International Marriage (Spouse Visa)

<When completing the international marriage procedure overseas first>

1.The Japanese national prepares the necessary documents and travels to the foreign country
Japanese citizens must prepare necessary documents such as the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage before traveling to their partner’s country. Without the required paperwork, the marriage procedure cannot proceed locally. Therefore, it’s essential to check with the embassy or consulate of the country where the marriage will be registered in advance and confirm exactly which documents are needed.

Note: In some cases, the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage alone may not be sufficient. Depending on the country, additional formalities may be required, such as:

• Authentication by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by authentication by the foreign country’s embassy or consulate in Japan (commonly known as consular authentication).
• Or, obtaining an apostille from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961.

Which of these procedures applies depends on the partner’s country, so it’s advisable to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or consult directly.

2.The foreign national partner prepares the necessary documents in their home country
The foreign national must also gather all necessary documents for marriage in their home country. Since the legal system and procedures for international marriage differ greatly between countries, it’s important to verify with local authorities or the relevant embassy in advance to ensure accurate preparation.

3.Complete the marriage procedure in the foreign partner’s home country
Both parties submit the prepared documents (from both the Japanese and foreign sides) to the appropriate local government office in the foreign country to officially register their marriage.

4.Submit a notification of marriage to Japanese authorities
In Japan, all international marriages must be reported through a notification of marriage. After the marriage, this can be done either by submitting the report to the local municipal office upon returning to Japan or by filing it at the Japanese embassy or consulate abroad.

<When completing the international marriage procedure in Japan first>

Here is the procedure for registering an international marriage in Japan first:

1.The foreign partner obtains required documents in their home country
Regardless of their nationality, the foreign partner usually needs to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. This document certifies that there are no legal impediments to the marriage (e.g., that the person is single).　In some countries, this certificate may not exist as part of the legal system. In such cases, substitute documents—such as sworn affidavits—are generally used.

2.Translate foreign-language documents into Japanese
Foreign documents will not be accepted by Japanese municipal offices unless a Japanese translation is provided. Even if a staff member happens to understand English, translation is still required for formal procedures. The translation must include the translator’s name and address.

3.The Japanese national prepares required documents
The Japanese partner also needs to prepare necessary documents, such as a koseki tohon (family registry). This document confirms their single status and eligibility for marriage and can be obtained from the municipal office of their residence.

4.Submit the required documents along with the marriage registration form
The marriage registration form and all previously prepared documents are submitted to the municipal office of the Japanese partner’s residence or family registry. If there are no issues, the marriage will be accepted, and a Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Registration will be issued. This completes the marriage procedure in Japan.

5.Report the marriage to the foreign partner’s home country
Even after completing the marriage procedure in Japan, the foreign partner’s home country will not automatically be aware of it. Therefore, a report must be filed with the relevant embassy or consulate of the foreign partner’s country in Japan. Bring the Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Registration to submit.

Note: The need for this report and the required documents vary by country. It is recommended to check with the relevant embassy or consulate in advance. In some countries, this report may not be required at all.

<Applying for and obtaining a spouse visa>

Even after a valid international marriage, the foreign spouse cannot live in Japan unless they obtain a spouse visa.

1. How to apply for a spouse visa

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application (when inviting a spouse from overseas)
  If the foreign spouse is still living abroad, you must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through the Immigration Bureau in Japan. Once approved, the certificate can be used to apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas.
• Change of status application (when the spouse is already in Japan)
  If the foreign spouse is already in Japan under another visa, they can apply to change their current status to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.” For example, if they were staying in Japan on a work visa and then got married, they may continue their stay under the work visa, but switching to a spouse visa provides more flexibility, such as broader employment options and a smoother path to permanent residency.

2. Procedures after the visa is granted

• If the COE is approved
  Send the Certificate of Eligibility to the spouse overseas. They can then use it to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate. Once granted, they must enter Japan within 3 months.
• If the status change is approved
  Since the foreign spouse’s current residence card will still show outdated visa information, they must update it at the regional immigration bureau to reflect the new status.

These are the necessary steps for registering an international marriage overseas and the full process for obtaining a spouse visa to begin life in Japan.