How to Get Married in Japan as a Foreigner: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting married in Japan as a foreigner is absolutely possible — and more common than many people realize. In 2019, Japan registered approximately 21,919 international marriages, accounting for about 1 in every 30 marriages in the country. Whether you're a foreigner marrying a Japanese national, or two foreigners tying the knot in Japan, the process is achievable with the right preparation.

This guide walks you through every step of the marriage registration process in Japan, from gathering documents to obtaining your spousal visa. By the end, you'll know exactly what to expect and how to navigate Japan's bureaucratic system with confidence.

!Couple at Japanese city hall submitting marriage registration documents

Understanding Legal Marriage in Japan

The most important thing to understand upfront: Japan only recognizes civil marriages registered at a municipal government office (city hall or ward office). Religious ceremonies — whether at a Shinto shrine, Christian church, or Buddhist temple — are meaningful and beautiful, but they carry no legal weight in Japan.

Until you submit the correct paperwork to your local city or ward office, you are legally single in Japan. This applies regardless of whether you've had an elaborate ceremony at a five-star venue. The legal process is separate from any celebration you choose to hold.

Japan's Civil Code requires both partners to be 18 years or older (a change standardized in 2022 for all genders). Additionally, foreign nationals must meet their own home country's legal requirements to marry — meaning if your country has restrictions, you must comply with those as well.

For more context on living in Japan as a foreigner, see our complete guide to daily life in Japan.

Step 1: Obtain Your Certificate of No Impediment

The Certificate of No Impediment (known in Japanese as 婚姻要件具備証明書, kon-in yoken gubi shomeisho) is the document that proves you are legally free to marry under your home country's laws. This is required from all foreign nationals getting married in Japan.

This certificate is issued by your home country's embassy or consulate in Japan. Here's how it works for common nationalities:

Important note for US citizens: As of September 1, 2025, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Japan no longer notarize "Affidavits of Competency to Marry." Check the current U.S. Embassy website for the latest procedures.

Some countries do not issue this certificate. If your embassy doesn't provide one, they may offer an affidavit alternative that you sign under oath. Contact your embassy well in advance — this step typically takes 1-2 weeks.

The certificate is usually valid for 3-6 months, so plan your registration timing accordingly.

For comprehensive immigration guidance, see our complete Japan visa and immigration guide.

Step 2: Gather All Required Documents

Once you have your Certificate of No Impediment, you'll need to collect additional documents. Requirements vary slightly by municipality, so always confirm with your local city or ward office before the submission day.

Documents typically required:

• Kon-in Todoke (婚姻届) — The marriage registration form, available for free at any city or ward office
• Certificate of No Impediment — From your embassy (with Japanese translation)
• Valid passport — With Japanese translation of key pages
• Resident card (在留カード, *zairyu card*) — If you're a registered resident of Japan
• Birth certificate — Required by some municipalities (with Japanese translation)
• Two witness signatures — Any two adults of any nationality, over 20 years old

Translation requirements: All foreign documents must be accompanied by Japanese translations. The good news: professional translation is NOT required. You or your partner can translate documents yourself, as long as names and addresses are written correctly in katakana.

Document validity:

• Japanese documents: Valid approximately 3 months
• Overseas documents: Valid 6 months or less
• Plan your document gathering timeline to ensure nothing expires before your submission date.

For help managing finances and banking during this process, check our banking and finance guide for foreigners in Japan.

Step 3: Fill Out the Kon-in Todoke (Marriage Registration Form)

The Kon-in Todoke is the official marriage registration form that makes your union legally recognized in Japan. You can pick up this form for free at any city hall, ward office, or even download it from many municipal websites.

Key points about filling out this form:

• Fill it out in Japanese (or have a bilingual helper assist you)
• Your name appears in katakana — your partner or staff at the office can help with this
• Two witnesses must sign — any two people of legal age (the legal adult age in Japan is 18, but witnesses traditionally must be 20+; check current rules with your municipality)
• Witnesses don't need to be present at submission — they can sign in advance

The form asks for basic information: both partners' names, addresses, nationalities, parents' names, and the intended married name/surname arrangement.

Important: Both partners should ideally attend the submission together with valid photo ID. Some offices may process with just one partner if necessary, but policies vary.

Step 4: Submit at Your City or Ward Office

With all documents prepared, head to your local city hall or ward office (市区町村役場, shi-ku-cho-son yakuba). You do not need to go to a special office — any municipal office can process your marriage registration.

What happens on submission day:

1. Present all documents to the civil registration desk (戸籍課, koseki-ka)
2. Staff will review your paperwork — they may ask questions or request clarifications
3. If everything is in order, your marriage is registered the same day you submit
4. Request a Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Marriage (婚姻届受理証明書) — this is your official proof that the marriage was accepted

The registration itself is completely free. A copy of the acceptance certificate costs approximately ¥350.

Office hours: Most city halls operate Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm. Some larger wards have extended hours. Marriage registration can often be submitted 24/7 at the reception desk (though same-day processing requires staff to be present).

For more about navigating Japanese bureaucracy, see our moving to Japan guide.

Step 5: Notify Your Home Country's Embassy

After registering in Japan, many countries require you to report your marriage to your home country's embassy or consulate in Japan. This ensures your marriage is recognized back home.

Requirements vary significantly by country:

• US citizens must report marriage to the U.S. Embassy for it to be recorded in US records
• EU citizens may need to report to their country's registry (civil status authorities)
• Some countries automatically recognize marriages registered in Japan under bilateral agreements

Check with your specific embassy for their requirements and timeline — some require notification within a specific number of days.

!Japanese marriage documents and registration process

Step 6: Apply for the Spouse Visa

If your partner is a foreign national and needs to remain in Japan after marriage, they'll need a Spouse of Japanese National visa status — or if marrying another foreigner, potentially a different visa category.

Spouse of Japanese National Visa:

• Fee: ¥4,000 application fee
• If your partner is overseas: Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) first (processing time: 1-3 months), then use the COE to apply for a visa at your local Japanese embassy
• If your partner is already in Japan: Apply for a status of residence change at the Immigration Services Agency (processing time: 2 weeks to 1 month)

What immigration looks for: Immigration officials evaluate these marriages carefully. Strong applications include:

• Photos showing your relationship history together
• Communication records (emails, messages, call logs)
• Proof of shared living situation
• Evidence of financial stability (approximately ¥3 million annual household income is considered favorable)

For comprehensive visa information, see our Japan visa and immigration guide.

After Marriage: Important Next Steps

Congratulations — you're married! But there are a few important things to take care of after registration:

Surname change (if applicable): If you're changing your surname, you must submit the name change within 6 months of marriage registration. After this period, changing your married name becomes significantly more difficult.

Update your residence registration: Notify your city office of any address changes or status updates. Your residence record (住民票, jumin-hyo) will need to reflect your new status.

Pathway to permanent residency: One significant benefit of marriage to a Japanese national: permanent residency becomes available after just 3 years of genuine marriage with at least 1 year of Japan residence — compared to the standard 10-year requirement for regular residents.

Tax and financial benefits: Married couples in Japan can access spousal deductions and other tax benefits if the lower-earning partner's income falls below specified thresholds. See our taxes in Japan guide for details.

Special Situations: Two Foreigners Getting Married in Japan

Both parties being non-Japanese doesn't prevent you from legally marrying in Japan. The process is similar, but both partners must provide Certificates of No Impediment from their respective countries.

Note that the marriage will be registered in Japan's records, but whether it's recognized in your home countries depends on each country's laws regarding marriages contracted abroad. Verify recognition requirements with both countries' embassies before proceeding.

Same-Sex Marriage in Japan

As of 2026, Japan does not legally recognize same-sex marriages at the national level. However, many municipalities and wards (including Tokyo) offer partnership certificates that provide some level of local recognition — though these carry no national legal standing.

The situation is evolving, with significant public debate and legal challenges ongoing. For the latest updates, check reputable news sources or your country's embassy in Japan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thousands of foreigners successfully marry in Japan every year, but some common pitfalls can delay or complicate the process:

1. Expired documents — Check validity dates on all documents before submission
2. Incomplete translations — All foreign-language documents need Japanese translations
3. Missing witness signatures — Don't forget to get two witnesses to sign the Kon-in Todoke
4. Not pre-checking with city hall — Requirements can vary by municipality; always confirm in advance
5. Skipping the embassy notification — Your home country may require timely notification
6. Delaying the surname change — The 6-month window goes by quickly

For further reading, check out these excellent resources:

• Living in Nihon's International Marriage Guide
• For Work in Japan's Marriage Registration Procedures
• GaijinPot's Foreigner's Guide to Marriage in Japan
• MailMate's Getting Married in Japan Guide
• Coto Academy's Step-by-Step Marriage Guide
• IT転職 Career Resources for Foreigners in Japan

Conclusion

Getting married in Japan as a foreigner involves bureaucratic steps, but it's a manageable process with careful preparation. The key steps are: obtain your Certificate of No Impediment from your embassy, gather and translate all required documents, fill out the Kon-in Todoke with two witnesses, and submit to your local city hall.

The registration itself is free and processed the same day when documents are in order. After marriage, don't forget to notify your home country's embassy, apply for the appropriate visa if needed, and take care of surname changes within the 6-month window.

Japan's international marriage community is vibrant and growing. With this guide in hand, you're well-equipped to navigate the process and start your married life in Japan on the right foot.

For more guides on building your life in Japan, explore our resources on finding housing in Japan, raising children in Japan, and marriage and relationships in Japan.