This article is about legalizing your marriage in Japan: the requirements and the general process. Having gone through the process myself, I thought it would be useful for others thinking of getting married here. In our case, we were both foreigners (she Filipino; I British) living in Japan, but the Japan-side of the general process does not differ based on nationality, and so is the same for Japanese citizens and international residents alike.
What are the legal requirements to get married in Japan?
All marriages must be registered at a municipal government office. Ceremonies performed by religious organizations are not legal marriages in Japan. Like all other countries, Japan has its own requirements for marriage and these are stipulated in the Japanese Civil Code:
- Both partners must be 18 years of age or older. (Note: The age of marriage for women was increased from 16 to 18 in April 2022 to match that of men).
Regardless of the rules in your home country, if you wish to get married in Japan both partners must first meet this requirement.
What documents do we need?
These are the documents required by the municipal offices to register a marriage.
- Proof of Identification. This can be a passport, residence card, or driver’s license. It is best to bring your passport as it is the most internationally recognized form of identification.
- Certificate of Marriage Notification (婚姻届書, kon-in todoke-sho). These are available at municipal offices. There is a witness section on the form which must be completed by two witnesses of any nationality who are over 18 years of age. You must either bring your witnesses to the office or have them sign the form beforehand.
- Certificate of No Impediment (official names vary; e.g., for US citizens it is an “Affidavit of Competency to Marry”). This document proves you are legally free to marry. For international residents, this is usually issued by your home country’s embassy or consulate in Japan.
- Original Birth Certificate. This is frequently required by municipal offices to verify parentage and place of birth. It is highly recommended to bring an original copy along with a Japanese translation.
You must provide a Japanese translation of all documents submitted. This does not need to be done by a professional translator; you can do it yourself. Most affidavits issued by embassies in Japan already include Japanese text to simplify this process.
And then you’re married!
Once your documents are registered, you are officially married. Note that you do not automatically receive a certificate; you must request one. There are two common versions:
- Kekkon-todoke juri shōmeisho (結婚届受理証明書). This is the standard certificate of acceptance. It acts as official evidence of your marriage and is the document required for dependent visa applications. It usually costs ¥300.
- Kekkon-todoke kisai jiko shōmeisho (結婚届記載事項証明書). This is a more detailed certificate that includes photocopies of all the documents you submitted. This is often required for certain legal procedures in your home country and costs ¥800.
Legalizing Your Marriage for Use Abroad (Apostille)
Registering at the ward office makes you legally married in Japan, but your home country’s government often requires an Apostille to recognize the document. An Apostille is a certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Japan that authenticates the official seal of the ward office. For member countries of the Hague Convention (which includes the UK, US, and most recently Singapore), this is a 1–3 day process that can be done for free by mail or in person at MOFA offices in Tokyo or Osaka. Without this, your marriage certificate may not be accepted for name changes or passport applications in your home country.
Same-Sex Partnerships in Japan
As of April 2026, national marriage equality has not yet been codified into the Civil Code, though the Supreme Court’s Grand Bench is currently reviewing several historic challenges. In the meantime, over 500 municipalities and most prefectures (including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) operate Partnership Oath Systems. While these do not provide the full national rights of marriage—such as spousal tax deductions or legal joint custody—they do offer critical local recognitions. These include the ability to apply for joint public housing, hospital visitation rights as next-of-kin, and eligibility for joint mortgages at major Japanese banks.
Other FAQs
How much does it cost?
The act of registering the marriage at the municipal office is free.
How long does it take?
If your documents are in order, the registration process usually takes about an hour.
Can we get married if my spouse is on a tourist visa?
Yes. While some ward offices may incorrectly ask for a residence certificate (jūminhyō), the law only requires valid identification (a passport) and proof of capacity to marry. If you encounter difficulties, try a municipal office in an area with a high international population, such as Minato, Shinjuku, or Shibuya, which are more familiar with these cases.
