest, and most difficult step in acquiring your visa for Japan, but fortunately, we have a guide for that, as well. About four months before you plan to come to Japan, please read our guide on how to a apply for a Certificate of Eligibility and spouse visa for Japan (Japanese version.
Please leave a comment!
Did this guide help you? Was there anything we should have explained in more detail? Let us know below!
Hi. So much helpful information here. I know that the trail is very long but I hope you can still accommodate my question. Thanks so much in advance. I’m a Filipina with a working visa here in Japan. My fiancé is Filipino based in Manila. We have intentions of having a destination wedding here in Okinawa but he’ll return to Manila after the wedding and I’ll follow after my contract expires. Are there any special requirements? We are not very particular about registering the wedding here as we will be residing in Manila. Thanks!
Hi Angie,
If all you want to do in Okinawa is to hold a ceremony, you should be able to do that without having to worry about any of the registration paperwork. But I guess you want your marriage to become legal on the same day, as well, right?
If you want the marriage to be legal on the same day, you would have to file the marriage paperwork at the city hall in Okinawa (if that is where you have registered your residence). You will both need to produce a certificate of eligibility to marry from the Philippines government in order to get married, plus your passports, and you will need two witnesses as well.
I recommend double-checking with the city hall in advance, because sometimes they have different, additional requirements.
After you are married, you will have to report that back to the consulate in Okinawa so that they can register it with the NSO.
If you are not concerned with filing your legal marriage on the same day, then you could just have the ceremony in Okinawa and get married legally in the Philippines either before or afterwards, as well.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi! Im a japanese citizen living here in japan. My boyfriend is from Philippines and we’re deciding to get married here in japan. What type of visa & paperworks we should get? We’re both 20years old. Thank you!
Hi Yums,
He would have to come to Japan on a tourist visa at first, since you are not married. Once he arrives in Japan, you can get all the paperwork together and submit it.
You will need all of the documentation I listed in this article, including your Koseki Tohon, the Kon’in Todoke and his proof of eligibility to marry. He should check with the Phillipine Embassy in Japan to see what he needs to get that document.
After you are married, he can apply for a Change of Status of Residence from Short-Term Stay to Spouse of Japanese National. That process is practically identical to the application for a Certificate of Eligibility, so you should also start preparing all of the documents you can for that process, if you need to!
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
I have a question, Me and my fiancé (she’s japanese) have been asked to provide a document from my country to go through the process of marriage, and that document is a proof of being single and i legally able to get married, I am 23 years old of age and i am able to be married legally, but i have asked my government to provide the document and its taking way to long for them to provide it, i also asked the embassy’s help but they were not helpful, so is there a way to get married without this document?
if not, is there something i might do to get it approved?, i am honestly frustrated and its taking way too long, we have been waiting for a year for this moment to happen.
please advise.
Hi Alex,
There’s no way around this document that I’m aware of. The Japanese government has to ensure that you meet all of the marriage requirements of your home country. Being of legal age is one requirement and the other is proving that you aren’t already married.
I’m not sure about your nationality, but for US citizens, for example, it is just a notified affidavit of you swearing that you are legally eligible to marry. As far as I know, the government doesn’t actually look anything up, they just verify that you are who you say you are and that you signed the letter in front of a government official/notary.
If your embassy offers notatorial services, you could try to draft your own letter saying that you are unmarried and meet all requirements of your home country’s laws to be married then have your embassy notarize your signature on that letter.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Could I marry someone in another country if I have never met them?
or
Would I be able to marry this person upon meeting them when they arrive in Japan?
Thank you,
T
Hi Tony,
Whether you have met the person before or not is not a condition for getting legally married. As long as you both meet the eligibility requirements to be married, you should be able to complete the paperwork.
Of course, I can’t recommend it for a long list of other reasons.
(Note that if you then try to get a spouse or dependent visa for that person, then you will probably run into challenges trying to prove that it is a legitimate marriage.)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello there. Im a filipino citizen and im here in japan as tourist for 90days. Now im currently living with my Filipino Citizen with Permanent residence holder fiance. We are planning to get married this month, my visa will end next month (march). You think they will allow us to get married? And is it posible to change my visa status? This is my 2nd time here in Japan with the same type of visa. & we are already in 5years relationship so we decided to get married. I have my papers needed with me, and we’re waiting for his papers from philippines. Thankyou so much and Godbless ?
Hi Jj,
Yes, you will be allowed to get married, provided that you can get all of the paperwork that you need, like the affidavit of competence to marry from your Embassy. Your tourist residence status won’t affect that.
As far as changing your status to Spouse of Permanent Resident goes, well, it depends. In general, you cannot change your status while you are still in Japan unless you have an “unavoidable reason” why you should be allowed to do so. Unfortunately, there is no fixed definition of “unavoidable reason,” so it is up to the discretion of the Immigration Bureau office where you go to apply.
For most offices, the reason “we couldn’t get married until I came to Japan, so I couldn’t apply for a visa in advance,” is good enough. But it’s not 100% guaranteed to be accepted, either.
I recommend that you get married and get all the paperwork together that you need as quickly as possible, including the documentation from the Philippine Embassy/Consulate showing that you have registered your marriage with them, as well. Then, go to the Immigration Bureau office and apply for a Change of Status of Residence (the application process is almost identical to the application for a Certificate of Eligibility. I discuss the differences, and the differences for a Spouse of Permanent Resident, in my book, as well.)
Hopefully, the Immigration Bureau will accept your application. In the worst-case scenario, though, they may tell you that you need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, instead. Since you’ll already have all the paperwork you need for that, you’ll can turn that application in immediately, if they make that decision.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello I am a filipina 25 yrs of age i have a daughter 2yrs old to may japanese boyfriend I’m here in japan for tourist 90day and finish it this march may boyfriend is japanese and they are planing to marriage here in japan this month what we need papers for marriage? He is married before in Philippine of her filipina girlfriend and he divorced here in japan pls help me thank you
Hi Rose,
You’ll need the paperwork described in the article above. Your boyfriend will need his koseki tohon (that should show his previous marriage and divorce) and you will need proof from the Philippine government that you are legally able to marry (contact your Embassy for instructions on how to get that) as well as your passport.
You should also check with the city hall office where your boyfriend lives to see whether they have any additional requirements. You’ll need to go there to pick up the marriage registration form, anyway.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi i’m Theresa from Philippines. I’m a refugee here in Japan. Can i get married to a US navy here in japan?
Hi Theresa,
As long as you have a residence status in Japan (i.e. you have a Residence Card and are registered at the city hall), you should be eligible to get married in Japan. However, you will need some paperwork from your Embassy – the Affidavit of Competence to Marry – so you should make sure in advance that you’ll be able to get that, even with your refugee status.
Your husband-to-be will also need to check with his base legal office, since there may be additional paperwork required for US military personnel.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hi,i am nepali guy. i have a japanis girlfriend from hokkaido and currently i am working in tokyo.we decided to marry so which kind of document required and where should we go for marige registration?
Hi Thaman,
You need all the documents I listed in the article, above:
Completed Kon’in Todoke-sho
Your fiance’s Koseki Tohon
Your affidavit of competence to marry (Check with the Nepali embassy to find out how to get this)
Both spouse’s government-issued IDs.
There may by additional requirements for your city, so check with the city hall first. It would make the most sense to do the paperwork in her hometown, I think. But that’s up to you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi there,
I and my Japanese husband registered our marriage at city hall on 11th October 2016. We called the embassy of India in Tokyo to report our marriage, but the embassy official told us that it cannot be done there. We went to Takasaki immigration to apply for a spouse visa without reporting our marriage in India. The immigration official gave us the application form and we filled it. After a month we got a reply from the immigration bureau (Tokyo) to submit more documents.
Here is a brief background about my husband’s employment and financial situation-
My husband was not working since December 2013 until January 2016 so he did not have any recent tax certificate which was to be submitted to the immigration bureau. He started working again in February 2016 as a part timer and then took up a job in a logistic company. He started working for the logistics company from April 2016 on six months probation. He became a permanent employee of the company in October 2016 and the tax was being deducted from his monthly salary. Now, he has got a new job in Kitakyusu and will be starting to work from 16th February 2017. The salary is higher than the logistic company job this is why my husband decided to start working in Kitakyusu.
Response from the Tokyo immigration bureau:
1st letter said that we needed to submit an explanation of unemployment state of my husband (Dec 2013 – January 2016). Also, we were asked to submit documents like tax payment certificate by the person who had financially supported my husband during the period of unemployment, a copy of bank statement, salary slips, snaps of both of us (already submitted with the application), and proof of our chats/calls records.
2nd letter asked us to submit an employment certificate and the labour contract as well as marriage certificate issued in India by 10th January 2017. My husband wrote a letter to the immigration bureau to extend the date of submission of the marriage certificate as he will be travelling to India to get it. The immigration officer called my husband at 8 PM to convey that our application will expire on 14th February so it is better to withdraw the application on our own. He also suggested that we apply for the spouse visa from Kitakyusu as there is almost no chance of getting the application approved by the immigration bureau.
3rd letter suggested that the application should be withdrawn by me. (This letter was received by my husband when I returned back to India as my tourist visa had expired). It was clearly mentioned that I should write the application myself in my own handwriting to request the immigration bureau to cancel my application. In the meantime, I have been doing the paperwork to register our marriage in India.
My husband called the immigration officer to inform him that the remaining documents will be submitted by 3rd February 2017. The immigration officer called my husband and told him that my application will surely be cancelled even if we submit the marriage certificate from India as well as my husband’s employment certificate and labour contract.
Following are my queries:
1. Should I give my consent to the Tokyo immigration bureau to withdraw my application?
2. As my husband is starting a new job, he will be on probation for three months and after that, he will be a permanent employee of the company. Will my husband’s probation employment state yield the negative decision by the immigration bureau in Kitakyusu?
3. The tax certificate for the year 2016 will be available in June 2017. If I apply from Kitakyusu, the tax certificate cannot be submitted (for which an explanation will be attached with the application). Should I wait until June to apply for CEO/Spouse visa as tax certificate and permanent employment certificate will be available by June 2017?
4. Kindly advice how I should proceed with my application in Kitakyusu and precautions I should take this time while applying.
Expecting a quick reply. Please guide.
Hi P,
Wow, that is certainly the longest comment I’ve seen on this post!
1) If you can’t submit all of the required documents by their deadline, then I would think that you have no choice but to cancel the application. It’s either that or let them reject it, and I think cancelling yourself is a better solution.
2) His probationary status by itself should not be a deciding factor. It is more important that the Immigration Bureau be convinced that he will be able to secure long-term employment with sufficient salary to support your family. Probationary status leading to permanent employment is more secure than temporary employment, so you should be able to apply.
3) Contact the Immigration Bureau in Kitakyushu to tell them that you do not have the Residence Tax certificate yet and ask about alternatives. You may be able to apply with a Gensenchoshuhyo and a certificate of employment/certificate of salary from his new job. The Immigration Bureau office will be able to tell you for sure.
4) Make sure you have all the required documentation together before submitting the application. If anything doesn’t exactly meet the requirements (like the alternative to the tax document, above), make sure you have discussed that with the Immigration Bureau in advance. If you do those two things, you should be fine.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for your help. I got my COE today and will apply for my visa soon.
Can you please tell me if I will be issued my Resident Card at Fukuoka Airport?
I want to change my maiden name and use my husband’s family name. What’s the procedure to do so in Japan?
Also, I got my COE from Tokyo Immigration Bureau but I will be in Fukuoka prefecture with my husband as he got transferred there. Can I renew my Spouse Visa from Fukuoka instead of Tokyo Immigration Bureau?
Hi P,
Congratulations on getting your CoE. I hope your visa application process goes smoothly as well.
Yes, you will get your Residence Card at Fukuoka Airport.
To change your last name, you have to follow your home country’s procedures, so you would have to go to your Embassy/Consulate to do it. Once you have changed your name in your passport, then you can go to the Immigration Bureau office in Fukuoka and get your name changed on your Residence Card, as well.
One you are in the country, it doesn’t matter anymore which Regional Immigration Bureau office issued your CoE. You will have to use the Immigration Bureau office that serves the city where you are registered as a resident, which should be Fukuoka, in your case!
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
I am a 25 y/o german guy who is currently on a 1 year working holiday in japan.
I want to marry my japanese girlfriend soon.
Am I able to marry her in Japan?
If yes, is it possible to change the “working holiday visa” to “spouse visa” status?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
-Steve
Hi Steve,
Yes, you can get married to a Japanese National while on a Working Holiday Visa (or any other kind, for that matter).
Once you have your marriage paperwork sorted by the Japanese government and the German government, if necessary, you can apply for a Change of Status of Residence to become a Spouse of Japanese National.
The Change of Status of Residence procedure is in almost all aspects identical to the Certificate of Eligibility application procedure. The application form is slightly different, and there is an application fee, unlike the CoE, but that’s about it. The blog post above describes the procedure and I’ve laid it out step-by-step in my new book, as well.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I want to get married a to japanese citizen. I have a few questions. I can’t get any other visas than tourist visa.
Can I get married with a tourist visa?
Do I need my parents to sign any papper on accepting the marrige? Do they need to go to Japan then? I’m 18 and my parents live in Sweden.
Hi Ella,
Yes, you can get married while on a tourist visa. However, if you’re in Japan on a tourist visa, you may or may not be able to change your residence status from “tourist” to “spouse of Japanese national” to stay in the country. Some of my readers have been able to apply for a Change of Status of Residence and some have been told they needed to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. (The application process is the same, but the end result is not – I’ve written on this in detail in the comments of the blog post above and in my new book on the application process.)
I would recommend that if you come to Japan on a tourist status, you complete the marriage paperwork and apply for your Change of Status of Residence as soon as possible after arrival. Preferably within the first few days.
Since you are under 20, your parents do need so sign a paper indicating that they agree to the marriage. There is no designated format for that paper, so a letter stating that they agree to your marriage (include both names), written in English and Japanese and signed/dated by both of your parents should be fine. You will most likely need an original letter, not a digital copy.
You will also need to meet all marriage requirements for your home country in order to get the affidavit of competence to marry (or equivalent). Please consult with your embassy/consulate for more information.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
HI!
I`m a filipina who is residing in japan and I use working visa .My partner is japanese national and we are both living in japan now. We will submit our marriage certificate (from phil embassy) in city hall nextweek and will be legally married and wait for our kosekitohun/juminhyo/CTC of konintodoke to submit this documents again in philippine embassy for report of marriage.How long I can get these papers from city hall? Is it 5 working days or it takes more time?
another concern after this steps I should apply spouse visa? How should I process this?I will go back to philippines this coming april and ill finish my contract of working in japan in that case what should i do? I can apply spouse visa while I`m in philippines?or its better before I go back this april I can apply spouse visa in japan like around march and i need to go back to phil april so if i comeback in japan I have visa. I`m really confused what to do and what is the best way .
Hi Jecyl,
For your marriage paperwork, you can get a “report of acceptance of report of marriage” (婚姻届受理証明書 kon’in todoke juri shomeisho) from the city hall right away after you submit your Marriage registration. How long it takes to get your partner’s koseki tohon with your marriage registered in it depends on your city and a few other factors. It can be anywhere from a day to a week or so.
I’d recommend asking if the Philippine Embassy will accept the Report of Acceptance of Report of Marriage, if you’re in a hurry.
As soon as you have your marriage paperwork from the Philippine Embassy (the report from the Embassy/Consulate should be enough – you should not need the NSO certificate), I would recommend that you apply for a “Change of Status of Residence” to Spouse of Japanese National right away. There is no reason to wait. You can continue to work after you have changed your status, too.
If you change your status of residence while you are in Japan, then you do not need to leave the country to apply for a new visa.
The Change of Status of Residence application is nearly identical to the Certificate of Eligibility application process, so you can follow the instructions in this blog post. I also have an ebook available that goes into step-by-step detail and describes the differences between the Certificate of Eligibility and Change of Status of Residence. It’s available for pre-order (release on January 20).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I am a university student of 26 in Japan, currently living in Tokyo. My girlfriend of age 25, is an Asylum US green card holder through a family. We both are from Nepal. Is it possible us to get married in japan if she is able to come to Japan?
Hi Ruk Tamu,
Yes, if you are a resident of Japan, you can get married here.
You will both have to meet whatever legal requirements Nepal has for its citizens to get married as well. Please contact your embassy for more information.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
I am an American currently in the US (with plans to live in Japan), and my fiancé is a Japanese national currently living in Japan. We are considering getting legally married before I move there so we can get a head start on the visa process.
For the Affidavit of Competence to Marry, the US Embassy page says I need to get it notarized at a US consulate/embassy in Japan. If I am currently in the US, where/how do I get this notarized?
Thanks,
Derek
Hi Derek,
Ultimately, I’d recommend that you check with the city hall, but my understanding is that any notary, such as one affiliated with your city hall in the US, should be able to do this. (FWIW, I had mine notarized at the US Embassy in Bangkok, since I was living there at the time).
If you are living in Japan, the US Embassies and consulates are the only places that offer American notarial services, so that is why they are specified. There is nothing about the nature of the form that would specifically require the embassy and not another notary. The notary’s signature only indicates that you swore the declaration was true and signed in person in front of that notary.
On the other hand, logic does not always apply in Japanese bureaucracy, so I highly recommend you check with your fiance’s city hall for their specific guidance.
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you so much for the advice! I am just checking back in to let you and other readers know that our marriage was a success. I was in the US and simply used a standard notary public (not someone affiliated with any consulate). I signed the Affidavit of Competence to Marry in the notary’s presence and received their signature. I translated it myself (as I’m a professional translator), and we submitted these to my (now-)wife’s city hall in Settsu-shi, Osaka.
Though I originally had planned to email the documents to my fiancé and have her submit them, I was lucky enough to be sent to Japan for work just a few days after, and we were able to go in and submit them together. This proved to be beneficial, as the city hall people had a slew of questions/corrections for my application that my wife otherwise would have had difficulty answering on her own.
Thanks again!
Derek
Hi Derek,
Thank you for sharing your story and for confirming that a standard notary public can do the Affidavit of Competence to Marry!
I’m sure this will be valuable for many of the readers here.
It’s also good to know about the extra barrage of questions and corrections. I agree, it’s always better to go in person where possible.
Thank you!
– Travis from TranSenz
Reading this website has so far been the BEST and most informative. i was wondering if you could shed some light on my situation. I’m a US citizen visiting Japan on a tourist visa. My fiancé is a military service member out here. We are planning on getting married, and I was wondering if the Kon-in Todoke has been to be translated, and if so will the city hall provide translation services?
Hi Brittany,
The marriage procedures are a little different for US military members in Japan because of their SOFA status. Have your husband check with his base legal or personnel office to make sure he has the right requirements. You might be able to (or have to) get married on base under US law.
If you do end up going through the Japanese system, the Kon’in Todoke does have to be completed in Japanese and the City Hall does not provide translation services into Japanese (or into English for the proof of marriage afterward).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I have a question about the Kon-in Todoke… would I be able to change my last name through this document, or do I have to do this some other way? I’m active duty military marrying another active duty military and we are both U.S. Citizens. When I went to the legal office on my base the Japanese lady didn’t have us fill that section out. Does this part get filled out at the city office?
Hi Olivia,
You cannot use the Kon-in Todoke to change your name since you are not a Japanese citizen. You will have to change your name under US Law.
In the US, name changes depend on your home state law. When I got married, I did my name change at the US embassy, but you might be able to do yours on base, I’m not sure about that.
I took my wife’s Koseki and a professional translation as proof of marriage and went to the Embassy to change my name on my passport and social security card. Once I had those, that was enough to change it on my US driver’s license, next time I went back to the States.
You won’t have a Koseki so you will need a Kon-in Todoke Juri Shomeisho (婚姻届重利証明書), which is a “certificate of acceptance of registration of marriage.” It’s basically a copy of the Kon-in Todoke with an extra signature/seal at the bottom saying it was accepted. Get that translated and it should be enough for you to change your name.
In your case, ask your personnel office if you can get it changed on your military ID, first. Then you’ll be able to use that ID to change everything else. I don’t know if personnel will accept that or not, but it’s worth a try.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, this has been extremely helpful, as I am planning to get married to my fiance in January (in Japan). He is a Japanese national, so we are planning on getting a Spouse of Japanese National visa for me as soon as we register the marriage. Hopefully we can do it within the tourist visa time limit. Anyway, I have a few questions.
For the Affidavit of Competence to Marry, you mention how it must be notarized by the embassy. Does this happen the same day you file it? Since many websites say you can get married in one day, we were planning on going straight to the city hall from the embassy, assuming we get the affidavit the same day we go there.
Also, since I will be there on a tourist visa, should I apply for the change of residence status to get my spousal visa, rather than just applying straight for the spousal visa itself? As you said, the forms are quite similar, so I am not particularly worried either way. I am just wondering if I have to leave Japan and come back if I apply straight for the spousal visa. In that case, the change of residence application would be better.
Thank you!
Oh, sorry I forgot to ask my last question! Does the city hall give you your proof of marriage certificate right away as well?? Or do you need to wait a few days for them to prepare it?
Thank you!
Hi Katarina,
You should be able to get a “Certificate of Acceptance of Application to Marriage” (kon’in todoke juri shomeisho 婚姻届受理証明書) right away. If the city hall is also your husband’s legal domicile (honseki 本籍), then you should also be able to get his Family Register with you added to it, which is what you’ll need for the Immigration Bureau.
In either case, it will take some time. And, unless things have changed since I did this, you do not automatically get a copy. You will have to ask for and pay for it.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi Katerina,
I’m glad to hear you’ve found the article helpful!
Yes, the Embassy will notarize your Affidavit of Competence to Marry on the spot. For the US Embassy, I know you have to make a reservation in advance for notarizations, so you might want to check that in advance.
Recently, I heard from one reader who was not able to apply for a Change of Status of Residence from Tourist to Spouse. In general, you have to show an “unavoidable reason” why you should be allowed to change your status in Japan (i.e. a reason why you could not apply for the Spouse Visa before coming in the first place). In your case, the fact that you will not get married until after you arrive in Japan seems like a solid reason!
However, since the Immigration Bureau can be unpredictable, I would recommend bringing all the supporting documents to the Immigration Bureau office along with both the Change of Status of Residence application form and the CoE application form. That way, if they turn you down for the Change for some reason, you can still apply for the CoE on the spot.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank you! Also, I became a bit confused when re-reading the post.. Is the certificate of eligibility to marry the same as the affidavit of competency to marry??
Thank you!
Hi Katarina,
I am sorry for the confusion. “Certificate of Eligibility to Marry” was my translation of the Japanese requirement. That does not refer to a particular form or country’s format, just the idea in general. “Affidavit of Competence to Marry” is what the US Embassy calls their form. I meant the same thing by them.
Since there is another form called a “Certificate of Eligibility” that is required for immigration procedures, I have changed all references in this article to “affidavit of competence to marry.”
Thank you for catching that!
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
hello travis!
please correct me if I got it wrong, as what I’ve read from the posts, it is possible to change status from tourist to spouse of japanese national visa?
and by doing so, it won’t be necessary to go back to mother land. that means, the person would be allowed to stay in Japan regardless of the number of valid days of stay previously stated on the touristvisa(15days)?
would that also mean that visa application is no longer needed?
where should the application be done and what are the documents needed ?
one more thing, how about my name on my passport? if my passport and tourist visa still reflects my maiden name but I am to use my husband’s last name?
can i change it instantly on the application?
I’ve read that prior to application of CoE , change of name must be done, but on this case of change of status would it be allowed?
I hope you could help me. Thank you very much!
Hi Mary,
Yes, I have heard from multiple sources that it is possible to change status from tourist to Spouse of Japanese National without leaving Japan if there is an unavoidable reason why the person could not apply for the Spouse Visa before coming to Japan.
For example, if you came to Japan on a tourist visa so that you could get married, or maybe to get some documentation that you couldn’t acquire in your home country, then it may be possible.
However, you don’t have an unlimited amount of time. You would have to file your application before your tourist period of stay expired. Then, you would be able to stay in Japan for an extra 2 months after filing the application while waiting for the results.
The application process to change your residence status to Spouse of Japanese National is almost identical to the process for applying for a Certificate of Eligibility for a Spouse Visa. Only the application form itself is slightly different. (You can get the application form from the Immigration Bureau website).
You will have to use the name on your passport. Once you legally change your name in your home country and get your new passport, then you can change your name in Japan as well. You are not required to change your name at all. But if you do want to change it, I would recommend doing that before you come to Japan so that your new name is on all of your documents already.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello travis!
thank you very much for the response!
we actually got married in the PH last August and we also got our marriage registered in Saitama Cityhall this October.
We got the idea of why not try the change visa status thingy while in Japan this winter vacation rather than do the usual longer way of applying for CoE and spouse visa from outside Japan.
It will surely save money for the airfare and will probably make it easier because we could help eachother do the application.
i couldn’t changed my name just yet in my home country because of my existing multiple entry tourist visa (which i got 3years ago) and my airplane ticket (which i already booked) both bearing my maiden name.
if i am to change my passport into my married name , i’m afraid it would cause discrepancy and trouble on my upcoming travel back to japan this december, wouldn’t it?
can i possibly change my name while I’m in Japan?
What I mean is, change my passport name?
Hi Mary,
Thank you for writing back. I think I understand your situation a little bit better now.
It sounds like your husband is living with you in the Philippines, which is why he can’t apply for a CoE for you ahead of time, right?
Since you already have your visa and plane ticket (I didn’t realize that earlier), then changing your name before traveling would probably cause some problems for you. It isn’t a problem under Japanese law if you apply for your Change of Status of Residence before you change your name, then change your name at a later date.
However, I don’t know the laws for the Philippines. To change your name while in Japan, you will have to go through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. So, please contact them to find out if it’s possible and what the requirements are.
Once you’ve done that, then you can update your name on your Residence Card and in your spouse’s Koseki by going to the city hall in Japan with your new passport and filling in some forms there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Trensenz,
I m a University student in Japan. My fiancé live in Australia . And I m thinking to get married on this November over here. Does it possible to get married in Japan?? We both are Nepali and he is in work Visa @ Australia. What kind of document will required to get married over here.. Please help me out.
Hi Suraksha shayka,
Yes, you can get married under Japanese law, since you are residing in Japan.
You’ll need the application for marriage and the Certificate of Eligibility to Marry from the article above. You should also check with your city hall to see if they have any additional requirements. Some city halls will want to your birth certificates (with Japanese translation), a copy of a photo ID that shows your current address, a copy of your passport, etc. That varies by city, so please be sure to check in advance!
To find out what you’ll need in order to get your “Certificate of Eligibility to Marry,” (kon’in yoken gubi shomeisho) you’ll need to contact the Nepalese embassy in Japan. You’ll need one certificate each for you and your spouse.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
hi! I live here in japan. and my fiancé lives in usa
is it possible to get married without my spouse being around? shes going back to US but she gave me her Certificate to marry.
I’m a Filipino and I have my certioficate as well. I got that from my embassy too.
and is it possible to get married on weekends? thanks!
Hi Arianne,
If you have all the required paperwork complete, including your fiance’s (original) signature on the forms, etc., then it should be possible.
Recently, I’ve heard that some city halls want both people to come in person and won’t accept a copy of the foreign spouse’s passport if the spouse isn’t there.
But on the other hand, they do accept marriage registration paperwork by mail. You might want to consider mailing in your paperwork rather than going in person.
Whether or not your local city hall, ward office, etc., accepts marriage paperwork on the weekends is entirely up to that location. You’ll have to check with them directly to be sure.
Please let me know how it goes! As far as I know, you’re the first commenter on here to apply for a marriage between two foreign nationals in Japan when one was outside the country.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi.
I would like to ask if 16 y.o is allowed to get married, her father is Japanes and Filipina mother. The guy is 30, is it possible?
Hi Suiee,
It is legal for a Japanese woman to get married at age 16 (Japanese men must be 18 or older to get married). Anyone under age 20 would need parental consent.
If the 16 year old is a foreign national she would need to meet the legal requirements (including age) to get married in her country of citizenship, as well.
I’m not saying I recommend it, I’m just saying that it is legally possible.
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi – Wondered if you could help? My partner and I (both British Nationals) live in Singapore and would like to get married in Tokyo this December. We will be in Tokyo and then Niseko for over 2 weeks. Would this be possible? We will only be a small party, 2 witnesses and 4 children. Also, could you recommend a company that could help us with the paperwork etc and advise as on the steps involved?
Thank You!
Hi Chablis,
As far as I know, you can’t get legally married under Japanese law unless at least one of you is a resident of Japan. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it if you weren’t living here. Every time you need proof of your marriage you’d have to write in to that Japanese city hall, in Japanese, to order a new certificate.
The British Embassy might be able to help you get legally married under British law in Japan, if you’re interested.
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-tokyo
Of course, if you just want to do a ceremony in Japan, with the paperwork handled elsewhere, that’s an option, too.
Sorry I couldn’t help with the Japanese procedures.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi Mina,
Several of your questions are specific to your home countries, so I can’t answer those, but I can at least point you in the direction to find the answers.
4. The documents listed in this article are the only ones you need to turn in to the Japanese City Hall to register your marriage. However, you may need additional documentation in order to get the “Certificate of Eligibility to Marry” or equivalent, from your respective embassies. The name of this document and the requirements vary from country to country. You should both contact your embassies in Japan to find out what documents you need to get that.
5. You need to assemble and complete all of the documents in this article and submit them to the City Hall where you live.
6. You’ll have to check with your embassy for this answer too, because it varies by country. Some countries may require you to bring proof of your Japanese marriage to your own country’s embassy to have it formally approved. I don’t know if that requirement applies to Indonesia or Bangladesh. As for any other country besides your home countries, it should not be a problem!
Perhaps someone else with direct experience with Indonesian or Bangladeshi law can comment and add further details.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
HI! My boyfriend is a Japanese and we plan to get married this year here in Japan . But he’s only working for 8 months. Can the immigration let us get married? Sorry for my English. ??
Hi Arly,
Salary and amount of time working has no impact on your marriage application. (Immigration also has no say).
It will matter when you apply to change to a Spouse of Japanese National visa later, though. So, if he does not have a juminzei tax record because his working history is too short, you’ll likely need his parents to serve as your guarantor for that application.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi and this article is great!
If you have a spare moment, I’d like to know if a foreigner was to marry a Japanese, would the foreigner have dual citizenship?
Thanks
Hi Koichi,
No, marriage does not make you a dual citizen. It doesn’t even guarantee you a visa – you have to apply for that.
Japan does not allow dual citizenship, so to apply for Japanese citizenship, you’d have to revoke your current nationality.
Good Luck!
-Travis
I am a US citizen currently in the US, and my fiance is a Japanese citizen currently in Japan. We are planning to get married while she is in Japan and I am here. Our only hold up so far is figuring out who can notarize my affidavit? The form from the US embassy Tokyo website makes it seems like it has to be a consul from an embassy abroad.
Thank you
Hi Joey,
The embassy website assumes you are in Japan, in which case the embassy/consulate is the only office that can notarize a certificate for you.
The system is different for different countries, but the Affidavit used for the US is essentially you giving a sworn statement and the notary verifying that it is indeed you that gave it. The consulate can’t actually verify your eligibility because laws vary from state to state, and they do not have the expertise. They are just verifying that it is you that signed it.
In my case, I had mine signed by a US consular officer in Thailand, so that still technically met the requirements.
There should be no problem with a notary from the US – for example, a notary working for the city hall office where you would register your marriage if you were getting married there – verifying the form instead of the consulate, but I cannot confirm this. If possible, it would be best for your fiancee to contact the city hall where she plans to file the paperwork, tell them that you’re in your home country at present, and ask if the certificate of eligibility to marry can be signed by your city hall instead, since they are the actual officials in charge or your records.
The US state department should also have an office in your state (the place you would apply for a passport), and they may be able to help you, as well.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Okay, so I have read this page thoroughly inside and out, and I’m still having some confusion. My Japanese fiancée also read this post in Japanese. I really need some assistance at this point…
You state that we do not need to be physically present for the process, but my fiancée visited her local ward office, and they told her that I need to be present for the process. They also told her that they need my actual passport and not a copy.
Also, I had my Certificate of Eligibility to marry notarized at a local Notary Public. I had the English copy notarized. I sent the notarized document and a photo copy of my passport to my fiancée. So, is this all she will need to provide at her local ward office? Is there any other paperwork that she would need for this process?
I’m sorry if my questions are confusing… I just really need assistance. Thank you.
Hi Cody,
I’m as confused as you are! Technically, you’re allowed to submit the form by mail without either of you being present, so I have no idea why they are saying both have to be present to submit it in person. (She could also try mailing it, either to that same ward office, or to her Honsekichi, if that is another location.)
I’ve reviewed several cities and wards’ websites over the past couple of days, and it might be a problem of interpretation of the rules. In the section where it states who can submit the form, the description usually reads “Husband, Wife” or “Husband/Wife.” They don’t explicitly say “and” or “or,” so it could be up to the individual clerk your fiancee talked to to make that distinction on their own . . . and that’s rarely a good thing in Japan.
Frustratingly, it seems that cities’ systems vary. Some will not accept only a passport as proof of identity because it does not show your current address. In those cases, a driver’s license would also be required (along with a Japanese translation of that license). However, I can’t confirm whether that is the issue in your case.
For your certificate of eligibility to marry, you completed both the English and Japanese versions but only had the English notarized, is that correct? You do need to include the Japanese translation (even though it isn’t notarized).
The only other reason I could think of would be if there was something in your information that they needed to verify. Did you sign the form? It would need your ink signature over the 印 character. In many cases, a signature that was signed/scanned/and emailed will not be accepted. You would have to sign by hand and mail the form.
After your marriage is formalized, do you plan to move to Japan? If so, you might consider preparing all the documents you need for the Spouse of Japanese National Certificate of Eligibility then coming to Japan on a Tourist/Short-Term Stay visa. Then, you would file your marriage paperwork as soon as you arrive, then apply immediately for a “Change in Status of Residence” at the Immigration Bureau. (The requirements for a Change in Status of Residence are nearly identical to the Certificate of Eligibility). The Immigration Bureau will accept applications to change status under “extenuating circumstances,” and it sounds like yours would qualify.
Sorry that I couldn’t provide a clearer answer. I’ve never come up against a situation like this and I’m at a bit of a loss.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Is there a monetary fee that needs to be paid at the ward office for the marriage certificate?
Hi Steve,
You do not need to pay to file your marriage application (i.e. get married), but there is a fee to get a copy of your “Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Application” or other proof that your marriage was approved and formalized. It costs 350 yen for the Certificate of Application Acceptance or up to 1,400 yen if you want it on “high quality paper,” according to a few city halls I checked.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Good day!
I found your site very helpful to those foreigners having concerns.
My case is, I am a Filipino and I am holding a one-year residency(eligibility) in japan because I have my mom their married to a Japanese national; but I stay in the Philippines more, than staying in Japan. My questions are:
1. Can I bring my Filipino boyfriend to Japan if I am to marry him even if I only have 1-year residency?
2. Where should we get married, here in the Philippines or in Japan?
3. What would be the requirements to get married?
4. Does our marriage mean that he will also be a resident in japan?
I am hoping for your help to answer my questions. I seriously need it for our future. Thank you and may God bless you.
Hi Claudine,
I’m glad to hear you found the site helpful.
To give you a definite answer, I’d have to know your residence status in Japan. It sounds like you’re in Japan as a “Dependent” (家族滞在) of your mother. In that case, you would not be able to get a Certificate of Eligibility for your boyfriend even after you were married. Since you are a Dependent yourself, you cannot have your own dependent. You would have to get a student status, working status, etc., first.
If I am wrong and you are not a “Dependent,” then keep reading.
1. There is no fiance or boyfriend visa in Japan. Until your marriage is finalized, he can only come to Japan as a “Tourist.”
2. If you stay in the Philippines more, I’d recommend getting married there so that your records are consistent and it is easier for you to get new copies of your marriage certificate if necessary.
3. That depends on your nationality and where you choose to get married. I don’t know anything about the process in the Philippines. The instructions in this article should be valid for getting married in Japan, even between two foreign nationals, but you’ll want to double-check with your embassy to make sure.
4. No. You would have to go through the process of applying for a Certificate of Eligibility for him, getting him a visa, etc. I’ve written a guide on how to apply for the “Spouse of Japanese National” residence status (or Spouse of Permanent Resident), but it sounds like you are not a permanent resident, so you would just need to apply for a “Dependent” status for him, which is much simpler.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
To clear my status in Japan, I am a 1-Year Long Term Residence Card Holder in Japan. Me and my boyfriend are planning to get married so that he can apply for a spouse visa, my question is, is it possible for him to have a spouse visa because of me having a 1-Year Long Term Residence Card in Japan? and also where is better to get married? in Japan or in the Philippines?
Hi Claudine,
After you get married, your boyfriend would become eligible to apply for a Dependent Visa, not a Spouse Visa. (A spouse visa is only for spouses of Japanese citizens or permanent residents).
If you are both from the Philippines and you are able to go there to complete the marriage paperwork, it would seem to make more sense to get married there. Even if you get married in Japan, you would have to report your marriage to the Philippine government through the embassy/consulate, anyway. If you get married in the Philippines, however, you would not need to report that to Japan. You would just need to provide your marriage certificate with a Japanese translation.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi I am from pakistan and my gf is philpino but she is divorced from japanese and have 2 kids we have decided to get marry but we never met in personal yet she is scared to come pakistan is it any way to me to ho japam and get marry her or we are also eligible to marry by mail if it is plz reply me here
Hi Kashi,
I can’t answer your question without knowing whether or not your girlfriend is residing in Japan and what her residence status is.
If she is living in Japan, then traveling there to meet her and get married would seem to be the best way. Make sure you prepare all the documents you would need, first!
The requirements can be different depending on your nationality, so I recommend you check with the Pakistani Embassy in Tokyo for more details about what would be necessary for you to get married in Japan.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Would it be possible to marry although this is the first time they met in person. I have a similar situation.
Hi Tony,
I certainly cannot recommend marrying someone you’re just meeting for the first time.
Whether you have met before or not does not matter for the marriage registration. However, if you do plan to use this marriage as leverage to get a visa, etc., you may face challenges then in trying to prove that it is a legitimate marriage and not just a paper marriage for immigration purposes.
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi! I’m a filipina with a student visa and planning to get married to my filipino fiance. My case is a little more complicated because I’m also pushing through with ‘Naturalization’ to become a Japanese citizen.(i was adopted by my japanese stepdad when I was 5) So, I’ve consulted about my naturalization, and should stay in Japan for a year or so before I change my nationality. So I have a few questions to confirm:
1.)When I get married before my naturalization, will this affect my application in any way?
2.)Before Naturalization:
A. What are the requirements needed for applying our marriage in Japan?
B. Is it necessary for my fiance to be present during the application?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you!
Hi Jocelle,
I don’t know anything about the naturalization process, so you’ll want to consult someone else about any questions related to that.
1) Getting married before your naturalization should not affect your eventual application for a spouse CoE for your fiance. You have to be a Japanese national and married – it doesn’t matter which order. (I don’t know if this has any effect on your naturalization application).
2) A. Please check with your embassy and the city hall where you’re living. When two foreign nationals get married in Japan, the requirements may differ based on their nationalities, and I don’t want to give you the wrong information 🙂
B. He should not need to be. The marriage application can be submitted by either spouse.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
I am a permanent resident here in japan. Can i change the visa of my husband from tourist visa to spouse of a permanent resident?
Hi Maria,
I was told in the past by the Immigration Bureau that you would have to have a CoE to change from tourist to any other residence status in Japan. But recently, I’ve seen one or two comments on here from people who apparently applied to Change their Status of Residence from Tourist to Spouse directly, without applying for the CoE, so it might be possible.
Please contact the local immigration bureau office and ask them directly to make sure. (If you can, please let us know how it goes, too!)
If you apply to change your husband’s status from tourist to spouse, you will still need all of the documents listed above, or their alternatives for permanent residents.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
Is it possible for me to marry my Japanese girlfriend in Japan if her parents don’t support it because I’m a foreigner? They most likely won’t cooperate at all. Won’t even meet me.
Thanks
Hi Chris,
You don’t strictly need parental consent unless your girlfriend is under 20. If you don’t have her parents’ support, you will have to do all the paperwork yourselves. You’re also going to run into some additional challenges in applying for the Spouse Certificate of Eligibility later, unless one or both of you are working professionals with over 1-1.5 years of working experience in Japan.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi there,
Hope all is well with you.
I’m from India (living and working in India) and my partner is a Japanese national. We wish to get married this year. My partner is planning to register our marriage at city hall once I mail my documents to him but I have a few queries:
1. Do I need to mail an attested copy of my passport?
2. Do I need to get my certificate of impediment translated to Japanese before mailing it to my partner? Is it necessary to get it translated by a certified Japanese translator in my home country?
3. Does the embassy of Japan in Tokyo call both of the partners for an interview after submitting documents at city hall?
Thanks.
Hi Pree,
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
1. No, a regular photocopy should do.
2. This depends on the format of the certificate of impediment. If your format is not already written in Japanese (or both languages), then it will need to be translated into Japanese by a professional translator, but it doesn’t matter if you have that done in India before mailing it or whether your partner has it done in Japan.
3. No. The embassies would not be involved, this is a matter for the city hall, only. The Immigration Bureau in Japan and Japanese embassy in India would only become involved later when you apply for the Certificate of Eligibility and Spouse Visa, respectively.
Good Luck
-Travis from TranSenz
Thanks very much for your wishes. Hope you are doing well.
Can I register my marriage in Japan while I have a tourist visa?
I am planning to register the marriage and stay with my future husband during my tourist visa validity and do the necessary paperwork. The reason of visit to Japan as per visa application will be sightseeing and to meet friends. My partner is my inviter not guarantor in Japan and has already mailed a copy of original invitation letter, bank statement, copy of family register, certificate of residence and schedule of stay. I’m waiting to receive it soon.
Is the visa valid from the date of issuance of visa by the embassy or from the date of arrival in Japan? This is the first time I am applying for 90 days visa. My earlier visits to Japan were short (15 days each).
I checked my last year’s visa and this is what was mentioned on the visa-
Date of issue: 2nd November
Date of expiry: 2nd February
I had called the VFS global office and I was told that I can stay in Japan for 90 days from the day of landing in Japan.
This is confusing.
My arrival in Tokyo is on 8th October and date of departure from Tokyo is 31st December. If the visa is issued to me on 28th September then I can stay in Japan till 28th December. If this is the case then I won’t be able to leave Japan on 31st December. My tickets are already booked and confirmed.
On the day of registration of marriage at City hall do I need to initiate the price of change of residence?
Regards,
Pree
Hi Pree,
Yes, you can register your marriage while on a tourist visa. As soon as your marriage application has been accepted, you can file your application for a “Change of Status of Residence” to Spouse of Japanese national. (The required documents for that application are the same as for the Certificate of Eligibility, but the application form is slightly different.)
I understand your confusion about how long you can stay. You need to understand the difference between a Visa and a Residence Status in Japan. Your Visa is permission to enter Japan. You must arrive in Japan no later than the day it expires. So if your visa is issued on 28 September, you have to arrive in Japan no later than 28 December.
Once you arrive in Japan, then the visa no longer really matters. You will receive a stamp in your passport with your “Residence Status” (which will be Short-Term Stay), Period of Stay (90 days, starting the day you arrive), and Expiration Date. You can stay in Japan until the expiration date on that stamp, regardless of what your visa says. I agree, it is confusing!
So, in your case, if your visa is issued on September 28 (expiration: Dec 28) and you arrive on October 8th, you will be able to stay in Japan until January 8. (If you file your application for Change of Status of Residence during that time, you may be able to stay longer).
You don’t need to pay any price to register your marriage at the city hall, but you will need to pay for a copy of the proof of acceptance of that marriage after it has been completed. You’ll need that document if you plan to apply to Change your Status of Residence before leaving Japan or apply for a Certificate of Eligibility later.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for the useful information!
Hello. I am a japanese citizen and wants to marry my boyfriend (Filipino). Is it true that my surname must be used in order to keep my citizenship in Japan? Thank you
Dear Ai,
No, your choice of surname will not affect your citizenship. I know several Japanese women who have married foreign men, adopted their surnames, and kept their Japanese nationality.
It also will not affect your future husband’s ability to apply for a spouse visa.
Congratulations and Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hello , i was divorced with a a japanese 15 yrs ago.. me and new japanese boyfriend plan to get marry in japan when i go there maybe next month, if i can get a tourist visa.. what papers do i need to bring or prepare .. thank you
Hi Sheila,
The article above describes exactly what documents you’ll need to get married in Japan.
In your case, you might need your divorce certificate to get your Certificate of Eligibility to Marry from your embassy in Japan. Since that document depends on the embassy/your nationality, please contact your embassy directly to find out what you need to submit for that.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi im filipino with long term resident visa how can i marry my girlfriend here in japan she is in philipines now i cant go back in my country because of my work
Hi Aldrin,
The advice on this page is for couples wanting to get married when at least one of them is Japanese. For your situation, the best thing to do would be to call your Embassy or nearest consulate to get their advice on the paperwork necessary and whether you should get married under Japanese or Philippines law.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
I live here in tokyo right now as a student visa.I am married in philippines to a filipino.can i file for divorce here in japan?
Hi Donna,
You cannot get divorced under Japanese law since you are not married under Japanese law. You would have to do that process through Filipino Law. I don’t know anything about that, but I would recommend you contact your embassy in Tokyo to ask them.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hey, thank you for this information it was very helpful.
I am a resident in Japan (not Japanese) and want to marry my fiance here (also not Japanese).
From what you have above and reading the comments I could
1) Get the marriage filed in Japan without her being here and adopt her kids (if we have the correct paperwork)
2) Have her come here the apply for CoE (spouse) and stay
Does the above seem correct?
Thanks a lot.
Greg
Hi Greg,
You said you are a resident of Japan, but I can’t tell from your comment if you are a “Permanent Resident” (永住者) or a “Mid to Long Term Resident” (e.g. Working Visa, Student, etc.). That is going to change the procedures that apply to you – particularly with regards to the Certificate of Eligibility and visa.
1) You should be able to be married under Japanese law without your wife being there, provided you have the paperwork. However, beyond that I’m not sure.
To be honest with you, I have not looked in to how adoption would work for foreign residents of Japan and I am not familiar with that process, so you’d need to inquire with the family court system. If you can adopt the children, then their visa procedures should be relatively straightforward.
2) I always recommend applying for the CoEs before your spouse/children come to Japan. That’s how it should be done and it’s the safest way forward. Even if you will have her come to Japan as a tourist first (again, I do not recommend this), getting the CoE process started early is best. The type of CoE for both your future wife and children will differ based on your residence status and the results of the adoption process. You might be applying for Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident or for Dependent.
Don’t forget that you’ll need CoEs for each of the children, as well.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Very interesting article, thanks for posting, but as you point out the Affidavit of Competence for the foreign national must be *notarized*. The only place that seems authorized by Japan for the notarization is your own country’s foreign embassy in Japan. Doesn’t it therefore follow that it is not true that you can get married in Japan without being there because your foreign embassy requires you to be present at the notarization?
I hope I’m wrong but it seems that way to me.
Hi Edwin,
The only place within Japan that is authorized to notarize a document is your home country’s foreign embassy. If you’re in your home country, any notary there can do it. If you’re in another country altogether, then your embassy there can do it, too.
I had my Affidavit of Competence to Marry notarized by the US Embassy in Bangkok, and had no trouble with my application.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi TranSenz,
It’s a few months later and I see this site is still the top Google result for marriage in Japan. I have to thank you for taking the time to post because it’s been very helpful to us and I suspect many other people. I can finally confirm what is required for non resident UK citizens to get married in Japan. The short version is everything you said is correct.
You will need a copy of your passport, your Birth Certificate and a Certificate of No Impediment obtainable from your local Registrar in the UK. After you obtain the Certificate of No Impediment you should get it notarized by the UK Government. You can find out how to do that here https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised. It’s very simple.
The certificates should take about six weeks to arrive and it’s not expensive. Once you have them you should submit copies to your regional municipal office in Japan for them to check. They will let you know if they will be accepted. We were given approval recently and are now in the process of sending the real documents. In our case my partner is in Japan and is submitting the documents for us.
We found the information on the UK Embassy website in Tokyo to be misleading. It is *not* the case as they state that you can only get married in Japan by applying for one of their certificates only obtainable in person. We were able to use the above documents instead and the local municipal office were perfectly happy.
Thanks again TranSenz for the great information.
Hi Edwin,
Thank you for this great information!
I’m glad to hear that this is still a top Google hit, because my goal is to put together the most useful and relevant information. A significant part of that is the interaction in the comments from people like you who keep adding to the value of the articles.
It would be a shame to leave such a helpful explanation buried here in the comments. If you’re OK with it, I’d like to take this thread and turn it into a separate article for easier reference. I will contact you separately by email to follow up.
Thank you again and good luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
If one were married and divorced in the US, moved to Japan, then ended up marrying a Japanese national and settling in Japan, is one legally required to provide proof of the divorce despite the first marriage not being recognized in Japan in the first place?
Hi N,
That’s part of the “Affidavit of Competence to Marry,” which has to be notarized by the US Embassy in Japan (assuming you are in Japan). That Affidavit is your sworn statement that either you have never been married or your previous marriage is no longer in effect (due to divorce, death, etc.). So, if you were to turn in proof of the divorce, it would be to the US officials.
I cannot find a specific requirement to turn in documentary proof of the divorce in the instructions, but it would be safer to have it, in case you are asked.
Since you have to call to make an appointment with the US Embassy/Consulate to get the Affidavit notarized, I would recommend you double check with them if they need documented proof of your previous divorce.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
After talking to my daughter about her plans to marry her boyfriend from Japan, it seems like this article might help her out. The both of them have plans to get married in Japan and stay there for awhile .Because of this plan, her boyfriend talked to her about getting a spouse visa in order to stay in that country.
I am a U.S citizen (but already have permanent residence) and will be getting married soon and have the paper work and made the appointments at the embassy but was wondering when we go to the local city office in Okinawa will my passport due or will they only accept a birth certificate?
Hi Kevin,
Since writing this article, I have heard a rumor that some city halls will require the birth certificate while others will accept a passport. As a foreign national, a passport should be sufficient, but please double-check with your city hall to be sure!
If they do ask for your birth certificate, please let me know so I can update the article for others in the future!
Good Luck
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi there,
I am a US citizen changing status to souse of Japanese, and they asked for my birth certificate “authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs of of his/her home country, if home country is no a member of the Hague Apostille Convention”
As well as a Japaense translation with translator’s name clearly stated.
This has me puzzled as to how to obtain a birth certificate they will accept, and time is ticking on me to submit my application…
Hi SG,
I’m sorry it has taken so long to get back to you.
If you can get an original birth certificate from your hometown in the US, that should work. Otherwise, what they are referring to is a notarized copy. The US embassy and consulates are the only places in Japan than can provide that service for Americans, as far as I know.
The translation part, I think is straightforward. You don’t need the translation notarized though, just the original.
Did they say why they were asking for that? It’s not generally one of the required documents and I’ve never heard of another applicant being asked for it.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, im going to japan as a tourist visa, my boyfriend and I are planning to get married in japan what are the requirements do I need to prepare? Do I need to get a affidavit of competence to mary what else do I need to bring? Thank you
Hi Liza,
I’m assuming your boyfriend is a Japanese citizen?
You should prepare everything in the article, plus contact your embassy in Japan to see if there are any extra requirements for your country and ask your boyfriend to contact his city hall to double-check and make sure they have the same requirements, as well.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I married my Japanese husband in January and I have recently returned to Australia to get the papers I need for my CoE and Visa. I am travelling back to Japan this month to be with my husband and hopefully submit the papers. My question is I have a 12 year old daughter from a previous marriage who will be with me. I have her identification: passport and birth certificate (translated into Japanese + originals). Do you know if any further paperwork is required for her and what type of visa I apply for her? Thanks
Hi Candice,
Do I understand right that you’re going back to Japan before applying for your spouse visa? It would be simpler if you sent the papers to your husband, had him apply for the CoE and mail it back to you, then applied for the spouse visa in Australia before coming.
I am assuming for now that your husband did not formally adopt your daughter during your marriage procedures. There is a process by which he could do so through family courts and, after that, your daughter could reside in Japan on the same “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status.
If your husband has not adopted your daughter, then after you have acquired your “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status, you could apply for a “Designated Activities” status for your daughter. There is a specific Designated Activities category for children of spouses of Japanese nationals under the age of 20.
In either case, your daughter would arrive in Japan as a “short-term stay” status and would have to apply to change to Designated Activities within 90 days. If you don’t have your Spouse status yet when you arrive, it could be tight to get your status and apply for hers in time. I’d recommend talking with the Immigration Bureau directly. They may be able to offer additional advice.
Here is the link to the application instructions for Designated Activities for your daughter. As far as I can find, these instructions are only available in Japanese. (I guess the immigration bureau is assuming the Japanese parent will take care of the paperwork).
http://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/IMMIGRATION/ZAIRYU_NINTEI/zairyu_nintei8_02.html
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Hi Abby,
Me and my fiance’ wants to get married in Japan. I’m a Filipino citizen but permanent residence of Canada, divorced. He’s an Afghan national who is currently holding an student visa in Japan (international student-masteral). What is the easiest way for us to get married. Is it possible to our case to get married without me physically present in Japan?. I will send copy of my passport and affidavit of Competency to Marry to my fiance and he will fill up the forms and bring to the city hall. Is this possible?
Hi Jacquelyn,
From what I understand, yes, it would be possible for your fiance in Japan to register your marriage if you send him all the necessary paperwork. You’ll both need Certificates of Competence to Marry (plus Japanese translations). Your fiance should also check with his city hall, first, to see if that city has any other requirements.
Your home countries’ laws will determine whether a wedding in Japan will be considered valid. I know it is for Filipinos, but I don’t know about Afghans. You’ll also want to check where you would be able to get extra copies of your marriage certificate issued in the future. There’s a possibility that if you get married in Japan, only the city hall in Japan would be able to issue you extra copies of your marriage certificate (in Japanese, that you would have to have translated every time you need it). That could become very inconvenient in the future. If your embassy or national government can also register the marriage and issue extra certificates, that would be helpful, so please be sure to check with them!
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Hi what are the requirement of getting married in japan.if I am a foriegner wants to marry a janasese citizine?.
Hi Abby,
Article 731 to 737 of the Japanese Civil Code stipulates the following requirements:
(Translation taken from the US Embassy website linked in the article)
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi there
Just to be sure I understand this right, I don’t have to sign the Kon’in Todoke or be there, and I can be married?
Surely I have to agree to the marriage or sign something to say I agree to the marriage?
I have a notarized Affidavit of Competence to Marry, i.e. only to prove i’m single and eligible to marry, but can my Japanese girlfriend then take that and marry me at the local office, and I’m none the wiser?
cheers
mark
Hi Mark,
Both partners do have to sign the Kon-in Todoke. Sorry I didn’t make that clear. You need signatures/seals from both partners plus two witnesses, but none of the four actually needs to go to the city hall.
The City Hall will also have your notarized signature on the Affidavit of Competence to Marry for the basis for comparison, so it shouldn’t be easy to fake, either.
I hope that helps!
-Travis from TranSenz
I want to live and work at Japan. I do not have any Japanese friends. Where can I meet my future spouse?
If you want to live and work in Japan, I’d recommend looking for a job here, first, not a spouse as a first step.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
can a tourist visa holder in japan marry a japanese citizen in japan?
Hi Karentakazawa,
Yes, so long as the tourist visa holder meets all of the other requirements for marriage and has the required documentation.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi I am an Australian, I am in Japan at the moment on as a tourist (90 days). My partner of 2 years is a Japanese national, who lives in Japan. We submitted our marriage registration papers on the 4th January and were told that my documents needed to be sent for checking, and that they would call us when all was completed. So far it has been nearly 2 weeks and we have not received a call. How long does this process normally take?
Hi Candice,
In my case, it took less than 3 working days, but I filed at a city hall in a low population rural area.
I’ve never heard of a marriage registration taking that long unless there was a problem with the paperwork or a mistake in the office, so I’d recommend giving them a call to ask about the status.
As efficient as Japanese bureaucracy is, sometimes they make the same human errors as everyone else. They could have misread your phone number (I’ve had that happen) or set your paperwork aside and forgotten to come back to it. In any case, calling them won’t hurt!
I hope you get your answer soon!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hello, I am getting confused on rules and regulations to get married abroad when we live in the United Kingdom. We are hoping to come to Japan in August2016 for 3weeks and are thinking about getting married. Do I need to apply for visa and get my parents to agree? Also roughly how much does it cost to get married (me & husband-to-be). Thank You
Hi Samantha,
I assume that one of you is a Japanese national, right? If neither of you is a Japanese national or residing in Japan then you can’t get married under Japanese law- you’d have to do it under UK law.
Since neither of you are residing in Japan, you’ll need to file your paperwork at the Japanese spouse’s honseki, or Legal Domicile. There is no fee to file the Marriage Registration Form, but there will be some expenses for getting the documents you need and the notarized Affidavit of Competence to Marry.
You will also need two Japanese adult witnesses to help you complete the paperwork.
If either spouse is under 20, then that spouse will need his or her parents’ permission.
There is no special visa to come to Japan to get married (no fiance visa), so you can come on a regular tourism visa. If you want to come to Japan on a spouse visa to stay for several months or years, then I recommend getting married before coming to Japan, then applying for your spouse visa.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz