Job Discussion Forums

CanKorea · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Currently in Canada

Hi again. Does anyone out there know if foreigners can get married legally in Japan? I've been hearing that it wouldn't be recognized if we did. I'm Canadian and my fiance is American. So marrying a Japanese national is not the issue here. Would an embassy/consulate do this sort of thing?

Strange question I know, but help is appreciated. I like to over research my options.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

If you submit the required paperwork at the city office where you live, you are legally married in Japan. The ceremony might be nice (and expensive!), but in the eyes of the law, is not in itself legal.
Whether or not your home country recognizes your Japanese marriage as valid depends on your country.
In the US, a Japanese marriage is legally recognized.
You should be mindful of the fact that each city requires different documents, and different standards of bureaucratic pettiness ("thoroughness") regarding the translations and details.
I recommend you have the following:

Birth Certificate (preferably the original)
Affidavit from your own embassy stating that you are legally able to get married
Your passport, with a copy of the first page.

You should have these documents translated into Japanese (your fiance can probably do it, with your help).
There are other forms which the city will require you to fill out.
Don't get to frustrated if the city bureaucrats seem obsessed with the red tape. A little patience and time, and you'll be out of there a married couple!

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Because you'll want your marriage to be recognized in your home countries check with them. Each contry has different requirements. I know that for Canadians the process is pretty simple to be formally recognized as married, for Americans it can be complicated. So don't worry about Japan, worry about home. I didn't even have to prove to my ward office that my husband and I were marred. I just said he's my husband and they made the proper changes and we don't even share the same last name.

CanKorea · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Currently in Canada

Ok, thanks for the help guys! Maybe it's best just to wait until we're home.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

I think it would be easier to get married in one of your home countries. Is there anyone reason to do it here in Japan? Like visa purposes?

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

Oops! Sorry for the mistake!! Perhaps I should have paid better attention to the original post before writing my reply!! Embarassed

malcoml · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 215 Location: Australia

A friend of mine got married to a girl from central america only to find out that when he went for a divorce it had never been officially reconised as married.
Apparently as the paperwork was in spanish it was not reconised. This may be the case in Japan. I work in finance and know that if I was to issue someone an offer document or have them fill out an application in a foreign language it would not be reconised.

CanKorea · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Currently in Canada

In response to mp, since I'm Canadian and he's American, I thought it would make immigration applications (to whichever country we decide to live in) go more smoothly.

But, we'll probably get married once we're back. Not enough time to get all those certificates anyway.