I would like to get married in Japan. Is there a special procedure?

When a Japanese and a foreigner marry in Japan, the marriage must be registered at the local ward or municipal office according to Japanese law (rule13 sec.3). The Japanese spouse should submit an official copy of his or her Family Register. The foreigner should submit his or her passport and Certificate of Alien Registration. In addition, the foreign national is required to submit a certificate issued by a Diplomatic Mission affirming that he or she is legally competent to marry, with its Japanese translation attached.

The conditions for valid marriage to become differ from country to country. Japanese should abide by the conditions of Japan, and foreigners by the conditions of their own country. Following is an explanation of different requirements for Chinese, Taiwanese, South Korean, North Korean, American, or Filipino. However, requirements might change depending on a person's situation. For further details, please contact the Immigration Bureau.

Chinese nationals

Chinese nationals should get a certificate for marriage registration from the Chinese Embassy. In order to get the marriage resistration, one needs a passport, Alien registration, and a certificate to prove you are not married:it must be signed by a witness in China. If they are staying in Japan with a tourist visa, they might need their history or working certificate from a witness in China. (When you apply with these requirements, the certificate is issued from the Chinese Embassy within about 1 week. Fee is 2,000 yen.)

Taiwanese and South Korean nationals

Taiwanese and South Korean nationals can request a Family Registration from their home town. Therefore, as a general rule, an official copy of one's Family Register should be submitted. However, if one has lived in Japan since before the war and doesn't have a Family Register in their own country, an exception of an Alien Registration and some other lawful requirements will be accepted.

North Korean nationals

Because North Korea doesn't have a Family Registration system an exception of an Alien Registration and some other lawful requirements will be accepted.

American nationals

One may get a certificate issued by a diplomatic mission affirming that he/ she is legally competent to marry from one's home state, or one may get the administration of an oath with a signature of a consul. One must apply to an American Embassy with a passport, Alien Registration, and Japanese spouse's Family Registration. If one is a soldier, permission from the military will be necessary.

Filipino nationals

Filipino nationals can get a certificate issued by a diplomatic mission at the embassy affirming that they are legally competent to marry. For that, one needs a birth certificate, single person certificate, passport and parent's permission (for those under-age).