When a Japanese citizen and a foreign national marry, they must simultaneously satisfy the legal requirements of both Japan and the other party’s country.

・Japanese Law: Males can marry at 18 years old, females at 16 years old.
・Foreign Law: Must comply with that country’s marriage age and marriage-related regulations.
※Please Note: According to foreign law, even if the Japanese spouse meets Japan’s marriage age requirements, they must also comply with the foreign spouse’s country’s marriage laws for the marriage to be legally established.

The specific procedures for Japanese-foreign marriages will differ depending on whether the marriage is processed first in Japan or first in the foreign country.

1.Processing Marriage Procedures in Japan First

When you choose to process the marriage in Japan first, in principle, the foreign spouse is required to hold medium- to long-term residence status and be residing in Japan (short-term residents may also be able to process in some cases).
After completing marriage registration within Japan, this marriage is usually recognized as a valid marriage by the foreign spouse’s home country. Whether it is necessary to process registration or recognition procedures again in the other party’s country depends on that country’s laws.

Subsequent Procedures in Foreign Countries After Japanese Procedures Are Completed

Some countries require the foreign spouse to process changes in marital status at their home country’s government departments (for example, changing from “unmarried” to “married”).
Japanese municipal governments will issue a “Marriage Acceptance Certificate” or “Marriage Registration Certificate.”

This certificate can be sent to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authentication, then to the foreign spouse’s home country embassy or consulate general in Japan for authentication, before being sent back to the foreign spouse’s home country for necessary registration.

2.Processing Marriage Procedures in Foreign Countries First

If you choose to process marriage procedures in the foreign country first, the Japanese citizen and foreign national need to carry necessary documents according to that country’s laws, go to the designated marriage registration authority in the foreign spouse’s home country to process registration, and receive a marriage certificate.

Subsequent Procedures in Japan After Foreign Procedures Are Completed

The Japanese spouse needs to return to Japan alone or together with the foreign spouse, and submit a “Marriage Notification” to Japanese municipal government offices to complete Japan’s marriage registration.

Finally, Apply for Spouse Visa (配偶ビザ) at Immigration Services Agency
After marriage procedures in both countries are completely finished, if the couple wishes to live together in Japan, they need to carry marriage certificates issued by both countries and apply to Japan Immigration Services Agency for the “Spouse of Japanese National, etc.” visa (commonly called “Spouse Visa”).