Getting Married in Japan: Legal Process and Required Documents for Foreigners
Getting married in Japan is a bureaucratic process, not a religious one. We guide you through obtaining the Affidavit of Competency to Marry, filling out the Konin Todoke, finding witnesses, and registering your union at the ward office to ensure your marriage is legally recognized.
Understanding the Japanese Marriage System
Before you start booking appointments, you must understand the fundamental concept of “Civil Registration.”
In many Western countries, a celebrant or judge marries you, and the certificate is filed later. In Japan, the act of filing is the marriage. The moment the ward office official accepts your Marriage Registration Form (Konin Todoke), the marriage exists.
Who Can Get Married?
To marry in Japan, you must meet the substantive requirements of your home country’s laws and Japanese law.
- Age: Both parties must be at least 18 years old. (Note: The age for women was raised from 16 to 18 in April 2022 to match men).
- Single Status: You must not be currently married to anyone else.
- Waiting Period: Women cannot remarry within 100 days of a divorce (a controversial but active Japanese law to prevent paternity confusion), though exceptions exist if you can prove you are not pregnant.
Step 1: The Affidavit of Competency to Marry
The single most important document for a foreigner is the Affidavit of Competency to Marry (Konin Yoken Gubi Shomeisho).
Japanese officials have no way of knowing if you are secretly married back in New York, London, or Sydney. Therefore, they require a sworn statement from your own government declaring that you are single and legally free to marry.
You cannot skip this step. A simple “Single Status Certificate” from your home country might not be enough if it’s not in the specific format Japan accepts.
How to Get It (Country-Specifics)
You almost always need to visit your embassy or consulate in Japan.
- United States: You must make an appointment for “Notarial Services” at the US Embassy/Consulate. You will swear an oath in front of a consul and sign the affidavit. The fee is usually $50 USD.
- United Kingdom: You typically need to give notice of marriage at the embassy, wait a designated period (often 21 days) for objections, and then receive the affidavit. It is much slower than the US process.
- Canada/Australia: Generally involves a booked appointment to sign a declaration in front of a consular officer.
Important: The Japanese ward office will require a Japanese translation of this affidavit. The embassy will not translate it for you. You must do it yourself or hire a translator. The translation does not need to be certified; you can type it out yourself, sign it, and stamp it with your hanko (seal).
Step 2: Gathering Your Document Arsenal
Once you have the Affidavit, you need to assemble the rest of your paperwork. If even one document is missing, your trip to city hall will be wasted.
For the Foreign Partner(s):
- Passport: Valid original passport.
- Affidavit of Competency to Marry: The original from your embassy + Japanese translation.
- Birth Certificate: Original (or certified copy) + Japanese translation.
- Note: Some ward offices waive this if you have a passport, but many strict ones still demand it to verify your parents’ names. It is safer to have it.
- Residence Card (Zairyu Card): If you are a resident. Tourists can get married too, but they just show their passport.
For the Japanese Partner:
- Family Registry (Koseki Tohon): This is the official record of their lineage. It must be a recent copy (usually issued within the last 3 months).
- Note: If you are registering the marriage at the exact city hall where their permanent domicile (Honseki) is located, this might not be needed, but bringing it is standard practice to avoid delays.
- Identification: Driver’s license or MyNumber card.
- Inkan (Personal Seal): While signatures are increasingly accepted, using a hanko is smoother.
Step 3: Mastering the Marriage Registration Form (Konin Todoke)
The Konin Todoke is the holy grail. It is a specific A3-sized form. You can pick one up for free at any city hall (they are usually located near the “Night Counter” or “Family Registry” section).
Fun Fact: You do not have to use the boring standard form. Many cities release “Designer Konin Todoke” with cute characters (like Hello Kitty or One Piece) or local scenery. As long as the layout meets legal standards, the government will accept these decorative forms!
Filling It Out
The form must be filled out in Japanese (Kanji or Katakana).
- Names: Foreign names must be written in Katakana. The spelling must match your “Affidavit” translation exactly. No middle names? You usually mash it into the first name field.
- Address: Write your registered address exactly as it appears on your Residence Card.
- Honseki (Registered Domicile): For the foreign partner, simply write your home country name (e.g., “United States of America”).
- Parents’ Names: Must be written in Katakana.
The Witnesses (Shonin)
You need two witnesses to sign the side of the form.
- Who can be a witness? Anyone over 20 years old (foreign or Japanese).
- Do they need to come to city hall? No. They just need to sign, print their name, and write their address on the form beforehand.
- Signatures: If the witness is Japanese, they must use a hanko. If they are foreign, a signature is fine.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have friends in Japan yet, you can actually ask your boss or even a landlord to sign. It is a purely administrative role, not a spiritual one.
Step 4: Submission Day at City Hall
You can submit the form at any city hall in Japan, not just where you live. Many couples choose to submit it at a resort destination (like Kyoto or Okinawa) or even at Tokyo Disneyland (Urayasu City Office) to get a special date stamp.
The Process
- Go to the “Family Registry” (Koseki) Window.
- Submit the Papers. Hand over the Konin Todoke, Affidavits, Translations, Passports, and IDs.
- The Wait. The clerk will check every single character. If you wrote your address as “1-2-3” but your official record says “1 Chome 2-3,” they might make you correct it. This takes 30–60 minutes.
- Approval. If everything is perfect, they will accept the form.
- The “Juri Shomeisho”. The office does not automatically give you a “Marriage Certificate.” You must ask and pay for a Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Marriage (Konin Todoke Juri Shomeisho).
- Standard Version: A simple printed paper (approx. ¥350).
- Fancy Version: A large, high-quality certificate suitable for framing (approx. ¥1,400). You definitely want at least the standard one for immigration purposes.
Important: The date you submit the papers is your official wedding anniversary. Unlike Western licenses that you “pick up” and then “sign” later, the submission is the marriage.
The “Fiancé Visa” Myth
A common misconception among expats is that you can bring your partner to Japan on a “Fiancé Visa” to test the waters before marrying.
Japan does not have a dedicated Fiancé Visa.
If you want to bring a partner to Japan to get married, they typically must enter on a standard “Temporary Visitor” (Tourist) visa. Once you are legally married in Japan, you can then apply to change their status to a Spouse Visa. This “Tourist-to-Spouse” switch is generally accepted, but it requires careful timing to ensure the tourist visa doesn’t expire before you file the application.
International Marriage: Japanese + Foreigner
When a foreigner marries a Japanese national, a new entry is created in the Japanese national’s Koseki (Family Registry).
- The foreigner does not get their own Koseki.
- Instead, the foreigner’s name is written in the “Remarks” section of the Japanese spouse’s registry, stating “Married to [Name] on [Date].”
This Koseki entry is the ultimate proof of marriage for the Japanese partner. For the foreign partner, the Juri Shomeisho (Certificate of Acceptance) serves as proof.
Name Changes (Surnames)
Unlike in many Western countries, names do not change automatically upon marriage.
- Japanese Spouse: Can change their surname to the foreigner’s surname by filing a simple form within 6 months. If they wait longer than 6 months, they need Family Court permission.
- Foreign Spouse: You cannot legally change your name in Japan because your official name is dictated by your passport. If you want to take your Japanese spouse’s name, you must first change your name in your home country (new passport). Once you have the new passport, you update your Japanese Residence Card and bank accounts.
The Alias System (Tsushomei)
If you don’t want to change your passport but want to use your Japanese spouse’s name in daily life (at work, on mailboxes), you can register a Registered Alias (Tsushomei) at city hall. This allows you to have your spouse’s surname appear on your Residence Card and driver’s license (in parentheses), which is often enough for banks and contracts.
International Marriage: Foreigner + Foreigner
Two foreign residents can absolutely get married in Japan. The process is identical: Affidavit, Konin Todoke, Witnesses.
However, there is no Koseki.
Since neither of you is Japanese, no Japanese Family Registry is updated. Your marriage is recorded in the municipal archives for 50 years, and your proof is solely the Juri Shomeisho.
Crucial Step: You must report this marriage to your home countries.
- Japan does not tell the US or UK government that you got married.
- You often need to take your Juri Shomeisho, translate it, and submit it to your embassy or home government agencies to ensure the marriage is recognized back home.
The Spouse Visa: The Next Step
Marriage is just the first step. If you plan to live in Japan together, the foreign partner will likely want to apply for a Spouse of a Japanese National status (or “Spouse of a Permanent Resident”).
Requirements for the Visa
Immigration is strict about “sham marriages.” You will need to submit:
- The Koseki Tohon: Showing the marriage entry.
- Snapshot Photos: Proof of your relationship (photos of weddings, trips, dates).
- Chat Logs: Proof of communication (LINE/WhatsApp history).
- Questionnaire: A detailed form asking how you met, what language you speak, and who introduced you.
- Financial Proof: Tax documents showing the Japanese spouse can support the household.
If the Japanese spouse has a low income, you might need a guarantor (often a parent) to co-sign.
Divorce and Visa Risks
It is unpleasant to think about, but essential to know: Your Spouse Visa is tied to the marriage. If you divorce, you generally have 6 months to find a new visa status (like a work visa) or leave. You cannot keep renewing a Spouse Visa if you are divorced.
Same-Sex Marriage in Japan
As of early 2026, Japan does not legally recognize same-sex marriage on a national level. This means you cannot submit a valid Konin Todoke for a same-sex union at city hall.
The “Partnership System” Alternative
Many municipalities (like Shibuya, Setagaya, and Osaka) offer a Partnership Oath System. While this is not a legal marriage and does not grant a visa or tax benefits, it helps with:
- Hospital visitation rights.
- Renting apartments together as a family.
- Life insurance beneficiary designation.
For visa purposes, same-sex partners of foreign residents usually cannot get a “Dependent” visa. They often have to enter on a “Designated Activities” visa (humanitarian grounds) or find their own work visa.
Planning the Wedding Ceremony
Since the legal part is just paperwork, you are free to have your “spiritual” wedding whenever you want.
Shinto Style
Traditional weddings at shrines involving kimonos (shiromuku for the bride), sake sharing (san-san-kudo), and flute music. These are beautiful but can be expensive and physically demanding (heavy wigs and layers).
Western Style
Chapel weddings are incredibly popular in Japan. Most hotels have a faux-chapel on site. A foreign “priest” (often just an actor or celebrant) conducts the ceremony. It looks Christian but is usually purely secular.
The Reception (Hiroen)
This is where the money goes. Japanese receptions are highly structured. Guests bring cash gifts (Goshugi) in special envelopes. The standard gift is ¥30,000 for friends and ¥50,000+ for relatives.
Post-Marriage Admin Checklist
Once the “Juri Shomeisho” is in your hand, you have a busy week ahead:
- Immigration: If you are changing your visa status, go to the Immigration Bureau.
- Social Security: If one spouse is dependent, the working spouse needs to enroll them in “Category 3” pension and health insurance at their company.
- Embassy: Report the marriage to your home country if required.
- Banks/Utilities: If you changed your name or moved, update everything.
FAQ: Common Questions
Can tourists get married in Japan?
Yes. You do not need to be a resident. You just need the Affidavit from your embassy and a valid passport. This makes Japan a destination wedding spot for couples from countries where getting married is difficult (e.g., rigid religious laws).
Do I need a Japanese translator at City Hall?
Official forms must be in Japanese. If you cannot speak or read Japanese, bringing a friend who can help is highly recommended. The staff are helpful but they are not translators.
My middle name is missing on the certificate. Is that okay?
This is common. Japanese forms don’t have a middle name field. Usually, it is combined with the first name (e.g., “Johnpaul”). As long as the Katakana pronunciation matches your passport, it is usually accepted.
Conclusion
Getting married in Japan is a memorable experience, not just for the romance, but for the unique cultural insight into Japanese precision and bureaucracy.
While the paperwork can seem overwhelming—translating birth certificates and swearing oaths at embassies—the system is actually quite robust. Once that Konin Todoke is stamped, you have a legally binding union that is respected worldwide.
So, get your documents in order, find two willing witnesses, and head to your local ward office. Just don’t forget your hanko!
Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on processes as of 2026. Marriage laws and embassy procedures vary by nationality and are subject to change. Always consult your specific embassy and the municipal office where you intend to register your marriage for the most current requirements.
References
Primary sources (official)
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Japan. Marriage. https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/marriage/ 2
- GOV.UK. Getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad. https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad 3
- Ministry of Justice (Japan). Marriage Registration (Konin Todoke). https://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/FAMILYREGISTER/5-2.html 4
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Visa for Spouse of a Japanese National. https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa10.html 5
- Ministry of Justice (Japan). Civil Code (Family Law) Amendments regarding Remarriage Period. https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji07_00288.html 6
Other helpful sources
- Shinjuku City Office. Marriage Registration Procedures for Foreign Nationals. https://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/kusei/file03_03_00005.html 7
- Legal Affairs Bureau. International Marriage and Koseki. https://houmukyoku.moj.go.jp/tokyo/table/QandA/all/koseki1.html 8
