Reception window

Citizen's Affairs Section

1st Floor, Urasoe City Hall

TEL: (098) 876-1234 (ext. 3064)

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Marriages performed in Japan

To be legally married in Japan, you must register the marriage with your embassy or consulate and with the municipal office in the city or town where you live. The registration service is free of charge, but there is a nominal fee for the Marriage Certificate.

 

Necessary documents

1. Marriage Registration Form completed in Japanese and signed by two witnesses
   
   (Forms are available at City Hall.)


2. Copy of Family Register for Japanese party
   
   (Unneccessary when registering in permanent domicile.)


3. Affidavit of Eligibility for foreign national party
   
   (To prove that you can be legally married in your home country. Please obtain one from your consulate or embassy.)


4. Japanese translation of the Affidavit of Eligibility with the translator's signature or stamp
   
   (May be translated by anyone proficient in Japanese.)


5. Proof of nationality
   
   (Passport, Birth Certificate, Residence Card, etc.)

 

In the case of countries that do not issue Affidavits, another document will be required in its place. Instead, a (1) copy of the laws in the foreign national's home country with a reference to the source with a Japanese translation and (2) proof of identity issued by the foreign national's home country, such as a passport, ID or registration card, or birth certificate with Japanese translations may be submitted. Please note that cases where the applicant cannot provide an Affidavite of Eligibility will take extra time.

 

Notes

• Remember that under Japanese law, marriage within 100 days of a divorce is illegal for women


• Marriage registration is required even for Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) personnel

 

Marriages performed outside of Japan

You must also register the marriage with the municipal office in the city or town you live if you marry a Japanese national overseas. Please note that marriages between foreign nationals performed outside of Japan will not be recorded in Japan.

 

Necessary documents

1. Marriage Registration Form
   
   (With signature from Japanese party.)


2. Copy of Family Register for Japanese party


3. Marriage Certificate issued by a public authority in the country where the marriage was registered
   
   (Original document.)


4. Japanese translation of Marriage Certificate


5. Proof of nationality
   
   (Passport, Birth Certificate, Residence Card, etc.)

 

Note that all documents in foreign languages must be accompanied by a translation in Japanese with the translator's signature or personal seal. The translation may be done by the applicant. Original documents submitted in the application process wil not be returned.

 

Marriage Certificates

（Kon-in Juri Shōmei-sho　婚姻受理証明書）

After assembling the necessary documents and registering your marriage, you may purchase a Marriage Certificate. The price is ¥350 for a Standard Certificate and ¥1,400 for a Decorative Certificate. The Decorative Certificate includes the names of the witnesses to the marriage registration, whereas the Standard Certificate does not.