Required Documents for International Marriage

Introduction

The procedures for international marriage vary depending on which country your partner is from, but there are certain documents that are commonly required when submitting a marriage registration in Japan.

This page explains the basic documents needed for international marriage procedures in Japan.

Documents Required for International Marriage in Japan

The following documents are generally required when processing an international marriage in Japan:

For Both Partners

• Marriage Registration Form (Kon-in Todoke) — available at municipal offices or downloadable from the Ministry of Justice website

For the Foreign National Partner

• Passport (for presentation)
• Residence Card (for presentation, if residing in Japan)
• Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage, or equivalent document (Japanese translation required if in a foreign language)

For the Japanese Partner

• Photo ID (My Number Card, driver's license, etc. for presentation)

Note: As of the 2024 legal revision, a family register (koseki tohon) is no longer required even when submitting the marriage registration at a municipal office different from your registered domicile.

About the Marriage Registration Form

The marriage registration form is the same one used for marriages between Japanese nationals. It can be obtained at any municipal office or downloaded from the Ministry of Justice website.

Key points for filling it out:

• The Japanese partner fills in their section in Japanese as usual
• The foreign partner's name and parents' names should be written in katakana (not alphabet)
• The signature field must be handwritten by each person; other fields may be filled in by proxy
• If the foreign partner does not have a personal seal (hanko), a handwritten signature is acceptable
• Two witnesses are required — they can be Japanese or foreign nationals as long as they have a registered address in Japan

What Is a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage?

A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (Kon-in Youken Gubi Shoumeisho) is a document certifying that the foreign national meets the marriage requirements under their country's law — such as being single and of marriageable age.

This certificate is issued by the embassy or consulate of the foreign partner's country in Japan. Additional documents such as a birth certificate or single status certificate may be required, so check with the embassy in advance.

Countries That Do Not Issue This Certificate

Some countries do not have a system for issuing a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. In such cases, alternative documents must be prepared.

Possible alternatives include:

• A sworn statement (affidavit) made before an ambassador or consul, declaring that the person meets the marriage requirements under their country's law (Japanese translation also required)
• If an affidavit is also unavailable: copies of the home country's marriage laws, passport, nationality certificate, single status certificate, etc. — the municipal office will then refer the case to the Legal Affairs Bureau for review

When referral to the Legal Affairs Bureau is necessary, it may take 2 to 3 months or more before the marriage registration is accepted.

For Myanmar Nationals

The Myanmar Embassy does not issue a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. Instead, a single status certificate and family list issued in Myanmar are required. An additional written statement prepared at the Japanese municipal office must also be completed.

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Important Notes About Documents

Japanese Translation of Foreign Language Documents

All documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. You may translate the documents yourself, but the translator's name and address must be noted at the end of the translation.

Document Validity Periods

Official documents have expiration dates. Generally, documents issued in Japan are valid for 3 months, while those issued abroad are valid for 6 months. Since expired documents must be re-obtained, start by collecting documents that take the longest to acquire.

Required Documents Vary by Country

Even similar documents may have different names or procedures depending on the country. Always confirm requirements with both the Japanese municipal office and the embassy or consulate of your partner's country before preparing your documents.

Summary

• Basic required documents: marriage registration form, passport, and Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
• Alternative documents are needed for countries that do not issue the certificate
• Japanese translations must be attached to all foreign language documents
• Pay attention to document validity periods and start with those that take longest to obtain
• Required documents differ by country — always confirm in advance