【手続き関連】Getting Married in Japan as an International or Foreign Couple – What You Need to Know

So, you’ve decided to get married — congratulations! Now, if I may, I would like to share just a few pieces of advice with you.

Getting married in Japan is a legal process, not just a personal or emotional decision. You are officially registering your marriage with a Japanese local government office, and it will only be accepted if all legal requirements are met.

Every country has its own rules about marriage process, and Japanese city offices require specific documents from your home country.

Before you begin, check with both your country’s embassy or consulate and the Japanese city office to make sure you have all the right documents and everything is in order.

One of the most important documents is the Affidavit for Marriage. This is not just a form listing your name, birthdate, and nationality. At its core, it is a sworn statement made under oath, affirming that you meet the legal conditions to marry. It declares that:

• You are of legal age to marry,
• You are not currently married,
• You are marrying voluntarily.
  
  An affidavit that lacks a sworn statement under oath is no longer an affidavit in the true legal sense.

You usually need to sign this document in front of a notary public, who will check your identity and make sure the statement follows the legal rules of your home country.

This means the declaration must be made under the legal authority of your own country, not that of another.

For example, affidavits notarized by U.S. notaries for non-U.S. citizens are not considered valid documents and usually not accepted by Japanese registry offices.

Fill Out the Affidavit Carefully
The Affidavit for Marriage must be filled out accurately and clearly. Any errors or omissions may delay the process or lead to rejection of your application.

• Your first, middle (if applicable), and last name.
• Your parents’ first, middle (if applicable), and last names, as well as your mother’s maiden name.
• Indicate whether you are the first, second, third, etc., son or daughter.
• Your full home address, including street number, street name, city/town, and state/county.
• Your passport information, if you have one

Once your affidavit is properly prepared and notarized, you can submit it to the Japanese city office as part of your marriage registration. The Japanese city office will then accept this notarized affidavit as part of your marriage paperwork.

Exceptions (in some cases)
Some city halls in Japan may accept a Notification of Marriage even without a notarized affidavit if the following conditions apply:

• You are from a country where obtaining official proof of single status (such as divorce recognition or a divorce decree) is extremely difficult and costly.
• You have limited or no access to your country’s embassy or consulate.
  In such cases, the city hall may provide a statement form that can be used as the required documentation for the marriage.
  
  *** Additional note: (Updated December 2025)
  If you have a certified copy of your Birth Certificate but do not have an Affidavit, the city hall may still accept your marriage notification without requiring additional documentation. However, this is considered an exceptional arrangement and is generally limited to SOFA personnel. For details and confirmation, please contact the city hall directly.

The standard protocol is to submit either: an affidavit of marriage, or a certificate of competence to contract marriage (also known as a certificate of no impediment).

We recommend checking with your local city office in advance to confirm what documents are required in your specific case.

Contact us
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