How to get married in Japan
If you wish a legal marriage in Japan, you must do so according to Japanese Law. It consists of registering marriage at a Japanese municipal government office but NOT all the municipals accept it for NON-Residents, unfortunately they are not always on the same page when it comes to the requirements to marriage registration. Before you start, please verify in advance. Usually it takes several months to prepare the documents.
Please note that Ceremonies performed by religious or fraternal bodies in Japan are NOT legal marriages.
Who Can Get Married in Japan?
Article 731 to 737 of the Japanese Civil Code stipulates the following requirements:
- The male partner over 18 years of age and the female partner over 16 years of age
- Who is under 20 years of age need a parent’s approval
- A woman cannot get married in Japan within six months of the dissolution of her previous marriage. According to Japanese law, this is to avoid confusion as to the identification of a child’s father if a birth occurs close in time to the end of the marriage.
**Hire the Translator is mandatory
For US nationals: https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/marriage/marriage-in-japan/
For British nationals: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affidavitaffirmation-of-marital-status-japan
For French nationals: https://jp.ambafrance.org/Mariage-d-un-e-francais-e-avec-une-personne-de-nationalite-etrangere-au-Japon
For Australian nationals: https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/marriage_divorce.html
For Singaporean nationals:
https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Overseas-Mission/Tokyo/Consular-Services/Registration-of-Marriage-in-Japan
